This course will help students develop a 'sociological imagination' - that is, an understanding of the relationship between the individual and the wider society. Students are introduced to the discipline of sociology, which is the systematic study of social interaction, social organization, social institutions, and social change. The course covers the main concepts, theories, and methods of sociology that are used to explore everything from daily interactions to widespread social problems.

Principles/practice of research design, sampling, data collection including field observation/surveys. Data management, analysis, and reporting of quantitative/qualitative data. Ethics/administration in sociological research. Introduction to SPSS statistical software. Lab

Women's involvement in the civil and criminal justice systems, both historic and contemporary, primarily in the United States. Attention given to women as criminal and civil defendants, issues of women's civil rights, and to women practitioners within each system. Intersection of social class, gender and race/ethnicities. prereq: ANTH 1604 or CRIM 1301 or SOC 1101 or WS 1000 and 60 credits, or instructor consent; no grad credit

Examines the intersection of race/ethnicity, gender, and class within the U.S. criminal justice system, with some attention given to global trends and international comparisons. Considers the racialized effects of crime control and criminal justice practices, including law enforcement, prosecution, sentencing, police-minority community relations, and the disproportionate representation of racial/ethnic groups in the prison system. Explores attitudes and perceptions of crime from the perspective of racial/ethnic minorities, and differential crime rates among majority/minority groups. prereq: CRIM 1301 or SOC 1101 or ANTH 1604 and 60 credits or instructor consent

Examination of theories and research relating to the U.S. civil rights movement, including precursors and influence on subsequent social movements. Role of organization, resources, leadership, recruitment, ideology and consciousness, gender, social control, and counter-movements.

Theories and research about the effects of economic inequality in people's lives. Social class formation and the effects of institutionalized power structures. Intersection of social class, gender and race/ethnicity. Primary focus on the United States but with international comparisons. prereq: 1101 or CRIM 1301 or CSt 1101 or Anth 1604, min 30 cr or instructor consent

Status and experiences in society through the exploration of gender identities, systems, and social structures. Topics include politics, discrimination, family, education, workplace, popular culture, and changing definitions of gender. Emphasis on the expectations and performance of masculinity/femininity and the intersection of gender, race, and class. Some consideration given to global explorations and international comparisons. prereq: 1101 or CRIM 1301 or ANTH 1604 or WS 1000, min 60 cr or instructor consent

Overview of race and ethnic relations in America; conditions of major racial and ethnic minorities; formation of racial/ethnic identities, sources of prejudice, discrimination; intergroup conflict; assimilation, persistence of ethnicity; intergroup diversity; major racial and ethnic groups; the new immigrants. prereq: 1101 or CRIM 1301 or CSt 1101 or Anth 1604, 60 cr, or instructor consent

Complexities, organization, and elements of legal systems, particularly in the United States. Legal theory used to explain the "working" of the law, historical development of law, current issues in law, and overall interrelationship between law and society. prereq: 30 credits or instructor consent