Southwest Minnesota State University • Academic Catalog 2008-10 • Online VersionEffective 07/01/08Note: While every effort is made to ensure accuracy, SMSU reserves the right to correct any clerical errors herein.Sociology189SOCIOLOGYOffice: Social Science 103, 537-6224Faculty: Vicky Brockman, Sangeeta Sinha, Cindy WasbergDepartment: Social ScienceThe Sociology curriculum is designed to develop students’ “sociological imagination,” an ability to analyze social
situations in sociological terms and thereby to become capable of better understanding themselves and the behavior of
others in the context of their society. Such understanding enables students to better cope with the social forces operating to
stabilize and change social conditions. Graduates with a Sociology major have entered a variety of careers, including
social service, business, labor, government, and criminal justice, and some elect to pursue graduate studies. In addition,
students may complete a Sociology minor.Bachelor of Arts: Sociology (40 credits)SOCI 101Introduction to Sociology..........................................................................3OR .............................................................................................................................3SOCI 102Introduction to Sociology: Rural and Regional Perspective .....................3SOCI 218Self and Society (Prerequisite: SOCI 101) .....................................................................3SOCI 220Social Problems (Prerequisite: SOCI 101) .....................................................................3SOCI 200Social Statistics
(Prerequisite: MATH 110 or 3 years high school math).................................................4SOCI 314Sociological Theory (Prerequisites: SOCI 101 and one other sociology course) ..........3SOCI 315Applied Social Research Methods
(Prerequisites: SOCI 101, 200, and SOCI 314 or senior standing) ................................3SOCI 318Forces for Social Change (Prerequisites: SOCI 101
and one other sociology course) .....................................................................................3SOCI 495Senior Seminar (Prerequisites: SOCI 315 and
consent of instructor) ......................................................................................................3Elective credits ......................................................................................................................................15
Electives are selected from Sociology courses in consultation with the major advisor.
At least two electives must be upper-division sociology courses (300 or 400 level).
A maximum of 3 credits may be applied from SOCI 450 Individual Readings,
and a maximum of 3 credits may be applied from SOCI 485 Field Experience.Total Credits:40Minor: Sociology (21 credits)SOCI 101Introduction to Sociology ...............................................................................................3SOCI 314Sociology Theory ...........................................................................................................3Sociology electives .................................................................................................................................15
Selected in consultation with an advisor in Sociology. A maximum of 3 credits
may be applied from SOCI 450 Individual Readings, and a maximum of
three credit hours may be applied from SOCI 485 Field Experience.Total Credits:21Minor: Criminal Justice (27 credits)SOCI 101Introduction to Sociology (prerequisite for required courses)........................................3JUAD 144Introduction to Justice and Society.................................................................................3SOCI 244Sociology of Deviant Behavior ......................................................................................3JUAD 450Criminal Law..................................................................................................................3SOCI 344Criminology (Prerequisite: SOCI 144)...........................................................................3POL 328Constitutional Law I: Criminal Justice......................................................3OR .............................................................................................................................3POL 415Law and Society ........................................................................................3Southwest Minnesota State University • Academic Catalog 2008-10 • Online VersionEffective 07/01/08Note: While every effort is made to ensure accuracy, SMSU reserves the right to correct any clerical errors herein.190SociologyElective credits ........................................................................................................................................9
Choose one course (3 credits) from each of the following three categories:
1. JUAD 442Court/Corrections Management ................................................................3JUAD 444Juvenile Justice..........................................................................................32. PHIL 305Law, Liberty, and Morality........................................................................3POL 351Constitutional Law II: Civil Liberties .......................................................3PSYC 335Abnormal Psychology ...............................................................................3PSYC 341Child and Adolescent Psychology.............................................................3PSYC 465Behavior Modification ..............................................................................3SPCH 230Interpersonal and Cross-cultural Communication.....................................33. HIST 363A History of Social Welfare in the United States ......................................3INDS 326Decolonization, Recovery and Indigenous Peoples ..................................3SOCI 331Racial and Ethnic Relations in America....................................................3Note: An internship is available, but not required.Students who wish to major in Sociology and minor in Criminal Justice are required to complete the Sociology core
courses (25 credits) and five electives (15 credits) for the Sociology major in addition to the above minor. Students may
count SOCI 244 Sociology of Deviant Behavior, as one of the five electives for the major. They may also count SOCI
331 Minorities in American Society as one of the five electives for the major. Together, the total number of credits for a
Sociology major and a Criminal Justice minor ranges from 61 to 67 credits. Students with other majors complete the
minor as shown above.SOCIOLOGY AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE
COURSES (SOCI)SOCI 101 (LAC, D) Introduction to Sociology
(3 credits)
A survey of basic concepts and research areas in sociology,
including sociology origins, major theoretical perspectives,
research methods, culture, social structure, socialization,
group processes, formal organizations, deviance and social
control, stratification, racial/ethnic and gender inequality,
social institutions, demography, collective behavior, and
social change.SOCI 102 (LAC, R, S) Introduction to Sociology:
Rural and Regional Perspective (3 credits)
A survey of basic concepts and research areas in sociology,
including sociology origins, major theoretical perspectives,
research methods, culture, social structure, socialization,
group processes, formal organizations, deviance and social
control, stratification, racial/ethnic and gender inequality,
social institutions, demography, collective behavior, and
social change. This course differs from SOCI 101 in that it
uses examples from southwestern Minnesota as well as
other rural societies and peoples. Further emphasis is
placed on the social problems, community life and culture,
and the social fabric of southwestern Minnesota.SOCI 135 (R) Rural Society (3 credits)
Within the discipline of sociology, the study of rural society
gives students the opportunity to understand and appreciate
the richness and variety of rural heritage and contemporary
rural life. Through understanding of concepts and
developing applied research skills, students approach the
phenomena of non-urban societies both in the U.S. and
around the globe. The course includes consideration of
regional, national, and international linkages which affect
the rural United States. Focusing on such formative
influences as family, religion, education, government, and
economy, students learn about past and present rural
problems and opportunities in areas close to the SMSU
campus; then students consider similar and different
realities in several other regions of the United States.SOCI 161 Relationship Violence: Causes,
Consequences, Treatment, and Prevention (1 credit)
This course introduces facts, concepts and theories that
provide a foundation for understanding the kinds of
violence that may occur regularly in relationships. Topics
include: violence in dating relationships and acquaintance
rape, partner abuse and rape, child abuse and incest, and
elder abuse. Multidisciplinary perspectives provide a broad
introductory overview of these issues.Southwest Minnesota State University • Academic Catalog 2008-10 • Online VersionEffective 07/01/08Note: While every effort is made to ensure accuracy, SMSU reserves the right to correct any clerical errors herein.Sociology191SOCI 200 Social Statistics (4 credits)
This course surveys basic statistical techniques used in the
social sciences, including frequency distributions and
graphs, the normal curve, tests of significance, correlation,
analysis of variance, and multiple regression. The course
also covers applications of descriptive and inferential
techniques to social data and interpretations of social
research outcomes. Prerequisite: MATH 110 or three years
of high school math.SOCI 211 Marriage and Family (3 credits)
The origin of marriage and family in historical and
comparative perspective; family diversity in contemporary
society; application of theoretical perspectives to family
processes; gender roles, courtship, mate selection, married
relationships, parenthood, marriage termination,
alternatives to marriage, and the future family. Prerequisite:
SOCI 101.SOCI 218 Self and Society (3 credits)
A sociological introduction to social psychology, including
a symbolic interactionist understanding of the individual in
society, the impact of social conditions and culture on
personal development, freedom and control in human
behavior, and the human ability to respond to and cause
social change. Prerequisite: SOCI 101.SOCI 220 Social Problems (3 credits)
This course critically analyzes contemporary social
problems from historical, structural, and theoretical
perspectives. Problems analyzed vary, but all analyses are
premised on the sociological understanding that humans are
products of their social environments. Theory and research
are used to demonstrate that social problems are
interrelated and that society creates and perpetuates
problems. Prerequisite: SOCI 101.SOCI 244 Sociology of Deviant Behavior (3 credits)
Consideration of various approaches to the study of deviant
behavior; contemporary theories and methods of study;
discussion of the ethical issues raised by the study of
deviant behavior; the social processes whereby persons and
patterns of behavior come to be identified as deviant.
Topics of deviance analyzed vary, but theory and research
are applied to all areas. Prerequisite: SOCI 101.SOCI 270 (D,G) Gender Issues (3 credits)
This course introduces theories, research, and current issues
related to the gender roles in society. Course content
includes various theoretical approaches to the sociological
study of gender, historical and cross-cultural comparisons,
research findings, policy issues, structural influences, and
current change trends.SOCI 286 Special Topics (1-4 credits)
This course is designed to provide lower-division students
with an opportunity to experience a special or experimental
curriculum course.SOCI 314 Sociological Theory (3 credits)
Early modern social thought and the development of
sociological theory in the 19th and 20th centuries to the
present. Prerequisites: SOCI 101 and one other Sociology
course.SOCI 315 Applied Social Research Methods
(3 credits)
This introduction to social research applies social research
methods to sociology, criminal justice, and social work.
Includes analysis of published research along with
quantitative and qualitative research methods in
investigating social issues, program evaluation, practice
evaluation, policy analysis, and needs assessment.
Prerequisites: SOCI 101, 200, and 314; or senior standing.SOCI 318 Forces for Social Change (3 credits)
Changing technology, collective behavior, reform and
revolution; causes and consequences of social change,
creative and destructive consequences of changing social
patterns; the relevance of history to social process.
Prerequisites: SOCI 101 and one other sociology course.SOCI 324 Sociology of Sexualities (3 credits)
This course will provide a sociological perspective on
sexual identities, behaviors, and the negative societal
response of homophobia. Course content focuses on the
social construction of sexual identity, and the complex
personal, social and political issues of sexuality. Topics on
sexuality may vary, but theory and research is applied to all
areas.SOCI 331 (D) Racial and Ethnic Relations in
America (3 credits)
Causes and consequences of prejudice, discrimination, and
segregation; relationships of ethnic, racial, and religious
minorities to dominant categories in the United States;
remedial programs to reduce racial, ethnic, and religious
tensions. Prerequisite: SOCI 101.SOCI 344 Criminology (3 credits)
Explanation and critical analysis of criminology theory.
Also, the course examines major types of crimes, victims,
and criminal behavior in the contemporary United States.
Topics include definitions; incidence and trends in criminal
behavior; roles of police and judicial personnel; and
justifications for punishment. Prerequisite: SOCI 144.Southwest Minnesota State University • Academic Catalog 2008-10 • Online VersionEffective 07/01/08Note: While every effort is made to ensure accuracy, SMSU reserves the right to correct any clerical errors herein.192SociologySOCI 354 The Holocaust, Genocide, and Human
Rights (3 credits)
A survey of sociological, psychological, historical, and
other dimensions of the Holocaust and other cases of
genocide and genocidal killing during the 20th century. The
human rights movement as an attempt to prevent and resist
genocide will be examined. Prerequisite: junior or senior
standing, or consent of instructor.SOCI 415 Formal Organizations, Bureaucracies,
Corporations (3 credits)
Analysis of major types of formal organizations in
contemporary complex societies. Theory and research
results applicable to the understanding of factories, schools,
prisons, hospitals, churches, voluntary associations, etc.
Prerequisite: SOCI 101.SOCI 420 Sociology of Work (3 credits)
This course familiarizes students with sociological concepts
and research related to work. Issues include such topics as
alienation, job satisfaction, control over the workplace,
changing work conditions, employment and wage
inequalities, and conflict between work and family.
Prerequisite: SOCI 101.SOCI 435 Rural Development (3 credits)
A critical analysis of research goals and methods currently
applied to rural development; review and analysis of the
future of small rural communities, the benefits and costs of
rural industrialization and its full social consequences. A
major content requirement is a research paper. Prerequisite:
one sociology (SOCI), history (HIST), or rural studies
(RURL) course.SOCI 440 Human Communities: Structure and
Change (3 credits)
Sociological analysis of community structure, community
development, and change. Focus on grass roots movements
and community organizing. Critiques of community
planning will be reviewed. Consideration of applicability of
community development in less developed countries to
North America. Prerequisites: SOCI 101, ANTH 116, or
consent of instructor.SOCI 445 Class and Class Conflict (3 credits)
Class stratification in pre-industrial, industrial, and post
industrial societies, institutionalized inequality, sources of
strain and conflict, automation and the prospects for
industrial man. Prerequisites: SOCI 101 or consent of
instructor.SOCI 450 Individual Readings (1-3 credits)
Prerequisite: consent of instructor.SOCI 486 Special Topics (1-4 credits)
This course is designed to provide upper-division students
with an opportunity to experience a special or experimental
curriculum enrichment course.SOCI 495 Senior Seminar in Sociology (3 credits)
This course is designed to integrate previous sociology
study by reviewing basic concepts and theories, reading
and discussing selected topics not covered in the regular
curriculum, and completing a research project begun in
SOCI 315 Applied Social Research Methods. Prerequisites:
SOCI 315 and consent of instructor.SOCI 499 Field Experience/Internship (3-12 credits)
Research or internship in an organization or community,
defined in individual learning agreements and consisting of
combining sociological concepts and theory with one or
more of the following: qualitative research, quantitative
research, applied sociology. Prerequisites: Sociology major
or minor, Justice Administration major, Anthropology
minor, or Criminal Justice minor, and SOCI 315; or consent
of instructor.

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