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Sociology is the study of human society, culture,
and conduct from a variety of perspectives that include
interpersonal, institutional, and aggregate levels of analyses. At
the interpersonal level, sociologists may study personality
formation in social contexts or how the individual responds to
social opportunities and constraints. At the institutional level,
sociologists attempt to analyze social institutions (such as the
family, religion, and the state) and social structures (such as
social classes and racial and ethnic stratification) that shape
human conduct. And at the aggregate level, sociology focuses on the
study of large-scale influences ranging from demographics to social
movements to cultural systems.
The mission of the sociology faculty at Oglethorpe
is to introduce students to such studies within a liberal arts
setting by developing each student’s analytical, writing, speaking,
and methodological skills, as well as his or her ability to
comprehend and explicate difficult texts. Sociology majors should be
able, through written and oral analyses, to make arguments whose
conclusions follow from evidence carefully and logically presented.
They should be able to distinguish between informed and uninformed
opinion. In addition, each sociology student at Oglethorpe will be
expected to master essential knowledge within the areas of
sociological theory, research methodology, and statistics, and
within at least three content areas. In order to encourage a
practical understanding of social problems and institutions,
students, where appropriate, are urged to seek internships. Students
bound for graduate school are encouraged to master a foreign
language.
Major
The sociology major consists of a minimum of nine
sociology courses (36 semester hours) beyond Human Nature and the
Social Order I and II. These nine courses must include Introduction
to Sociology, Statistics, Introduction to Quantitative Research
Methods, Sociological Theory, and five additional sociology courses
selected by the student. Of the nine courses, at least six must be
completed at Oglethorpe for a major in sociology. Human Nature and
the Social Order I and II must be completed by all majors who enter
Oglethorpe below the junior level. In addition, at least one
semester of a foreign language at the second semester
elementary-level or higher is required. The degree awarded is the
Bachelor of Arts.
Minor
A minor in sociology consists of Introduction to
Sociology and any other three sociology courses (16 semester hours)
beyond Human Nature and the Social Order I and II. No course can be
used to satisfy both major and minor requirements. Of the four
sociology courses, at least three must be completed at Oglethorpe
for a minor in sociology.
The following courses are offered in Sociology:
| SOC 101. Introduction to Sociology |
4 hours |
| This course offers an introduction to topics
central to the study of human society, culture, and conduct.
Selected fields of study frequently include culture, formation
of the self, social classes, power structures, social movements,
criminal behavior, and a variety of social institutions.
Emphasis is placed upon basic concepts and principal findings of
the field. Offered annually.
|
| SOC 201. The Family |
4 hours |
This course focuses primarily on the
20th-century American family. The topics discussed include
trends in marriage, the age of marriage, fertility,
illegitimacy, divorce, remarriage, and domestic abuse. The
possible social and economic causes and consequences of these
trends are also discussed. Offered annually.
|
| SOC 202. The American Experience |
4 hours |
The purpose of this course is to acquaint
students with basic aspects of the American experience. Special
attention is paid to the individual’s relationship to the
community. Specific topics of discussion include Populism,
Federalism, the role of advertising in folk culture, the
relationship of technology and democracy, and America’s
exploring spirit. Offered biennially.
|
| SOC 204. Social Problems |
4 hours |
This course studies the impact of current social
forces upon American society. Deviation from social norms,
conflict concerning social goals and values, and social
disorganization as these apply to family, economic, religious,
and other institutional and interpersonal situations are of
primary concern. Offered biennially.
|
| SOC 205. Crime and Deviance |
4 hours |
This course will examine behaviors that do not
conform to moral and legal codes and the ways in which societies
control such behaviors. Particular emphasis will be given to
American society. Readings will include classic and current
analyses of deviance and crime. Offered biennially.
|
| SOC 302. The Sociology of Work and Occupations |
4 hours |
This course has three purposes: first, to
analyze the means by which non-economic institutions, especially
the family, schools, and religious institutions influence the
formation of "human capital," second, to study the history and
contemporary nature of the professions; and third, to analyze
the relationship between the external control of workers and
their internal motivation. A cross-cultural approach is employed
in the course. Offered biennially.
|
| SOC 303. Field of Social Work |
4 hours |
This course will study and analyze the
historical development of social work and social work activities
in contemporary society. Offered biennially.
|
| ULP 303. The New American City |
4 hours |
The purpose of this course is to examine the
problems and prospects of politics and policymaking in the new
American city and its environs. Consideration will be given to
the political and sociological significance of a number of the
factors that characterize this new development, including the
extremes of wealth and poverty, the mix of racial and ethnic
groups, and the opportunities and challenges provided by
progress in transportation and technology. Offered biennially.
|
| SOC 304. Methods of Social Work |
4 hours |
This course is a study of the methods used in
contemporary social work. Offered biennially. Prerequisite: SOC
303.
|
| SOC 305. Film and Society |
4 hours |
This course is designed to help students analyze
and interpret films from the perspectives of social theory.
Emphasis will be placed upon exploring visions of the self and
society in a variety of film genres, including mysteries,
comedies, film noir, westerns, musicals, etc. Films studied in
recent classes include Citizen Kane, Vertigo, The Maltese
Falcon, Red River, Cabaret, and others. Offered biennially.
|
| SOC 306. Race, Ethnicity, and Immigration |
4 hours |
This course treats contemporary ethnic relations
and the history of immigration in the United States. It
considers the role of markets, government policy, and culture in
the formation of ethnic identity and the well being of ethnic
groups. Although the chief concern is with the United States, a
comparative approach is taken. Offered biennially.
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| SOC 307. Elites and Inequality |
4 hours |
An examination is made in this course of the
social stratification of privileges and deprivations in
contemporary societies, focusing on the distribution of wealth,
status, and power. The course studies social stratification
historically and comparatively, the American upper, middle, and
lower classes, institutionalized power elites, race and gender
stratification, status systems, and economic inequality. Offered
biennially.
|
| SOC 308. Culture and Society |
4 hours |
A study of the dynamics of traditional, modern,
and postmodern cultures that focuses on the analysis of symbolic
forms and boundaries, social memory, ceremonies and rituals,
bodily habits, cultural elites, and cultural revolutions.
Special attention is given to "culture wars," the impact of mass
media, and postmodernism in contemporary societies. The course
is comparative in approach. Offered biennially.
|
| SOC 309. Religion and Society |
4 hours |
This course will examine religion as a social
institution, its internal development, relationship to other
institutions, and its cultural and social significance in modern
and traditional societies. Special attention will be given to
the conflict between spirit and institution in Christianity; the
rise and decline of denominationalism; contemporary forms of
spirituality; the modern psychologization of religion, and the
comparative study of religions. Offered biennially.
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| SOC 401. Nations and Nationalism |
4 hours |
This course examines the rise and persistence of
nation-states and nationalism in the modern world. Theories of
nationalism, nationalist visions, and case studies of particular
nations, including France, Germany, and Russia will be covered.
Topics to be addressed include radical nationalism (for example,
Nazism and Fascism), problems of national "self-determination,"
Zionism, and the fall of Communism.
|
| SOC 402. Field Experience in Social Work |
16 hours |
Students concentrating in social work spend a
semester in social work agencies in the Atlanta area for
on-the-job practicum experience. Successful field placements
have been made in a variety of settings in recent years,
including Wesley Woods Health Center, West Paces Ferry Hospital,
and Atlanta shelters for the homeless. Prerequisites: SOC 303,
permission of the academic advisor and faculty supervisor, and
signature of the Director of Career Services.
|
| SOC 403. Sociological Theory |
4 hours |
This course will study classical and
contemporary theory with an emphasis upon the latter.
Contemporary theories covered usually include utilitarian
individualism (sociobiology, exchange theory, and
rational-choice theory), communitarianism, civil society theory,
critical theory, and post-modernism. Offered biennially.
|
| SOC 404. Special Topics in Sociology |
4 hours |
A seminar providing examination and discussion
of various topics on contemporary and historical interest in
sociology. Prerequisite: Permission of the instructor.
|
| SOC 405. Internship in Sociology |
1-4 hours |
An internship is designed to provide a
formalized experiential learning opportunity to qualified
students. The internship generally requires the student to
obtain a faculty supervisor in the relevant field of study,
submit a learning agreement, work 30 hours for every hour of
academic credit, keep a written journal of the work experience,
have regularly scheduled meetings with the faculty supervisor,
and write a research paper dealing with some aspect of the
internship. Written work should total five pages of academic
writing for every hour of credit. An extensive list of
internships is maintained by the Career Services Office,
including opportunities at the Gainesville/Hall Senior Center,
the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, and the Partnership Against
Domestic Violence. Graded on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory
basis. Prerequisites: Permission of the faculty supervisor and
qualification for the internship program.
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| SOC 406. Independent Study in Sociology |
1-4 hours |
An intense study of diverse topics under the
direct supervision of the instructor. Prerequisite: Submission
of a proposed outline of study that includes a schedule of
meetings and assignments approved by the instructor, the
division chair, and the Provost and Senior Vice President prior
to registration.
|
| SOC 407. Internship in American Studies |
1-4 hours |
An internship is designed to provide a
formalized experiential learning opportunity to qualified
students. The internship generally requires the student to
obtain a faculty supervisor in the relevant field of study,
submit a learning agreement, work 30 hours for every hour of
academic credit, keep a written journal of the work experience,
have regularly scheduled meetings with the faculty supervisor,
and write a research paper dealing with some aspect of the
internship. Written work should total five pages of academic
writing for every hour of credit. An extensive list of
internships is maintained by the Career Services Office. Graded
on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory basis. Prerequisites:
Permission of the faculty supervisor and qualification for the
internship program.
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