SOC - Sociology

Courses numbered 500 to 799 = undergraduate/graduate. (Individual courses may be limited to undergraduate students only.) Courses numbered 800 to 999 = graduate.

SOC 514.  Sociology Capstone   (3).

Capstone experience designed to provide students an opportunity to integrate the knowledge, skills and insights they’ve developed as emerging Sociologists. While specific sociological topic areas may vary from semester to semester, the course exposes students to current research and perspectives while providing opportunities to engage in sociological practice by applying the tools of the discipline to a relevant social phenomenon and drawing links between the classroom and potential careers. For undergraduate credit only. Pre- or corequisite(s): SOC 111, 311, 312, 313.

SOC 515.  Family Diversity   (3).

General education social and behavioral sciences course. Analyzes the varieties of family forms in the U.S. with particular emphasis on the intersection of gender, race/ethnicity, social class and sexual orientation. Attention is given to the reciprocal effects of families and their social environments, and the impact of public policies on families. Course includes diversity content.

SOC 516.  Sociology of Gender   (3).

General education social and behavioral sciences course. Cross-listed as WOMS 516. Focuses on historic and current gender issues within a national and global context. Students explore both the individual and structural-level factors that influence the experience of "doing gender" within a variety of social institutions including potential avenues for change and collective action. Course includes diversity content.

SOC 517.  Intimate Relations   (3).

Examines the social dimensions of intimacy including an analysis of intimacy in different types of relationships, i.e., romantic, friendship, marriage. Reviews theory and research in the area with a special focus on the place of intimacy in social interaction. Course includes diversity content. Prerequisite(s): SOC 111.

SOC 520.  Family and Aging   (3).

Cross-listed as PHS 520. Analyzes the families and family systems of older people. Emphasizes demographic and historical changes, widowhood, caregiving and intergenerational relationships as these relate to the family life of older people. Course includes diversity content.

SOC 528.  Schools and Society   (3).

General education social and behavioral sciences course. Introduces sociological perspectives on the purpose of schools and their connection to the larger society. Uses key sociological concepts, theories and methods to go beyond individual experiences and explore the educational system in the context of larger social forces. Examines the multiple functions and goals of education, stratification between schools and within schools, and inequalities of race, social class and gender. Other topics may include family and school relationships, bullying and youth culture, sexuality education, and educational policy issues. Course includes diversity content. Prerequisite(s): SOC 111.

SOC 534.  Urban Sociology   (3).

General education social and behavioral sciences course. Studies the process of urbanization and its influence on the development of cultural and social structures throughout the world. Also discusses social problems associated with urbanization. Course includes diversity content. Prerequisite(s): SOC 111.

SOC 537.  The Social Consequences of Disability   (3).

An eclectic survey of the social aspects of disability showing the impact of social values, institutions and policies upon adults with disabilities. Appropriate for both students of sociology and the service professions. Course includes diversity content. Prerequisite(s): SOC 111.

SOC 538.  Medical Sociology   (3).

General education social and behavioral sciences course. Analyzes social and cultural factors related to physical and mental illness. Also includes the dynamics of communication and role relationships among patients and medical personnel and social research and theory relevant to the health professions. Course includes diversity content.

SOC 539.  Juvenile Delinquency   (3).

General education social and behavioral sciences course. The factors related to juvenile delinquency and the measures of treatment and prevention. Prerequisite(s): SOC 111.

SOC 543.  Aging and Public Policy   (3).

Seminar-style course explores the impact of an aging population on social institutions, covers the history of American aging policies, the organization and financing of health care for the elderly, and discusses policy analysis as an evaluation tool for comparing public approaches to responding to the needs of an increasingly diverse aging population. Considers the process of policy formation, identifies key players and interest groups, and contrasts political ideologies regarding federal, state and private responsibilities for older people. Emphasizes Social Security, the Older Americans Act, Medicare and Medicaid as policy examples. Also looks at the potential contributions of the older population to society (volunteer services, provision of family care, etc.) as affecting and affected by policy. Course includes diversity content.

SOC 559.  Successful Aging: Theory, Research and Practice   (3).

Cross-listed as PHS 559, PSY 559, PSY 559H, SCWK 559, SCWK 559H. Reviews current interventions which promote successful aging. Theoretical bases of this work in biomedical and life span/developmental psychology are featured. Intended for students in the College of Health Professions, Liberal Arts and Sciences, and Engineering. Course includes diversity content. Prerequisite(s): PHS 100, PSY 111, SCWK 201 or SOC 111.

SOC 559H.  Successful Aging: Theory, Research and Practice Honors   (3).

Cross-listed as PHS 559, PSY 559, PSY 559H, SCWK 559, SCWK 559H. Reviews current interventions which promote successful aging. Theoretical bases of this work in biomedical and life span/developmental psychology are featured. Intended for students in the College of Health Professions, Liberal Arts and Sciences, and Engineering. Course includes diversity content. Prerequisite(s): PHS 100, PSY 111, SCWK 201 or SOC 111.

SOC 581.  Child Abuse and Neglect: The Role of Child Welfare Agencies   (3).

Cross-listed as CJ 581Y, SCWK 610AA. Examines the Kansas foster care system from multiple perspectives, including those of social workers, law enforcement and attorneys. Topics covered include services provided to juveniles in the custody of the state, neglect and abuse investigations, government policies affecting youth, the impact of the juvenile criminal justice system, and civil rights litigation involving youth in custody. Students become acquainted with the role of the foster care system, relevant statutory and Supreme Court case law, and law enforcement practices.

SOC 600.  Selected Topics in Sociology   (3).

An umbrella course created to explore a variety of subtopics differentiated by letter (e.g., 600A, 600B). Not all subtopics are offered each semester – see the course schedule for availability. Students enroll in the lettered courses with specific topics in the titles rather than in this root course. Prerequisite(s): SOC 111, instructor's consent, and substantive area course.

SOC 651.  Directed Research   (1-3).

Gives the student further research skills in an area of special interest. All students are under the direction of a member of the graduate faculty who guides them in developing research skills. Prerequisite(s): SOC 512 or equivalent and instructor's consent.

SOC 670.  Independent Reading   (1-3).

For the advanced student capable of doing independent work in an area of special interest. Prerequisite(s): 15 hours of sociology and instructor's consent.

SOC 711.  Sociological Theory   (3).

Comprehensive survey of classical sociological theory emphasizing theories relevant to the development of sociology. Prerequisite(s): departmental consent.

SOC 713.  Statistics for Social and Behavioral Sciences   (3).

Applies descriptive and inferential statistics to sociological problems. Includes computer experience with statistical software. Prerequisite(s): departmental consent.

SOC 750.  Sociology Workshop   (1-3).

An umbrella course created to explore a variety of subtopics differentiated by letter (e.g., 750A, 750B). Not all subtopics are offered each semester – see the course schedule for availability. Students enroll in the lettered courses with specific topics in the titles rather than in this root course.

SOC 781.  Cooperative Education   (1-4).

Provides practical experience, under academic supervision, that complements the student's academic program. Consultation with, and approval by, an appropriate faculty advisor are necessary. With advisor approval, up to 4 hours of cooperative education may count toward graduate degree requirements.

SOC 781N.  Sociological Practice Internship   (1-3).

Integrates academic theory with planned professional experience providing students with practical skills training under academic supervision to complement the student’s academic program. Individualized programs must be formulated in consultation with, and approved by, appropriate faculty sponsors as well as the Career Development Center. Repeatable for credit.

SOC 811.  Advanced Research: Quantitative Methods   (3).

Seminar course designed to provide graduate students with the conceptual tools and methodological skills needed to conduct quantitative sociological research. Students are introduced to sampling, measurement and data management issues. In addition, students gain experience with statistical software packages using large-scale data sets. Prerequisite(s): departmental consent.

SOC 812.  Advanced Research: Qualitative Methods   (3).

Graduate students deepen their understanding of the research process as they are introduced to qualitative methods, methodology and analysis. Students learn to address methodological issues by developing a pilot project requiring them to apply their understanding of qualitative methods, sampling and coding. Through this process, students are prepared to compare the strengths and limitations of quantitative, qualitative and mixed method approaches while becoming critical consumers of qualitative research.

SOC 845.  Seminar in Sociological Theory   (3).

A comprehensive survey of contemporary sociological theories and their classical roots. Emphasis on theories applicable to students' thesis and nonthesis projects. Generally offered spring semester only. Prerequisite(s): departmental consent.

SOC 847.  Seminar in Recent Developments in Sociology   (3).

An umbrella course created to explore a variety of subtopics differentiated by letter (e.g., 847A, 847B). Not all subtopics are offered each semester – see the course schedule for availability. Students enroll in the lettered courses with specific topics in the titles rather than in this root course. Prerequisite(s): 15 credit hours of sociology and departmental consent.

SOC 847C.  Seminar in the Sociology of Gender   (3).

Explores emerging and ongoing issues, theories, research and practice related to the sociology of gender.

SOC 847F.  Advanced Data Management   (3).

Review of database designs, modeling and data preparation for analysis and reporting including programming, data management techniques and data imputation. Course is an applied research experience utilizing institutional data and common analytical software.

SOC 847G.  Statistical Modeling   (3).

Applied course using institutional data to perform statistical modeling for defined student outcomes. Familiarity with regression analysis, data management, SPSS syntax and SQL is required.

SOC 847I.  Social Policy and Aging   (3).

Analyzes and evaluates policies and programs related to aging and the life course. Emphasizes the importance of social values and historical context for understanding current policies, programs and practices.

SOC 847J.  Seminar: Addressing Gender-Based Intimate Violence   (3).

Explores a pervasive global issue: gender-based intimate violence. Students develop an understanding of the social determinants of intimate violence, with specific attention given to developing hands-on skills related to the science of prevention including planning, implementing and evaluating evidence-based data-driven strategies for addressing dating/domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking (DVSAS). A variety of readings, webinars/workshops, videos, personal reflections and applied learning activities are utilized to provide a foundation for emerging scholars and prevention specialists. Course includes diversity content. Course includes service-learning content.

SOC 851.  Directed Project   (1-3).

A project conducted under the supervision of an academic adviser for the nonthesis option. Requires the completion of a written report and an oral presentation of the research to the faculty. Prerequisite(s): consent of academic adviser.

SOC 860.  Proseminar - Sociology   (3).

Examines the academic roles of sociologists, the fields of study and types of research. Usually offered fall semester only. Fulfills the university's professional and scholarly integrity training requirement covering research misconduct, publication practices and responsible authorship, conflict of interest and commitment, ethical issues in data acquisition, management, sharing and ownership. Prerequisite(s): departmental consent.

SOC 870.  Independent Reading   (1-3).

Advanced systematic reading in a topical area under the tutorship of a member of the graduate faculty. Repeatable for a total of 6 credit hours. Prerequisite(s): departmental consent.

SOC 875.  Thesis   (1-3).

Student-driven research experience to address a specific research question. Potential topics should be formulated by the student and discussed with their advisor. Repeatable for credit.

SOC 876.  Thesis   (1-3).

Student-driven research experience to address a specific research question. Potential topics should be formulated by the student and discussed with their advisor. Repeatable for credit.