Sociology
The most basic sociological premise is that humans are social beings, shaped in many ways by the groups to which we belong. Whether they be families, athletic teams, clubs (such as sororities and fraternities), religious groups, socioeconomic classes, complex bureaucratic organizations, or nations, much of human life is guided by group norms. Frequently, humanity is also consumed with conflicts between groups, each of which tries to defend its own self interests.
As a discipline, Sociology involves the description and explanation of social structures and processes. These range from two-person interactions to relations between large social institutions, such as politics and the economy; from family dynamics to relationships between nations. Sociology increases our understanding of ourselves and our society by providing us with concepts that describe and explain our social creations and how they influence thought and behavior. Sociology helps us assess both the opportunities and constraints in our lives and allows us to gain insight into possible solutions to some of our greatest social problems.
Sociology AAT Degree
Sociology
Sociology is the study of the structure, function, and dynamics of social relationships. There are consequences to human behavior and sociologists investigate today’s most divisive issues such as racism, sexism, deviant and criminal behavior, gender identity, poverty, and family and interpersonal conflict. Sociologists seek to understand and explain how we are impacted by the social world in which we live. The goal of the Sociology AA-T is to prepare students to thoughtfully assess both the problems and possibilities in today’s society while developing their communication and critical thinking skills.
Social Justice AAT Degree
Social Justice
Social Justice explores the important terrain between the ideals of justice and everyday local reality, including BLM, DACA, equity, LGBTQ+, police brutality, and global expressions of injustice. With a strong commitment to applied study, the major educates critical thinkers to be fluent in the rich and interdisciplinary histories and theories of social justice and injustice. The goal of the Social Justice AA-T is to create an informed global and local citizenship committed to strategic, accountable, and reflexive engagement in social justice work.
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Sociology Course Descriptions
Students learn the major principles of sociology as they are applied to contemporary social issues. With the use of several theoretical perspectives, the course examines social structures within American society and other cultures from macro and micro perspectives. There are extensive references to contemporary research findings on social structure, group dynamics, social stratification, and social
institutions.
3 Units (Lec 3 Hrs)
Transfer Credit: CSU (CSUGE Area D), UC (IGETC Area 4), C-ID (SOCI 110)
Advisory: ENGLISH 101
The student applies sociological perspectives and concepts in analyzing contemporary social problems in the United States. Topics include problems associated with drug abuse; poverty; racial, ethnic, and gender inequality; crime and violence; and the environment.
3 Units (Lec 3 Hrs)
Transfer Credit: CSU (CSUGE Area D), UC (IGETC Area 4), C-ID (SOCI 115)
Advisory: ENGLISH 101
Students examine the fundamental principles and methods of sociological research design and implementation. Students analyze the key types of evidence, including qualitative and quantitative data, data gathering and sampling methods, logic of comparison, and causal reasoning. The work of several scholars is evaluated and students create their own research design related to a sociological issue.
3 Units (Lec 3 Hrs)
Transfer Credit: CSU (CSUGE Area D), UC (IGETC Area 4), C-ID (SOCI 120)
Prerequisite: SOC 001
Advisory: MATH 227 or MATH 227S
Sociological analysis of race, ethnicity, and racism. Examines the cultural, political, and economic practices and institutions that support or challenge racism, racial and ethnic inequalities, as well as historical and contemporary patterns of interaction between various racial and ethnic groups.
3 Units (Lec 3 Hrs)
Transfer Credit: CSU (CSUGE Area D), UC (IGETC Area 4), C-ID (SOCI 150)
Advisory: ENGLISH 101
Sociological analysis of family as an institution, including historical and recent changes, present nature and the socio-cultural and economic forces shaping these changes.
3 Units (Lec 3 Hrs)
Transfer Credit: CSU (CSUGE Area D, E), UC (IGETC Area 4), C-ID (SOCI 130)
Advisory: ENGLISH 101
Students learn the origins, purpose, subject matter, and methods of Women's Studies and the feminist perspectives on a range of social issues affecting women of diverse backgrounds. Study of
gender and its intersections with race, class, sexuality, dis/ability, age, religion, and other systems of difference.
3 Units (Lec 3 Hrs)
Transfer Credit: CSU (CSUGE Area D), UC (IGETC Area 4), C-ID (SJS 120)
Sociological analysis of the social construction of gender, masculinity, and femininity historically and cross-culturally. It examines the debates on sex and gender. It analyzes the impact of economic and political change on gender expectations and practices. It focuses on macro-analyses of how institutions shape gender and micro-analyses of how individuals are socialized and how they do and practice gender.
3 Units (Lec 3 Hrs)
Transfer Credit: CSU (CSUGE Area D), UC (IGETC Area 4), C-ID (SOCI 140)
Sociological analysis 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. There is an extensive review of the major sociological explanations on the causes of crime and criminality in addition to a consideration of the biological and psychological perspectives. Discusses measurement of crime and basic theoretical explanations of criminal behavior.
3 Units (Lec 3 Hrs)
Transfer Credit: CSU (CSUGE Area D), UC (IGETC Area 4), C-ID (SOCI 160)
An introduction to the basic statistical methods and analyses commonly used in social sciences. Topics include descriptive and inferential statistics that usually include 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.
3 Units (Lec 3 Hrs)
Transfer Credit: CSU (CSUGE Area B4), UC (IGETC Area 2A), C-ID (SOCI 125)
Meets Math Expression Competency
Prerequisite: MATH 125 or by Appropriate Placement
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