Graduate Courses

Upper Division Courses

SOC 522. The Family in Comparative and Cross-Cultural Perspectives (3)
Prerequisite: Sociology 101. Recommended: Sociology 421.
Comparative study of selected family systems in the past and present. Comparative analysis of major social and demographic changes in marriage and family in post-industrial nations and less developed countries. Cross-cultural comparisons of family arrangements in contemporary America by social classes and racial-ethnic groups.

SOC 531. Working and Society (3)
Prerequisite: Sociology 101.
Structure and change in labor force, nationally and internationally. Social drama of work: self, roles, conflict, subcultures. Includes exploration of student work experiences, workers in the community, literacy, and film depictions of work worlds.

SOC 537. Political Sociology (3) 
Prerequisite: Sociology 101. 
Social organization of political processes. Power and authority, social class, primary groups, collective behavior, social change, and other sociological factors considered in their relationships to political processes.

SOC 539. Sociology of Education (3)
Prerequisite: Sociology 101.
Social organization of education in the United States and other societies. Structure and functions of educational institutions. Formal and informal education. Class, ethnic, and other social factors affecting the educational process. Implications of educational decision making and testing.

SOC 543. Police, Courts, and Corrections: The Sociology of Crime and Punishment (3)
Prerequisite: Sociology 101.
Historical sociology of the American criminal justice system. Development and functions of police, criminal courts, prisons, parole, and probation. Theories and ideologies of punishment and rehabilitation. Review of contemporary research.

SOC 554. Sociology of the United States-Mexico Transborder Populations and Globalization (3)
Prerequisite: Sociology 101. Recommended: Chicana and Chicano Studies 355 and/or Sociology 350.
Sociology of the population at the United States-Mexico border region. Demographic dynamics and social change in border communities. International migration and transmigration. Transborder families and transnational families. Gender systems and women’s reproductive health in border communities.

SOC 555. Immigrants and Refugees in Contemporary American Society (3)
Prerequisite: Sociology 101.
Contemporary migration to the United States, especially from Latin America and Asia. Political and economic migration. Immigrant and refugee adaptation. Theoretical controversies, research applications, and policy implications.

SOC 596. Current Topics in Sociology (1-3)
Prerequisite: Sociology 101.
Selected specialized, controversial or currently relevant topics in sociology. Maximum opportunity provided for student initiative in determining course content and procedures. May be repeated with new content. See Class Schedule for specific content. Limit of nine units of any combination of 296, 496, 596 courses applicable to a bachelor’s degree. Maximum credit of six units of 596 applicable to a bachelor’s degree.  Credit for 596 and 696 applicable to a master’s degree with approval of the graduate adviser.

SOC 597. Investigation and Report (3)
Prerequisites: Fifteen units in sociology and consent of instructor.
Analysis of special topics in sociology. Maximum credit six units

Graduate Courses

SOC 600. Proseminar in Sociology: Core Course (3)
Prerequisite: Graduate standing.
Elements of profession of sociology and sociological research procedures. Connection between theoretical perspectives and appropriate research methods. Practice in scientific sociological writing styles to develop a master’s thesis proposal.

SOC 601. Advanced Classical Social Theory: Core Course (3)
Prerequisite: Graduate standing.
Systematic treatment of original European and American classic sociological writings.

SOC 605. Advanced Contemporary Social Theory: Core Course (3)
Prerequisite: Graduate standing.
Examination and analysis of original works in modern/postmodern sociological theory.

SOC 607. Advanced Quantitative Methods: Core Course (3)
Prerequisites: Graduate standing and Sociology 201.
Research methods appropriate to particular types of sociological projects with emphasis on analysis of descriptive statistics and use of linear and non-linear regression methods. Methods of evaluating reported findings in sociological research.

SOC 608. Advanced Qualitative Methods: Core Course (3)
Prerequisites: Graduate standing and credit or concurrent registration in Sociology 600.
Qualitative methods for data collection, analysis, and reporting in contemporary sociological research and related disciplines. Study, practice, critiques of techniques; ethnography, interviews, archival research, content analysis.

SOC 695. Topics in Directed Readings (3)
Prerequisite: Credit or concurrent registration in at least one core course or one seminar.
Selected reading providing coverage of social theory, social disorganization, social organization, social institutions, social psychology (sociological approaches), community research methods, population and demography, or special topics. Maximum credit six units applicable to a master’s degree.

SOC 696. Experimental Topics (3)
Prerequisite: Graduate standing.
Intensive study in specific areas of sociology. May be repeated with new content. See
Class Schedule for specific content. Credit for 596 and 696 applicable to a master’s degree with approval of the graduate adviser.

SOC 700. Seminar in Social Theory (3)
Prerequisites: Sociology 401 and 407.
Classics of sociology, American social theory, theory construction, application of theory to research, theoretical models, sociology of knowledge, special topics. See Class Schedule for specific content. May be repeated with new content. Maximum credit six units applicable to a master’s degree.

SOC 730. Seminar in Social Institutions (3)
Prerequisites: Sociology 407 and 430.
The family and kinship, political organization, economic organization, religion, education, industry, occupations and professions, social stratification, special topics. See Class Schedule for specific content. May be repeated with new content. Maximum credit six units applicable to a master’s degree.

SOC 799A. Thesis (3) Cr/NC/RP
Prerequisites: An officially appointed thesis committee and advancement to candidacy.
Preparation of a project or thesis for the master’s degree.

SOC 799B. Thesis Extension (0) Cr/NC
Prerequisite: Prior registration in Thesis 799A with an assigned grade symbol of RP.
Registration required in any semester or term following assignment of RP in Course 799A in which the student expects to use the facilities and resources of the university; also student must be registered in the course when the completed thesis is granted final approval.

SOC 799C. Comprehensive Examination Extension (0) Cr/NC
Prerequisite: Completion or concurrent enrollment in degree program courses.
Registration required of students whose only requirement is completion of the comprehensive examination for the master’s degree. Registration in 799C limited to two semesters.