Sociology (SOC)

SOC 5303  Social Measurement and Causal Modeling  (3)  

Advanced multivariate statistical techniques; causal modeling; problems of research design, validity, and reliability. The course also involves the utilization of social science computer programs in the analysis of large-scale survey data.

SOC 5310  Social Demography  (3)  

A survey of demographic change, issues, and methods as they impact our social world. Emphasis is on the social and cultural aspects of demography, as well as the impact of the changing population in society.

SOC 5312  Social Science Data Analysis  (3)  
Cross-listed as PSC 5312  

This is a data-intensive course designed to acquaint students with the wide variety of available data types and sources for social science research. Students learn to access, analyze, and critique these various data types. In analyzing these data, we begin with simple univariate distributional statistics and progress through bivariate regression and correlation.

SOC 5314  Regression Analysis for the Social Sciences  (3)  
Pre-requisite(s): SOC 5312  

Regression analysis with continuous, categorical, and count outcomes, including ordinary least squares (OLS), logistic, ordered logistic, multinomial logistic, Poisson, and negative binomial regression.

SOC 5320  Seminar on the Community  (3)  

Theories of community structure and dynamics, methods community analysis, and techniques for community change.

SOC 5330  Evaluative Research  (3)  
Cross-listed as GRT 5330  

Conceptual, methodological, and administrative aspects of program evaluation. Problems of translating research findings into policies and programs are explored.

SOC 5332  The Sociology of Health: Health Delivery Systems  (3)  
Cross-listed as GRT 5332  

Special health problems of the aged person, with particular stress on related social factors and the strengths and weaknesses of existing health care systems. Alternate models for meeting the health needs of the aged are considered.

SOC 5336  The Family in Later Life  (3)  
Cross-listed as GRT 5336, SOC 5334, SWO 5336  

See SWO 5336 for course information.

SOC 5341  Introduction to Sociology of Religion  (3)  

Acceptance into the graduate program. Introduction to the main theories and empirical studies in the sociology of religion.

SOC 5342  Data Sources and Publishing in Sociology  (3)  

Introduction to various data sources, accompanied by training in how to publish research.

SOC 5343  Theory in the Sociology of Religion  (3)  
Pre-requisite(s): SOC 5341; or consent of instructor  

In depth analysis of the major social theories of religion.

SOC 5345  Sociology of Power  (3)  

Overview of the concepts, theories, and methods for studying power in human social life. Topics include power, oppression, inequality, the state, protest, and social change. Students read original texts, engage in critical thinking exercises, and write research papers.

SOC 5354  Seminar in Family Sociology  (3)  

Review of theoretical frameworks used in the study of family sciences. Emphasis is on classical and emerging approaches and the use of theory in research and program development.

SOC 5357  Seminar in Comparative Sociology  (3)  
Pre-requisite(s): SOC 6307 and 6314  

This in-depth introduction to comparative sociology begins with a philosophical discussion of what constitutes comparative research and the criteria for social causation. Next, it examines the strengths and weaknesses of various theoretical approaches to comparative sociology. Third, it analyzes important contemporary comparative studies.

SOC 5374  Sport in the Social Context  (3)  
Cross-listed as HP 5374  

See HP 5374 for course information.

SOC 5379  Graduate Research Methods  (3)  

An introduction to the logic and application of sociological research methods. Students learn key methodological principles as well as prominent quantitative and qualitative research designs.

SOC 5381  Advanced Research Methods  (3)  

Research projects under direct supervision of a faculty member. Although specific methodological areas will vary by project, content analysis, controlled experimental design, sampling, survey analysis, computer skills, and statistical techniques, will be emphasized.

SOC 5386  Community Based Research  (3)  

In this course students acquire first-hand experience in operationalizing a community-driven research project which includes the design, execution, and delivery of a final report to the community stakeholders.

SOC 5390  Summer Writing Practicum in Sociology  (3)  

Students spend the summer working with a faculty supervisor to improve their scholarly writing in the areas of framing a testable hypothesis, operationalizing and measuring concepts, and writing to the broader discipline. A publishable research article is the goal of the course.

SOC 5391  Advanced Sociological Theory  (3)  

Seminar on recent developments in sociological theory. Discussions will include critical evaluation of major theoretical systems, the development and use of paradigms, and the process of theory construction.

SOC 5392  Leisure Well-Being in Later Life  (3)  

Focus on how to create leisure opportunities to contribute to well-being of individuals in later years. Students will be involved in developing innovative approaches to leisure experiences for senior adults. Lab experience required.

SOC 5395  Sociopsychological Aspects of Counseling Adults  (3)  
Cross-listed as GRT 5395  
Pre-requisite(s): SOC 4393 or PSY 4355 and SOC 4395; or consent of instructor  

Adult development and socialization from the perspective of counseling interventions. Opportunities to develop counseling skills with middle-age and older persons will be provided along with appropriate supervision.

SOC 5397  Methods in Aging Research  (3)  
Cross-listed as GRT 5397, SWO 5397  

See SWO 5397 for course information.

SOC 5398  Advanced Sociological Theory II: Detailed Investigations of Contemporary Theory  (3)  
Pre-requisite(s): SOC 5391  

This seminar builds on Advanced Sociology Theory with detailed investigations of contemporary theory. In particular, discussion focuses on how to utilize social theory in research.

SOC 5V71  Special Topics in Sociology  (1-6)  
Pre-requisite(s): Consent of instructor  

Designed for students who wish to study with a professor in an area of sociology not covered by a formal course. Students will contract with professor regarding study and number of semester hours.

SOC 5V97  Seminar in Teaching  (1-6)  

Supervised teaching experience. The student will teach SOC 1305 under the supervision of a graduate faculty member. Lesson plans, syllabi, handouts, lecture examples, etc., will be discussed before and after classes. Videotaping of selected classes will provide media for critique and growth.

SOC 5V99  Thesis  (1-6)  

Research, data analysis, writing, and oral defense of an approved master’s thesis. At least six hours of SOC 5V99 are required.

SOC 6083  Proseminar in Sociology  (0)  
Pre-requisite(s): Enrolled in Department of Sociology's Ph.D  

Program. This seminar aids students in professional development. Weekly speakers discuss current research, publishing, teaching, and important topics/events in the sociology of religion. The course is pass/fail and required of all students pursuing a Ph.D. with an emphasis in sociology of religion. Course may be repeated 12 times.

SOC 6301  Focus Group Research  (3)  
Pre-requisite(s): Consent of instructor  

Students will apply information gathered from a review of the current literature to conduct a focus group research project under the supervision of the instructor. Students will conduct all phases of a focus group research project including design, sampling, administration and analysis.

SOC 6303  Telephone Surveys  (3)  
Pre-requisite(s): Consent of instructor  

Students will acquire knowledge of telephone survey techniques and use this information to conduct a telephone survey under the supervision of the instructor. Special emphasis will be given to issues of non-contact, refusals, demographic and behavioral screens, and random digit versus add a digit techniques.

SOC 6307  Statistical Methods for Survey Research  (3)  
Pre-requisite(s): Consent of instructor  

An introduction to several multivariate statistical techniques appropriate for the analysis of discrete qualitative social science survey data measured at the nominal level of measurement. Emphasis in the course is on logic regression, log linear analysis and latent class/latent structure analysis. Application to major social science data sets will be made.

SOC 6310  Mail Surveys  (3)  
Pre-requisite(s): Consent of instructor  

Students will design, conduct, and analyze a mail survey in this course. Special emphasis will focus on questionnaire construction, question design, sampling techniques, cover letters and research identity, and other special problems unique to self-administered surveys.

SOC 6314  Advanced Quantitative Analysis for Sociology  (3)  
Pre-requisite(s): SOC 5312 and 6307; or equivalent  

This course covers cutting-edge data analysis techniques used in the top-tier sociology journals.

SOC 6317  Community Spatial Analysis  (3)  
Pre-requisite(s): SOC 5312  

Geographic information systems (GIS) and spatial modeling techniques are applied to contemporary community issues and social problems such as inequality, poverty, housing, employment, economic development, demographics, and transportation. Particular emphasis is placed on government and other sources of current data for community analysis.

SOC 6318  Sampling Techniques  (3)  
Pre-requisite(s): Three hours of statistical methods  

Planning, execution, and analysis of sampling from finite populations. Simple random, stratified random, ratio, systematic, cluster, sub sampling, regression estimates, and multi-frame techniques are covered.

SOC 6320  Sociological Covariance Modeling  (3)  
Pre-requisite(s): SOC 5314  

Introduction to sociological applications of covariance structure analysis, including reciprocal effects and correlated equations involving personal and social factors. Recursive and nonrecursive models with and without latent variables are taught and implemented.

SOC 6323  Qualitative Methods  (3)  

Training in qualitative research methods, including interviewing, content analysis, participant observation, and case studies. Students gain experience conducting, analyzing, and reporting qualitative research.

SOC 6325  Needs Assessment  (3)  
Pre-requisite(s): Consent of instructor  

An introduction to community needs assessment in which available data (e.g. crime rates, poverty levels) and newly created data (e.g. elite surveys, program inventories) are combined to estimate various levels and types of community needs. Emphasis is on all facets of needs assessment including need definition, data selection, data creation, analysis, interpretation and presentation.

SOC 6331  The Sociology of Religiosity  (3)  
Pre-requisite(s): SOC 5341 or consent of instructor  

Introduction to the measurement and definition of religiosity.

SOC 6332  The Sociology of Religious Organizations  (3)  
Pre-requisite(s): SOC 5341; or consent of instructor  

Analysis of how religious organizations change, including membership dynamics, authority systems, and congregational cultures.

SOC 6333  Religion, Politics, and Society  (3)  

Analysis of religious change at the societal level with an emphasis on church-state relationships.

SOC 6334  The Sociology of Religious Deviance  (3)  
Pre-requisite(s): SOC 5341; or consent of instructor  

Analysis of deviant religious groups with an emphasis on defining religious deviance and explaining group membership.

SOC 6335  Religion, Morality and Social Change  (3)  
Pre-requisite(s): SOC 5341; or consent of instructor  

Analysis of the role of religion in creating, sustaining and challenging the moral order of societies, and how cultural change can affect religion's moral impact.

SOC 6336  Religion, Race and Gender  (3)  
Pre-requisite(s): SOC 5341; or consent of instructor  

Analysis of the interconnections of religion with race and gender with an emphasis on how race, ethnicity and gender have shaped religion and been shaped by religion.

SOC 6340  Face to Face Surveys  (3)  
Pre-requisite(s): Consent of instructor  

Students will develop and conduct a face-to-face survey under the direction of the instructor. In this process, students will train interviewers in the interpersonal dynamics of interviewing which comply with current federal guidelines concerning the protection of human subjects. In addition, the issues of dialects, illiteracy, and multicultural awareness will be addressed.

SOC 6345  Sociology of Regional Processes  (3)  
Pre-requisite(s): SOC 5391; or equivalent; or consent of instructor  

This course examines in detail sociological theories of regional growth and development. Students will gain a working knowledge of the core assumptions of each perspective along the structure-agency continuum. In addition, students will do significant readings of empirical research in this field, and conduct an original empirical study.

SOC 6350  Seminar in Human Resource Management  (3)  
Cross-listed as MGT 5336  

See MGT 5336 for course information.

SOC 6351  Seminar in Population Health  (3)  

An examination of individual differences in health and well-being in the United States. Focuses on (1) health disparities by socioeconomic status, gender, race/ethnicity, and age; and (2) biological and sociological theories of illness and disease. Risk factors for poor health and coping resources that enhance mental and physical well-being are identified.

SOC 6357  Health Inequalities in America  (3)  
Pre-requisite(s): SOC 5314  

A seminar focused on critiquing a wide selection of recent scientific articles on health and society. Chosen articles will deal with social inequalities in health observed in the United States and other advanced nations.

SOC 6360  Demographic Techniques  (3)  
Pre-requisite(s): Consent of instructor  

An introduction to the various models of demographic projection and modeling including linear regression, ratio techniques and cohort component. Emphasis is on mastery of base data acquisition and model construction to determine demographic trends and predict population levels, crime rates and disease patterns.

SOC 6363  Directed Readings in Sociology  (3)  

Students spend the summer working with a faculty supervisor to prepare for the PhD Preliminary Exam. Students review major sociological theories, research methods, and dominant research in one substance area.

SOC 6384  Religion and Family Life  (3)  

Focuses on the ways religion influences family life in the context of significant family change in the United States. Specific topics include how religious institutions have responded to changes in family life, sexual behavior, marriage and fertility timing, cohabitation, gender roles, parenting, marital quality, and divorce. Also examines how family life influences religious commitment.

SOC 6391  Grant Writing and Proposal Development  (3)  

Provides intensive exposure to the technical and political aspects of grant writing and proposal development. Emphasis is placed on defining proposal ideas to match funding sources, researching private foundations, corporations and government funding agencies, and developing successful proposals. Participants will prepare a grant proposal during the course, which will be submitted to an appropriate private or public agency.

SOC 6V37  Special Topics in the Sociology of Religion  (1-3)  
Pre-requisite(s): Consent of instructor  

Analysis of special topics in the sociology of religion. The course may be repeated once when the content varies.

SOC 6V71  Special Topics  (1-3)  
Pre-requisite(s): Consent of instructor  

A social research project in selected areas of sociology. The project must be approved by the members of the graduate faculty supervising the student. A final journal-quality paper summarizing the research effort and findings must be submitted to the instructor. This course may be repeated up to six times for credit up to a total of eighteen semester hours provided the research area is different.

SOC 6V99  Dissertation  (1-6)  

Supervised research for the doctoral dissertation. A total of at least twelve semester hours is required for completion of the dissertation.