Undergraduate Catalog 2005- 2006

Sociology

Department of Sociology

College of Arts and Sciences
430 Park Hall
North Campus
Buffalo, NY 14260-4140

Phone: 716.645.2417
Fax: 716.645.3934
Web: sociology.buffalo.edu

Michael P. Farrell
Chair

Sampson Lee Blair
Director of Undergraduate Studies

About the Program

Sociology examines the causes, characteristics, changes, and consequences of human behavior in groups, and provides an understanding of the structure and dynamics of social systems and issues. It emphasizes the study of individuals, social groups, and social systems as they relate to each other and to important societal issues, such as community, education, family, gender, social class, culture, law, health, environment, and war. Students are introduced to the history of social thought and to the applied and theoretical methods used to study these diverse topics. Training in sociology prepares students for a wide variety of professional careers and for active, enlightened participation in local, national, and world affairs.

Degree Options

In addition to the general major in sociology, the department offers three focus areas: family and the life course, law and society/criminology, community/cultural studies. Each focus area has a set of associated courses.

Transfer Policy

Students may transfer sociology courses taken elsewhere; however, the department accepts no more than 15 credit hours of appropriate sociology courses toward the major requirements. Course descriptions may need to be provided to the department.

Honors, Awards, and Scholarships

The honors program in the Department of Sociology requires a minimum GPA of 3.25 in sociology and overall. Students must have junior or senior standing and be a major in sociology. Students choosing to participate in the honors program are required to complete 6 credit hours of honors credit in the department, normally spanning two semesters. Three of these credit hours are taken through SOC 441 Honors Program and 3 credit hours are taken through SOC 499 Independent Study. The honors program provides students with a unique opportunity to pursue an individual research project under close faculty supervision. The program is particularly valuable for students who plan to pursue advanced training in sociology or related disciplines. Honors graduates will be designated as graduating with honors (minimum of 3.25), high honors (minimum 3.5), or highest honors (minimum 3.75).

The Lucia Maria Houpt prize is awarded each year at graduation “to a student of the senior class judged as having shown the greatest excellence and proficiency in the work of the Sociology department during the academic year.”

The Nathaniel Cantor Scholarship Fund is an annual scholarship for sociology and anthropology undergraduate students who plan to enter the field of social work or vocational rehabilitation.

Certificates of outstanding performance are awarded to students with the best academic record in each of the three areas of concentration listed above.

Notable Program Features

Alpha Kappa Delta/Zeta Chapter. Alpha Kappa Delta is the international sociology honor society. An undergraduate student must be an officially declared sociology major or demonstrate a serious interest in sociology; must have completed at least 12 credit hours in sociology; must be at least a junior; and must have achieved a minimum GPA of 3.0 in sociology and overall.

Sociology - B.A.

Acceptance Criteria

Minimum GPA of 2.0 overall.
Minimum GPA of 2.0 in SOC 101 and in two other sociology courses.

Advising Notes

Minimum grade of C required in SOC 293, SOC 294, and SOC 349 or SOC 350
Double majors must meet all the departmental requirements noted above.
Joint majors are possible only with other majors that offer the BA degree. Students must complete SOC 101, SOC 293, SOC 294, and SOC 349 or SOC 350 with a minimum grade of “C” in each course, and four additional sociology courses.

Prerequisite Courses

SOC 101 Introduction to Sociology
Two other SOC courses

Required Courses

SOC 293 Social Research Methods (may substitute PSY 250 or SSC 213 with the addition of 3 credit hours of sociology electives)
SOC 294 Basic Statistics for Social Sciences (may substitute CEP 207, ECO 480, PSC 408, PSY 207, STA 119, or SSC 225 with the addition of 3 credit hours of sociology electives)
SOC 349 History and Development of Sociological Theory or SOC 350 Contemporary Sociological Theory
Eight SOC electives at any level

Summary
Total required credit hours for the major: 36

See Baccalaureate Degree Requirements for general education and remaining university requirements.

Recommended Sequence of Program Requirements

FIRST YEAR
Fall—SOC 101
Spring—One 200-level SOC elective

SECOND YEAR
Fall—SOC 293 (may substitute PSY 250 or SSC 213 with the addition of 3 credit hours of sociology electives)
Spring—SOC 294 (may substitute CEP 207, ECO 480, PSC 408, PSY 207, STA 119, or SSC 225 with the addition of 3 credit hours of sociology electives)

THIRD YEAR
Fall—SOC 349 or SOC 350; one 300/400-level SOC elective
Spring—Two 300/400-level SOC electives

FOURTH YEAR
Fall—Two 300/400-level SOC electives
Spring—Two 300/400-level SOC electives


Sociology - Minor

Acceptance Criteria

Minimum GPA of 2.0 overall.
Minimum GPA of 2.0 in the prerequisite courses.

Advising Notes

Four courses within the minor must be 300- or 400-level courses.

Prerequisite Courses

SOC 101 Introduction to Sociology
Two other SOC courses

Required Courses

Three additional sociology courses (9 credit hours)

Summary
Total required credit hours for the minor: 18



Course Descriptions

SOC 101 Introduction to Sociology

Credits:  3
Semester: F Sp
Prerequisites:  None
Corequisites:  None
Type:  LEC

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Introduces fundamental ideas and concepts of sociology, including culture, norms, status, role, socialization, stratification, industrialization, urbanization, and bureaucratization.

 

SOC 111 Contemporary Popular Music

Credits:  3
Semester:
Prerequisites:  None
Corequisites:  None
Type:  LEC

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Same as AMS 111. Outlines historical developments that helped formulate today’s jazz and rock movements. Emphasizes roots and foundations of the forms.

SOC 201 Structure of American Society

Credits:  3
Semester:
Prerequisites:  None
Corequisites:  None
Type:  LEC

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Introduces principal features and modern tendencies of patterned behavior in American society.

 

SOC 205 Sociology of Art

Credits:  3
Semester:
Prerequisites:  None
Corequisites:  None
Type:  LEC

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Examines the linkages between social processes and artistic endeavors. Emphasizes the manners in which art, both historically and currently, has affected societies and influenced social behaviors.

SOC 206 Social Problems

Credits:  3
Semester:
Prerequisites:  None
Corequisites:  None
Type:  LEC

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Examines social problems and their history, theoretical perspectives in the literature, and social problems as related to and distinguished from the concepts of deviance and social disorganization.

 

SOC 211 Sociology of Diversity

Credits:  3
Semester:
Prerequisites:  None
Corequisites:  None
Type:  LEC

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Provides a sociological introduction to diversity in American society. Explores the bases and social implications of difference with particular reference to issues of race, ethnicity, religion, class, and gender.

SOC 235 Sociology of American Jews

Credits:  3
Semester:
Prerequisites:  None
Corequisites:  None
Type:  LEC

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Introduces the sociology of American Jews. Addresses the social foundations of the Jewish cultural experience, and, specifically, the relationship between the diverse population of Jewish religious adherents in the United States and the larger American society. Pays particular attention to issues of identity, family, social institutions, educational systems, assimilation, accommodation, and community matters. Additionally, the course moves beyond a strictly sociological perspective to present a survey and overview of the issues pertinent to the Jewish experience in America.

 

SOC 238 Women, Work, and Family in the 20th Century

Credits:  3
Semester:
Prerequisites:  None
Corequisites:  None
Type:  LEC

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Same as AMS 238. Explores the experience of women of different race, class, and ethnic groups regarding changes in women's responsibilities in the family, participation in the labor force, and the development of new family forms. The course illuminates contemporary issues regarding work, marriage, and family from a historical perspective.

SOC 293 Social Research Methods

Credits:  3
Semester:
Prerequisites:  None
Corequisites:  None
Type:  LEC

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Examines content analysis, unobtrusive measures, participant observation, surveys, field experiments, the relationship of methods to social theory development, ethical implications of the methods, and the use of research findings for designing social programs.

 

SOC 294 Basic Statistics for Social Sciences

Credits:  3
Semester:
Prerequisites:  None
Corequisites:  None
Type:  LEC

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Provides a foundation in the mathematics underlying statistical techniques for interpreting quantitative social data.

SOC 304 Sociology of Aging

Credits:  3
Semester:
Prerequisites:  None
Corequisites:  None
Type:  LEC

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Explores social and historical currents in the study of aging; physiological, social, and theoretical perspectives of gerontology; issues of daily living impinging on older persons; and the institutional and social structural consequences of demographic trends.

 

SOC 307 Criminology

Credits:  3
Semester:
Prerequisites:  None
Corequisites:  None
Type:  LEC

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Explains patterns in the incidence and frequency of crime and delinquency based on criminological theory and research.

SOC 308 Sociology of the Life Course

Credits:  3
Semester:
Prerequisites:  None
Corequisites:  None
Type:  LEC

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Introduces theories and research on socialization processes. Provides an overview of development and socialization in childhood, adolescence, and adulthood.

 

SOC 309 Introduction to Social Change

Credits:  3
Semester:
Prerequisites:  None
Corequisites:  None
Type:  LEC

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Basic issues and forces of social and cultural changes, both historic and contemporary.

SOC 310 Sociology of Education

Credits:  3
Semester:
Prerequisites:  None
Corequisites:  None
Type:  LEC

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Explores schools and colleges as social institutions in the United States and other societies.

 

SOC 313 Sociology of the Family

Credits:  3
Semester:
Prerequisites:  None
Corequisites:  None
Type:  LEC

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Examines the family in terms of its internal structure and its relationships with major social institutions. The analysis is generally cross-cultural, specifically emphasizing the American family.

SOC 314 Sociology of Gender

Credits:  3
Semester:
Prerequisites:  None
Corequisites:  None
Type:  LEC

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Makes visible what has been invisible through much of sociology's history. Examines both the social process and social structure of gender relations.

 

SOC 315 Sociology of City Life

Credits:  3
Semester:
Prerequisites:  None
Corequisites:  None
Type:  LEC

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Studies cities and metropolitan regions in terms of history, types, institutions, social organizations, ecological structure, and classes; urban problems; and city and regional planning.

SOC 317 Criminal Justice Systems

Credits:  3
Semester:
Prerequisites:  None
Corequisites:  None
Type:  LEC

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Studies the institutions that administer criminal law: police, prosecutor, courts, probation service, and prisons and jails. Introduces substantive and procedural criminal law as applied by those institutions.

 

SOC 319 Juvenile Justice

Credits:  3
Semester:
Prerequisites:  None
Corequisites:  None
Type:  LEC

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Reviews past and current legal reactions to adolescent deviance, delinquency, and crime.

SOC 321 Race and Ethnic Relations

Credits:  3
Semester:
Prerequisites:  None
Corequisites:  None
Type:  LEC

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Explores intergroup relations in the United States among racial, religious, nationality groups. Considers factors in the development of intergroup hostility, acculturation, assimilation, and pluralism.

 

SOC 322 Introduction to Medical Sociology

Credits:  3
Semester:
Prerequisites:  None
Corequisites:  None
Type:  LEC

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Examines social epidemiology, including the influence of social conditions on health status, and the effect of social milieu on the appearance of chronic degenerative disease and mental disorders.

SOC 325 Friendship and Life Course

Credits:  3
Semester:
Prerequisites:  None
Corequisites:  None
Type:  LEC

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Examines theories and research on social networks, small group development, and social support. Focuses on friendship across the life course.

 

SOC 326 Group Dynamics

Credits:  3
Semester:
Prerequisites:  permission of instructor
Corequisites:  None
Type:  SEM

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Improves the student’s ability to observe, conceptualize, and explain small-group processes by analyzing events that occur in the group. Meetings are videotaped or sound-taped to aid analysis.

SOC 328 Social Stratification

Credits:  3
Semester:
Prerequisites:  None
Corequisites:  None
Type:  LEC

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Explores systems of inequality in society, including theories of social stratification from Marx to the functionalists, forms of stratification systems, inequality in the United States, class consciousness, and class action.

 

SOC 329 Population Problems

Credits:  3
Semester:
Prerequisites:  None
Corequisites:  None
Type:  LEC

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Introduces the principles and methods of demographic analysis in sociology as it is used to examine population changes and their social, political, and economic implications for human societies.

SOC 332 Sociology of Work

Credits:  3
Semester:
Prerequisites:  None
Corequisites:  None
Type:  LEC

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Presents an historical analysis of the meaning, function, and commitment to work of people in industrial societies, emphasizing the United States. Also studies the extent of job satisfaction and alienation from work.

 

SOC 334 Introduction to Mass Cultural Studies

Credits:  3
Semester:
Prerequisites:  None
Corequisites:  None
Type:  LEC

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Examines popular culture and mass media through their relation to social processes. Introduces the tradition of cultural studies, especially the Frankfurt School of Sociology and the Birmingham School. Further considers contemporary approaches including cultural criticism, postmodernism and semiotics. Studies media culture as institutionalized in the film, music, television, advertising and publishing industries. Analyzes the relationship between popular culture and subcultures, especially adolescent subcultures.

SOC 335 Sociology of Adolescence

Credits:  3
Semester:
Prerequisites:  None
Corequisites:  None
Type:  LEC

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Explores social processes and the socialization of children and adolescents, including current patterns of generational conflict, generational succession as a social problem, and age gradings and the status system.

 

SOC 336 Sociology of Communication

Credits:  3
Semester:
Prerequisites:  None
Corequisites:  None
Type:  LEC

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Examines patterns of communication implied by senders or inferred by receivers drawn from media. Also explores categories and rules for interpreting and creating patterns; the genesis of patterns in social science, conventional thought, practical experience, and imagination; and their effects on class, ethnic, sex, and age groupings.

SOC 337 Sociology of Punishment

Credits:  3
Semester:
Prerequisites:  None
Corequisites:  None
Type:  LEC

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Studies the organizational emergence of legal institutions to treat, isolate, and punish the criminal offender.

 

SOC 348 Urban Sociology

Credits:  3
Semester:
Prerequisites:  None
Corequisites:  None
Type:  LEC

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Considers urban and metropolitan communities and their problems, including housing, transportation, urban renewal, race relations, poverty, and suburbanization.

SOC 349 History and Development of Sociological Theory

Credits:  3
Semester:
Prerequisites:  None
Corequisites:  None
Type:  LEC

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Explores the development of sociological theory and the forerunners of sociological thought, including contributions of Saint-Simon and Comte, Spencer, Marx, Durkheim, Weber, and others.

 

SOC 350 Contemporary Sociological Theory

Credits:  3
Semester:
Prerequisites:  None
Corequisites:  None
Type:  LEC

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Introduces contemporary sociological theories; studies the historical background of and systematically analyzes sociological perspectives, such as functionalism, symbolic interaction, systems approaches, structuralism, and contemporary Marxism.

SOC 351 Sociology of Religion

Credits:  3
Semester:
Prerequisites:  None
Corequisites:  None
Type:  LEC

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Explores religious behavior as it relates to the larger social system, including American religious phenomena and its cross-cultural perspective.

 

SOC 365 Sociology of Developing Countries

Credits:  3
Semester:
Prerequisites:  None
Corequisites:  None
Type:  LEC

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Provides a theoretical and cross-societal comparative analysis of the social-structural, cultural, and motivational changes in developing countries.

SOC 368 Special Topics

Credits:  3
Semester:
Prerequisites:  None
Corequisites:  None
Type:  LEC

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The content of this course is variable and therefore it is repeatable for credit. The University Grade Repeat Policy does not apply.

Special topics in sociology determined by individual faculty interest. Topic titles and content vary from semester to semester. Check with the department for current offerings.

 

SOC 370 Special Topics

Credits:  3
Semester:
Prerequisites:  None
Corequisites:  None
Type:  LEC

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The content of this course is variable and therefore it is repeatable for credit. The University Grade Repeat Policy does not apply.

Special topics in sociology determined by individual faculty interest. Topic titles and content vary from semester to semester. Check with the department for current offerings.

SOC 371 Individual and Society

Credits:  3
Semester:
Prerequisites:  None
Corequisites:  None
Type:  LEC

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Studies the relation between the individual and society. Examines major theoretical problems, such as human nature; communication and language; perception; socialization; role playing; and the interdependence of values, ideologies, and social structures.

 

SOC 373 Sociology of Law

Credits:  3
Semester:
Prerequisites:  None
Corequisites:  None
Type:  LEC

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Introduces social science materials on the nature of law, legal institutions, the legal profession, and the impact of law on behavior. Also considers theories of law and legality, comparative legal systems, police, lawyers, judges, jury, the effect of law on behavior, and the use of social science in the courts.

SOC 375 Postmodernism and War

Credits:  3
Semester:
Prerequisites:  None
Corequisites:  None
Type:  LEC

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Explores war as a system of organized violence. Also examines state war (external war) and class war (internal war), the military-police complex, and the polymorphous violence of contemporary society.

 

SOC 379 Sociology of Literature

Credits:  3
Semester:
Prerequisites:  None
Corequisites:  None
Type:  LEC

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Examines popular magazine fiction in relation to levels of taste and general values, and novels as presenting social strata. Utilizes selected scientific studies. Requires individual projects.

SOC 381 Social Movements

Credits:  3
Semester:
Prerequisites:  None
Corequisites:  None
Type:  LEC

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Introductory course; involves the theoretical and empirical study of reform movements.

 

SOC 384 Collective Behavior and Social Movements

Credits:  3
Semester:
Prerequisites:  None
Corequisites:  None
Type:  LEC

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Studies the individual’s participation in, and the structure, strategies, and developments of, organized groups that attempt to change society.

SOC 390 Race, Class, and Gender in the U.S. Military

Credits:  3
Semester:
Prerequisites:  None
Corequisites:  None
Type:  LEC

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Examines race, class, and gender relations in the United States armed forces. Studies the military as a social institution. With the help of sociological concepts, theories, and methods, students analyze both the internal organization and the practices of the armed forces and the relationships between the military and other institutions. Additional topics include recent Congressional hearings and military policies on race relations, women in combat, sexual harassment, sexual orientation, and quality-of-life issues.

 

SOC 405 Sociology of Deviance

Credits:  3
Semester:
Prerequisites:  None
Corequisites:  None
Type:  LEC

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Explores deviant behavior, and studies the sociological determinants of crime and delinquency, mental disorders, alcoholism, and drug addiction.

SOC 422 Senior Seminar in Medical Sociology

Credits:  3
Semester:
Prerequisites:  None
Corequisites:  None
Type:  SEM

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Social factors play a critical role in health. Social conditions and situations not only promote the possibility of illness and disability; they also enhance prospects of disease prevention and health maintenance. Examines the social facets of health and disease, the social functions of health organizations, the social behavior of health personnel and the users of health care, and the relationship of health-care systems to other social systems.

 

SOC 431 Historical Sociology

Credits:  3
Semester:
Prerequisites:  None
Corequisites:  None
Type:  LEC

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Investigates the connection between biography, social structure and history.

SOC 440 Social Theories of Gender

Credits:  3
Semester:
Prerequisites:  None
Corequisites:  None
Type:  SEM

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Reviews issues in critical theory, feminist theory, and postmodernism as they relate to sociology.

 

SOC 441 Honors Program

Credits:  3
Semester:
Prerequisites:  minimum GPA of 3.25 in sociology and overall, completion of 64 credit hours, and permission of department
Corequisites:  None
Type:  TUT

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Participation in the departmental honors program.

SOC 446 Environmental Sociology

Credits:  3
Semester:
Prerequisites:  None
Corequisites:  None
Type:  SEM

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Examines the emerging field of environmental sociology in theoretical and substantive ways, focusing on issues of importance in all modern industrial societies. Concerns the reciprocal relationship between human societies and change within the natural environment.

 

SOC 464 Sociology of the Arts

Credits:  3
Semester:
Prerequisites:  None
Corequisites:  None
Type:  LEC

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Considers reflection, social control, influence, and other theories of how the arts function in primitive and modern societies and cultures; also examines audiences and their relation to artists' roles.

SOC 467 Sociology and Social Policy

Credits:  3
Semester:
Prerequisites:  None
Corequisites:  None
Type:  LEC

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Provides a critical evaluation of how sociological research can affect the development, revision, and application of social policies. Conducts a broad examination of legislative and economic issues within a sociological perspective.

 

SOC 468 Special Topics

Credits:  3
Semester:
Prerequisites:  None
Corequisites:  None
Type:  SEM

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The content of this course is variable and therefore it is repeatable for credit. The University Grade Repeat Policy does not apply.

Special topics in sociology determined by individual faculty interest. Topic titles and content vary from semester to semester. Check with the department for current offerings.

SOC 477 Sociology of Health Care

Credits:  3
Semester:
Prerequisites:  None
Corequisites:  None
Type:  SEM

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Explores sociological perspectives on the role of health care facilities and systems in the larger society. Topics covered include the quality and availability of health care, training and socialization of care providers, governmental versus private control, and individual rights within health care.

 

SOC 481 Special Topics

Credits:  3
Semester:
Prerequisites:  None
Corequisites:  None
Type:  SEM

View Schedule

The content of this course is variable and therefore it is repeatable for credit. The University Grade Repeat Policy does not apply.

Special topics in sociology determined by individual faculty interest. Topic titles and content vary from semester to semester. Check with the department for current offerings.

SOC 482 Senior Seminar: Sociology of Law

Credits:  3
Semester:
Prerequisites:  Completion of 64 undergraduate credit hours including a minimum of two of the following sociology courses: criminal justice systems, punishment, deviance, juvenile justice, criminology, and sociology of law, or by permission of the instructor.
Corequisites:  None
Type:  SEM

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Covers advanced topics in deviance, juvenile justice, legal institutions, and criminology.

 

SOC 485 Social Change

Credits:  3
Semester:
Prerequisites:  None
Corequisites:  None
Type:  LEC

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Examines class interests, agency, social movements, culture and other important issues embedded in historical and contemporary perspectives on the processes of social change. We consider such topics and their place in understanding how society changes. Our focus is on change in the United States; however, we also look at case examples from other parts of the world and discuss how globalization impacts on our understanding of the processes of social change.

SOC 492 Analysis of Social Data

Credits:  3
Semester:
Prerequisites:  None
Corequisites:  None
Type:  SEM

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Special topics in the quantitative analysis of social data.

 

SOC 498 Internship Program

Credits:  1 - 6
Semester:
Prerequisites:  None
Corequisites:  None
Type:  TUT

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The content of this course is variable and therefore it is repeatable for credit. The University Grade Repeat Policy does not apply.

Typically conducted in a community agency, government office, or private setting. Gives students the opportunity to observe and participate in a variety of work experiences related to sociology. Open to sociology majors with junior- or senior-class standing only.

SOC 499 Independent Study

Credits:  1 - 12
Semester:
Prerequisites:  None
Corequisites:  None
Type:  TUT

View Schedule

The content of this course is variable and therefore it is repeatable for credit. The University Grade Repeat Policy does not apply.

A program of work agreed upon by the student and a faculty sponsor. Requires a faculty sponsor in the department before registering.

  

Updated: Nov 16, 2005 10:50:27 AM

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