Sociology (SO)

A scientific study of crime and its control, including types of crime, patterns of criminal offending and victimization, and theories of crime and delinquency. Also offered as CJ 2080.

Theories and methods of Sociology are applied to the analysis of such issues as social class, race, gender, religion and politics. Not open to students who earned credit for SO 2220. Falls and Springs. (DICO)

An examination of definitions of white collar crime, of the impact such crime has on society and of societal responses to white collar crime. May be taken as CJ 2405. Not open to students who have earned credit for SO 2400. Springs.

A psychological approach to social phenomena with emphasis on the concepts and methods used in the study of the behavior of individuals in various social situations. May be taken as PS 3035. Falls and Springs.

Disasters are social events that reflect the inner workings of our communities, our governments, and our lives. Who recovers from a disaster and who suffers the most is determined by social, economic, political, and cultural forces. Uses an applied, project-based approach to explore these “human dimensions” of disaster, with special focus on conflict, social vulnerability, environmental justice, and risk. Spring of even years.

A sociological investigation of problems that originate in human social interaction and have an undesirable impact on social life. Focuses on problems of poverty, ethnic relations, crime, inequality and alienation, and studies ways of coping with these problems. Not open to students who have earned credit for CO 3060. Springs.

Focuses on the social forces shaping the changing dynamics of contemporary family. Studies theoretical and conceptual frameworks. Addresses at length specific issues and problems such as abortion, single parenting, childcare and domestic violence. Not open to students who have earned credit for SO 3070. Falls.

See CJ 3085 for course description. Not open to students who have previously earned credits for SO 3080.

A scientific study of crime and its control, including indexes, rates and theories of crime and delinquency, courts, prison and parole. Falls and Springs.

Combining principles and concepts from anthropology and sociology, examines the cultural and social forces that affect economic behavior, outcomes, and inequality in the United States and around the world. Selected topics include: causes and consequences of class and status differences within societies, social mobility, and how class interacts with race and gender. Not open to students who have earned credit for AN 3520 and SO 3450. Fall of even years.Also offered as AN 3130.

The sociology of deviance involves the study of differences between people. What differences matter to people? Why do some people choose to be different? Why do people react to difference the way they do? And how does societal reaction affect those who are different? These are some of the fundamental questions that are addressed. Not open to students who have earned credit for SO 3180. Falls. (DICO)

Examines specialized areas in sociology which are not covered in regularly scheduled courses.

An in-depth examination of theories of crime, including evaluation of varying theoretical perspectives and applications to criminal justice policy. Also offered as SO 3270.

Examines the effects of popular culture on society and of society on popular culture; how does the popular culture industry work; and what makes a given artifact 'popular'? Not open to students who have earned credit for SO 3350. Fall of even years.

Examines the dynamics that produce and maintain structured social inequality based on minority status and the social consequences of such inequality. Topics include the nature and definition of race, the origins of prejudice, theories of discrimination, immigration, present-day problems and trends. Not open to students who have earned creditt for SO 3370. Fall of odd years. (DICO)

Examines the role psychoactive substances have played in religions and cultures in world history and the history and politics of drug control today and in the past. Not open to students who have earned credit for SO 3380. Springs. (INCO) (INCP)

Prerequisite(s): Junior status.

A study of the relationships between social organization, culture and the environment. Current environmental problems and policy issues are debated, and their connections with society and culture are a focus. The meanings of nature and wilderness are also discussed. Other topics include: environmental justice, the history and workings of the environmental movement, greenwashing, public attitudes towards the environment and the idea of sustainability. Not open to students who have earned credit in SO 3390. Springs. (INCO) (INCP)

Prerequisite(s): Junior status.

Throughout the world, natural resources such as forests, parks, wilderness areas, public lands, and water resources reflect the values of the people who create, use, manage, and support them. As a result, these dynamic socio-biological systems evolve and change in response to human needs, societal values, and political forces. Helps students articulate and evaluate these forces, and understand how managers and agencies address them in the contexts of ecosystem and park management, community sustainability, and tourism. Includes a strong international and cross-cultural component, with examples from each of the continents. Not open to students who have earned credit for SO 3400. Falls. (INCO) (INCP)

Concepts of illness, wellness, and healing reflect the societies and cultures in which they are found. Compares ways in which a variety of Western (e.g., France, Germany, United States) and non-Western (South American, African) societies and cultures think about and institutionalize health and illness. Selected topics include: changing health and nutritional status from human prehistory to the present, social and cultural definitions of health and illness, ritual healing practices, ethnomedicine, the relationships of social organization and stratification to health and illness; and the social and personal construction of medical knowledge. Not open to students who have earned credit for AN 3500. Falls and Springs. (INCO) (INCP) (WECO)

Prerequisite(s): (AN 2210 or SO 2220) or (AN 2100 or SO 2225).

Sustainability is challenging to put into practice professionally. Students help make PSU and their own lives "greener" by learning about sustainability on campuses and beyond by identifying a campus sustainability topic; analyzing the issue; learning how to conduct social science research about the issue; using findings to address the issue. Not open to students who have earned credit for SO 3600. Falls. (WECO)

See AN 4415 for course description. Falls of even years. (TECO)

Prerequisite(s): MA 2300 or SS 3705 or SW 3705.

Capstone course for majors; provides an overview of anthropological and sociological methodology and theory and their application to careers. Heavily emphasizes research and the practical applications of anthropology and sociology. Spring of odd years. Prerequisite(s) to: (AN 4400 or SO 4400) or (AN 4410 or SO 4410) or (AN 4415 or SO 4415) and Junior or Senior standing as a major. (WRCO)

Students engage in work programs and thereby apply knowledge gained from major and minor courses, areas, or concentrations. Qualifications to be an intern are determined by the Department Chair and a faculty member who acts as a supervising professor. Once placed, student interns have both an immediate supervisor and a supervising professor. With permission.

Provides a more intense background in some aspect of sociology through reading and research, supplementing previous courses or broadening the student's knowledge in some subject area not presently covered by SO courses. Consent required of the instructor who will supervise the independent study and the Department Chair.