Sociology Course Descriptions
(Italicized courses are pending approval from the
Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.)
SOC 1303 Social Problems (3-0). Study of social problems and issues facing the United States. Major problems and issues are analyzed and alternative solutions are evaluated. The course is designed for non-majors as well as majors.
SOC 2301 Introduction to Sociology (3-0). Outline of the sociological perspective and a survey of topical studies in sociology. Representative topics may include family, politics, economy, religion, education, crime, population, environment, and others.
SOC 2305 Social Psychology (3-0). A survey of environmental forces as they affect individual and group behavior. Topics to be studied include subcultural influences, group dynamics, attitude change, interpersonal attraction, prosocial behavior, and health. Prerequisite: Psychology 2301 or Sociology 2301. (Credit may not be earned for this course and PSY 2305.)
SOC 2307 Introduction to Social Work (3-0). An overview of the history and development of social work as a profession. The course is designed to foster a philosophical, historical, and critical understanding of social welfare programs, policies, and issues, in part thought developing a familiarity with local social service agencies.
SOC 3310 American Political Culture (3-0). A study of the cultural context of American politics, the development and transmission of political attitudes and values, and the role of public opinion in the political process. (Credit may not be earned for this course and GOVT 3311)
SOC 3312 Social Change and Development (3-0). Topics of current interest concerning social changes related to the global processes of industrial development and modernization.
SOC 3315 The Family (3-0). The family as s social institution and its relationships to other institutions, with special emphasis on the American family in a time of rapid social change.
SOC 3319 Population and Ecology (3-0). Topics of current interest concerning human population dynamics and relationships between humans and the environment.
SOC 3325 Social Research and Data Analysis (3-0). A review of the methods of social research with a brief introduction to elementary statistics, data analysis, and practice in computer applications. (Credit may not be earned for this course and SWK 3325.)
SOC 3327 Human Diversity and Social Inequality (3-0). A study of social values that promotes the understanding, affirmation, and respect for people from diverse backgrounds; integrates knowledge on at-risk populations and covers the effects of inequality, discrimination, stigma, and prejudice on human functioning. Promotes the understanding of economic and social justice. (Credit may not be earned for this course and SWK 3327.)
SOC 3341 Juvenile Delinquency (3-0). A study of the nature, extent, and varieties of delinquency in the United States relative to social institutions and peer groups. The course will survey historical and current theory as well as research pertaining to delinquent behavior, treatment, and prevention. (Credit may not be earned for this course and SWK 3341.)
SOC 3343 Criminology (3-0). A survey of the nature and extent of crime in America. The course will examine classical and contemporary theory as well as research pertaining to criminal behavior, treatment, and prevention. ( Credit may not be earned for this course and SWK 3343.)
SOC 4161 Integrative Seminar in Sociology (1-0). Senior capstone course for sociology majors that facilitates a synthesis of the sociology curriculum. This course focuses on the application of sociology across a variety of settings. An exit examination is required. Prerequisites: Senior standing.
SOC 4301 Sociological Theory (3-0). Analysis of the main traditions of sociological thought. Prerequisite: Sociology 2301.
SOC 4321 Correctional Case Management (3-0). A study of the various treatment and rehabilitation methods used by correctional case managers. Topics include the roles of correctional personnel, the assessment and treatment of juveniles and adults, casework in correctional settings, crisis intervention, the assessment and treatment of special populations in correctional settings, and the evaluation of treatment and rehabilitation programs. Prerequisites: PSY 2301 or SOC 2301 or SWK 2307 or SOC 2307. (Credit may not be earned for this course and SWK 4325.)
SOC 4323 Community Development (3-0). A service learning course focusing on community development. Students will have assigned readings and engage in applied social research while being assigned to work in the San Angelo community on one of the department's priority service learning projects. Prerequisites: Junior or Senior Standing.
SOC 4327 Human Sexuality (3-0). Provides a biopsychosocial perspective on human sexuality across the lifespan. Topics include the male and female sexual anatomy/physiology, multicultural perspectives on sexuality, sexual behavior, and sexual orientations, sexuality across the life cycle, the prevention and treatment of sexuality problems, and social problems related to human sexuality. (Credit may not be earned for this course and SWK 4327 or PSY 4327.)
SOC 4331 Sociology of Aging (3-0). A study of the social dimensions and significance of the aging experience: the individual experience of aging, description of the aging population and the social status of the aged, and the consequences of aging and the aged on society.
SOC 4332 Death and Dying (3-0). An extension of social gerontology into the last stage of the life course, examining such topics as the social and personal meaning of death and dying, grief and bereavement, and the interrelationships between the dying person and family, friends, and professionals.
SOC 4341 Social Deviance and Social Control (3-0). Provides a conceptual and theoretical overview of deviance in society and analysis of specific types of deviance with emphasis on a sociological understanding of the meanings, processes, and control of deviant behavior.
SOC 4371 Internship in Sociology. The student will be assigned to work in a social service agency. May be repeated once for credit. Prerequisites: Completion of 15 credit hours in sociology, departmental selection.
SOC 4381 Special Topics (3-0). Selected topics in sociology. (may be repeated once for credit when topic varies.)
SOC 4391 Research. A specialized course which may be directed reading or research for superior students majoring in sociology.
SOC 4671 Internship in Sociology. The student will be assigned to work in a social service agency. Prerequisites: Completion of 15 credit hours in sociology, departmental selection.
Concentration Courses from Other Disciplines
(Sociology credit cannot be earned with these courses, but they
may be used to fulfill concentration requirements.)
Social and Community Development (SCD) Concentration
GOVT 3305 Public Administration (3-0). A study of the fourth branch of government; its organization, personnel, finance, and methods of policy formation, with an analysis of problems accompanying and expanding bureaucracy.
GOVT 4311 Urban Problems and Public Policy (3-0). A study of issues and research areas n selected urban problems and the development of public policy in response to these problems.
Family and the Life Course (FLC) Concentration
EPSY 3301 Child Development (3-0). A study of the human development processes in children from birth to adolescents including the development characteristics of learners in the cognitive, social, emotional and physical domain. Special issues relevant to a diverse multicultural society and their sociocultural influences which affect children’s classroom behavior will be examined.
PSY 4335 Health Psychology (3-0). A study and application of contemporary theories and research in health psychology. Emphasis is on the interplay of biological, psychological, and social factors in relation to illness and wellness. Topics include pain and its management, behavioral factors in cardiovascular disease, weight management, alternative methods of healing, and connections between stress and disease. Prerequisite: PSY 2301.
Criminology and Deviance (CD) Concentration
CRIJ 2313 Correctional Systems and Practices (3-0). (This course is a mandated new THECB course for the criminal justice field of study.) Correction in the criminal justice system; organization of correctional system; correctional role; institutional operations: alternatives to institutionalization; treatment and rehabilitation; current and future issues.
PSY 4319 Drugs and Behavior (3-0). A study of the various drugs of abuse, both legal and illegal. Consideration of drug use and misuse, the political and social ramifications, and drug abuse prevention and treatment. Prerequisite: PSY 2301.