Sociology Courses in the UW Colleges Catalog

The following are courses listed in the UW Colleges course catalog (1999-2001). All of these courses will not be offered at each campus. However, many are taught on the Marathon campus and others are still available to UW-Marathon students either as compressed video or as online courses.

Introduction to the basic concepts, theories and methods of sociology, emphasizing the significance of the self and culture, social process and organization, and forces of social stability and change. SS

SOC 125 American Society in the Contemporary World 3 cr.

Explores contemporary US society in an international and comparative context. Focuses on social structure and institutions, cultural values, the forces of change and the web of relations among countries. SS

Sociological analysis of the nature, extent, causes, and potential solutions to selected major social problems such as poverty and wealth, racial and gender discrimination, crime and violence, drug abuse, family problems, quality of education, inadequate health care, population problems, intergroup conflict and threats to the environment. SS

Sociological overview of issues of human sexuality. Course is based on sociological investigations of the origins, nature and bio-social consequences of varying customs and ideals of human sexuality. Among topics that may be covered are: sex and family life, contraception, abortion and social power, violations of sexual norms and ideas about sexual propriety, origins and impact of sexual liberation movements, socio-sexual aspects of epidemics, sociological interpretations of sexual dissatisfactions. SS

SOC 220 Marriage and Family 3 cr.

Marriage and the family as social institutions in a changing world. Historical changes and societal variations in family patterns. Changes over the life cycle. Explores the sources and consequences of a variety of family forms. SS

SOC 231 Crime and Criminal Justice 3 cr.

Explores the nature of crime and reviews ideas about definitions, causes, and solutions. Includes an introduction to the day-to-day functioning of the criminal justice system, the police, lawyers, courts, and correctional personnel. SS

The experience of American racial, religious, ethnic and nationality groups. The nature of intergroup relations in the United States. Relationship of intergroup dynamics to social change, and to the basic ideological, technological, and institutional structures and processes. Emphasis on social conflict over the distribution of economic and political power, family patterns, housing, education and access to the legal system. SS/ES

(Same as WOM 138) A sociological examination of roles assigned to women and men in society, including the experiences of marriage, parenthood, employment and occupational attainment. Pays particular attention to gender role socialization and its cultural reinforcement, to patterns of gender relations, and to ongoing changes. SS

Examines the theories of the nature, causes, consequences, and prevention of juvenile misbehavior through examination of historic changes in the definition and frequency of juvenile offenses. Controversies over the practice of distinguishing juvenile crime and misbehavior from adult crime. Controversies over the treatment and punishment of juveniles, in connection with the activities of juvenile courts, parents and school officials, local communities, police departments, politicians, networks of attorneys and treatment of personnel, and correctional authorities. Prereq: sophomore standing or consent of instructor. SS

SOC 250 People, Organizations and Society 3 cr.

Role of organizations, such as business, government, education and religion in American society. Impact of organizations on members and clients, the internal dynamics of organizations, and the interchange between organizations and their environment, including the society as a whole. Prereq: sophomore standing or consent of instructor. SS

SOC 270 Introduction to World Population 3 cr.

Determinants and consequences of population size and growth. Changing levels of fertility, mortality, and migration rates and patterns and their social and economic implications. Examination of population policy in countries at various stages of economic development, e.g., international labor migration, China’s one-child policy, US immigration laws, euthanasia policy in the Netherlands, controversies over international aid for population regulation, influence of world religions on population policy. SS

SOC 270 Sociology of Religion 3 cr.

A sociological approach to the study of religion, its institutional forms, aims, and impact on society.  Attention is given to the theories of the sociology of religion and to the interaction of religion and the social, political, and economic structures of society.  Special emphasis is given to those religions which influence U.S. society. SS

SOC 285 Sociology of Health and Illness 3 cr.

Sociological perspectives on health and illness, with special attention to changes in patterns of illness and death as they relate to broader socio-economic changes and to changes in the orientation and organization of health care providers.  Among major topics that the course covers are: competing theories of disease and death trends; social circumstances under which epidemics emerge and are curbed; public health and medical center models of providing health care and preventing disease, injury, and death; organization of health care providers; comparisons among health systems.  SS

A specific topic in an instructor’s area of special competence. When offered, the particular topic is indicated in the campus timetable. A prerequisite or consent of instructor may be required.

A prerequisite or consent of instructor may be required.

Introduction to the general area of social psychology with focus on social interaction and sociology’s contributions to the study of small groups and subcultures; topics include socialization, motivation, attitudes, values, communications, leadership. Prereq: previous sociology course or consent of instructor. SS

SOC 355 Sociology of the Environment 3 cr.

Explores the socio-cultural foundations of our relationship with the natural environment.  Examines the relationship between environmental degradation and social, political, and economic structures.  Explores beliefs and values about the environment and their expression in various forms of environmentalism and environmental movements.  Also analyzes the presentation of environmental issues in cultural, political and scientific domains.  Prereq: previous sociology course or consent of instructor.  SS

Scientific methods and their application in the analysis of society, procedures in testing social theory, problem definition, hypothesis construction, and collection and evaluation of data. Prereq: previous sociology course or consent of instructor. SS