Political Science and Sociology-Sociology Courses
SOC 100. Principles of Sociology. An introduction to the interrelations of personality, society and culture; major sociological concepts; social processes and institutions. 3 credits
SOC 150. Social Problems. An examination of the causes, consequences and attempted societal solutions of major social problems in the United States and the world. Tentative topics include: violence, poverty, racism, crime, socialization, education, family structure, alcoholism, drug addiction, environment, revolution and war. 3 credits
SOC 209. Statistical Reasoning for Social Science. An applied introduction to univariate and multivariate statistical analysis in the social sciences. Emphasis will be upon rationales, interpretations and applications of quantitative logical and methods. Topics include distributions, central tendencies, variance, probability, sampling, hypothesis testing, association and correlation, ANOVA, regression, categorical data analysis and selected advanced topics. This course is a prerequisite to SOC 310. Prerequisite: SOC 100 or SOC 150. 3 credits
SOC 241. Social Psychology. The study of the shared understandings and meanings individuals have regarding their relations to one another, to groups, to collectivities and to institutions. Prerequisite: SOC 100 or SOC 150. 3 credits*
SOC 250. Courtship and Marriage. Mate selection as the key to the family as a social institution: problems and advantages of the American dating scene; love and sexual patterns in the United States; the institution of marriage; conflict and adjustments in a paired relationship; becoming parents. Prerequisite: SOC 100 or SOC 150. 3 credits*
SOC 270. Introduction to Social Work. Principles and philosophy of social work as a profession; social welfare as an institution; historical development. Prerequisite: SOC 100 or SOC 150. 3 credits
SOC 285. The Information Society. Analysis of the present and future impact of computerized information on social relationships and fabric of society. Prerequisite: general education computer literacy in Network Administration offered collaboratively with Black Hills State University and Dakota State University.) 3 credits (Pending Board of Regents approval.)
SOC 290. Projects in Sociology. Reading and research under the direction and guidance of the instructor. Prerequisite: SOC 100 or SOC 150. 1-3 credits
SOC 310. Social Research Methods. Analysis of research designs as they relate to theoretical models and statistical measurements. Construction and application of research methodology and statistics. Required of all sociology majors. Prerequisite: SOC 100 or SOC 150 and SOC 209. 3 credits
SOC 311. Social Work Practice I. Basic concepts and skills common to all social work practice. Prerequisite: SOC 100 or SOC 150. 3 credits*
SOC 330. Social Work Practice II. Resource development and social worker in the community. The lab involves actual contact with community persons and a community project. Prerequisite: SOC 100 or SOC 150. 3 credits*
SOC 340. Sociology of the Community. Theory, research, and analysis in contemporary community studies. Includes the rural-urban continua, ecology, decentralization, demographics, power structure, suburbs, problems of urban environment, and social planning. Prerequisite: SOC 100 or SOC 150. 3 credits*
SOC 350. Race and Ethnic Minorities. A survey of contemporary ethnic groups and minorities in the United States and South Dakota; special attention will be given to sociological concepts and theories relevant to inter-group dynamics and communication; special attention will also be given to South Dakota's largest ethnic group, the Sioux. Prerequisite: SOC 100 or SOC 150. 3 credits
SOC 351. Criminology. Nature and source of criminal laws in the United States, criminal behavior, current theory and research of causes of crime and the treatment of criminals. Prerequisite: SOC 100 or SOC 150. 3 credits*
SOC 353. Sociology of Work and Organization. Class will focus on individual and group behavior in organizational environments, especially those environments related to the criminal justice and human services areas. Topics include: the impact of work structure on interpersonal relations, the effective management of human resources, the effect of compensation on worker motivation, the relationship between organizational culture and societal culture and the writing of grants to fund organizational projects. Prerequisite: SOC 100 or SOC 150. 3 credits*
SOC 355. Social Disorganization and Deviant Behavior. Major problems and processes of individual and social maladjustment and disorganization. Prerequisite: SOC 100 or SOC 150. 3 credits*
SOC 356. Juvenile Delinquency. Causes and types, functions of juvenile agencies; methods of prevention and treatment. Prerequisite: SOC 100 or SOC 150. 3 credits*
SOC 362. Population Studies. History of the world's population and the social significance of different population sizes and growth rates; emphasis upon the social determinants of fertility, mortality and migration. Prerequisite: SOC 100 or SOC 150. 3 credits*
SOC 382. The Family. The family as a social institution, its origin and place in American culture; the rural family; the impact of urbanization on family life; family functions, comparison of families in different cultures. Prerequisite: SOC 100 or SOC 150. 3 credits*
SOC 400. Social Policy. An analysis of the development, implementation, and limitation of social service policy and programs. Programs selected for study will include implemented payments and service programs as well as proposed models. Prerequisite: SOC 100 or SOC 150. 3 credits*
SOC 401. Law and Society. The course will be divided into two main segments. The initial readings will focus on providing a theoretical overview and the topics of analysis will include: Legal reasoning; law and values; law and conflicting interests; law and popular will; law, status, wealth and power; and law and official discretion. The second half of the course examines law in context and will take up issues concerning the structure of legal relations, the connections between legal relations and social relations, and the nexus between ideology and organization. Prerequisite: SOC 100 or SOC 150. 3 credits*
SOC 416. Social Theory. Current sociological theories as they relate to contemporary social controversies and problems. Prerequisite: SOC 100 or SOC 150. 3 credits
SOC 421. Social Stratification. Caste, class, and other forms of social strata. The causes, consequences, and correlations of position in the system of stratification. Prerequisite: SOC 100 or SOC 150. 3 credits*
SOC 430. Gender and Society. An examination of the changing roles and images of both women and men. Special attention will be given to analyzing the historical and socially current trends in female/male relationships. This will be done by attempting to create an atmosphere for a better understanding of the needs of both women and men in an ever-changing world. Specifically, attention will be given to various topics such as: the social construction of gender, socialization, schools and gender, language, employment and the economy, gender and justice, politics, spirituality, health and future trends. Prerequisite: SOC 100 or SOC 150. 3 credits
SOC 458/558. Social Gerontology. A study of the process of aging, with emphasis on the social process, problems and programs. The effects of a growing senior citizen population on society and the world. 3 credits*
SOC 459/559. Death, Dying and Grief Processes. A study of these processes in our society and others. The stages of death, dying and funeral preparations, and the helping professions' relation to the grief processes. 3 credits*
SOC 470/570. Child Abuse and Neglect. Child abuse and neglect in human society. Though comparison with other times and cultures are made, the emphasis is on present day United States of America. The course will include identification and investigation procedures, causes and effects, treatment and prevention of child abuse and neglect. 3 credits*
SOC 490. Projects in Sociology. Reading and research under the direction and guidance of the instructor. Prerequisite: SOC 100. 1-3 credits
SOC 493. Seminar in the Social Science. Research in sociology, directed by the staff. 1-3 credits*