Bachelor of Arts in Sociology

This course is an advanced study of relationships among individuals and groups. Course content focuses on intimate relationships, prejudice, group cooperation, competition, aggression, and negotiation, and the application of social psychological theories and research methods in the study of social issues in field settings. Using critical thinking skills to achieve an advanced level of learning, students will conduct in-depth research and submit a major written paper. (Prerequisite: PSYC201).

Pre Reqs: Introduction to Social Psychology(PSYC201)

Introduction to Sociology instructs students to develop an ability to use sociological concepts, theory, and research to think critically and act intelligently in interactions with individuals, groups, institutions, and societies and, given any social situation.

This course examines contemporary sociological issues, such as the Vietnam War, Generation X, Y, and Z, and also Baby Boomers, to name a few. Though not an introductory sociology course, this course will address issues such as investigative techniques in sociology, understanding groups, and also deviance.

This course is a critical examination of the relationship between deviance and social control. It will include how and why certain forms of behavior come to be known as deviant, it will analyze the nature of formal and informal responses to deviance, and explain the interaction of different social control institutions. Special attention will be given to an overview of general theories of deviance, and the particular forms it takes.

This course examines the transition from social philosophy to sociology with special emphasis on the European theorists in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.

This course examines the historical foundations of the structure of sociological theory. Topics include the history of sociological theory as seen through social and intellectual forces, an in-depth discussion of the major schools and theorists who have influenced sociological theory from its beginnings to modern times, recent integrative developments in the field of study, and a glimpse into future developments.

This course introduces students to the basic steps in research: problem definition, research design, sampling and data collection methods including observation, interviewing, questionnaire construction and the use of documents and other unobtrusive data sources. In addition, students will be exposed to the basic principles of descriptive statistics, measures of central tendency and variability, and association and correlation.

This course explores contemporary, cutting-edge issues of sociology. Specifically, this course will examine technology, technology related to work, biomedical technology, and military technology. All of these topics will be examined from the perspective of social change and how technology affects the future of society.

This course is an overview of the biological, psychological, cultural, and behavioral aspects of human sexuality and family life. The overall theme of the course focuses on attitudes and responsible sexual behavior. Key topics include how culture, society, and history have impacted our understanding of human sexuality.

This course emphasizes the role of communications within the family relationship cycle. It examines how individual needs, perceptions, and self-concepts affect the quality of intra - and inter-familial communication, and integrates both theoretical and applied aspects of family research.

This course examines contemporary theories of addiction-related disease processes, the relationship between addictions and the workplace and family, and available treatment modalities.

This course focuses on the psychological and physiological human response to natural and man-made disasters. Using clinical research and case histories, students will examine normal and abnormal psychological reactions, the recovery process and principles of mental health care for victims of mass disasters. Differences between natural and man-made disasters are examined and factors that mitigate post-traumatic effects are reviewed. Psychological aspects of Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) disasters are also considered.

Political Sociology examines the broad social bases of politics and identifies how politics and actions by government can influence the fate of nations and their citizens. These influences include, but are not limited to, power and authority, economic policy, equality, forms of political rule, access to the political process, and the roles of political parties.

This course examines human diet and nutrition from an evolutionary and ecological perspective. Course content includes the sociocultural and biological dimensions of food practices, such as social roles of food: why we eat what we eat and with whom. Also discussed are food taboos and beliefs, food getting and preparation, changing food habits, contemporary problems of food production and malnutrition, and the effect of cultural and environmental influences on nutrient intake.

Environmental problems are usually couched in terms of the natural and life sciences; but, they are ultimately social problems, caused by social (especially economic) practices that reflect entrenched social values; they affect society in diverse ways, and changes in individual behavior and societal processes and institutions are required to cope with them successfully. The course adopts an interdisciplinary perspective appropriate to the analysis of these complex issues.

This course is a critical analysis of the structure of racism, sexism, stratification, hate violence, youth violence, poverty and human rights, stereotyping and ethnocentrism in the contemporary United States. Students examine the outstanding problems facing society and strategies for change, to include exploring the ethics of intervention.

This course examines religious experience and religious organizations as a part of a larger social order. Course content introduces basic concepts in the sociology of religion and briefly surveys the historical and social landscape of religion.

This course is a sociological analysis of the modern family and marriage, its structures and functions, variant patterns, and the influence of contemporary society on this institution. Course topics include dating, marital roles, divorce, child raising, and alternative lifestyles.

This course is a study of law, law-making, law-enforcement, and legal systems in social life. Course content focuses on the American legal system from a sociological perspective--its origins, development, and current format, and examines the sources of the legal tradition, the function of legislation in society, and current trends in the social construction of norms. The course investigates the human need for social order and conflict resolution, and how that takes shape in the social world.

This course is an interdisciplinary survey of historical and contemporary feminist theories in the United States and international contexts.

This course is a critical analysis of major contemporary women’s issues covering a range of research, writing, and cutting-edge topical issues in the arts, politics, business, humanities, and social and natural sciences.

This course examines the black woman in contemporary times, with emphasis on black women in industrialized nations and the United States. Issues include the changing role of the black woman in society, the image of the black woman, black women and the workplace, the relationship dynamics of black men, black women, and families, among other issues.

This course examines Native American women from historical to contemporary times. Topics include the traditional and changing role of the woman in Native American society in relation to her duties, responsibilities, and obligations in family, tribe, workplace, and other settings.

This course is a survey of human and cultural elements of women’s lives in contemporary Latin America. Students explore women’s roles in traditional Latin American societies undergoing modernization. Students also examine the issues of development and industrialization felt by Latin American women in both cities and rural areas.

This course is a historical and contemporary analysis of women's sports experiences, to include the representation of gender roles through sports in relation to legislative issues, the media, political and contemporary issues, controversies, as well as successes and failures in women's sports.

This course is a global examination of the value systems of women of color. Topics include specific minority ethnic groups in the United States and developing countries.

This course explores contemporary issues related to leadership in relation to current research in women's studies, to include gender models of leadership. Course topics include styles of leadership, women and competition, sexism in the workplace, and gender communication differences.

This course is designed to provide a solid foundation for undergraduate study in the online environment. Students will be introduced to learning theory, the tools available in the online classroom and campus, and online research. Identification of personal learning style allows students to improve their study/learning techniques and prepares them to succeed in college level courses. Students will be introduced to formatting and citation styles. APUS policy and procedure is addressed. There is an emphasis on written communication to assist students in the transition to the online environment.

The focus of this course is to review the major issues within the field of sociology and their relationship to current events. Theoretical and applied perspectives will be discussed, culminating in the students’ completion of a major sociological research paper/project that synthesizes the body of acquired knowledge. This is a capstone course to be taken after all other Sociology courses have been satisfactorily completed. Student must have SENIOR standing to register.