Sociology

Faculty

KAYLIN BOURDON, PH.D.
JAMIE DOLAN, PH.D., DEPT CHAIR

Mission

The mission of the Sociology program is to provide students with the requisite analytical tools for delving beneath the surface of everyday reality and perceiving the deeper meanings, recurring patterns, and concomitant structures that constitute the social world. As a department within a liberal arts college, we endeavor to integrate students’ study of Sociology with Carroll’s broader and publicly articulated Mission. Specifically, as a department within a distinctly Catholic liberal arts college, we are committed to honoring students’ search for understanding as we focus on social justice throughout the program.

Program Learning Goals

  1. Students will develop a robust sociological imagination.
  2. Students will become critical consumers of information.
  3. Students will be able to apply social theories to social context.
  4. Students will contribute to Sociological knowledge.
  5. Students will communicate responsibly with and for others.

Degrees

Courses

SO-101: Introduction to Sociology

Credits 3
Social Science. Survey of the basic concepts and methods with an emphasis on sociology as a mode of analysis. Introduces the student to a sociological way of thinking to better understand one's self and others. This study of behavior utilizes materials drawn from contemporary American society.

SO-189: Special Topic

Credits 1 3
Social Science. Special Topics courses include ad-hoc courses on various selected topics that are not part of the regular curriculum, however they may still fulfill certain curricular requirements. Special topics courses are offered at the discretion of each department and will be published as part of the semester course schedule - view available sections for more information. Questions about special topics classes can be directed to the instructor or department chair.

SO-200: Social Problems

Credits 3
Social Science. Cultural Diversity. An in-depth examination and discussion of selected American social problems, including poverty, sexism, racism, family violence, and health issues. Analysis of solutions to the problems with a social justice viewpoint.

SO-204: Cultural Anthropology

Credits 3
Cultural Diversity, Social Science. This course will introduce students to culture as a framework for understanding similarities and differences in behavior and values in human societies. The class will look at communities and cultures from around the globe to give a cross-cultural understanding of human behavior.

SO-208: Sociology of the Family

Credits 3
Social Science. Cultural Diversity. An anthropological and sociological investigation of the marriage and family institutions in various cultures and their influences upon both individuals and social organizations. Analysis of family communications in relationships; parenting; life transitions; and the roles of gender, property, power, and love in marriage and family.

SO-216: Social Psychology

Credits 3
Social Science. Cultural Diversity. An anthropological and sociological investigation of the marriage and family institutions in various cultures and their influences upon both individuals and social organizations. Analysis of family communications in relationships; parenting; life transitions; and the roles of gender, property, power, and love in marriage and family.

SO-218: Intro Native Am Studies

Credits 3
Cultural Diversity, Social Science. This course covers a broad range of prehistoric, historic, and contemporary issues pertaining to American Indians. The course will cover diversity among tribes including political organization, social organization, economics, subsistence, religions, and other cultural issues.

SO-220: Sociology of Sport

Credits 3
Social Science. This course examines sports in American society. It helps the student to understand the reciprocal influences between sports and our culture, including social values, education, socialization, deviance, minority and female athletes, and the mass media and money. Sports is placed within the context of social institutions including the family, politics, economics, religion, etc.

SO-225: Sociology of Gender

Credits 3
Social Science. Cultural Diversity. While there are biological differences between the sexes, in this course we will explore the social aspects of gender from a sociological perspective. From this view, gender is treated as separate from sex, because gender is the study of differing social expectations for people according to their sex. We will examine how gender is defined, constructed, and reinforced within society, and how all this relates to gender identities and gender inequality. With a critical eye on gender's social construction, we will address issues of gender acquisition and explore the interactions between gender and other socially-constructed categories such as race/ethnicity and class as well as social institutions.

SO-230: Social Movements & Collective Action

Credits 3
Social Science. When groups want to affect social change but even traditional demo-cratic means (lobbying, voting, etc.) have failed, what are their options? How effective are these options in different circumstances? When has a social movement or form of collective action been successful? Would you say the environmental movement has been successful? The women's movement? The simplicity movement? In this course, we will explore why social movements and collective action are so common, even in democratic states, as a means for redressing grievances. We will look at the origins, circumstances, consequences, and competing theories of riots, crazes, panics, reforms and revolutionary movements. This is a course for anyone interested in how significant, systematic social change happens, or doesn't happen.

SO-251: Gender, Health and Medicine

Credits 3

Social Science. In this course we use the sociological "lens" of gender to look at issues involving men's, women's, and all others' health issues, illness, and medical care. The medical field traditionally has looked at the male body as the "correct" medical model and the female body as "other." Ironically, this has served both men and women poorly; men, because they die younger than women, and women, because it has led to the medicalization of many normal female body processes such as pregnancy and menopause. During the semester we will focus on gender expectations and how they affect the medical perspective as well as our perceptions of health.

SO-256: Gender & Work

Credits 3
Social Science. Cultural Diversity. In this course, we will explore the patterns in work for men and women and the forces that have brought about and affect these patterns. Then we will consider the effects of our gendered labor market-on individuals, families, and society including inequality in the workplace, sexual harassment, promotion, earnings, and work-family conflicts. We will specifically examine the effects of gender power relations on the workplace, and consider the larger consequences of this for society. These issues will be explored through discussion, films, lecture, and activities.

SO-262: Alcoholism, Drug Abuse, Dependent Behavior

Credits 3

A holistic approach with a particularly sociological emphasis regarding the use and abuse of alcohol, other psychoactive drugs, and dependency behaviors, e.g. gambling and sexual addiction. Upon completion of the course, students will understand problems of addiction, methods of prevention and control, theories of causation, and the disease concept. They will know various treatment methods.

SO-289: Special Topic

Credits 1 3
Social Science. Special Topics courses include ad-hoc courses on various selected topics that are not part of the regular curriculum, however they may still fulfill certain curricular requirements. Special topics courses are offered at the discretion of each department and will be published as part of the semester course schedule - view available sections for more information. Questions about special topics classes can be directed to the instructor or department chair.

SO-301: Social Study of Disability

Credits 3

Disability Studies offers a lens for thinking about the body, mind, society, and culture. The goal of this interdisciplinary field is not to offer adefinition of “disability;” rather, its purpose is to create a critical framework that questions and connects our understandings of “disability” andimpairment across established disciplines. This course will provide a sampling of disciplinary perspectives on “disability” so that you become informed consumers of academic scholarship and public information on issues related to “disability.” With this in mind, the readings were selected based on a central tension in Disability Studies—between impairments as lived subjective experience and “disability” as stigmatized socially constructed category in “objective,” medical, and legal discourses.

SO-309: Crime & Criminology

Credits 3
Social Science. A survey of findings, myths, and perspectives on crime. A wide variety of types of crime are studied, including violent, white collar, sex, corporate, and organized crime. Theories regarding crime and proposed solutions to crime are examined.

SO-312: Juvenile Delinquency/Deviant Behavior

Credits 3
Social Science. Course emphasizes juvenile delinquency and the juvenile justice system; includes theories on juvenile delinquency, mental illness, drug abuse, and sexual deviance; and examines the role of institutions and various treatment methods. Strongly recommended for those interested in careers in law, probation, parole, human services, or social work.

SO-314: Sociology of Law

Credits 3
Social Science. Examination of social processes involved in enacting legislation, law enforcement, and judicial decisions along with the roles of lawyers, judges, and others in both civil and criminal systems. Recommended for those interested in law, law enforcement, or areas related to the legal system.

SO-317: Ethnic and Racial Relations

Credits 3
Social Science. An anthropological and sociological examination of ethnic and racial relations and identities within and between different socio-cultural groups. This includes an analysis of beliefs about ethnicity and race, focusing on their development through historical processes.

SO-319: Policing & Violence 21st Century

Credits 3
Social Science. Policing and Violence in the 21st Century. This course is a critical examination of policing and violence in the 21st century. We will begin by studying the origins of policing and the history of violence in the United States. We then will delve into policing and violence today: we will look at the profession of law enforcement and its evolution into the 21st century, including who becomes a law enforcement officer, the power structures within law enforcement organizations, violence within law enforcement agencies and so on. We will also examine how violence is defined, measured, and perceived, examining in which conditions violence is likely to occur. We will explore violence perpetuated by law enforcement as well as violence directed at law enforcement. Throughout, we will consider the policy and practical implications of these matters. Lastly, we will look at recent social movements' call to defund the police and the responding countermovement to defend law enforcement.

SO-321: Crime, Justice, and the Media

Credits 3
Social Science. In this course, we will examine the interrelationships between mass media, the criminal justice system, and crime in the U.S. In particular we will explore the public policy implications of media portrayals of crime, criminals, the police, and the court systems. We will also study the relationship between media consumption, social media, and crime. This course will examine the relationship between media and due process. The main objective of this course is to enable you to learn to think critically about today's world. Through the course material you will be encouraged to reflect on and challenge popular assumptions and simplistic interpretations of criminal endeavors and media.

SO-331: Social Science Research Methods

Credits 4

An overview of the principles, methods, and practice of research in the social sciences. The course will assist students in research design, case studies, conducting field research, analyzing and evaluating their research data, conducting needs assessment, program evaluation, and practice effectiveness.

SO-351: Medical Sociology

Credits 3
Social Science. Course develops an appreciation of the role of sociology and social sciences in the study of health and medical care. Interactions between patients and medical professionals; function and problems in health care systems; deprofessionalization of doctors, and other problems confronting modern medical care are also analyzed from a sociological perspective. Recommended for those considering a career in public health, health sciences, medicine, health care delivery, or social work.

SO-355: Sociology of Emotions

Credits 3
Social Science. In this course we look at emotions from a sociological rather than a psychological perspective and ask such questions as: Can difficulties such as anorexia, PTSD, "cutting," or bad relationships usually treated on an individual level by a therapist be understood from a societal perspective? As human beings we experience emotions, yet social interaction necessitates that certain kinds of emotions are appropriate in some settings and not in others. At this point we must ask ourselves how much our emotions are influenced and constrained by cultural norms, values, beliefs, and vocabularies. We especially have to control our emotions in the workplace; does this create emotion-work? We will also look at emotional relationships between humans, society, and pets.

SO-360: Environmental Sociology

Credits 3
Social Science. This course will examine the relationships between human society and the natural environment with a particular emphasis on how different social classes, races and genders experience or affect the environment. We will study how factors such as consumption, population growth, development, technology, political ideologies and social movements affect the identification, emergence and resolutions of environmental problems-from local to global levels. By the end of the course students will be able to think critically about the relationships between the social and the natural worlds, and will analyze and begin to suggest solutions to contemporary environmental problems.

SO-389: Special Topic

Credits 1 3
Social Science. Special Topics courses include ad-hoc courses on various selected topics that are not part of the regular curriculum, however they may still fulfill certain curricular requirements. Special topics courses are offered at the discretion of each department and will be published as part of the semester course schedule - view available sections for more information. Questions about special topics classes can be directed to the instructor or department chair.

SO-392: Modern Social Theory

Credits 3
Intermediate Writing. This course introduces students to important theoretical tools that will enable them to see the world as sociologists do a in the process, assist them in constructing new theories as social contexts continually change. In addition to highlighting the contributions of some of the discipline's founding theorists (e.g., Marx, Weber, Durkheim and Mead), the course will focus on five of the most significant theoretical perspectives in sociology; conflict theory, functionalism, symbolic interactionism, phenomenological sociology and feminist theory.

SO-425: Internship

Credits 1 6
Internship Experiences recognize that learning can take place outside the classroom. Carroll College allows its students to participate in opportunities that relate to their area of study. This opportunity must relate directly a student's program of study in order to qualify for an internship. Close cooperation among Carroll and the participating organizations ensures an experience that contributes significantly to the student's overall growth and professional development. Juniors and seniors in any major area may participate with the approval of faculty internship advisor and/or department chair, Career Services, and a site supervisor. Students will receive academic credit and may or may not receive monetary compensation for an internship. A student may apply a maximum of 12 semester hours to degree requirements; academic departments will determine the number of credits that may count toward the major (most majors accept 6 hours total). Enrollment in the course must be during the same semester in which the experience takes place. Interested students should contact their academic advisor and Career Services prior to the start of an experience.

SO-485: Independent Study

Credits 1 3
Independent study is open to junior and senior students only. At the time of application, a student must have earned a 3.0 cumulative grade point average. A student may register for no more than three (3) semester hours of independent study in any one term. In all cases, registration for independent study must be approved by the appropriate department chairperson and the Vice President for Academic Affairs.

SO-495: Senior Seminar

Credits 3
Writing Intensive. A comprehensive review and professionalization for seniors graduating in sociology, including an analysis of the sociology profession, a survey of literature, and direction in the formulation of a semester project. Satisfies the comprehensive examination requirement.

SO-499: Senior Thesis

Credits 1 3
The senior thesis is designed to encourage creative thinking and to stimulate individual research. A student may undertake a thesis in an area in which s/he has the necessary background. Ordinarily a thesis topic is chosen in the student's major or minor. It is also possible to choose an interdisciplinary topic. Interested students should decide upon a thesis topic as early as possible in the junior year so that adequate attention may be given to the project. In order to be eligible to apply to write a thesis, a student must have achieved a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.25 based upon all courses attempted at Carroll College. The thesis committee consists of a director and two readers. The thesis director is a full-time Carroll College faculty member from the student's major discipline or approved by the department chair of the student's major. At least one reader must be from outside the student's major. The thesis director and the appropriate department chair must approve all readers. The thesis committee should assist and mentor the student during the entire project. For any projects involving human participants, each student and his or her director must follow the guidelines published by the Institutional Review Board (IRB). Students must submit a copy of their IRB approval letter with their thesis application. As part of the IRB approval process, each student and his or her director must also complete training by the National Cancer Institute Protection of Human Participants. The thesis is to be completed for three (3) credits in the discipline that best matches the content of the thesis. If the thesis credits exceed the credit limit, the charge for additional credits will be waived. Applications and further information are available in the Registrar's Office.