University of Nebraska at Kearney
College of Natural and Social Sciences

1994-96 UNK Undergraduate Catalog

Department of Sociology

Courses (SOC)

191. Expanded Campus Workshop - 1-3 hours

Refer to Academic Information section for description.

200GS. Introduction to Sociology - 3 hours

The development of social systems, group formations and types of social organizations, and the nature of cultural and subcultural variations.

224GS. Social Problems - 3 hours

An overview of issues confronting American society that have possible adverse social consequences. Students select a broad cross section of social problems for study and discussion. A theoretical approach/background is offered as a basis for examination of the problems chosen.

225. Community and Human Diversity - 3 hours

This course acquaints the student with a broad range of cultural, racial, and social groups which are recognized as different by the community. It focuses on the causes of the differential treatment, the problems created for these groups and the community, and suggests some solutions that practicing social workers and human service professionals will find useful in dealing with these groups.

250GS. Anthropology - 3 hours

Reviews the physical evolution of humans and the origins of culture. The concepts of culture and cross-cultural comparison are utilized to understand the various ways of life humans have created throughout history.

275. Social Psychology - 3 hours

Group influences on individual behavior, including role theory, socialization, personality development, and attitude change.

301. Social Stratification - 3 hours

Prerequisite: SOC 200GS or 250GS or equivalent. An examination of the American social class system and its impact on the lives of the members of society. Theories of the development of social classes are offered as a basis for class discussions. Alternative social class systems are examined along with the American system. The course concentrates on power relationships, ownership of assets, and the impact of class membership on values, beliefs, attitudes, life styles and life chances.

302. Social Change - 3 hours

Prerequisite: SOC 200GS or 250GS or equivalent. The structural forces of change are examined in a historical and global context. Visions of society pursued through planned human action are discussed. The connection between the changing economy and other social institutions and aspects of life are studied.

330. Applied Sociology - 3 hours

Prerequisite: SOC 200GS or permission of instructor. Examines the application of sociological concepts to organizations and institutions, and the roles and problem-solving skills sociologists need in applying sociological knowledge. Students will learn how to operationalize concepts which are useful in a variety of organizational settings.

337. Sociological Inquiry - 3 hours

Prerequisites: PSY 250, STAT 235 or 241, or permission of the instructor. Systematic treatment of the design and conduct of social research and of the logical foundations of empirical research. Includes guided practice in the collection and analysis of data and an individual experience in the formulation and design of a research project. (Offered in the Fall semester.)

338. Feminist Research Methods - 3 hours

Prerequisite: Introductory Methods course, permission of instructor. Feminist research methods have had two impacts on social science research. Feminists have made the social researchers aware that historically they have systematically underscored women as objects of social research which has resulted in sexist research practice and a knowledge base which downplays the experience of women. Secondly, feminist social scientists have offered an alternative methodology which provides new solutions to old methodological problems. This course is designed for you to acquire the skills and knowledge to identify sex bias in research. You will also have the opportunity to design a research project which utilizes feminist methods.

400/800P. Sociological Theory - 3 hours

Prerequisites: Two 300 or 400 level sociology courses. This course develops analytical approaches to the examination and use of sociological theory in social systems. Basic comprehension of the various paradigms and schools of thought are examined as well as critiques using classical, contemporary, and emerging theoretical writings. Evaluation of the application of social theories is also attempted. (Offered in the Fall semester.)

411. Rural Sociology - 3 hours

Prerequisite: SOC 200GS or 250GS or equivalent. The social behavior and organization of rural people and the changing relationship between country, town and city.

413/813P. Urban Sociology - 3 hours

Prerequisite: SOC 200GS or 250GS or equivalent. The process of urbanization is examined from a socio-historical perspective utilizing sociological explanations to account for major societal and cultural change processes. The social organization of the city and the consequences and outcomes for human populations and social groups are examined. Sources of data for the analysis of urban phenomena are utilized for practical application of the course perspectives.

414. Population - 3 hours

Prerequisite: SOC 200GS or 250GS or equivalent. Socio economic determinants of population size, distribution, and composition, and examination of the implications for society as result of population changes.

420/820P. Race and Minority Relations - 3 hours

Prerequisite: SOC 200GS or 250GS or equivalent. Examines the history and status of minority groups in society, the relationship between minority groups and the dominant group, focuses on the causes of intergroup conflict and suggests solutions to intergroup problems.

430/830P. Family Life and Functions - 3 hours

Prerequisite: SOC 200GS or 250GS or equivalent. A sociological analysis of the family as a social unit. Topics focus on historical changes, cultural patterns, social class influences, group processes, institutional aspects, contemporary social changes and the future of the family. The evolving role of women will be examined for its impact on the family.

435. The Aged in American Society - 3 hours

Prerequisites: SOC 200GS or 250GS or equivalent. This course examines the contributions of sociological theory to gerontology, including such major perspectives as structural functionalism and conflict. Material presented will create an awareness of the influences of older people. Topics to be covered include: Socialization for the role of aged persons, social experiences of the elderly, political and social participation of the elderly, and economic status of the elderly.

440/840P. Sociology of Education - 3 hours

Prerequisites: SOC 200GS or 250GS or equivalent. A systematic study of the social organization of the formal socialization process, the larger societal and organizational contexts of the socialization process, and the sociocultural forces and conflicts among social groups in relation to the process. Analysis of the adolescent as a client, the social organizations of the school, and the consequences and outcomes for participants in the schooling process are examined. Contemporary trends, cross-cultural comparisons, and critiques of research findings and reports are examined from the sociological perspective.

442/842P. Sociology of Religion - 3 hours

Prerequisite: SOC 200GS or 250GS or equivalent. Examines religion as a social phenomenon and attempts to relate it to other aspects of human social life. Topics considered include the dilemmas of belief and institutionalization, religious movements, religion and change, secularization, and the future of religion.

449/849P. Sociology of Work and Occupations - 3 hours

An understanding of the present design of the American labor process will be achieved through a socio-historical analysis of the workplace. By placing work in its social context, we can better understand the gender and ethnic dynamics within the workplace. Such programs as employee involvement will be analyzed within a social context.

460/860P. Criminology - 3 hours

Prerequisites: SOC 200GS or 250GS or equivalent. The nature of crime; its types, distribution and trends. Theories of causation. Analysis of law enforcement, law and the courts, treatment modalities, and post-release situation of ex- offenders.

461/861P. Deviance and Social Control - 3 hours

Prerequisite: SOC 200GS or 250GS or equivalent. The philosophical assumptions embedded in the theories of deviance are examined and applied in the critical reading of deviance texts. A basic question explored is who and what is defined as deviant by each of the sociological perspectives. Through this examination we will investigate who controls social behavior and the basis of control contained within the theories.

462/862P. Sociology of Health and Illness - 3 hours

Prerequisites: SOC 200GS or 250GS or instructorÆs permission. This course provides an introduction to the field of medical sociology with attention to physical as well as mental illnesses. The emphasis will be upon the influence of social factors in becoming ill and social factors which influence treatment. Topics to be covered will include: Social epidemiology, health and illness behavior, the health professions, health care institutions, and alternative systems of health service.

463. Juvenile Delinquency - 3 hours

Prerequisite: SOC 200GS or 250GS or equivalent. Examines types, distribution and trends of delinquent conduct. Theories of causation; public reaction to delinquency. Detection and referral; the juvenile court; personnel, processing and disposition; treatment and aftercare.

465. Sociology of Law - 3 hours

Prerequisite: SOC 200GS or 250GS or equivalent. A course designed to examine the processes and social actors involved in the implementation of social control in societies. An examination of the legal system, practitioners, consumers, and the consequences for the social system for groups and society. Distributions of legal decisions and consequences for racial, ethnic, occupational, and other social groupings are examined.

469. Sociology of Women - 3 hours

Prerequisite: SOC 200GS or 250GS or equivalent. A course designed to increase knowledge regarding the initial development of sex-roles, socialization for behavior that is ôappropriateö to gender, and the satisfaction of personal needs through interaction with societal groups. The intention is to raise student consciousness of expanding options for future family life, occupational choices and social relationships.

470/870P. Social Survey - 3 hours

Prerequisites: SOC 337 or permission of the instructor. A survey research project is undertaken by students to learn the basic components of this method. In completing the projects, students will acquired the basic skills of research including: questionnaire construction, coding of data, data analysis and modification using SPSS, statistical interpretation, and writing a research report. (Offered in Spring Semester.)

474/874P. Organizational Analysis - 3 hours

Prerequisites: SOC 200GS or 250GS or equivalent. A systematic study of organizations, including public and voluntary types; theoretical, methodological and applied approaches will be utilized to examine the organization and its relationships with other organizations, and the outcomes and consequences of these relationships.

475. Internship - 1-6 hours

Prerequisites: Twelve hours of sociology and permission of instructor. This course is designed to give the student experience in a work situation within his/her area of specialization and interest.

488. Research Seminar in Sociology - 3 hours

Prerequisite: SOC 337 or equivalent. Group investigations of sociological problems.

490. Directed Research - 1-3 hours

Prerequisites: SOC 337 or equivalent. Independent original research under the direction of a Sociology faculty member. Permission and a contract specifying topic and requirements are necessary before enrollment for the course.

491. Expanded Campus Workshop - 1-3 hours

Refer to Academic Information section for information.

499. Directed Readings - 1-3 hours

Prerequisites: SOC 200GS and 400 or equivalent. Independent readings on advanced or contemporary sociological topics, to be selected in consultation with and directed by a Sociology faculty member. A contract specifying readings and requirements for the course is necessary before enrollment for the course.

Graduate Courses
876 Seminar in Social Psychology, 3 hrs.;
890 Directed Research, 1-3 hrs.;
896 Thesis, 6 hrs.;
899 Directed Readings, 1-3 hrs.

See Graduate Catalog for course descriptions.