SOC S101 *Introduction to Sociology

3 credits (3+0)
GER. An overview to the essentials of sociology, including its theories and methodology. Explores social diversity and the relationship between the individual, culture and society, examining how cultural and social forces influence personal experience and group behavior.
Prerequisite: WRTG S110 or instructor permission.

SOC S201 *Social Problems and Solutions

3 credits (3+0)
GER. Survey of contemporary social problems. Focuses on the causes and consequences of social problems and examines processes through which social problems are identified, prioritized, and addressed. Topics may include racism, poverty, and violence with special attention given to problems impacting Alaskans.

SOC S242 Introduction to Marriage, Family, and Intimate Relationships

3 credits (3+0)
An introduction to the sociological study of contemporary patterns of marriage, family, and other intimate relationships. Explores the impact of gender roles, ethnicity, as well as economic and social forces on the family and other intimate relationships.

SOC S251 Criminology

3 credits (3+0)
The study of deviant behavior and theories of crime causation and their relationship to society, law and law enforcement.
Prerequisite: SOC S101 or permission.

SOC S294 Practicum

SOC S301 Sociology of Close Relationships

3 credits (3+0)
Examines the formation, development, maintenance, change and termination of close relationships; those characterized by emotional and/or sexual intimacy. Course focuses on relations between men and women, including those resulting in marriage or like circumstances. Includes relationship structure, interactions, partner selection, parenting, and violence or dissolution.
Prerequisite: ANTH S101 or SOC S101 or PSY S111 or instructor permission.

SOC S302 Social Psychology

3 credits (3+0)
Cross-listed as PSY 302.Examines the behavior of individuals in social situations and why they behave, think and feel as they do in the presence of others. Includes research methods, social perceptions and inferences, stereotyping and prejudice, aggression, attitudes, conformity, obedience, group processes, social and environmental influences on behavior.
Prerequisite: PSY S111 or SOC S101 and upper division standing, or permission.

SOC S305 Sociology of Food

3 credits (3+0)
The study of society's relationship with food. Examines the social, political, and economic factors that shape our food system and consumption patterns. Includes content on culture, food justice, food security and inequality, and the natural environment. Special emphasis on fishing, cultivation, and food sovereignty in Alaska.
Prerequisite: SOC S101.

SOC S325 Theory and Research in Criminology

3 credits (3+0)
Provides a study of crime, criminals, and victims in society. Focuses on why certain acts, and not others, are defined as crimes. Examines social responses to crime and why only some people are processed through the system. Explores theories on why persons might engage in crime, and research on particular types of crime.
Prerequisite: SOC S101.

SOC S333 Human Sexuality Across Cultures

3 credits (3+0)
Cross-listed as PSY S333.Examines biological, historical, social, cultural, and behavioral aspects of human sexuality; focuses on the social construction of sexual identity and behaviors cross-culturally.
Prerequisite: PSY S111 or SOC S101.

SOC S343 Sociology of Deviant Behavior

3 credits (3+0)
A study of the etiology of deviant behavior, both criminal and non-criminal, with an emphasis on the nature of social interaction, and an examination of the social control groups and institutions which deal with deviant behavior. Topics include physical and sexual violence, suicide, mental disorder, heterosexual deviance, homophobia, and illegal drug use.
Prerequisite: SOC S101.

SOC S345 Education and Society

3 credits (3+0)
Critical exploration of the relationship between society and education as an institution and process. Topics include the dynamics of race, class, and gender in schools. Also addresses institutional socialization functions and social change and innovation at different levels of education. Emphasizes research on education outcomes, cross-cultural comparisons, and traditional and non-traditional transmission of knowledge and culture. Special attention is given to education in Alaska.
Prerequisite: SOC S101.

SOC S347 Death and Dying

3 credits (3+0)
Cross-listed as PSY S347.Explores the social and cultural aspects of death, dying, and bereavement, including death perceptions and grief over the life course, death-related ethical debates, and public policy. Grief management and counseling, end of life technological issues, and topics related to race, class, and gender are also addressed.
Prerequisite: PSY S111 or SOC S101.

SOC S351 Political Sociology

3 credits (3+0)
Cross-listed as PS S351. A survey of current perspectives and research on political behavior and society, including political activism, social behavior in contexts of governmental and non-governmental organizations, and international relations. Includes content on power and inequality, war and terrorism, and international human rights. Emphasizes the interrelatedness of media, politics, and culture at local and global levels.
Prerequisite: PS S101, PS S102, or SOC S101.

SOC S370 Medical Sociology

3 credits (3+0)
Medical sociology studies medicine as a social institution. It involves the use of medical settings to investigate areas such as organizational structure, role relationships, and role conflicts, and the attitudes and values of persons involved in health care transactions.
Prerequisite: SOC S101.

SOC S375 Current Issues in Sociology: Selected Topics

1-3 credits (variable)
In-depth exploration of a major timely topic in applied or theoretical sociology. Topics may include substance abuse, human sexuality, and religion. May be repeated for credit when content differs.

SOC S377 Sociology of Gender

3 credits (3+0)
Course familiarizes students with the sociological discipline concerning gender issues in contemporary society. Helps students connect their own gender experiences with the social and political world. Examines the differential treatment of different gender groups in most societies, and its significance in the lives of individuals within the context of particular structural or institutional arrangements.
Prerequisite: SOC S101 or permission.

SOC S380 Social Movements

3 credits (3+0)
A survey of the theories and research on collective behavior, social change and social movements at the local, national and global levels. Emphasizes ideology, recruitment, strategy, organizational dynamics, public response, and reasons for success or failure. Investigates select social movements post World War II.
Prerequisite: SOC S101 or SOC S201.

SOC S391 Internship

SOC S394 Practicum:

SOC S402 Theories of Sociology

3 credits (3+0)
Major sociological theories and theorists of Western civilization; review of important contributions and approaches of various "national schools" with emphasis on current American and European trends.

SOC S404 Environmental Sociology

3 credits (3+0)
A critical analysis of the interactions between society and the environment from an ecological perspective. Focus is on processes of industrial and economic growth, natural resource development, community change and social impact assessment, environmental values, land use planning, and resource management decision making. Examines comparative perspectives on human relation to, and use of, the natural environment.
Prerequisite: SOC S101.

SOC S410 Race and Ethnicity

3 credits (3+0)
A sociological analysis of the principles and processes that shape relationships among racial and ethnic groups in the U.S. Focus is on the relations among dominant and subordinate groups in the society, using sociological theory to understand the structural factors in intergroup relations.
Prerequisite: SOC S101.

SOC S411 War and Organized Violence

3 credits (3+0)
The study of war and organized violence as a social process involving social and political institutions, and actors. Sociology and political science concepts, theoretical perspectives, and methods from various subfields of both disciplines, including crime, deviance, stratification, gender, ethnic and race relations, and public policy, will be used to study and understand the phenomenon of war and organized violence. SOC S101 or PS S101 or PS S102. Cross-listed as PS S411

SOC S491 Intrnshp:

SOC S498 Ind Research