Courses and Syllabi

The University Catalog is the authoritative source for information on courses. The Schedule of Classes is the authoritative source for information on classes scheduled for this semester. See the Schedule for the most up-to-date information and see Patriot web to register for classes.

Sociology Spring 2024

Undergraduate

100-Level Courses in SOCI

300-Level Courses in SOCI

SOCI 303: Methods and Logic of Inquiry (3 Credits)

Actively engages students in original inquiry meaningful to themselves and their communities. Demonstrates the reciprocal relationship between theory and empirical research. Explores the complementarity of interpretive and explanatory logics, employing basic sociological methods. Guides students to formulate problems and design research, culminating in a public presentation of their proposals to the sociology faculty. Limited to three attempts.

Specialized Designation: Writing Intensive in Major

Registration Restrictions:

Required Prerequisites: SOCI 101^C or 101^XS.
^C Requires minimum grade of C.
^XS Requires minimum grade of XS.

Schedule Type: Lecture

Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.

1 Section Currently Scheduled

SOCI 303 - 001: Methods and Logic of Inquiry — Elizangela Storelli — 12:00 PM to 01:15 PM MW - Horizon Hall 5001

SOCI 307: Social Movements and Political Protest (3 Credits)

Explores processes for organizing resistance to current social and power arrangements, from terrorism to nonviolent civil resistance to create alternative institutions, policies, or leadership that promote human rights and social justice. Uses historical and contemporary case studies of local and global change to explore, how, why, and to what effect individuals have organized to protest the status quo and create social change. Limited to three attempts.

Schedule Type: Lecture

Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.

1 Section Currently Scheduled

SOCI 307 - 002: Soci Movements/Poli Protest — Ben Manski — 10:30 AM to 01:10 PM F - Horizon Hall 1010

SOCI 308: Race and Ethnicity in a Changing World (3 Credits)

Explores how race and ethnicity have been shaped by policies and practices in Western and non-Western societies. Explores the evolution of racial and ethnic attitudes from a global and historical perspective. Examines how changing demographic racial patterns may affect definitions of race and ethnicity and the ways in which people individually and collectively act to create new futures. Limited to three attempts.

Mason Core: Social/Behavioral Sciences

Schedule Type: Lecture

Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.

1 Section Currently Scheduled

SOCI 308 - 001: Race/Ethnicity Changing World — Dae Young Kim — 10:30 AM to 11:45 AM TR - Innovation Hall 134

SOCI 309: Contemporary Families and Intimate Relationships (3 Credits)

Uses a sociological framework to analyze and understand the diverse forms of contemporary families--traditional marriages, cohabitation, domestic partnerships, single-parents families, stepfamilies, and gay and lesbian families. Explored are topics such as changes in sexual mores, reflected in new dating practices; shifting parenting roles; effects of social class, race and ethnicity; and the outcomes of divorce for couples and children. Limited to three attempts.

Schedule Type: Lecture

Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.

1 Section Currently Scheduled

SOCI 309 - 001: Contemp Fam Intimate Relations — Patricia Anne Masters — 01:30 PM to 02:45 PM TR - Krug Hall 5

SOCI 311: Sociological Theory (3 Credits)

Explores sociological tradition through readings and discussions of ideas drawn from writings of selected sociological thinkers from classical to contemporary. Limited to three attempts.

Recommended Prerequisite: 6 credits of upper level (300 or 400 level) sociology courses, or permission of instructor.

Schedule Type: Lecture

Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.

1 Section Currently Scheduled

SOCI 311 - 001: Soci Theory — Joseph A Scimecca — 10:30 AM to 11:45 AM TR - Peterson Hall 2413

SOCI 312: Qualitative Research Methods (3 Credits)

Introduces ethnography, field work methods, interviewing, life histories, and other qualitative methods to generate data about cultures in which various groups and classes are immersed. Students learn by applying qualitative methods to term projects, developed under guidance of instructor. Limited to three attempts.

Recommended Prerequisite: 9 credits of Sociology including SOCI 101 or permission of instructor.

Schedule Type: Lecture

Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.

1 Section Currently Scheduled

SOCI 312 - 001: Qualitative Research Methods — Patricia Anne Masters — 04:30 PM to 07:10 PM W - Horizon Hall 5018

SOCI 313: Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences (4 Credits)

Fundamentals of applied statistics as used in behavioral science to include descriptive statistics, inferential statistics, correlation regression, analysis of variance, factor analysis, nonparametric statistics, and practical experience with calculators in applying statistical analysis to actual problems of the behavioral sciences. Limited to three attempts.

Mason Core: Quantitative Reasoning

Recommended Prerequisite: SOCI 101 or permission of instructor.

Schedule Type: Laboratory, Lecture

Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.

6 Sections Currently Scheduled »

SOCI 315: Contemporary Gender Relations (3 Credits)

Considers the ways in which gender structures social life on both the micro level of individual experience and the macro level of social structure. Addresses contradiction between legal equality between the sexes and persistent workplace discrimination and sexual violence; how normative ideals of femininity and masculinity affect our bodies, identities and intimate relationships; how these ideals are circulated through the media, reproduced in social institutions, and articulated in different national, cultural and religious contexts. Limited to three attempts.

Mason Core: Social/Behavioral Sciences

Schedule Type: Lecture

Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.

1 Section Currently Scheduled

SOCI 315 - 002: Contemporary Gender Relations — Manjusha Nair — 12:00 PM to 01:15 PM TR - Horizon Hall 4010

SOCI 330: US Immigrants and Immigration (3 Credits)

Explores theoretical, empirical, and policy-related issues pertaining to immigration. Examines case studies of immigrant communities and their adaptation patterns, paying particular attention to immigrants from Latin America, Asia, the Caribbean, and the Middle East. Limited to three attempts.

Mason Core: Global Understanding

Schedule Type: Seminar

Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.

1 Section Currently Scheduled

SOCI 330 - 001: US Immigrants and Immigration — Dae Young Kim — 03:00 PM to 04:15 PM TR - Thompson Hall L004

SOCI 332: The Urban World (3 Credits)

Examines cities and the people who live in them in the United States and around the world. Includes topics such as: social and economic development, inequality, political protests, urban democracy, and the environment. Limited to three attempts.

Mason Core: Global Understanding

Schedule Type: Lecture

Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.

1 Section Currently Scheduled

SOCI 332 - DL1: The Urban World — Amaka Okechukwu — 12:00 PM to 01:15 PM TR - Online

SOCI 340: Power, Politics, and Society (3 Credits)

Analyzes how power is defined, attained and sustained in society. Students analyze political power as related to social realities such as democratic elections, class conflict, elite networks, powersharing, protest, and revolution. Limited to three attempts.

Schedule Type: Lecture

Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.

1 Section Currently Scheduled

SOCI 340 - 001: Power, Politics and Society — John G. Dale — 01:30 PM to 02:45 PM TR - Van Metre Hall (formerly Founders Hall) - Hybrid

SOCI 352: Social Problems and Solutions (3 Credits)

Examines contemporary social problems and their solutions using sociological perspectives. Topics may include housing and homelessness, student debt, mass incarceration, hunger and food insecurity, environment and sustainability, human rights, wealth and global poverty, war and peace. Limited to three attempts.

Mason Core: Social/Behavioral Sciences

Schedule Type: Lecture

Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.

1 Section Currently Scheduled

SOCI 352 - 001: Social Problems and Solutions — Amaka Okechukwu — 03:00 PM to 04:15 PM TR - Exploratory Hall (formerly Science and Tech II) L111

SOCI 355: Social Inequality (3 Credits)

Studies class structures and implications for individuals and groups in modern society. Explores issues of race and ethnicity, language and immigration status, sex and gender, social class, age, and sexual orientation. Examines critically the theory and research that explore the construction, experience, and meaning of such differences. Limited to three attempts.

Mason Core: Social/Behavioral Sciences

Schedule Type: Lecture

Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.

1 Section Currently Scheduled

SOCI 355 - DL1: Social Inequality — Brian Louis Levy - Online

SOCI 360: Youth Culture and Society (3 Credits)

Introduces sociology of youth and youth culture. Investigates social, economic, and political realities of youth as a group and different groups of youth, including youth cultural production, formation of youth culture, and youth identities in variety of social settings. Limited to three attempts.

Mason Core: Social/Behavioral Sciences

Schedule Type: Lecture

Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.

1 Section Currently Scheduled

SOCI 360 - DL1: Youth Culture/Society — Patricia Anne Masters — 04:30 PM to 05:45 PM TR - Online

SOCI 388: Violence and Religion (3 Credits)

Explores the relationship between religion and violence, especially warfare, cross-culturally and historically from a sociological, transdisciplinary, and global politics perspective. Examines the interface between politics and morality and the interface between national and transnational governance institutions (nations states, the UN, etc.) and cultural and religious institutions, NGOs, and social movements. Limited to three attempts.

Schedule Type: Seminar

Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.

1 Section Currently Scheduled

SOCI 388 - 001: Violence and Religion — Lester R. Kurtz — 04:30 PM to 07:10 PM T - Horizon Hall 1008

SOCI 391: Big Data, Technology, and Society (3 Credits)

Examines the transformations in the relationships between self and society taking place at the interface between social networks, digital information and communication technologies, new media, and Big Data. Explores what these changes mean for the future of the social sciences and humanities, and what these disciplines in turn can teach us about these changes that the “analytics” of computational and data sciences cannot. Introduces students to cutting-edge methods in digital sociology and digital ethnography, exploring a variety of emerging technology developments, such as augmented reality, digital fabrication, cryptocurrency, blockchain, automation, machine learning, and artificial intelligence. Examines new forms of inequality and intimacy, technologically mediated and distributed practices of human empathy and discernment, and emerging ethical questions for research and university education. Limited to three attempts.

Schedule Type: Lecture

Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.

1 Section Currently Scheduled

SOCI 391 - 001: Big Data, Technology, Society — John G. Dale — 04:30 PM to 07:10 PM R - Innovation Hall 208

SOCI 395: Special Topics in Sociology (3 Credits)

Introduces the research interests of the faculty, offering new courses that reflect current issues not yet incorporated into the curriculum. Offers, in addition, advanced study into topics covered in the standing curriculum. Topics change by semester. May be repeated within the term for a maximum 18 credits.

Specialized Designation: Topic Varies

Recommended Prerequisite: SOCI 101

Schedule Type: Lec/Sem #1, Lec/Sem #2, Lec/Sem #3, Lec/Sem #4, Lec/Sem #5, Lec/Sem #6, Lec/Sem #7, Lec/Sem #8, Lec/Sem #9, Lecture, Sem/Lec #10, Sem/Lec #11, Sem/Lec #12, Sem/Lec #13, Sem/Lec #14, Sem/Lec #15, Sem/Lec #16, Sem/Lec #17, Sem/Lec #18

Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.

4 Sections Currently Scheduled »

SOCI 395 - 001: Next System Studies Seminar — Ben Manski — 10:30 AM to 01:10 PM T - Van Metre Hall (formerly Founders Hall) 313
SOCI 395 - 005: Jim Crow to Black Power — Rutledge M Dennis — 03:00 PM to 04:15 PM MW - Lecture Hall 2
SOCI 395 - 006: Violence, Gender, and Sexualty — David Powers Corwin — 04:30 PM to 07:10 PM R - Music Theater Building 1004
SOCI 395 - 007: Immigr Policies & Appld Mthods — Michelle S. Dromgold-Sermen — 10:30 AM to 01:10 PM R - Van Metre Hall (formerly Founders Hall) 313

400-Level Courses in SOCI

SOCI 410: Social Surveys and Attitude and Opinion Measurements (3 Credits)

Surveys research methods and techniques to collect, measure, and analyze social data, attitudes, and opinions with special emphasis on using computer software, the Internet, and other information technologies for social research. Highlights ethical issues for social research, computing, and information technology. Equivalent to SOCI 431.

Mason Core: Info Tech & Computing

Recommended Prerequisite: SOCI 303 and 313, or equivalents, or Permission of Instructor.

Schedule Type: Lecture

Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.

1 Section Currently Scheduled

SOCI 410 - DL2: Survey/Att/Opinion Msrmt — James Witte — 07:20 PM to 10:00 PM T - Online

SOCI 416: Internship in Sociology I (3-6 Credits)

Intended to provide students with hands-on experience in sociology and to deepen sociological knowledge. The internship experience links theory and practice. Students work in approved setting as applied sociologists. Notes: Minimum 45 hours of work for each credit required. A research paper or project is required for this course. May be repeated within the term for a maximum 6 credits.

Mason Core: Capstone

Specialized Designation: Topic Varies

Recommended Prerequisite: Must have completed at least 85 credits (21 credits must be in sociology) of coursework. Enrollment in or completion of SOCI 313.

Schedule Type: IND/INT #1, IND/INT #2, IND/INT #3, IND/INT #4, IND/INT #5, IND/INT #6, IND/INT #7, IND/INT #8, IND/INT #9, Internship

Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.

1 Section Currently Scheduled

SOCI 416 - 001: Internship in Sociology I — Elizangela Storelli - 9900 Main Street

SOCI 480: Honors Seminar in Sociology I (3 Credits)

Develop research proposals and an appropriate bibliography for honors thesis under the guidance of a sociology faculty member. Limited to three attempts.

Specialized Designation: Mason Impact.

Recommended Prerequisite: Admission to honors in the sociology major.

Schedule Type: Independent Study

Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Special scale.

1 Section Currently Scheduled

SOCI 480 - 001: Honors Seminar in Soci I — Patricia Anne Masters - 9900 Main Street

SOCI 481: RS: Honors Seminar in Sociology II (3 Credits)

Pursue independent research and write honors thesis under the guidance of a faculty mentor. Present work in a colloquium at the end of the semester. Limited to three attempts.

Specialized Designation: Research/Scholarship Intensive

Recommended Prerequisite: Successful completion of SOCI 480.

Schedule Type: Independent Study

Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.

1 Section Currently Scheduled

SOCI 481 - 001: RS: Honors Seminar in Soc II — Patricia Anne Masters - 9900 Main Street

SOCI 483: The Sociology of Higher Education (3 Credits)

Exposes students to sociological theory and research on evolution of higher learning in United States. Explores social forces that have shaped the distinctively American approach toward higher education and have led to transformation of higher education in contemporary society. Particular attention to relation between universities and elites within surrounding society, linkage between education and industry, norms and values that are presupposed by educational institutions, and bearing of sports on values and traditions of higher education. Limited to three attempts.

Mason Core: Synthesis

Schedule Type: Lecture

Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.

1 Section Currently Scheduled

SOCI 483 - 001: The Sociology of Higher Educ — Joseph A Scimecca — 04:30 PM to 07:10 PM T - Lecture Hall 2

SOCI 485: RS: Sociological Analysis and Practice (3 Credits)

Provides an in-depth examination of historical and contemporary issues facing sociological scholars. Focuses on the philosophies, practices, and procedures used by individuals and organizations to answer sociological questions. Engages a variety of materials, experiences and resources to answer a specific research question. Limited to three attempts.

Mason Core: Capstone

Specialized Designation: Research/Scholarship Intensive, Writing Intensive in Major

Recommended Prerequisite: SOCI 303.

Schedule Type: Seminar

Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.

1 Section Currently Scheduled

SOCI 485 - 002: RS:Sociological Analysis/Pract — Elizangela Storelli — 04:30 PM to 07:10 PM M - Innovation Hall 319 - Hybrid

Topics in SOCI

Graduate

600-Level Courses in SOCI

SOCI 616: Practicum in Sociology (1-6 Credits)

Supervised graduate research project in engaged sociology in relevant settings including social movement organizations, unions, government agencies, charitable organizations, think tanks, schools, community groups, social services, museums and the arts, cooperatives and social enterprises, public archeology, or media and communications. Notes: Students must complete 45 hours of work at the site for each credit. May be repeated within the degree for a maximum 6 credits.

Recommended Prerequisite: 21 hours of SOCI, including research methods, or permission of instructor.

Registration Restrictions:

Enrollment limited to students with a class of Advanced to Candidacy, Graduate, Junior Plus, Non-Degree or Senior Plus.

Students in a Non-Degree Undergraduate degree may not enroll.

Schedule Type: Internship

Grading:
This course is graded on the Graduate Regular scale.

1 Section Currently Scheduled

SOCI 616 - 001: Practicum in Sociology — Elizangela Storelli

SOCI 631: Survey Research (3 Credits)

Introduces theory, method, and practice of survey research design and analysis. Students complete survey research project. May not be repeated for credit.

Registration Restrictions:

Enrollment limited to students with a class of Advanced to Candidacy, Graduate, Junior Plus, Non-Degree or Senior Plus.

Enrollment is limited to Graduate, Non-Degree or Undergraduate level students.

Students in a Non-Degree Undergraduate degree may not enroll.

Schedule Type: Lecture

Grading:
This course is graded on the Graduate Regular scale.

1 Section Currently Scheduled

SOCI 631 - DL1: Survey Research — James Witte — 07:20 PM to 10:00 PM T - Online

SOCI 633: Special Topics in Sociology (3 Credits)

Specialized inquiry of topics of contemporary sociological research and scholarship. Content varies. Notes: May be repeated for credit when topic is different. May be repeated within the term for a maximum 12 credits.

Specialized Designation: Topic Varies

Registration Restrictions:

Enrollment limited to students with a class of Advanced to Candidacy, Graduate, Junior Plus, Non-Degree or Senior Plus.

Enrollment is limited to Graduate, Non-Degree or Undergraduate level students.

Students in a Non-Degree Undergraduate degree may not enroll.

Schedule Type: Lec/Sem #1, Lec/Sem #2, Lec/Sem #3, Lec/Sem #4, Lec/Sem #5, Lec/Sem #6, Lec/Sem #7, Lec/Sem #8, Lec/Sem #9, Sem/Lec #10, Sem/Lec #11, Sem/Lec #12, Sem/Lec #13, Sem/Lec #14, Sem/Lec #15, Sem/Lec #16, Sem/Lec #17, Sem/Lec #18, Seminar

Grading:
This course is graded on the Graduate Regular scale.

6 Sections Currently Scheduled »

SOCI 633 - 002: Soci Movements/Poli Protest — Ben Manski — 10:30 AM to 01:10 PM F - Horizon Hall 1010
SOCI 633 - 004: Next System Studies Seminar — Ben Manski — 10:30 AM to 01:10 PM T - Van Metre Hall (formerly Founders Hall) 313
SOCI 633 - 006: Big Data, Technology, Society — John G. Dale — 04:30 PM to 07:10 PM R - Innovation Hall 208
SOCI 633 - 005: Power, Politics and Society — John G. Dale — 01:30 PM to 02:45 PM TR - Van Metre Hall (formerly Founders Hall) - Hybrid
SOCI 633 - 008: Spec Topics in Sociology — Manjusha Nair — 07:20 PM to 10:00 PM R - Research Hall 201
SOCI 633 - 009: Cities in a Global Society — Johanna Bockman — 07:20 PM to 10:00 PM M - Horizon Hall 1009

SOCI 634: Qualitative Research Methods (3 Credits)

Examines basic research methods involving observational techniques and procedures used in description and analysis of patterns, configurations, ethos, eidos, structures, functions, and styles typical of whole societies and cultures. Emphasizes case studies, unobtrusive methods, participant observation, longterm residence, choices of observer status role, recording data, uses of technical equipment, key informants, interviewing techniques, and ethical considerations in employing such methods and procedures. May not be repeated for credit.

Registration Restrictions:

Enrollment limited to students with a class of Advanced to Candidacy, Graduate, Junior Plus, Non-Degree or Senior Plus.

Enrollment is limited to Graduate, Non-Degree or Undergraduate level students.

Students in a Non-Degree Undergraduate degree may not enroll.

Schedule Type: Lecture

Grading:
This course is graded on the Graduate Regular scale.

1 Section Currently Scheduled

SOCI 634 - 001: Qualitative Rsch Methods — Patricia Anne Masters — 04:30 PM to 07:10 PM W - Horizon Hall 5018

SOCI 638: Feminist Theory (3 Credits)

This course is designed to introduce students to the ideas and projects that have been formative in the development of feminist theory and to engage students in the important intellectual and political debates in which it has played a significant role. May not be repeated for credit.

Registration Restrictions:

Enrollment limited to students with a class of Advanced to Candidacy, Graduate, Junior Plus, Non-Degree or Senior Plus.

Students in a Non-Degree Undergraduate degree may not enroll.

Schedule Type: Seminar

Grading:
This course is graded on the Graduate Regular scale.

1 Section Currently Scheduled

SOCI 638 - 001: Feminist Theory — Anu Aneja — 04:30 PM to 07:10 PM R - Horizon Hall 1009

700-Level Courses in SOCI

800-Level Courses in SOCI

SOCI 803: Institutions and Inequalities (3 Credits)

Addresses the processes through which institutions reproduce relations of power, domination, and exclusion as well as the similarities and differences across forms of inequality and their connection to institutions. May not be repeated for credit.

Registration Restrictions:

Enrollment is limited to Graduate level students.

Schedule Type: Seminar

Grading:
This course is graded on the Graduate Regular scale.

1 Section Currently Scheduled

SOCI 803 - 001: Institutions and Inequalities — Amy L Best — 04:30 PM to 07:10 PM T - Angel Cabrera Global Center 1320B

SOCI 850: Sociology of Development (3 Credits)

Analyzes socioeconomic and political change, focusing on the poor countries of Asia, Africa, and Latin America. Offers a basic descriptive understanding of processes of change in these countries and an introduction to major theoretical perspectives on development and globalization, from classical theories of comparative advantage to theories of imperialism, modernization, dependency, and globalization. May not be repeated for credit.

Registration Restrictions:

Enrollment is limited to Graduate level students.

Schedule Type: Seminar

Grading:
This course is graded on the Graduate Regular scale.

1 Section Currently Scheduled

SOCI 850 - 001: Sociology of Development — Manjusha Nair — 07:20 PM to 10:00 PM R - Research Hall 201

SOCI 853: Cities in a Global Society (3 Credits)

Examines the scholarly literature on cities and globalization with a focus on the impact of globalization on urban environments and the effects of urbanization on the processes of globalization. Emphasis on the ways in which globalization restructures urban life in the core and periphery of the world economy with attention paid to the effects of spatial dispersion on the character of economic institutions within the advanced societies, the shifting nature of crime and security, immigration, and the cities of the Global South. May not be repeated for credit.

Registration Restrictions:

Enrollment is limited to Graduate level students.

Schedule Type: Seminar

Grading:
This course is graded on the Graduate Regular scale.

1 Section Currently Scheduled

SOCI 853 - 002: Cities in a Global Society — Johanna Bockman — 07:20 PM to 10:00 PM M - Horizon Hall 1009