Sociology
Sociology
Program Purpose: Students who complete Sociology courses will utilize the sociological perspective to better understand self in the context of social groups and social institutions in society.
The Associate in Arts in Sociology for Transfer (AA-T) degree program is designed for students intending to major in Sociology, or a similar major at a four-year institution and for students interested in studying Sociology for a general understanding of social behavior useful in any career or life area. Students who complete the Sociology program will utilize the sociological perspective to better understand self in the context of social groups and social institutions in society. The program will also prepare students who are interested in studying Sociology for a general understanding of social behavior, the web and rhythm of human behavior including intimate, personal, and family relationships.
Transfer Information
Students planning to transfer need to consult with a counselor, prepare a Student Education Plan, and take advantage of the support services available in the Career Transfer Center located in Fountain Hall, (805) 378-1536. See General Education Degree Requirements and Transfer Information.
NOTE: Some courses may have credit limitations. Refer to the Credit Limitations and UC Credit Limitations areas, and the UC Transfer Course Agreement page for details.
Social Justice Studies Courses
Examines, via inter-disciplinary study, race and ethnicity in the United States. Examines social justice movements in relation to ethnic and racial groups in the United States. Provides a basis for a better understanding of the socio-economic, cultural, and political conditions among key social groups.
Introduces students to the origins, purpose, subject matter, and methods of Women's Studies and to feminist perspectives on a range of social issues affecting women of diverse backgrounds. Studies gender and its intersections with race, class, sexuality, dis/ability, age, religion, and other systems of difference.
Examines a broad range of contemporary gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and queer issues in various contexts including bio-medical, sociological, political, racial and sexual. Focuses on intersectionality and social justice.
Sociology Courses
Provides on-the-job learning to develop effective work habits, attitudes, and career awareness in paid or unpaid internships that are related to the discipline. Involves the development and documentation of learning objectives and the completion of an internship paper, presentation, or project. Includes both workplace supervisor and faculty adviser feedback and/or written evaluations.
Analyzes basic concepts, theoretical approaches, and methods of social research. Emphasizes the analysis and understanding of social structure, social interaction, socialization and the self, social stratification, cultural diversity, social change, and global dynamics.
Analyzes basic concepts, theoretical approaches, and methods of social research. Emphasizes the analysis and understanding of social structure, social interaction, socialization and the self, social stratification, cultural diversity, social change, and global dynamics. Honors work challenges students to be more analytical and creative through expanded assignments, real-world applications and enrichment opportunities.
Identifies and analyzes contemporary social problems. Includes the role of power and ideology in the definition of social problems, their causes and consequences, evaluations of proposed solutions, and methods of intervention. OTHER: Provider approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing, provider number CEP2811 for 45 contact hours.
Examines fundamental elements of empirical research and the ways in which sociologists gather, evaluate and critique social data. Includes attention to the nature of theory, hypotheses, variables, and ethics of research. Applies qualitative and quantitative analytic tools including logic and research design, such as survey, observational, experimental, case study, and comparative historical research. Focuses on data analysis using a software package.
Allows independent study for students who wish to extend their knowledge of a particular area of Sociology through research and study. Utilizes an approved independent project. Includes one-on-one work with instructor. Interested students should contact a Sociology instructor for assistance in developing a contract for learning about a specific topic.
Applies statistical methods to behavioral and social science data. Includes descriptive and inferential statistics, levels and types of measurement, measures of central tendency and dispersion, normal t and chi-square distributions, probability and hypothesis testing, and correlation and regression. Applies statistical software to behavioral and social science data.
Analyzes from a social perspective intimacies, relationships and commitments in partnerships, marriages, and families, with special focus on family as an institution. Includes the examination of historical and recent changes, present nature and the socio-cultural and economic forces shaping these changes.
Examines the social construction of gender, trans-gender, masculinity and femininity historically and cross-culturally. Integrates into this examination the variations that exist among people of different gender in relation to class, race and sexuality. Analyzes the impact of economic and political change on gender expectations and practices. Explores at both a macro and micro level how institutions shape gender and how individuals are socialized to “do” gender. Applies feminist scholarship.
Examines the cultural, political, and economic practices and institutions that support or challenge racism, and racial and ethnic inequalities. Studies patterns of interactions between various racial and ethnic groups, as well as the experiences within each group and reviews how racial and ethnic experiences vary.
Analyzes the sociological aspects of crime, criminal behavior, and the criminal justice system. Explores the history and social construction of crime and criminality and examines the definition of crime and its violations as well as the laws and methods used to control criminal behavior. Discusses the measurement of crime and basic theoretical explanations of criminal behavior.
Explores the foundational role religion plays in influencing beliefs values, laws and practices in society. Introduces the student to Sociological concepts in the study of religious life via examples from world religions practiced in the United States and elsewhere. Examines how social changes affect religious life in society.
Examines the various perspectives, theories, and forms of sociological deviance. Focuses on such deviance as alcohol and drug use, sexual, criminal, mental, religious, and suicidal behaviors.
Analyzes the cultural and historical bases of organized crime and terrorism. Discusses the social and theoretical background of the phenomena, the roles of culture and religion, and examples of organized criminal and terrorist activities. Reviews the social, legal, military, and criminal justice options in dealing with organized crime and terrorism.
Social Work and Human Services Courses
Overviews social welfare and the societal institutions in the U.S. that structure the provision of social services. Presents a historical perspective on the development of U.S. social work and human services. Highlights current service delivery systems, their policies and procedures, and the tasks of culturally responsive social workers and human service workers within those settings.
Provides the student who is participating in a supervised field experience in a community organization, agency, or institution with a weekly class meeting that provides the academic element to the experiential course offering. Provides the student with an opportunity to develop skills that would facilitate gaining employment in the human services field.
Facilitates a supervised field experience in the area of Social Work/Human Services (community organization, agency, or institution) allowing the student to apply practitioner and organizational knowledge, and learn new skills outside the classroom environment. Provides students with an opportunity to develop skills in preparation for gaining employment in the human services field.