Sociology, Anthropology, and Social Work
Major:
Minors:
Sociology is the scientific study of all levels of society, that is, people in groups. The discipline’s unique insight is that people are who they are largely because of their social experiences and interactions with others. "The sociological imagination" enables us to understand the relationship between our individual experiences and the broader social context, from the local to the global. Beyond various aspects of social behavior, sociologists study the causes and consequences of social issues such as health, inequality, racial relations, family dynamics, and crime. Sociologists strive to apply their understanding in ever more constructive ways for the improvement of society and the common good.
Students intending to major or minor in sociology should consult with the department chairperson to plan their program of courses. The requirements for majoring in sociology are stated in the outline below. The minors in sociology, anthropology, and social work consist of 15 semester hours.
The department also contributes coursework and faculty to the Human Sexuality Studies Certificate and to the International and Intercultural Leadership Certificate.
FACULTY LISTING
Bachelor of Arts, Sociology (SOC) minimum 120 hours
The Common Academic Program (CAP) is an innovative curriculum that is the foundation of a University of Dayton education. It is a learning experience that is shared in common among all undergraduate students, regardless of their major. Some CAP requirements must be fulfilled by courses taken at UD. Some major requirements must also be fulfilled by courses taken at UD. Students should consult with their advisor regarding applicability of transfer credit to fulfill CAP and major program requirements.
| Common Academic Program (CAP) 1 | ||
| First-Year Humanities Commons 2 | 6 cr. hrs. | |
| Chaminade Seminar: Reading and Responding to the Signs of the Times | ||
| Marie Thérèse Seminar: Human Dignity and the Common Good | ||
| Second-Year Writing Seminar | 3 cr. hrs. | |
| Oral Communication | 3 cr. hrs. | |
| Mathematics | 3 cr. hrs. | |
| Social Science | 3 cr. hrs. | |
| Arts | 3 cr. hrs. | |
| Natural Science 3 | 4 cr. hrs. | |
| Crossing Boundaries | 9 cr. hrs. | |
Faith Traditions (3 cr. hrs.) | ||
Practical Ethical Action (3 cr. hrs.) | ||
Interdisciplinary Investigations (3 cr. hrs.) 4 | ||
| Advanced Study | 9 cr. hrs. | |
Religious Studies (3 cr. hrs.) | ||
Philosophical Studies (3 cr. hrs.) | ||
Historical Studies (3 cr. hrs.) | ||
| Diversity and Social Justice 5 | 3 cr. hrs. | |
| Major Capstone 6 | 0-6 cr. hrs. | |
| Experiential Learning 7 | 0-3 cr. hrs. | |
| 1 | The credit hours listed reflect what is needed to complete each CAP component. However, they should not be viewed as a cumulative addition to a student's degree requirements because many CAP courses are designed to satisfy more than one CAP component (e.g., Crossing Boundaries and Advanced Studies) and may also satisfy requirements in the student's major. |
| 2 | May be completed with ASI 110 through the Core Program. |
| 3 | Must include a lecture course and an accompanying lab. |
| 4 | New Crossing Boundaries category effective with the 2025-26 Catalog, which incorporates all courses previously approved in the Crossing Boundaries Inquiry or Integrative categories. This new category does not include any restriction that students must take the course outside of their unit or division. |
| 5 | May not double count with First-Year Humanities Commons, Second-Year Writing, Oral Communication, Social Science, or Natural Science CAP components, but may double count with courses taken to satisfy other CAP components and/or courses taken in the student's major. |
| 6 | The course or experience is designed by faculty in each major; it may, or may not, be assigned credit hours. |
| 7 | The course or experience will have variable credit, depending on the intensity and duration of the experience, or where it is housed in existing curricular and co-curricular spaces. |
A liberal studies degree from the University of Dayton is grounded in the institution's Catholic and Marianist tradition, which emphasizes holistic education, community, service, and social justice. The program encourages students to explore a wide range of subjects, integrating knowledge from the humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, and fine arts. Overall, a liberal studies degree from the University of Dayton not only provides a comprehensive educational experience but also instills values that encourage students to contribute positively to society.
The Bachelor of Arts degree requires a minimum of 120 credit hours. All BA students will complete the Liberal Studies Curriculum as part of their degree plan. This Curriculum provides students with a breadth of study and experiences in the humanities, the creative and performing arts, the social sciences, and the natural sciences. It provides a distinct complement to the specialized study in a major and presupposes, builds upon and enhances the University’s Common Academic Program (CAP). No credits may double-count toward CAP or the first major and also the Liberal Studies Curriculum requirements, including the language context course options.
| Liberal Studies Curriculum | ||
| Language Proficiency 1 | 0-9 | |
| Breadth and Depth Requirements 2 | 24 | |
| Breadth: Earn 3 credits in each of the five categories: | ||
Arts | ||
Humanities | ||
Social Sciences | ||
Natural Sciences and Mathematics | ||
CAS Interdisciplinary Programs (options include courses with HRS, WGS, MST, RCE, SEE, DST, and INS prefixes) | ||
| Depth: Take 9 additional credits of CAS courses from any combination of breadth categories | ||
| Total Hours | 24-33 | |
| 1 | Students demonstrate basic practical communication in a language other than English. |
| 2 | No more than 12 of the 24 credit hours may come from 100- or 200-level courses. None of the 24 credit hours may also count toward CAP or the first major. If students take a 3-credit context course toward language proficiency, those credits may count here. |
| Major Requirements 1 | 33 | |
| SOC 101 | Principles of Sociology | 3 |
| or SOC 204 | Modern Social Problems | |
| SOC 202 | Cohort Seminar | 3 |
| SOC 208 | Social Research Design | 3 |
| SOC 308 | Applied Research Methods | 3 |
| SOC/ANT 388 | Social Theory | 3 |
| SOC 409 | Senior Project Capstone (Satisfies CAP Major Capstone) | 3 |
| Select five SOC courses (May include CAP Components) 2 | 15 | |
| Total Hours | 66 | |
| Breadth | ||
| ASI 150 | Introduction to the University Experience | 1 |
| Total Hours to total at least | 120 | |
| 1 | May include CAP Components. |
| 2 | A total of no more than six semester hours of field experience or internship from SOC 495, SOC 497, SWK 401, SWK 497, ANT 449, or ANT 497 may count toward the required 33 semester hours for a sociology major. Up to nine hours total may be taken in anthropology and/or social work for a sociology major. These hours may also be used toward the completion of a minor. |
Minor in Anthropology (ANT)
Anthropology is the study of people at all times and places. It emphasizes understanding total cultural systems. A minor in anthropology consists of 15 semester hours. Students intending to minor in anthropology should consult with the department chairperson to plan their selection of courses.
| Anthropology | ||
| ANT 150 | Cultural Anthropology | 3 |
| Select four ANT courses (200/300/400 level) | 12 | |
| Total Hours | 15 | |
Minor in Family Development (FDV)
The interdisciplinary minor in family development increases understanding of the meaning and dynamics of marriage and parenthood in contemporary society. It examines the family as a major institution affecting society and surveys the individual, social, and economic problems found within families. This background contributes to preparation for careers in areas such as social work, psychology, education, communication, human ecology, and religious work.
Students minoring in family development must complete 15 semester hours, including SOC 331 and 12 semester hours from approved courses. The total semester hours for the minor must come from three different academic disciplines and may double count to majors and other minors.
Students desiring to minor in family development should notify their advisors, their deans, and the coordinator of family development.
| Family Development | ||
| SOC 331 | Marriages & Families | 3 |
| Select four courses from three different disciplines: | 12 | |
| Family Communication | ||
| Gender and Communication | ||
| Children and Mass Media | ||
| LGBTQ History: Comparative European and USA | ||
| American Gender & Women's History to 1870 | ||
| US Gender and Women's History 1870-the present | ||
| History of Women in European Societies | ||
| History of Women & Gender in the Middle East | ||
| Family Ethics | ||
| Sexual Ethics | ||
| Human Growth & Development | ||
| Child Psychology | ||
| The Psychology of Adult Development & Aging | ||
| Developmental Psychopathology | ||
| Personality | ||
| Women, Gender, and Psychology | ||
| Human Sexuality | ||
| Theology of Humanity, Sexuality, and Marriage | ||
| Youth, Justice & Law | ||
| Perspectives on Aging | ||
| Gender and Society | ||
| Sociology of Sexualities | ||
| Child Abuse | ||
| Perspectives on Aging | ||
| Death, Dying and Suicide | ||
| Total Hours | 15 | |
Minor in Social Work (SWK)
Social work is the profession sanctioned by society to provide social services. It is the professional activity of helping individuals, groups, or communities to enhance or restore their capacity for social functioning. The profession also engages in activities aimed at facilitating societal conditions that enhance and/or restore social functioning.
A minor in social work consists of 15 semester hours.
| Social Work 1 | ||
| Select fifteen SWK semester hours 2 | 15 | |
| Total Hours | 15 | |
| 1 | No more than six semester hours of field experience credit can be accepted toward the minor. The field experience course requires students to take or have taken SWK 201, Social Work Practice. |
| 2 | At least twelve semester hours at the 300/400 level. |
Minor in Sociology (SOC)
Sociology is the scientific study of all levels of society, that is, people in groups. The discipline’s unique insight is that people are who they are largely because of their social experiences and interactions with others. Students interested in minoring in sociology should consult with the department chairperson to plan their program of courses. The minor in sociology consists of 15 semester hours, 12 of which must be at the 300 level or above.
| Sociology | ||
| Select fifteen SOC semester hours 1 | 15 | |
| Total Hours | 15 | |
| 1 | At least twelve semester hours at the 300/400 level. |
Minor in Law, Culture, and Justice (LCJ)
The Law, Culture, & Justice minor focuses on social scientific, interpretive, and interdisciplinary analyses of systems of law, power, and justice across multiple social contexts. Courses will investigate the nature and origin of law, law-making, law-breaking, rights and obligations, freedoms and responsibilities, legal consciousness, social deviance, extremism, social control, and social inequalities related to systems of law, power, and justice. Special consideration will be given to access to justice and the question of how to create a more just society. This minor may be especially relevant to students preparing for careers in law, justice, and government, but is designed for students of any major as systems of law, power, and justice impact all aspects of social life.
The minor in Law, Culture, & Justice consists of 15 credit hours. There are two required courses and the remaining 9 hours will be chosen from a list of electives within the department. With approval from the Program Coordinator, students may replace 3 elective hours with courses from outside of the department.
Program Coordinator: Joy Kadowaki (SOC)
Minor in Law, Culture, & Justice (LCJ) 15 hours
| Required | ||
| SOC 319 | Theories of Crime & Justice (Required) | 3 |
| SOC 326 | Law & Society (Required) | 3 |
| Select 9 hours From the Following Courses 1,2 | ||
| ANT 306 | Culture & Power | 3 |
| ANT 325 | Anthropology of Human Rights | 3 |
| SWK 310 | Law & Human Services | 3 |
| SWK 325 | Child Abuse | 3 |
| SWK 335 | Social Work & Environmental Justice | 3 |
| SWK 370 | Advocacy Practice in Social Work | 3 |
| SOC 310 | Perspectives on Education and Social Justice | 3 |
| SOC 320 | Law, Harm & Injustice | 3 |
| SOC 321 | Sociology of Extremism | 3 |
| SOC 322 | Crime, Film & Society | 3 |
| SOC 323 | Youth, Justice & Law | 3 |
| SOC 324 | Communities and Crime | 3 |
| SOC 325 | Deviance, Culture & Society | 3 |
| SOC 327 | Criminology | 3 |
| SOC 329 | Sex, Crime, and Law | 3 |
| SOC 337 | Political Sociology | 3 |
| SOC 371 | Sociology of Human Rights | 3 |
| SOC 384 | Food Justice | 3 |
| 1 | Up to 3 of the 9 elective hours may come from related courses outside of SOC, ANT, & SWK with approval of the minor coordinator. |
| 2 | Any SOC, ANT, or SWK course with “Inside-Out” Program designation |
Bachelor of Arts, Sociology
| First Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| ASI 150 | 1 | HUM 102 (CAP Humanities Commons) | 3 |
| SOC 101 or 204 (Satisfies CAP Social Science) | 3 | MTH 205 (Satisfies CAP Mathematics) | 3 |
| HUM 101 (CAP Humanities Commons) | 3 | SOC Elective/Minor | 3 |
| CMM 100 (CAP Oral Communication) | 3 | CAP Arts Course | 3 |
| SCI 190 & 190L (Satisfies CAP Natural Science) | 4 | BA Natural Science or Math Course | 3 |
| 14 | 15 | ||
| Second Year | |||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| SOC 208 | 3 | SOC 202 | 3 |
| ENG 200 (CAP Second-Year Writing) | 3 | SOC 308 | 3 |
| SOC Elective/Minor | 3 | SOC Elective/Minor | 3 |
| BA Arts Course | 3 | CAP Practical Ethical Action Course | 3 |
| Language 101 | 3 | Language 141 | 3 |
| UDI Mini Course | 1 | ||
| 16 | 15 | ||
| Third Year | |||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| SOC 388 or ANT 388 | 3 | SOC Elective/Minor | 3 |
| SOC Elective/Minor | 3 | CAP Advanced Religious Studies/Faith Traditions Course | 3 |
| BA Elective | 3 | BA Humanities Course | 3 |
| CAP Interdisciplinary Investigations Course | 3 | BA Social Science Course (Other than SOC) | 3 |
| Language 201 or Contextual Course | 3 | BA Elective | 3 |
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Fourth Year | |||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| CAP Advanced Historical Studies Course | 3 | SOC 409 (Satisfies CAP Major Capstone) | 3 |
| CAP Diversity and Social Justice Course | 3 | CAP Advanced Philosophical Studies Course | 3 |
| BA Interdisciplinary Programs Course | 3 | General Elective | 3 |
| BA Elective | 3 | General Elective | 3 |
| General Elective | 3 | General Elective | 3 |
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Total credit hours: 120 | |||
Anthropology Courses
ANT 150. Cultural Anthropology. 3 Hours
Overview of the basic principles of cultural anthropology. Survey of human adaptation to and transformation of the environment by means of culture. Comparison of ways of life among peoples of the world to better understand human behavior, particularly in relation to colonial histories and current global forces. Required for anthropology minors.
ANT 204. Modern Social Problems. 3 Hours
Course to familiarize students with contemporary problems in society, including historical development, current status, and analysis of problems using modern social theories. Content may vary from section to section.
ANT 210. Making of Modern South Asia. 3 Hours
Historical survey and an anthropological exploration of the major political, economic, social, ecological, and cultural developments that have contributed to the making of region we now know as ‘South Asia:’ India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Maldives and Afghanistan.
ANT 306. Culture & Power. 3 Hours
Exploration of how culture and power are intertwined in the process of transformation of cultural beliefs and practices around the world. Focus on the ways in which anthropologists and other social scientists have studied modern state formation, and the attendant cultural politics, in local, regional, national, and global contexts. Sophomore standing or higher.
ANT 310. Culture & Personality. 3 Hours
Survey of studies investigating the relationship between cultural environment and the individual. Material drawn from both literate and nonliterate societies.
ANT 315. Language & Culture. 3 Hours
Students examine the relationship between language, thought, and behavior centering on human interaction and social justice in a variety of cultural contexts.
Prerequisites: SSC 200 or ANT 150 or CJS 101 or ECO 203 or ECO 204 or POL 201 or POL 202 or PSY 101 or SOC 101 or SOC 204 or SWK 201.
ANT 320. Anthropology of Childhoods. 3 Hours
Survey of anthropology research on issues related to children and childhood. Cross-cultural comparison of changing conceptions and varied experiences of the developmental stage known singularly as 'childhood', with a special emphasis on children as social agents and childhoods as lived experiences. Sophomore standing or higher.
ANT 325. Anthropology of Human Rights. 3 Hours
An overview of anthropological approaches to human rights, weighing human rights universals against situations of cultural particularity. Sophomore standing or higher.
ANT 335. Urban Anthropology. 3 Hours
Survey of anthropology research on urban issues. Considers how cities arose and how urban people make a living, organize, and think. Considers urban futures.
ANT 336. Topics in Medical Anthropology. 3 Hours
Medical Anthropology examines afflictions, illness narratives and the politics of therapeutics in a cross-cultural perspective. It specifically focuses on the biosocial approach that examines the interaction of biology, social environment, and medicine using the ethnographic method. Course may be repeated as topics change. Sophomore standing or higher.
ANT 340. Place, Culture, and Social Justice. 3 Hours
Exploration of the central role of space and place as it both reflects and constructs cultural identities, social inequalities, and relations of power. Themes of particular interest in the course may include inscription of history and memory in landscapes, shifting territories under late capitalism and economic restructuring, the policing of boundaries of national and local belonging, and the importance of geography in maintaining racial difference and inequality. The course is designed as an intensive service-learning class that will engage students in hands-on experiences. Sophomore standing or higher.
ANT 350. Anthropology of Tourism. 3 Hours
Students examine the study of tourism as an academic discipline, including its historical development, current sub-fields and theoretical approaches, and the future of this industry in the globalized world.
ANT 352. Cultures of Latin America. 3 Hours
Survey of Latin American culture from an anthropological perspective, ranging from the pre-Colombian era through colonial and up to the contemporary period. Themes include race, gender, colonialism, economics, politics, kinship, religion, tourism, immigration, food, and popular culture. Sophomore standing or higher.
ANT 356. Cultures of Africa. 3 Hours
Examination of Africa through the lens of anthropology. Exploration of late colonial and postcolonial eras, with a focus on gender, kinship, ethnicity, politics, religion, and prospects for the future. Consideration of the production of knowledge about and dominant representations of Africa. Sophomore standing or higher.
ANT 368. Immigration & Immigrants. 3 Hours
Perspectives on immigration and ethnicity. Studies of social and economic adaptation of new immigrants and the second generation in communities, cities, and societies. Ethnic change, conflict, and contemporary national and international issues, with an emphasis on human rights. Sophomore standing or higher.
ANT 388. Social Theory. 3 Hours
Consideration of the works of classical and modern theorists and major trends in historical and contemporary social thought.
Prerequisites: SOC 101 or SOC 204.
ANT 392. Special Topics in Anthropology. 1-6 Hours
Intensive examination of current thematic, theoretical, or methodological issues from the viewpoint of anthropology. May be repeated as topics change. Sophomore standing or higher.
ANT 449. Anthropological Field Work. 3 Hours
Students learn anthropological methods of data collection (participant observations, interviews, questionnaires, focus groups, archives, scholarly research) and analysis.
Prerequisites: ENG 200 or SSC 200 or ANT 150 or CJS 101 or ECO 203 or ECO 204 or POL 201 or POL 202 or PSY 101 or SOC 101 or SOC 204 or SWK 201.
ANT 477. Honors Thesis. 3 Hours
First of two courses leading to the selection, design, investigation, and completion of an independent, original Honors Thesis project under the guidance of a faculty research advisor. Restricted to students in the University Honors Program with permission of the program director and department chairperson. Students pursuing an interdisciplinary thesis topic may register for three semester hours each in two separate disciplines in consultation with the department chairpersons. Prerequisite(s): Approval of University Honors Program.
ANT 478. Honors Thesis. 3 Hours
Second of two courses leading to the selection, design, investigation, and completion of an independent, original Honors Thesis project under the guidance of a faculty research advisor. Restricted to students in the University Honors Program with permission of the program director and department chairperson. Students pursuing an interdisciplinary thesis topic may register for three semester hours each in two separate disciplines in consultation with the department chairpersons. Prerequisite(s): Approved 477; approval of University Honors Program.
ANT 497. Service Learning Experience. 1 Hour
Supervised community research or service experience that complements a specific upper division course in Anthropology. Repeatable up to three semester hours. Prerequisite(s): Permission of instructor.
Corequisite(s): A 300-400 level Anthropology course.
ANT 498. Independent Study. 1-6 Hours
Research problems or readings of special interest investigated under the guidance of an anthropology staff member.
Prerequisite(s): Permission of department chairperson.
Social Work Courses
SWK 201. Social Work Practice & Profession. 3 Hours
Study of the historical and theoretical underpinnings of the social work profession. Study of social work practice theory and technique.
SWK 204. Modern Social Problems. 3 Hours
Course to familiarize students with contemporary problems in society, including historical development, current status, and analysis of problems using modern social theories. Content may vary from section to section.
SWK 303. Community Practice & Research. 3 Hours
Study of the design and implementation of community research, including needs assessment and program evaluation in the social service system. Sophomore standing or higher. (Same as SOC 309).
Prerequisites: sophomore standing or higher; permission of instructor.
SWK 305. Social Services in the Health Field. 3 Hours
The role of social services in health care facilities and governmental health programs. U.S. health care policies and programs; methods of social work intervention in medical settings.
SWK 306. Culture and Power. 3 Hours
Exploration of how culture and power are intertwined in the process of transformation of cultural beliefs and practices around the world. Focus on the ways in which anthropologists have studied modern state formation, and the attendant cultural politics, in local, regional, national, and global contexts. Sophomore standing or higher.
SWK 307. Mental Health Services. 3 Hours
Study of historical perspectives, deinstitutionalization, the community mental health movement, inpatient care, and innovative approaches. Policy and practice implications are examined. This course is normally taken in the Junior or Senior year.
SWK 310. Law & Human Services. 3 Hours
Orientation to the legal system as it affects the provision of human services and the profession; social legislation and court decisions as they affect child welfare, public assistance, mental health, housing, and probation and parole services.
SWK 325. Child Abuse. 3 Hours
Comprehensive study of child abuse: its history, scope, causal factors, indicators for detection, treatment resources and modalities, and community responsibility.
SWK 330. Perspectives on Aging. 3 Hours
An introduction to the field of gerontology. Focus on the major physical, psychological, and social dynamics of aging. Selected issues will be highlighted. This course is normally taken in the Junior or Senior year(Same as SOC 330.).
SWK 331. Death, Dying and Suicide. 3 Hours
Applied study of the phenomena of death and dying. The role and responsibility of the professional in working with the dying and their survivors. Study of suicide in contemporary U.S. society. This course is normally taken in the Junior or Senior year.
SWK 335. Social Work & Environmental Justice. 3 Hours
Study of the impact of environmental degradation upon individuals and communities and the role of social work in advocating for environmental justice. Topics include health, disasters, environmental degradation, human rights, and advocacy.
SWK 360. International Social Work. 3 Hours
Study of the role of social workers in international contexts. Topics include migration, globalization, development, conflict, and the ethical implications of social workers practicing internationally.
SWK 370. Advocacy Practice in Social Work. 3 Hours
Study of advocacy as social work practice and the social welfare policies on which social workers often advocate. Topics covered include advocacy and professional ethics; anti-oppression and social justice; and advocacy tactics and skills. Social welfare policies discussed include those related to cash assistance, public health care programs, food programs, housing, and others. Topics and policies are analyzed with attention to power dynamics of gender, race, social class, and marginalized groups.
Sophomore standing or higher.
SWK 380. Health and Inequality. 3 Hours
Exploration of various theories of the link between health and inequality, as well as how these theories can be applied to promote health equity and social justice.
Prerequisite(s): Sophomore standing or higher.
SWK 392. Special Topics. 1-3 Hours
Exploration of special topics related to the field of human services. Assessment of appropriate literature and research. May be repeated as topics change.
SWK 401. Community Field Experience. 3 Hours
Supervised field experience for students working in a micro or macro practice setting to begin development of the nine social work competencies, as established by the Council on Social Work Education. Concurrent seminar includes intensive synthesis of theory, literature, and core concepts, as well as vocational reflection. Students spend 150 hours in the agency.
Prerequisite(s): SWK 201; permission of instructor.
SWK 465. Independent Study. 1-3 Hours
Individual research, study, and readings on specific topics and/or projects of importance to social work. Under individual faculty direction. Prerequisite(s): Permission of instructor.
SWK 477. Honors Thesis Project. 3 Hours
First of two courses leading to the selection, design, investigation, and completion of an independent, original Honors Thesis project under the guidance of a faculty research advisor. Restricted to students in the University Honors Program with permission of the program director and department chairperson. Students pursuing an interdisciplinary thesis topic may register for three semester hours each in two separate disciplines in consultation with department chairpersons. Prerequisite(s): Approval of University Honors Program.
SWK 478. Honors Thesis Project. 3 Hours
Second of two courses leading to the selection, design, investigation, and completion of an independent, original Honors Thesis project under the guidance of a faculty research advisor. Restricted to students in the University Honors Program with permission of the program director and department chairperson. Students pursuing an interdisciplinary thesis topic may register for three semester hours each in two separate disciplines in consultation with department chairpersons. Prerequisite(s): Approved 477; approval of University Honors Program.
SWK 497. Service Learning Experience. 1 Hour
Supervised community research or service experience that complements a specific upper division course in Social Work. Repeatable up to three semester hours. Prerequisite(s): Permission of instructor. Corequisite(s): A 300-400 level Social Work course.
Sociology Courses
SOC 101. Principles of Sociology. 3 Hours
Study of social groups, social processes, and society; the individual's relationship to society, social structure, social inequality, ethnic minorities, cities and human populations, and social institutions such as the family, education, religion, and government.
SOC 202. Cohort Seminar. 3 Hours
Cohort experience for Sociology majors consisting of skill development, connection of coursework to broader contexts, and vocational exploration.
Prerequisites: SOC 101 or SOC 204.
SOC 204. Modern Social Problems. 3 Hours
Course to familiarize students with contemporary problems in society, including historical development, current status, and analysis of problems using modern social theories. Content may vary from section to section.
SOC 208. Social Research Methods. 3 Hours
Study of the logic of research design, data-gathering strategies, types of measurement, and sampling techniques. Both inductive and deductive approaches. Participation in research projects.
Prerequisite(s): SOC 101 or SOC 204.
SOC 305. Criminological Theory. 3 Hours
Study of the major theories of crime; consideration of the implications of theory for the criminal justice system.
Prerequisites: Sophomore standing or higher.
SOC 306. Culture and Power. 3 Hours
Exploration of how culture and power are intertwined in the process of transformation of cultural beliefs and practices around the world. Focus on the ways in which anthropologists have studied modern state formation, and the attendant cultural politics, in local, regional, national, and global contexts. Sophomore standing or higher.
SOC 308. Data Analysis. 3 Hours
The analysis and interpretation of both quantitative and qualitative social science data.
Prerequisite(s): SOC 208.
Corequisite(s): SOC 308L.
SOC 309. Community Practice & Research. 3 Hours
Study of the design and implementation of community research, including needs assessment and program evaluation in the social service system. (Same as SWK 303.) Sophomore standing or higher.
SOC 310. Perspectives on Education and Social Justice. 3 Hours
This Inquiry course gives students a set of lenses to critically evaluate contemporary issues around schools and schooling from a social justice perspective. The course focuses on educational and social scientific research methodologies used for investigating educational inequalities.
SOC 319. Theories of Crime & Justice. 3 Hours
Examination of the major theories of criminality, crime, and justice through a sociological lens; consideration of the implications of various forms of justice and injustice in communities and society. Study of concepts, ideas, definitions, and social constructions of experiences in a society that may shape crime, injustice, and systems of authority.
Prerequisites: Sophomore standing or higher.
SOC 320. Law, Harm & Injustice. 3 Hours
This course provides an overview of the sociological approach to harm, justice, and victimology, It covers the historical development of the social construction of victims, the causes and consequences of being harmed and/or victimized, and analyzes the various actors in the socio-cultural, legal and criminal justice arenas as not to be taken for granted as natural, inevitable, and objective but rather, as rooted in social and political forces.
Prerequisites: Any introductory social science course.
SOC 321. Sociology of Extremism. 3 Hours
Study of the social understanding and social construction of identity, otherness, difference, and extremism from a sociological lens in such cases as the development of white supremacy, white nationalism, QAnon, and the Incel movement in the United States. Sophomore standing or higher.
Prerequisites: Sophomore standing or higher.
SOC 322. Crime, Film & Society. 3 Hours
This course will examine the portrayal of crime and justice in feature length films and how these films influence how our society views issues related to crime. The primary focus will be on the American criminal justice system (law enforcement, courts, and corrections) and the broader topic of justice. Sophomore standing or higher.
Prerequisites: Sophomore standing or higher.
SOC 323. Youth, Justice & Law. 3 Hours
The social, cultural, and environmental factors that influence or determine delinquency in society. Study of definitions, theories, and social constructions of juveniles and adolescents and the juvenile justice system's historical and contemporary responses to juvenile problems and delinquency.
Prerequisites: Sophomore standing or higher.
SOC 324. Communities and Crime. 3 Hours
The study of the relationship between crime and place, with an emphasis on the impact of crime and crime control on communities and residents.
SOC 325. Deviance, Culture & Society. 3 Hours
Description of various types of social deviance from a sociological lens; for example, body art, self-harm, predatory violence, mental illness, sexuality, illegal drug use, and music subcultures. Study of explanations for the consequences and the role of conformity and deviance in modern society. Sophomore standing or higher.
Prerequisites: Sophomore standing or higher.
SOC 326. Law & Society. 3 Hours
Study of the legal system and practices from a sociological point of view; the historical origin and role of the law in society, issues relating to the law as an instrument of social control and/or social change; analysis of the legal profession.
SOC 327. Criminology. 3 Hours
Social and cultural nature, origin, and development of law; criminal behavior; crime control. The influence of society in the creation and organization of legal and crime control systems. Biological, psychological, and sociological factors leading to criminal behavior. Sophomore standing or higher.
SOC 328. Racial & Ethnic Relations. 3 Hours
Study of the historical and contemporary experiences of racial and ethnic groups in the United States and globally. Examines how racial and ethnic relations function in the political, social, legal, and economic systems, and how this impacts privilege, oppression, and resistance.
SOC 329. Sex, Crime, and Law. 3 Hours
Study of the ways that sex, gender, and sexuality are regulated in the legal field. Topics covered may include employment discrimination, interracial marriage, mass shootings, police brutality, gender-based violence, sexual harassment, and human trafficking.
Prerequisite(s): Sophomore standing or higher.
SOC 330. Perspectives on Aging. 3 Hours
An introduction to the field of gerontology. Focus on the major physical, psychological, and social dynamics of aging. Selected issues will be highlighted. (Same as SWK 330.).
SOC 331. Marriages & Families. 3 Hours
The course focuses on patterns of family formation and contemporary trends in family life. Topics covered include gender, sexuality, dating, mate selection, singlehood, marriage, reproduction, work and families, divorce, remarriage, and families in later life. Sophomore standing or higher.
SOC 332. Gender and Society. 3 Hours
Overview of the ways that sociologists study and understand gender. Course includes a foundation in gender theory as well as investigation of empirical topics such as media, education, work, health, crime, and sexuality. Course is intersectional in approach, examining the ways that gender intersects with other identity categories, such as race, class, age, and sexuality.
SOC 333. Sociology of Sexualities. 3 Hours
Examination of theoretical, ethical, and conceptual issues, empirical research and social policies germane to the sociological study of human sexualities. Topics include: sexual identity and orientation; sexuality throughout the life-course; sexual assault and coercive sexuality; social control of sexuality; social locations (race, class, and gender) and sexuality; and the relationship between sexuality and the socio-political process.
Prerequisite(s): Sophomore standing or higher.
SOC 334. Religion & Society. 3 Hours
Definitions of religion and its role in society. Traditional and nontraditional expressions of religious life from the viewpoint of society. Varieties of religious experience and the interrelations between religious phenomena and other social institutions and societal behavior. Sophomore standing or higher.
SOC 337. Political Sociology. 3 Hours
Study of political power. Political influence by economic elites, impact of bureaucracies, competing ideologies, alienation and nonvoting, and social movements as challenges to power structures. Sophomore standing or higher.
SOC 339. Social Inequality. 3 Hours
Study of the historical and contemporary experiences of groups in society in terms of social inequality. Examines social structures and how they contribute to social hierarchy and inequality. The students will examine the wealthy, middle class, and the poor in society. Emphasis on the processes that divide people into unequal groups based on wealth, income, status, and power. The effects of social inequality on an individuals' life chances will be examined in this course.
SOC 341. Self & Society. 3 Hours
Study of the relationship between self and others. Socialization, self conceptions, deviant behavior, social influence, and social control.
SOC 342. Social Movements. 3 Hours
Study of the origins, dynamics, and consequences of contemporary and historic social movements. Engagement with a variety of theoretical and empirical perspectives on the social processes and structures that shape collective action. Sophomore standing or higher.
SOC 343. Mass Communication in Modern Society. 3 Hours
Social-psychological analysis of the structure and processes of mass communication related to advertising, patterns of social behavior, social change, propaganda, censorship, media control, and social institutions.
SOC 350. Art and Social Practice. 3 Hours
Exploration of varying modes of collaborative art production, for both artists and non-art students, towards the end of understanding and organizing for effective social change and/or inquiry within studio and community settings. Students organize, produce and exhibit an inter-disciplinary group project developed utilizing a sociological lens in an off-campus or social media space.
SOC 351. Urban Sociology. 3 Hours
The study of the development of urban life from ancient times to the present, with an emphasis on contemporary urban population characteristics, social-economic-political structure, and problems.
Prerequisite(s): SOC 101 or SOC 204.
SOC 352. Community. 3 Hours
Study of the interaction of groups and individuals related by common situations, problems and intentions; creation, maintenance, eclipse, and restoration of close social ties in urban neighborhoods, small towns, and groups with similar interests and lifestyles.
SOC 353. Internet Community. 3 Hours
The relationship between information and communications technologies, particularly the Internet, in contemporary society is examined. Topics will range from differential access to cultural production with an emphasis on the intersections of online and offline communities.
Prerequisite(s): Sophomore status.
SOC 354. Perspective on Childhood. 3 Hours
No description available.
SOC 360. Sport and Bodies. 3 Hours
Critical examination of the historical and contemporary ways in which the human body is altered/modified, displayed/portrayed, valued/devalued, and included/excluded in terms of gender, race, social class, and ability status within sports. This course will examine how sport and bodies function in the political, social, and economic systems of the U.S. and globally. Using the perspectives of health and sport sciences and sociology, this course examines sport and bodies from macro and micro perspectives.
SOC 362. Bioessentialism and Constructions of Bodies. 3 Hours
Study of bodies from an essentialist and bio-psychosocial models, as well as culturally informed and historical perspectives. Examines the historical and cultural impact on biological processes and identity formation. Through an intersectional lens, examines power dynamics impacting inclusion and exclusion in dominant structures.
Prerequisites: Sophomore standing or higher.
SOC 368. Immigration & Immigrants. 3 Hours
Perspectives on immigration and ethnicity. Studies of social and economic adaptation of new immigrants and the second generation in communities, cities, and societies. Ethnic change, conflict, and contemporary national and international issues, with an emphasis on human rights. Sophomore standing or higher. (Same as ANT 368.).
SOC 371. Sociology of Human Rights. 3 Hours
Study of the sociological theories and research about human rights violations in the United States as well as globally. The course examines economic, cultural, social, health, and political rights. Human Rights are examined as gendered, racialized, and sexualized.
SOC 375. Feminist Social Change. 3 Hours
Exploration of the methods and priorities of feminist social change efforts in varying national, cultural, and/or religious contexts, including outside of the U.S. and Europe. Investigation of the nature, possibilities, and challenges of global and transnational feminist movements.
Prerequisites: Sophomore standing or higher.
SOC 380. Health and Inequality. 3 Hours
Exploration of various theories of the link between health and inequality, as well as how these theories can be applied to promote health equity and social justice.
Prerequisite(s): Sophomore standing or higher.
SOC 384. Food Justice. 3 Hours
Diversity, social inequality and social justice are integral aspects of the fields of health science, sociology, and humanities. These issues particular to food are relevant in thinking about the challenges that people in Dayton and around the globe face. Through the combined analysis of at least two departments and/or two academic units, students will learn how to perform descriptive and normative analysis, as well as how to focus on pragmatic opportunities to address and ameliorate food injustice.
Prerequisites: Sophomore-status.
SOC 388. Social Theory. 3 Hours
Consideration of the works of classical and modern theorists and major trends in historical and contemporary social thought.
Prerequisite(s): SOC 101 or SOC 204.
SOC 392. Selected Topics in Sociology. 1-6 Hours
Examination of a current topic of general interest in sociology. Majors and nonmajors may enroll. Consult composite for topics. May be repeated as topic changes. Sophomore standing or higher.
SOC 394. Popular Culture. 3 Hours
Introduction to an understanding of popular culture and the entertainment industry, culture trends, popular entertainers and performers and what they reveal about society. This course examines the nature of musical choice, television, radio, Internet, genres and styles, distribution, performance, and the social construction of popular culture. Sophomore standing or higher.
SOC 398. Social Science Scholars' Seminar. 3 Hours
Study and seminar discussion of selected sociological writings and the analysis, interpretation and criticism of these works. Open only to students in the Berry Scholars Program.
Prerequisite(s): ENG 198; HST 198.
SOC 408. Senior Project Design. 3 Hours
Preparation for sociology capstone course with a focus on a workable research topic, literature review, and research methods design. Required for Sociology majors.
Prerequisite(s): SOC 308, SOC 388.
SOC 409. Senior Project Capstone. 3 Hours
Capstone experience for sociology majors consisting of a seminar on research and writing in sociology, an empirical research project, and a written and oral presentation of the research. Students will reflect on how sociological research will influence their professional and personal activities and how they will serve their communities.
Prerequisite(s): SOC 408.
SOC 426. Leadership in Building Communities. 3 Hours
Investigation of the processes by which urban neighborhoods develop themselves from the inside out. Students cultivate their own interdisciplinary appreciation of urban communities through extensive interaction with one neighborhood's visioning process. Topics include asset-based community development, social capital, citizenship, adaptive leadership, and community building strategies and tools. Same as POL 426.
SOC 432. Structure of Privilege. 3 Hours
Study of the theoretical and conceptual issues, empirical research, and social policies germane to the sociological analysis of privilege. Topics include whiteness, men and masculinities, class-privilege, heterosexuality and heterosexism, and intersectionality. Sophomore standing or higher.
SOC 437. Marx & Sociology. 3 Hours
Study of Marx's writings on topics relevant to the social sciences. Comparison of contemporary Marxian scholarship in such areas as social inequality, political structures, urban change, ideology and consciousness, and models for the future.
Prerequisite(s): SOC 101 or SOC 204; junior or senior standing.
SOC 477. Honors Thesis Project. 3 Hours
First of two courses leading to the selection, design, investigation, and completion of an independent, original Honors Thesis project under the guidance of a faculty research advisor. Restricted to students in the University Honors Program with permission of the program director and department chairperson. Students pursuing an interdisciplinary thesis topic may register for three semester hours each in two separate disciplines in consultation with the department chairpersons. Prerequisite(s): Approval of University Honors Program.
SOC 478. Honors Thesis Project. 3 Hours
Second of two courses leading to the selection, design, investigation, and completion of an independent, original Honors Thesis project under the guidance of a faculty research advisor. Restricted to students in the University Honors Program with permission of the program director and department chairperson. Students pursuing an interdisciplinary thesis topic may register for three semester hours each in two separate disciplines in consultation with the department chairpersons. Prerequisite(s): Approved 477; approval of University Honors Program.
SOC 492. Special Topics in Sociology. 1-6 Hours
Intensive examination of current theoretical or methodological issues; faculty-advised research project or library work. Consult composite for topics. May be repeated as topic changes.
Prerequisite(s): SOC 101 or SOC 204; permission of instructor.
SOC 495. Sociology Internship. 1-6 Hours
Supervised work experience related to course work in sociology in appropriate government, social service, and private organizations. May be repeated to a maximum of six semester hours. Prerequisite(s): Permission of department chairperson.
SOC 497. Service Learning Experience. 1 Hour
Supervised community research or service experience that complements a specific upper division course in Sociology. Repeatable up to three semester hours. Prerequisite(s): Permission of instructor. Corequisite(s): A 300-400 level Sociology course.
SOC 498. Independent Study. 1-6 Hours
Research or special readings on problems of interest to the student under the guidance of sociology staff member. Prerequisite(s): Permission of department chairperson.