The objectives of the department are (1) to provide students with a critical awareness and understanding of the social world of which they are a part; (2) to familiarize students with their social responsibilities as members of society; (3) to provide a basic foundation for advanced study and possible careers in sociology or social work, criminal justice, and anthropology; (4) to provide a knowledge of social interaction and social structure useful for students entering business, government, and the professions.

A major in sociology consists of nine courses (29 hours), including SOC 101 (prerequisite to all 300 and 400 level Sociology courses), 301, 302, 304, 404a, and 404b, as well as one additional elective. At least 15 hours toward the major must come from courses numbered above 300.

In addition, one course must be taken from each of the following three:

1. Problems (SOC 210, 295, 310, 313, 315, 345)

2. Structures (SOC 320, 321, 323, 325, 330, 335, 340, 367)

3. Special areas (SOC 390, 395, 490, ANT 201, CRJ 260)

Sociology Minor
A minor in sociology consists of a minimum of 16 hours, including SOC 101, 301, and 304.

Anthropology Minor
A minor in anthropology consists of a minimum of 15 hours, including ANT 201 and 12 additional hours in Anthropology, six of which must number 300 or above.

Criminal Justice Minor
The minor in criminal justice consists of 16 credit hours, including SOC 101, CRJ 260, CRJ 490, and two 300-level Criminal Justice courses. With permission of the chair, SOC 313 may be taken in place of one of the two 300-level CRJ electives in the minor.

Courses

SOC 101. Introductory Sociology (3 hours)
A survey of the basic concepts, theories, methods, and research associated with the sociological analysis of society. Emphasis will be placed on the study of major forms of human association and interaction, as well as the social structures and processes that affect the individual. Laboratory activities complement classroom instruction.

SOC 210. Social Problems (3 hours)
An examination of the principle causes, consequences, and solutions of major societal problems from a sociological perspective. The emphasis on specific social problems may vary, but attention will be given to such contemporary issues as social class inequities, discrimination, poverty, violence, deviance, social justice, population trends, technology, and change.

SOC 295. Ethnic Minorities (3 hours)
The position and function of minorities in American Life. Contemporary problems, patterns and significance of race relations are analyzed.

SOC 301. Classical Sociological Theory (3 hours)
This first course in a two-course sequence in sociological theory introduces students to the masters of sociological thought. It focuses on the influence of eighteenth and nineteenth century thinkers on the classical formulation of sociology’s primary concerns and traditions.

SOC 302. Contemporary Sociological Theory (3 hours)
Prerequisite: SOC 301
The second of two theory courses, this course emphasizes contemporary sociology focusing on Parsons’ Action Theory, Neo-functionalism, the Frankfurt School and Analytical Conflict Theory, Symbolic Interactionism, and alternative systems models.

SOC 304. Introduction to Social Science Research Methods (4 hours)
MAT 126 is recommended
In this course students are introduced to fundamental ideas and methods of social science research, including the link between theory and research, the evaluation of research literature, the basics of research design, and the principle elements of surveys, experiments, and field research. Students will complete laboratory exercises in these areas and will learn basic descriptive statistics through the use of a standard statistical analysis program (e.g. SPSS).

SOC 310. Social Work (3 hours)
An historical and philosophical examination of social welfare services and social work practice. Attention is given to the societal and value context in which the American social welfare system evolved and to the development of social work as a profession.

SOC 313. Social Deviance (3 hours)
A study of the social boundaries that separate normal behavior from deviant behavior. This includes historical shifts in definitions of deviance, the social function of deviance, the influence of “moral entrepreneurs” and powerful groups in defining and enforcing deviance, and social efforts to minimize deviant behavior. Attention is also given to “ambiguous deviance” and the medicalization of deviance in American society.

SOC 315. Social Gerontology (3 hours)
A study of the biological, psychological, and sociological aspects of aging and the aged population in contemporary society. Special attention will be given to the economic, political, and social problems of the aged.

SOC 320. Social Interaction (3 hours)
The sociological study of the patterns and modes of social interaction conditioned by group membership; an analysis of the emergence of groups and the basis of their formation and function; and an exploration of implications of contacts between groups. The types of relations between groups and the reactions of groups and individuals in the group to social interaction are studied.

SOC 321. Global Social Inequality (3 hours)
This course deals with the nature and impact of economic, political, and status differences in modern societies. It examines theories of dependency, modernization, neo-colonialism, and cultural and civilizational clash. It is centrally concerned with the nature, distribution, and consequences of unequal wealth and power for social cohesion and stability at the individual and societal levels.

SOC 323. Medical Sociology (3 hours)
This course describes and contrasts the Functionalist, Conflict, and Symbolic Interactionist models of health and sickness. It traces the historical development of “illness” definitions as ways of defining, managing, and controlling behavior. Included in the course are discussions of medical “gatekeeping”, bioethical issues in medical decision-making, the formulation of national health care policy, and the organization of health care delivery systems.

SOC 325. Urban Ecology (3 hours)
The focus of “urban ecology” is the synergistic relationship between people and the urban environment (social, physical and institutional), to include the essential bond between human and natural environments. It includes the study of the historical development of cities, current urbanization trends and impacts, the critical role of the local community in the development of human relations and institutions, community leadership and organization, and the relationship of theurban and natural environment.

SOC 330. The Sociology of Language, Culture, and Communication (3 hours)
The sociological study of language and communication with attention given to language as the organ or medium for comprehending reality; semantics and the problem of meaning; the relation between language and the cultural history of a people.

SOC 334. The Family (3 hours)
Prerequisite: SOC 101 or WGS 180
A study of family structure and functions including the changing role of the family in history; gender roles within the family; the economic, biological, and psychological aspects of the contemporary American family; and family disorganization and reorganization.

SOC 340. Sociology of Religion (3 hours)
A study of religion in American society from the standpoint of its relationship to the economic, political, and cultural life of the people.

SOC 345. Environmental Justice (3 hours)
This course examines the impact of institutional racism on environmental and health policies, industrial practices, government regulations and rule making, enforcement, and overall quality of life in people-of-color communities. The course will examine the nexus between environment protection and civil rights, and the impact of the environmental justice national environmental groups.

SOC 367. Law and Society (3 hours)
Prerequisite: CRJ 260 or SOC 101
This course studies the moral and cultural values which shape our legal system and the pervasive impact of that system on our society and culture. Through an in-depth examination of the most controversial legal-societal issues of the day, the course will illuminate the evolving role and interaction of the public, the judiciary, and the legislature in defining and enforcing social norms, thus shaping the American social and cultural landscape.

SOC 390. Special Topics in Sociology (3 hours)
Prerequisite: consent of instructor and chair.
A study of some significant topic in sociology that is not available through other departmental course offerings.

SOC 395. Supervised Independent Reading and Research (3 hours)
Prerequisite: consent of instructor and chair.
Intensive reading of selected works on some sociological topic or directed research on a sociological problem involving the collection of original data. May not be repeated.

SOC 404a. Empirical Project I (2 hours)
Prerequisite: SOC 304
Using the knowledge and skills acquired in SOC 304, students will develop an acceptable proposal for an empirical project on a sociological topic. Additional training in inferential statistics using a standard statistical analysis program (e.g. SPSS) will be provided.

SOC 404b. Empirical Project II (2 hours)
Prerequisite: SOC 404a
Students will implement and complete the project proposed in SOC 404a. Additional training in inferential statistics using a standard statistical analysis program (e.g. SPSS) will be provided. Students will produce written reports of their project and will report their results at an academically recognized public forum (e.g. Georgia Sociological Association meetings, Mercer University’s Undergraduate Research Symposium, or the Southeastern Undergraduate Sociological Association meetings at Emory/UGA).

SOC 490. Internship Program (3-6 hours)
Prerequisite: consent of instructor and chair.
An internship program offering practical experience through field work. The student is responsible for all arrangements.

ANTHROPOLOGY (ANT)

ANT 201. Introduction to General Anthropology (3 hours)
(ANT 201 is a prerequisite to all other ANT courses.)
The study of the evolution of humans and culture including the dawn of civilization, race and culture; also primitive culture and society (food gathering, art, religion, language, the family, social classes, clothing and ornament, etc.) Attention is also given to the American culture configuration, human behavior in cross cultural perspective, and the field of culture and personality.

ANT 350. Cultural Anthropology (3 hours)
An analysis of the cultural areas of the world with in-depth studies of cultures within each of these areas, including the way the cultures were before contact with Western civilization and the effect of this contact on the cultures.

ANT 352. Cultures of the Americas (3 hours)
An exploration of the migration and first inhabitants of the “New World” and of the cultures which they developed in relative isolation. Their cosmologies, social organization, modes of subsistence, rituals and art will be studied. We will also examine their legacy which remains with us today. Field trips included.

ANT 354. Cultural Archaeology (3 hours)
The study of extinct cultures using artifactual remains. The data gathering techniques of excavation, labeling, and dating are demonstrated. Prevailing models of interpretation are reviewed, and the notion of cultural process is explored. Field trips are required.

ANT 356. Archaeology of the Goddess (3 hours)
An examination of the existence of feminine deity through evidence offered by the prehistorical archaeological record and origin mythologies. The dynamics of cultural change are explored in tracing the rise of patriarchal religion.

ANT 390. Special Topics in Anthropology (3 hours)
Prerequisite: consent of instructor.
A study of some significant topic in anthropology that is not available through other departmental course offerings.

ANT 490. Internship (3-6 hours)
Prerequisite: consent of instructor and chair.
The internship offers practical experience through field work.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE (CRJ)

CRJ 260. Criminal Justice System (3 hours)
(CRJ 260 is prerequisite to all other CRJ courses.)
An overview and analysis of the major components of the criminal justice system: criminal law, law enforcement, the judicial and correctional processes, and related topics.

CRJ 360. Criminology (3 hours)
An analysis of the major theories of criminal behavior, the nature and types of crime, and the relationship between crime and society. Special emphasis will be placed on the relationship between the notion of crime, punishment, and justice.

CRJ 362. Juvenile Delinquency (3 hours)
A study of the nature and extent of juvenile delinquency in contemporary society, with particular emphasis on theories of causation, treatment, and control.

CRJ 367. Law and Society (3 hours)
Prerequisite: CRJ 260 or SOC 101
This course studies the moral and cultural values which shape our legal system and the pervasive impact of that system on our society and culture. Through an in-depth examination of the most controversial legal-societal issues of the day, the course will illuminate the evolving role and interaction of the public, the judiciary, and the legislature in defining and enforcing social norms, thus shaping the American social and cultural landscape.

CRJ 390. Special Topics in Criminal Justice (3 hours)
Prerequisite: consent of instructor and chair.
A study of some significant topic in criminal justice that is not available through other departmental course offerings.

CRJ 490. Internship (3-6 hours)
Prerequisite: consent of instructor and chair.
The internship offers practical experience through fieldwork. The student is responsible for all arrangements.