SO: Sociology

SO 171 — Introductory Sociology

3 credits; 3 lecture hours

Study of patterned social behavior and the interrelationships between individual life experience and the social structure that helps to shape it. Formerly SS 171.

SO 208 — Fashion and Food

3 credits; 3 lecture hours

This course considers how fashion and food influence social norms, identities, and power dynamics. By examining the cultural, historical, economic, political and sociological dimensions of each practice, students learn about ways in which fashion and food intersect, influence one another, and relate to social dynamics and processes.

SO 272 — Sex Roles, Marriage, and Family in Transition

3 credits; 3 lecture hours

Sociological study of sex roles and relationships in modern society. Analysis of traditional marriage and family systems, new alternatives, and future trends. Formerly SS 272.

SO 275 — Sociology of Race and Ethnic Relations

3 credits; 3 lecture hours

An overview of the major concepts and theories defining the nature of race and ethnic relations, prejudice, and discrimination. Strategies for reducing prejudice and discrimination and promoting intergroup harmony are addressed. Formerly SS 275.

SO 277 — Ethnicity, Dress, and World Culture

3 credits; 3 lecture hours

This course introduces students to the sociocultural meanings of ethnic dress. Students examine case studies from non-Western cultures to understand how dress reflects the values and beliefs of traditional cultures, and how ethnic dress has become integrated into today's fashions. Formerly SS 277.

SO 278 — Latinos in the United States: A Sociological Perspective

3 credits; 3 lecture hours

This course provides an understanding of the socioeconomic, political, and cultural impact of Latinos in the United States. Students explore sociological issues including race, ethnicity, urbanization, gender, immigration, and social mobility that have helped shape Latino culture and values. Comparisons with other ethnic/racial groups in the United States, as well as the differences within the Latino community itself, are addressed. Formerly SS 278.

SO 299 — Independent Study in Sociology

1-3 credit

Prerequisite(s): a minimum 3.5 GPA and approval of instructor, chairperson, and dean for Liberal Arts.

SO 300 — Sociology of Everyday Life

3 credits; 3 lecture hours

This course provides students with a sociological understanding of everyday life from a micro-level analysis. Using theoretical perspectives such as symbolic interaction, labeling, and social constructionism, students will examine how social interaction creates and sustains the everyday social worlds people live in, ranging from an airport departure hall to social media sites. Formerly SS 300.
Prerequisite(s): SO 171.

SO 301 — Luxury: A Socio-Cultural Perspective

3 credits; 3 lecture hours

This course introduces students to a sociological analysis of the idea and the practice of “luxury” from Western and non-Western perspectives, and they also learn how luxury, as a social arrangement that is related to high culture, is produced, reproduced, and maintained by various institutions around the world. Formerly SS 301.

SO 303 — LGBTQ+ in Society: A Global Perspective

3 credits; 3 lecture hours

This course introduces students to the field of LGBTQ+ (Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender and Queer) Studies, focusing on the sociological dimension of the study of this population both in the West and globally. Formerly SS 303.

SO 306 — Kimono and Fashion: A Socio-Cultural Perspective

3 credits; 3 lecture hours

This course studies the multifaceted history and symbolic nature of Japanese kimono in relation to the social categories of class and gender and explores a wide range of conventional kimono variations in addition to distinct kimono worn by those in specific cultural contexts, such as Geisha, Maiko, and Kabuki actors. Formerly SS 306.

SO 307 — Emotions in Society

3 credits; 3 lecture hours

How are our emotions shaped by society? This course examines sociological theories and research on why we feel what we feel, applying these to social issues such as capitalism, climate destruction, racial injustice, and war to examine shame, pride, sympathy, denial, happiness, and trauma. Students examine their own emotions in order to experiment with thinking more critically about both their own lives and society as a whole. Formerly SS 307.

SO 309 — Tattoos and Body Modification

3 credits; 3 lecture hours

This course examines tattoos and various types of body modification, such as facial piercing and scarification, primarily in Asian, Southeast Asian and Polynesian cultures. Students are introduced to ethnographic studies on tattoos and other corporal adornment practices and learn how the biological human body is transformed into a social canvas. Formerly SS 309.

SO 313 — Cultural Awareness, Design Responsibility, and the Law

3 credits; 3 lecture hours

This course investigates the legal, financial, and social implications of cultural appropriation and the misuse of cultural property. A variety of indigenous and cultural groups ranging from the Wixáritari people of Mexico to the hip-hop community will be examined through case studies. Students develop strategies of how to design and collaborate with cultural groups in a sensitive and responsible manner. Formerly SS 313.

SO 317 — Fashion Research and Social Theory

3 credits; 3 lecture hours

This course examines sociological theories and approaches to the study of fashion/dress from the perspectives of diversity, equity, inclusion, and social justice. It discusses the Eurocentricity of fashion research which stems from a belief that fashion is a Western phenomenon. Students learn to decolonize methods and implement intersectional research strategies. Formerly SS 317.
Prerequisite(s): Any SO course.

SO 337 — Crime in the Global, Digital Society (Honors)

3 credits; 3 lecture hours

Students are familiarized with critical and contemporary sociological theories of crime. They will apply these theories to global and local empirical case studies and examine how the nature, extent, causes and control of crime and criminal offending should be understood within interrelated local, transnational, and global societal contexts. Formerly SS 337.
Prerequisite(s): Qualification for Presidential Scholars Program, or 3.5 GPA with approval of dean for Liberal Arts.

SO 374 — Cross-Cultural Studies

3 credits; 3 lecture hours

This course provides conceptual and practical knowledge of the cultures, economies, histories, and institutions of societies outside of Europe and the USA, such as Japan and India. Students are introduced to the range of cultural differences and are prepared to adapt to these differences as they move into international arenas. Formerly SS 374.

SO 376 — Clothing and Society

3 credits; 3 lecture hours

This course examines the development of dress, adornment, and appearance as a non-verbal mode of communication and explores the meaning of clothing and fashion in the U.S. Formerly SS 376.

SO 378 — Asian Global Popular Culture

3 credits; 3 lecture hours

Students examine the global production, consumption, and reproduction of popular culture products in Asian countries, such as Korea, Japan, and India. Cultural products such as films, television sitcoms, pop music, comic books, and animation from South and East Asian societies are examined from historical and contemporary local and global perspectives and analyzed using social scientific tools and methodologies. Formerly SS 378.

SO 379 — Sociology of the Digital Era

3 credits; 3 lecture hours

This course explores the impact of digital information and communication technologies (ICT’s) in everyday life. Students examine how digital ICT’s have transformed social relations, social structures, identity formation processes, and cultural, political, and economic practices. Formerly SS 379.

SO 386 — Youth Subculture, Identity, and Fashion: A Sociological Perspective

3 credits; 3 lecture hours

This course explores youth subcultures, in relation to gender, race and class identity. Students are introduced to various case studies of youth subcultures around the world, including Goth, Punk, and Lolita, and analyze how their values, norms, attitudes and beliefs are reflected on their styles. Formerly SS 386.

SO 499 — Independent Study in Sociology

1-3 credit

Prerequisite(s): a minimum 3.5 GPA and approval of instructor, chairperson, and dean for Liberal Arts.