Sociology
SOC F100X Individual, Society and Culture (s)
3 Credits
An examination of the complex social arrangements guiding individual behavior and common human concerns in contrasting cultural contexts. Also available via Independent Learning. Prerequisites: Placement in ENGL F111X or higher; or permission of instructor. (3+0)
SOC F201 Social Problems (s)
3 Credits Offered Fall
A study of major contemporary social problems, analysis of factors causing these problems. Emphasis on cross-cultural differences in Alaska and other parts of the world. (3+0)
SOC F202 Sociology of Popular Culture (s)
3 Credits Offered Spring Even-numbered Years
A critical examination of contemporary popular culture in sociological perspective. Introduces debates in the field of cultural sociology with special emphasis on the creation, distribution, consumption, and social impact of popular culture. Themes in course content will vary by semester including popular performances, leisure and entertainment, mass media, humor, food, and fashion. Recommended: SOC F100X. (3+0)
SOC F242 The Family: A Cross-Cultural Perspective (s)
3 Credits
Analysis of conceptual frameworks in family research, and a cross-cultural comparison of variations in family and kinship structures, both past and present. Examination of contemporary developments in family forms, the dynamic roles and patterns of relationships, and links with other social institutions. Emphasis on how social forces such as gender, race, ethnicity and social class shape the family and experiences of family life. Also available via Independent Learning. Prerequisites: SOC F100X or permission of instructor. (3+0)
SOC F250 Introductory Statistics for Behavioral Sciences
3 Credits Offered Spring
Statistics applied to social scientific topics. Includes descriptive statistics, frequency distributions, sampling distributions, elementary probability, estimation of population parameters, hypothesis testing (one and two sample problems), correlation, simple linear regression and one-way analysis of variance. Also available via Independent Learning. Prerequisites: MATH F107X or MATH F103X or MATH F200X. (Cross-listed with PSY F250.) (3+0)
SOC F263 Social Inequality and Stratification (s)
3 Credits Offered Spring
Comprehensive analysis of current sociological debates and diverse theoretical approaches used to address social stratification and inequality. Examines the various dimensions of inequality, including those related to race, class and gender at the local, national and global levels. Prerequisites: SOC F100X and SOC F201 or permission of instructor. (3+0)
SOC F301 Rural Sociology (s)
3 Credits Offered As Demand Warrants
Analysis of sociological issues using rural communities and rurality as examples. Emphasis on issues of social justice and inequality. Part of focus is on rural communities of Alaska and the North. Prerequisites: One lower division social science course. (3+0)
SOC F303 Early Sociological Thought (s)
3 Credits Offered Spring
The major sociological theories of the classical period (19th and early 20th centuries) that have influenced contemporary sociology. Prerequisites: SOC F100X; SOC F201; SOC F263. (3+0)
SOC F308 Race and Ethnic Relations (s)
3 Credits Offered Fall
A sociological analysis of the principles and processes that shape relationships among racial and ethnic groups in Alaska, the U.S. and elsewhere in the world. Focus on the relations among dominant and subordinate groups in these societies, using sociological theory to understand the structural factors that shape intergroup relations. Prerequisite: SOC F100X; SOC F201; SOC F263. (3+0)
SOC F309 Urban Sociology (s)
3 Credits Offered As Demand Warrants
Origin and development of urban society as an industrial-ecological phenomenon; the trends of migration and metropolitanism with futuristic implications; and the rural-urban dichotomy in the Alaskan context. (3+0)
SOC F310 Sociology of Aging (s)
3 Credits
A sociological analysis of the process of aging in the U.S., Alaska and globally, with special attention on structural inequality and social justice issues. Also available via Independent Learning. Prerequisites: SOC F100X, SOC F201, and SOC F263. (3+0)
SOC F320 Sociology of Gender (s)
3 Credits
Comprehensive survey of sociological inquiry and feminist revisions for studying gender in U.S. society and culture. Interrogates the meanings of gender and the interactional, cultural, organizational and institutional arrangements that underlie the social construction of gender and gender inequality. Prerequisites: One lower-division social science course; WMS F201; or permission of instructor. (Cross-listed with WMS F320.) (3+0)
SOC F330 Social Psychology (s)
3 Credits Offered Spring
Analysis of intergroup relationships in terms of process and value orientation, their influences on the personality, and aspects of collective behavior on group and person. Aspects of social interaction that have cultural and intercultural variation. Prerequisites: PSY F101 or SOC F100X. (Cross-listed with PSY F330.) (3+0)
SOC F333 Human Sexualities Across Cultures (s)
3 Credits Offered Alternate Fall Odd-numbered Years
Exploration of how people in a variety of cultures, both contemporary and historical, construct the meaning and experience of sexuality, and express themselves as sexual beings. Interdisciplinary study includes psychology, sociology, anthropology, gender studies, and related fields, with particular focus determined by which department is offering the course. Also available via Independent Learning. Prerequisites: SOC F100X; or SOC F201 or PSY F101 or WMS F201 or permission of instructor. (Cross-listed with PSY F333; WMS F332.) (3+0)
SOC F335 Deviance and Social Control (s)
3 Credits Offered Fall Odd-numbered Years
Analysis of classical and contemporary theoretical perspectives used to understand, explain and control criminal and non-criminal forms of deviance. Emphasis on the social dimensions of the creation of deviant categories and persons, the consequence of societal reactions to selected forms of deviance, and implications for social policy (prevention) and social control (corrections). Prerequisites: SOC F100X; SOC F201; or permission of instructor. (3+0)
SOC F345 Sociology of Education (s)
3 Credits Offered Fall Odd-numbered Years
Theoretical perspectives on various dimensions of the relationship between education and society, including the institutional context of schooling, the impact of schooling on social stratification, and social organization within the school and classroom. Special attention is given to issues of equity and contemporary educational reform efforts. Prerequisites: SOC F100X or permission of instructor. (Cross-listed with ED F345.) (3+0)
SOC F350W Sociology of Childhood (s)
3 Credits Offered Fall Even-numbered Years
Concepts, theories and empirical research in the sociology of childhood. Broad themes include social structure and its consequences for children's lives, children's agencies, and the diversity of childhood experiences. Includes an overview of the problems children face, and recommendations for solutions. Prerequisites: ENGL F111X; ENGL F211X or ENGL F213X or permission of instructor. (3+0)
SOC F373W Research Methods in the Social Sciences (s)
3 Credits Offered Fall
Course helps students become critical consumers of research in the social sciences and enables them to develop research proposals. The course covers phases of the research process, which comprises problem formulation, research designs, conceptualization, sampling and ethical issues. Prerequisites: ENGL F111X; ENGL F211X or ENGL F213X or permission of instructor; SOC F100X; SOC F201; SOC F263. (3+0)
SOC F405O Social Movements and Social Change (s)
3 Credits Offered Spring Odd-numbered Years
Focus on collective behavior, social change and social movements at the local, national and global levels. Analysis will include historical, technological and legal implications of large-scale social change. Prerequisites: COMM F131X or COMM F141X; SOC F100X; SOC F201; SOC F263 and 3 credits of SOC at F300-level; or permission of instructor. (3+0)
SOC F407O Work and Occupations (s)
3 Credits Offered As Demand Warrants
The sociology of work and occupations. Local, regional, national and globa industries, work sites and workers will be examined, using sociological theories and concepts. Analysis includes structural issues of inequality in employment practices and work sites. Prerequisite: COMM F131X or COMM F141X; SOC F100X; SOC F201; SOC F263; 3 credits in SOC at the F300-level. (3+0)
SOC F435 Sociology of Law (s)
3 Credits Offered Fall Even-numbered Years
Addresses the social nature of legal decision-making, the social context of law and the reciprocal relations between law, society and justice. Explores how race, class and gender are implicated in the law, and the role of law in social control, in social change and in our everyday lives. Prerequisites: SOC F100X; junior standing; or permission of instructor. Recommended: SOC F303. (3+0)
SOC F440O Environmental Sociology (s)
3 Credits Offered Spring Even-numbered Years
Course considers how political, social and economic factors have come to shape human patterns of interaction with the natural environment. Provides a sociological perspective on environmental problems such as environment and health, disaster, environmental policy, environmental risk, sustainability, human and animal interactions, environmental justice and social movements. Prerequisites: COMM F131X or COMM F141X; SOC F100X; SOC F201; SOC F263; 3 credits in SOC at the the F300-level; or permission of instructor. (3+0)
SOC F460 Global Issues in Sociological Perspective (s)
3 Credits Offered Spring Even-numbered Years
A sociological analysis of global issues, with different overarching themes depending on world events and the research interests of the instructor. Issues of global social justice and inequality are explored, and sociological and other theories are applied. Prerequisites: One lower social science course; junior standing or permission of instructor. (3+0)
SOC F480W Qualitative Social Science Research (s)
3 Credits Offered Spring Odd-numbered Years
Introduction to classical and contemporary research within the qualitative (or interpretive) paradigm of social science. Discusses the theoretical frameworks, historical traditions, epistemological and ethical issues of qualitative approaches. Uses hands-on experience in the practicalities and excitement of a variety of methods for gathering qualitative data and conducting qualitative analysis. Prerequisites: ENGL F111X; ENGL F211X or ENGL F213X; one lower-division social science research methods course; or permission of instructor. (Cross-listed with PSY F480.) (3+0)
SOC F490 Capstone Seminar (s)
3 Credits Offered Spring
Review of the discipline of sociology with a focus on the theoretical perspectives and methodological tools of the discipline, key substantive issues in the field and the role of sociology in contemporary society. Prerequisites: SOC F302; SOC F373; Sociology major with senior standing; or permission of instructor. (3+0)