UNCA Catalog: Courses of Instruction
UNCA Catalog: Table of Contents

Sociology (SOC)

Professor Haas (Chair); Associate Professor Kelley; Assistant Professors Ghidina, Lee, Omer; Lecturer Bramlett

The major is designed to: 1) familiarize students with basic principles and concepts of the field; 2) provide skills needed to investigate societal problems and issues; and 3) examine and develop policies and planning objectives concerning major social problems found in urban communities, the system of criminal justice and administration, schools and political institutions. The latter objective highlights the fact that sociology is not only concerned with informing students of basic sociological ideas, but also with how this knowledge may be applied to social problems. Knowledge and skills learned contribute to a liberal education and to career opportunities in business and industry, education, various branches of federal and state government, and lead to graduate work in sociology, social work, education and a variety of other fields.

Major in Sociology

1. Required courses in the major--36 hours, including: SOC 100, 225, 355, 356, 420, 450; either ANTH 451 or SOC 451; plus 15 Anthropology or Sociology elective hours.
2. Required courses outside the major--None.
3. Other departmental requirements--Grade of C or better in ANTH 451 or SOC 451 satisfies the senior demonstration of competency. Oral competency is demonstrated by successful completion of the oral presentation requirements in ANTH 451 or SOC 451.

For those students wishing to pursue careers in the fields of Criminal Justice, Social Welfare or Gerontology, the following courses are recommended for the Sociology electives:

Criminal Justice (SOC 200, 220, 340, 365, 400, 480 and selected Special Topics)
Social Welfare (SOC 230, 236, 312, 315, 322, 351, 400 and 461)
Gerontology (SOC 223, 333, 343, 344, 362, 363 and 400)

Sociology with Teacher Licensure

1. Required courses in the major--36 hours including: SOC 100, 225, 240, 355, 356, 420, 450; either ANTH 451 or SOC 451; plus 12 Anthropology or Sociology elective hours.
2. Required courses outside the major--12 hours: ECON 101 or 102; HIST 151, 152; POLS 220.
3. Other departmental requirements--A grade of C or better in ANTH 451 or SOC 451 demonstrates both senior competency and oral competency.

Students should review requirements found in the Education section of the catalog and must consult with the appropriate advisor in the Department of Education. In addition, those desiring middle school licensure must take HIST 315 and complete requirements for a second area of licensure.

Declaration of Major in Sociology

Declaring a major in Sociology requires the student to obtain a signed Declaration of Major form from the chair of the Sociology Department. A major in Sociology may be formally declared after a student has:

1. satisfied LANG 102 and Library Research requirements.
2. completed both SOC 100 and SOC 225 with a grade of C or better.

Minor in Sociology

18 hours in Sociology: SOC 100, 225; and 12 additional hours in Anthropology or Sociology (including six at the 300 level or above, to be taken at UNCA). These additional hours must complement the student's major and be approved by the Sociology Department.

100 Introduction to Sociology (3)
The process of thought used by sociologists in studying or investigating a number of substantive matters (i.e., urbanization, bureaucratization, the process of reward allocation, and social control and deviant behavior). Fall and Spring.

200 Introduction to Criminology (3)
The system of criminal justice in the United States including the police, the criminal and juvenile court systems, and prisons and correctional facilities; the sociological "causes" of crime and delinquency. Spring.

210 Modern Social Problems (3)
A sociological examination of the causes, incidence and potential solutions to the problems of deviance; change in social institutions such as the family, education and politics. Fall and Spring.

220 Juvenile Delinquency (3)
An examination of the cause of juvenile delinquency in its many forms. Particular stress on the influence of social institutions, peer groups and socialization processes on the rates and kinds of delinquency found in different type of communities and social classes. Fall.

221 Race and Ethnic Relations (3)
Starting with an examination of controversies over the concepts of race and ethnic groups, this course surveys the issues of group formation, ethnic stratification, prejudice and discrimination, the sources of racial-ethnic conflict, and the patterns of race and ethnic relations in contemporary multi-ethnic societies. Fall.

223 Sociology of Aging (3)
Introduction to the field of social gerontology from an individual as well as societal framework. The meaning of aging for the individual in terms of the various roles he or she plays examined in historical and cross-cultural perspective. Fall.

225 Classical Sociological Theory (3)
Examination of the work of a number of important sociological theories such as those of Marx, Durkheim and Weber, designed to familiarize the student with some of the basic theoretical positions relevant to contemporary sociological thought. Prerequisites: SOC 100; or permission of instructor. Fall and Spring.

230 Marriage and the Family
Marriage and family patterns in historical and cross-cultural settings. Special emphasis on marriage and the family as a contemporary American institution, with analysis of the family from a social problems perspective. Credit not available to students having credit for SOC 231. Fall.

236 Social Welfare Systems (3)
Emergence and institutionalization of social welfare programs and the social work profession; role of the government in income maintenance, family support, education and skills training, health care, etc. Spring.

240 Evolution, Revolution and Social Change (3)
An investigation of the historical treatment and contemporary status of African Americans and women, and the gay and lesbian subcultures in American society and the respective social movements which emerged in their attempts to attain social equality. Problems concerning majority-minority relations are analyzed within the context of cultural diversity and social change. This course may be used to satisfy three hours of the General Education requirement for social science. Spring.

251 Gender and Society (3)
An examination of masculine and feminine as cultural constructs, with emphasis on the social, economic and political role and status of women in contemporary Western society. Cross-cultural and historical analysis of gender in non-Western and pre-industrial society. See department chair.

302 Sociology of Religion (3)
An investigation of the effects of society on religion, as well as the effects of religious experiences on the social construction of reality. Prerequisite: SOC 100. Spring.

312 Society, Culture and Poverty (3)
The extent and distribution of poverty in American society, with an examination of various theories of poverty, and an analysis of poverty policy as it has evolved in legislation. Fall.

315 Urban Problems and Policy (3)
The evolution of the urban society, examined from demographic, social, psychological, economic and political frameworks. See department chair.

322 African American Culture and Society (3)
A study of African American subculture, with special emphasis on communities, institutional structures and the evolving views of African American society. See department chair.

325 Revolutions and Social Movements (3)
Historical, comparative and theoretical perspectives on social movements as both symptoms and agents of cultural, political and socioeconomic change. Among others, this course examines the civil rights movement, peace movement, women's movement and social movements in Europe and Latin America. See department chair.

340 Social Control and Deviant Behavior (3)
A comparative and historical analysis of social disorganization, deviance and social control in various cultural settings, with particular attention to the United States and other industrial societies. Fall.

346 Dynamics of Organizations (3)
Topics covered in this course include the roles of organizations, organizational structure, dynamic processes within organizations such as power and conflict, relations between organizations and environments, and the major theoretical perspectives on organizations. Fall.

350 Sociology of the Third World: Issues of Development and Social Change (3)
This course will take a sociological approach toward the region of the world commonly designated as "Third World." The course will highlight different perspectives on Third World problems and the issue of "development," including modernization theory, dependency and world-systems theory, comparative advantage and neo-liberal development strategies. The specific problem of concern of this course will be that of inequality and social and political change. Fall.

351 Social Work Practice and Methods (3)
Models of social work practice and service delivery; emphasis on needs assessment, interaction with individuals and client groups. Fall.

352 Sociological Perspectives on Women (3)
An analysis of the structural and cultural status of women in a comparative and historical perspective, but with special emphasis on the United States. Students first complete SOC 251 or have a working knowledge of role development and sex role development in particular. See department chair.

354 Population Dynamics: Demography and Epidemiology (3)
Concepts from demography and epidemiology serve as a foundation to analyze population and health policy. The interplay between population dynamics and the nature and organization of society is the focal point of this course. Issues such as population growth and control, regulation of migration, generation and application of health care technology, changing values toward procreation and death will be discussed. Fall.

355 Research Methods I (3)
An introduction to the basic methodology used in sociology. An examination of the important aspects of sociological research, including the origins of the scientific method, the structuring of social scientific inquiry and modes of sociological observation. Prerequisite: SOC 100. Fall and Spring.

356 Research Methods II (3)
A consideration of the more advanced procedures and methods of examining sociological concepts, with an emphasis on quantitative and qualitative data analysis and the writing of research reports in which students design, conduct and analyze their own quantitative and qualitative sociological research projects. Prerequisites: SOC 100, 355. Spring.

362 Sociology of Health and Illness (3)
The meaning and consequences of health and illness for individuals as well as society, with attention to the organization of health care systems, the healing professions and the emergent conceptualization of health care as a right. See department chair.

365 Violence in America (3)
The historical and political dynamics characterizing American violence from the American Revolution to contemporary cultural patterns, with attention given to victimization and interpersonal violence, collective and political violence, organizational structures and institutional violence, and causes, correlates and policy implications. See department chair.

400 Internship in Sociology and Anthropology (1-6)
A semester program with participating agencies in fields related to sociology and anthropology. Students may conduct a supervised internship or volunteer as a service learning project. Credit hours depend on level of field supervision and hours worked per week. Prerequisite: 12 hours in Sociology and/or Anthropology. (Grading is S/U.) Every year.

420 Social Stratification (3)
A comparative and historical examination of the unequal distribution of power, prestige and material possessions in various types of cultural settings, with special emphasis given to industrial societies. Prerequisites: SOC 100, 225, 355. Fall and Spring.

450 Modern Sociological Theory (3)
An examination of the historical roots of contemporary theory, including a critical discussion of the major schools of contemporary theory. Prerequisites: SOC 100, 225, 355. Fall and Spring.

451 Senior Research in Sociology (3)
Students design and carry out individual research projects, utilizing appropriate methodology and relevant theories and concepts, and present their research orally and in writing. Prerequisite: SOC 355. Fall and Spring.

480 Sociology of Law (3)
An investigation of the interrelationship of law and society, with particular attention given to criminal law. Spring.

481-6 Topical Research (1-6)
Students may work with faculty in ongoing research or may design and carry out their own work under faculty supervision. May be taken once or repeated for a total of six hours credit. Fall and Spring.

491-6 Senior Readings Course (1-6)
Directed, advanced, independent studies in a specific sociological school or with application to a particular sociological issue. May be taken once or repeated with variable content for a total of six hours credit. Fall and Spring.

171-6, 271-6, 371-6, 471-6 Special Topics in Sociology (1-6)
Courses not otherwise included in the catalog listing but for which there may be special needs. May be repeated for credit as often as permitted and as subject matter changes. On demand.

Return to the top of the page