Sociology and Anthropology
Courses
ANTH 1200. PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL SUCCESS IN THE SOCIAL SCIENCES. 2 Hours.
A first year experience course for new students and new transfer students interested in a career in the social sciences. Provides the necessary foundation for success in a college environment while balancing personal and/or work obligations. Orients students to life on campus, demonstrates how to leverage campus resources to achieve career and academic goals, and emphasizes engagement outside the classroom through collaborative and co-curricular opportunities. Fulfills the University requirement for either UNIV 1101 or UNIV 1131. Offered as SOCI 1200 and ANTH 1200; credit will be granted only once.
ANTH 1306. INTRODUCTION TO ANTHROPOLOGY. 3 Hours. (TCCN = ANTH 2346)
This course, primarily intended for non-majors and as a first course for students considering majoring in anthropology, provides an overview of the subdisciplines of anthropology: ethnology (cultural anthropology), archaeology, physical (biological) anthropology, and linguistic anthropology.
ANTH 1310. GREAT DISCOVERIES IN ARCHAEOLOGY. 3 Hours.
A survey of some of the most spectacular and otherwise significant archaeological discoveries worldwide over the past three centuries. Consideration of particular archaeological sites as case studies to illustrate cultural development from the Stone Age to Medieval times.
ANTH 2307. BIOLOGICAL ANTHROPOLOGY. 3 Hours. (TCCN = ANTH 2301)
Human variation and human evolution. Genetics, living and fossil nonhuman primates, the human skeleton, the fossil record of human evolution, modern human variation and biological adaptation.
ANTH 2322. GLOBAL CULTURES. 3 Hours. (TCCN = ANTH 2351)
Methods and theories of sociocultural anthropology. Examines systems of social organization and cultural meaning in contemporary human societies. Topics include fieldwork, cross-cultural analysis, applied anthropology, and global perspectives on political, economic, and social institutions.
ANTH 2339. INTRODUCTION TO ARCHAEOLOGY. 3 Hours. (TCCN = ANTH 2302)
Archaeology is the study of the human past through physical evidence and material remains. This evidence ranges from entire landscapes to small objects. Students learn how archaeological sites are discovered, investigated, and interpreted, and how this knowledge contributes to our understanding of human society.
ANTH 2349. HONORS PRINCIPLES OF ARCHAEOLOGY. 3 Hours.
Methods and theories of prehistoric archaeology. Techniques and approaches employed in recovering, dating and interpreting prehistoric cultural materials. Writing-intensive course including group and individual projects and oral presentations. Prerequisite: Membership in the Honors College or permission of instructor.
ANTH 2357. ANTHROPOLOGY IN ACTION. 3 Hours.
Anthropological examination of a particular culture, region or cultural industry. Topics include identity, heritage, commoditization, historical and cultural representation, and authenticity. May be offered on campus or as a field course or study abroad course.
ANTH 2358. ARCHAEOLOGICAL CULTURES. 3 Hours.
Survey of a particular archaeological culture, region, or period. Can be offered on campus or as a field course or study abroad course.
ANTH 2359. MYTHS AND MYSTERIES IN ARCHAEOLOGY. 3 Hours.
This course will critically examine pseudoscience, cult archaeology and creationism from a scientific perspective. Through the close examination of case studies we will dispel archaeological myths and mysteries which are often depicted as fantastic or cult archaeology. This course will demonstrate that a strong adherence to scientific investigation can uncover facts about prehistory that are as interesting as the myths.
ANTH 3300. DEBATES IN CULTURAL ANTHROPOLOGY. 3 Hours.
Explores core concepts, critiques of past applications, and current challenges of theory and practice in cultural anthropology.
ANTH 3301. ARCHAEOLOGICAL METHOD AND THEORY. 3 Hours.
Explores core concepts, critiques of past applications, and current challenges of theory and practice in archaeology. Topics include history of archaeological thought, processual and actualistic approaches, ethnoarchaeology, evolutionary archaeology, stewardship of the archaeological past, and post-processual critiques. Prerequisite: ANTH 2339 or permission of instructor.
ANTH 3307. EVOLUTIONARY MEDICINE. 3 Hours.
The application of evolutionary theory to the practice of medicine from an anthropological perspective. Topics include diet/paleodiets, sleep habits, infectious diseases, the developmental origins of health and disease, mental health, women's health and reproduction, and aging/senescence, among others. Offered as BIOL 3307 and ANTH 3307; credit will only be granted in one department.
ANTH 3308. FORENSIC ANTHROPOLOGY. 3 Hours.
Explores the role of skeletal biology and physical anthropology in criminal investigation. Topics include determination of victim identity and context of death. Case studies will be used to demonstrate application of the methods studied.
ANTH 3310. LATINOS IN THE U.S.. 3 Hours.
Examines the Latino experience in the U.S. from an interdisciplinary perspective. Discusses the commonalities and cultural differences among various Latino groups, and focuses on important contemporary Latino issues such as education, employment, family and gender, identity, immigration, and politics. May receive credit for either MAS 3310 or ANTH 3310.
ANTH 3311. HUMAN ADAPTATION AND THE CONCEPT OF RACE. 3 Hours.
The study of modern human biological variation in the context of the history of the concept of race. Detailed historical review explores changing perspectives on variation within our species. Course examines physiological adaptations to environmental stress among a variety of human populations and implications of recent genetic research. Offered as BIOL 3313 and ANTH 3311; credit will only be granted in one department.
ANTH 3313. PRIMATE EVOLUTION AND BEHAVIOR. 3 Hours.
An overview of the Primate Order covering primate origins, evolution, ecology, adaptation, and behavior. Examination of the environmental context within which primates live, how the form of their bodies reflects their activities, and how they relate behaviorally to their environments and to one another. Offered as BIOL 3314 and ANTH 3313; credit will only be granted in one department.
ANTH 3316. LATINO HEALTH ISSUES. 3 Hours.
A cross-cultural examination of issues in Latino health and relevant health practices in the United States through the lenses of social sciences. Themes include the Latino Threat Narrative, acculturation histories and health care status of major Latino ethnic enclaves in the U.S. Listed as SOCI 3316, MAS 3316, and ANTH 3316; may receive credit for either SOCI 3316, MAS 3316, or ANTH 3316.
ANTH 3318. BORDERS, CULTURES, AND CARTELS. 3 Hours.
Critically examines life on the Mexico-U.S. border through ethnography, taking into account the impact of the U.S. war on drugs and the influence of cartels on the lives of those living in the southern border region. Topics may include impacts and influences of drugs and narco life on religion, crime, music, and daily life at the nexus of US-Mexico relations. Listed as ANTH 3318 and MAS 3318; may receive credit for either ANTH 3318 or MAS 3318.
ANTH 3325. ETHNOGRAPHY OF SOUTH AMERICA. 3 Hours.
The indigenous groups of South America, with emphasis on the Aymara and Quechua of the Andes. Topics include culture change, environmental destruction, and preservation of cultural heritage.
ANTH 3328. CIVILIZATIONS OF SOUTH AMERICA. 3 Hours.
Complex agrarian civilizations in South America, concentrating on political, social, and cultural developments of the Chavin, Nazca, Moche, Tiahuanaco, Wari-Tiahuanaco, Inca, and Conquest periods. Formerly listed as ANTH 4328. Credit cannot be given for both ANTH 3328 and ANTH 4328.
ANTH 3329. CONTEMPORARY AFRICAN CULTURES. 3 Hours.
A comparative study of African communities with an emphasis on sub-Saharan Africa. Covers regional cultural geography and history as well as ethnography of specific communities. Explores both the challenges facing contemporary African nations as well as emerging solutions. Includes exposure to African art, literature, music, cinema, and food. Offered as AAST 3329 and ANTH 3329; credit will be granted in only one department.
ANTH 3330. CULTURAL DIVERSITY AND IDENTITY. 3 Hours.
The ways identity is constructed in contemporary societies in an increasingly complex and multicultural world. Ethnic, racial, gender, and class identities. How and when identity is asserted and assigned, and how it can both draw boundaries and forge ties between peoples. Formerly listed as ANTH 2350. Credit cannot be given for both ANTH 2350 and ANTH 3330. Also listed as MAS 3330; credit cannot be granted for both ANTH 3330 and MAS 3330. Offered as AAST 3330 and ANTH 3330; credit will be granted in only one department.
ANTH 3331. CULTURE AND PERSONALITY. 3 Hours.
The interplay of culture and personality in various Western and non-Western societies. The relationship of specific practices to the development of personality and the psychological effects of colonization, modernization, and economic development of traditional societies.
ANTH 3332. FOOD AND CULTURE. 3 Hours.
Considers food systems from biological, ecological, and political-economic perspectives. May include food history, cuisines, food preferences, and other areas of anthropological scholarship on food and culture. May cover food and economic development, hunger and overnutrition, food and religion, and the globalization of foods and food systems.
ANTH 3333. NORTH AMERICAN INDIANS. 3 Hours.
North American Indian cultures and their development both before and after European contact.
ANTH 3334. ANTHROPOLOGY OF SOUTH ASIA. 3 Hours.
With a focus on the Indian subcontinent, this course introduces students to the culture, history and politics of South Asia. Drawing upon anthropological studies and a range of materials, including Bollywood films, music, tourist brochures, advertisements, Gandhi's writings, and South Asian literature, students will gain an increased understanding of the region's past and present.
ANTH 3335. GANDHI: CULTURE AND POLITICS IN A GLOBAL WORLD. 3 Hours.
Introduction to the life and times of Mahatma Gandhi in order to explore the cultural politics of religion, food, animal welfare, sexuality, social movements, and globalization processes. Students gain understanding of Gandhi's enduring significance in the contemporary world.
ANTH 3336. ANTHROPOLOGY OF RELIGION. 3 Hours.
A crosscultural study of magic and religion. Theories of the origin and function of magic and religion in pre-industrial societies.
ANTH 3338. COMPARATIVE KINSHIP AND FAMILY SYSTEMS. 3 Hours.
Variation in kinship and family systems from crosscultural and evolutionary perspectives. Structure, function, and dynamics of kinship and family systems as adaptations to diverse ecological, social, and historical circumstances. Implications of this approach for understanding kinship and family in American society also addressed. Formerly listed as ANTH 4338. Credit cannot be given for both ANTH 3338 and ANTH 4338. Also offered as GWSS 3338; credit will be granted only once. Offered as AAST 3332 and ANTH 3338; credit will be granted in only one department.
ANTH 3339. URBAN ANTHROPOLOGY. 3 Hours.
Examines main issues, theoretical approaches and ethnographic methods used by anthropologists working in cities. Also discusses relevant contemporary topics such as growth of global cities, gentrification, poverty and inequality, and the economic, social and cultural integration of international immigrants in U.S. cities.
ANTH 3341. RESEARCH METHODS IN CULTURAL ANTHROPOLOGY. 3 Hours.
Observational techniques, participant-observation, hypothesis testing, research design, use of the computer in research, analysis, and report writing, and oral presentations of research reports. Satisfies oral communication and computer use competence requirements. Prerequisite: ANTH 1306 or ANTH 2322 or permission of instructor.
ANTH 3343. APPLIED ANTHROPOLOGY. 3 Hours.
Explores the use of anthropological knowledge and skills to address practical problems in today's global society, and examines how these are used in government, non-profit, and private sector industries. Addresses issues of health, education, environment, human rights, economic development, and others.
ANTH 3345. VISUALIZING CULTURE: MEDIA, IDENTITY AND POLITICS IN THE GLOBAL WORLD. 3 Hours.
Introduces students to key concepts in Visual Anthropology. This course highlights the contribution of anthropological methods in theorizing the visual in everyday life for the construction of nationalist, gender, ethnic, and class identities. Readings are drawn from diverse geographical regions. Visual material discussed in class may include ethnographic films, art, graphic novels, comics, illustrated magazines, virtual exhibitions and soap operas. Assignments include a writing and research component, and team-based exercises. Offered as ANTH 3345 and COMM 3345; credit will be granted only in one department.
ANTH 3346. ANTHROPOLOGY OF TOURISM. 3 Hours.
Examines the cultural practices of travel and the impact of tourism on both host and guest communities. Various forms of tourism are addressed including, but not limited to, ethnic, historical, regional, health and medical, and ecotourism. Themes of the "tourist gaze" authenticity, identity, consumption, ritual, borders, and pilgrimage will be explored.
ANTH 3348. ANTHROPOLOGY OF MIGRATION. 3 Hours.
This course focuses on the expanding field of migration studies in social and cultural anthropology. It traces the history of migration studies in anthropology, discusses the major theoretical contributions of anthropologists to the interdisciplinary field of migration, and addresses key contemporary topics in migration studies including globalization, transnational communities, gender, identity, and citizenship. The course heavily relies on ethnographic case studies of different immigrant populations in the U.S. written by anthropologists in the recent past.
ANTH 3349. ANTHROPOLOGY OF GLOBALIZATION. 3 Hours.
The forces of economic globalization now reach every corner of the world to the point that few societies have been untouched by their impact. This course examines the forces that drive globalization and their repercussions upon local communities around the world. It examines how economic globalization affects the lives of real people in developing and industrialized countries as well as in small-scale societies traditionally studied by anthropologists.
ANTH 3350. NORTH AMERICAN ARCHAEOLOGY. 3 Hours.
Prehistoric cultural adaptations in North America from human arrival to European contact. Topics treated include the question of when and where the first Native Americans arrived; the beginnings of village and farming life; and the development of Puebloan and "Mound-building" cultures.
ANTH 3351. ARCHAEOLOGY OF THE AMERICAN SOUTHWEST. 3 Hours.
This course investigates the peoples and places of the prehistoric North American Southwest. The focus is on the period of increasing settlement, diversity, movement, and change from 500 to 1500 C.E. Focuses on the archaeological record, ethnographies and comparative research to understand the past and present peoples of the Southwest.
ANTH 3352. ARCHAEOLOGY OF AFRICA. 3 Hours.
Course follows the African archaeological record from earliest evidence for human behavior through beginnings of state society. Topics may include stone tool technologies, forager strategies, agricultural systems, early iron technology, and trade and social networks. This is a lecture course, with an emphasis on student research. No prerequisites required, but ANTH 2339 is recommended preparation.
ANTH 3353. STONE AGE HUNTERS AND FARMERS. 3 Hours.
Human adaptations and cultural evolution in the Old World from the earliest African sites over two million years ago to the domestication of plants and animals about ten thousand years ago. Formerly ANTH 2353; credit cannot be granted for both ANTH 2353 and ANTH 3353.
ANTH 3354. ANTHROPOLOGY OF HUNTING. 3 Hours.
Covers a broad range of topics exploring hunting through time, from the prehistoric to the present. Topics include cross-cultural issues of meat and diet, hunter-gatherer subsistence behavior, overkill and animal extinction, and sport hunting. Course is relevant to environmental studies and sustainability studies.
ANTH 3355. THE RISE OF CIVILIZATION. 3 Hours.
The development of complex cultures from village farming societies in various regions of the Old and New Worlds. The civilizations of Mesopotamia, Egypt, and Mesoamerica, among others, will be treated, along with general questions concerning the rise, development, and collapse of early civilizations. Formerly ANTH 2355; credit will not be granted for both ANTH 2355 and ANTH 3355.
ANTH 3356. MESOAMERICAN ARCHAEOLOGY. 3 Hours.
Covers cultural developments in Mesoamerica through the rise of complex societies and the Spanish conquest. Topics include the emergence of Olmecs, Zapotecs, Maya, Toltecs, and the Aztecs, and explore the factors that contributed to their appearance and decline. New discoveries within the field of Mesoamerican archaeology will be examined.
ANTH 3357. COLLAPSE AND SUSTAINABILITY OF SOCIETIES. 3 Hours.
This course investigates the collapse of past societies. Understanding why and how archaeologically-known societies collapsed may provide insights to help us understand contemporary social and environmental sustainability problems.
ANTH 3358. UNDERWATER ARCHAEOLOGY. 3 Hours.
Explores the field of underwater archaeology and research methods. Topics include shipwrecks, submerged terrestrial sites, the use of scuba diving, robots, and sonar in excavation and survey, and the history and development of the discipline.
ANTH 3359. STONE TOOLS. 3 Hours.
Covers the evolution of stone tools from the first modified stone objects to the use of stone tools in complex societies such as the ancient Maya and Egyptians. Introduces students to lithic analysis and manufacture, emphasizing hands-on learning.
ANTH 3360. ARCHAEOLOGY IN PRACTICE. 3 Hours.
Covers the practical aspects of archaeology with a focus on hands-on activities and experiential learning. Students learn archaeological skills and understand the life and research of archaeologists. Topics may include research design, survey, and the laws protecting archaeological sites.
ANTH 3366. SEX, GENDER, AND CULTURE. 3 Hours.
The ways gender and sexuality are culturally constructed. Readings include ethnographies, life histories, and fiction. Debates within anthropology and within specific cultures over maleness and femaleness. Offered as ANTH 3366 and GWSS 3366; credit will be granted only once.
ANTH 3369. MEDICAL ANTHROPOLOGY. 3 Hours.
Medical systems studied cross-culturally to understand how environmental, biological, social, and cultural factors affect disease and health. The cultural dynamics of traditional practitioners and rituals within the health care system. Methods of articulating modern medicine with traditional medicine are discussed.
ANTH 3370. ARCHAEOLOGY OF THE PREHISTORIC AEGEAN. 3 Hours.
Origin, evolution and decline of the first high civilizations in Europe, namely the Minoans on the island of Crete and the Mycenaeans in Greece. Stone Age background and Early Bronze Age seafaring in the Cycladic Islands; Late Bronze Age society, economy, and religion; art and architecture of the Minoan and Mycenaean palaces; Linear A and B tablets; Mycenaean collapse and the beginning of the Iron Age; Homer's Iliad, archaeology and the Trojan War.
ANTH 3371. ARCHAEOLOGY OF GREECE. 3 Hours.
Material evidence relevant to our understanding of classical Greek culture and society from the collapse of the Mycenaean Empire through the Hellenistic Period (ca. 1200-31 B.C.). Examination of the magnificent (temples, sculpture, athletic monuments, ships) and the mundane (domestic architecture, pottery, crafts, coinage, inscriptions, architecture and artifacts of civic life, burials). Archaeological evidence will be considered in light of contemporary historical sources.
ANTH 3372. ARCHAEOLOGY OF THE ANCIENT NEAR EAST. 3 Hours.
Survey of the cultures of Mesopotamia, Syria, Palestine, and Anatolia from the earliest agricultural settlements to the late first millennium B.C. based on the surviving archaeological remains. Among the topics covered: Nature of early urbanism; development of religious and economic hierarchies; origins and impact of writing; interrelationships among early states.
ANTH 3373. ARCHAEOLOGY OF EGYPT. 3 Hours.
The culture of ancient Egypt from its earliest occupation until the Arab invasion (7th century A.C.), with emphasis on the first 20 pharaonic dynasties (third and second millennia B.C.). Egyptian social, religious, economic and political development traced through the surviving material culture (architecture, art, industries, artifacts of daily life, funerary remains, etc.) supplemented by historical and literary evidence as pertinent. Egypt's relations with neighboring regions (Crete, Anatolia, Palestine, Nubia and Libya) considered. Offered as AAST 3373 and ANTH 3373; credit will be granted in only one department.
ANTH 3374. ARCHEOLOGY OF EUROPE. 3 Hours.
Ancient Europe is a mosaic of archaeological regionalism whose complexity is arguably unparalleled elsewhere in the world. This course surveys the material remains of several prominent ancient cultures from Iberia to the Danube, from Scandinavia to Greece, dating from stone age to medieval times. Emphasis will be on understanding the various regional traditions and their interactions, and on explicating trends in technology, economy and religion in European society during this long period. Among the topics to be examined: Paleolithic hunters and artists; agricultural origins; megalithic monuments; bronze metallurgy and its ramifications; the first high civilizations in the Mediterranean; the rise of the Celts; the coming of iron; impact of Romanization; the nature of Viking exploration and expansion.
ANTH 3375. NEANDERTHALS AND THE ICE AGE WORLD. 3 Hours.
Explores the archaeological record of Neanderthals, early modern humans, and their contemporaries. Topics include new genetic and isotopic analyses, ancient environments, early art and symbolism, and how the Paleolithic is imagined in modern society.
ANTH 3390. SPECIAL TOPICS IN ANTHROPOLOGY. 3 Hours.
Selected, specialized topics in anthropology. These may be cultural, archaeological, or biological in focus, and vary each semester. Contact the department or click on the course link to find current course title and description. May be repeated for credit with departmental permission as topics vary.
ANTH 3409. PALEOANTHROPOLOGY. 4 Hours.
Paleoanthropology: an exploration of fossil evidence for human origins and human evolution. Course focuses on the evolution of humans and our close relatives, from our origins as a distinct lineage to "anatomically modern" Homo sapiens, including the relationship between biological and cultural/behavioral evolution. Offered as BIOL 3409 and ANTH 3409; credit will be granted only once.
ANTH 4191. CONFERENCE COURSE. 1 Hour.
Topics assigned on an individual basis covering personal research or study in the designated area. Topics assigned on an individual basis covering personal research or study in the designated area. Prerequisite: permission of the instructor.
ANTH 4291. CONFERENCE COURSE. 2 Hours.
Topics assigned on an individual basis covering personal research or study in the designated area. Topics assigned on an individual basis covering personal research or study in the designated area. Prerequisite: permission of the instructor.
ANTH 4315. GROWTH, DEVELOPMENT, AND EVOLUTION. 3 Hours.
A survey of topics at the nexus of modern human biological research in growth and development and the evolutionary record of hominid subadults. Offered as BIOL 4316 and ANTH 4315; credit will be granted only in one department. Prerequisite is only required for students registering for ANTH 4315. Prerequisite: ANTH 2307 or permission of the instructor.
ANTH 4322. PROBLEMS IN ANTHROPOLOGY. 3 Hours.
Intensive examination of an important problem in anthropological research selected by the instructor. May be repeated for credit whenever the topic varies.
ANTH 4342. TOPICS IN CULTURAL ANTHROPOLOGY. 3 Hours.
Selected topics, to include anthropological theory, population and cultural ecology, semiotics, and humanistic anthropology. May be repeated for credit with departmental permission. Also offered as ANTH 4342. Credit will be granted in only one department.
ANTH 4348. POLITICAL ANTHROPOLOGY. 3 Hours.
Relationships among power, identity, and culture in cross-cultural perspective. Traditional political systems, political symbols and rituals, gender and power, and the relationship between domination and resistance. How culture influences the ways in which men and women get power, use power, and resist power.
ANTH 4358. TOPICS IN ARCHAEOLOGY. 3 Hours.
Selected topics, to include examination of specific archaeological cultures of the Old World, archaeological theory, and archaeology and pseudoscience. May be taken up to four times for a total of 12 hours credit.
ANTH 4391. CONFERENCE COURSE. 3 Hours.
Topics assigned on an individual basis covering personal research or study in the designated area. Topics assigned on an individual basis covering personal research or study in the designated area. Prerequisite: permission of the instructor.
ANTH 4392. PRACTICUM IN ANTHROPOLOGY. 3 Hours.
Supervised practicum with anthropology faculty in which students apply practical, career-oriented anthropological skills in archaeology, biological anthropology, or cultural anthropology. Prerequisite: ANTH 2307, ANTH 2322, OR ANTH 2339; permission of the instructor; and junior standing.
ANTH 4393. INTERNSHIP IN ANTHROPOLOGY. 3 Hours.
Supervised internship program, in which students intern at various companies, non-profit and governmental agencies, and museums in the Metroplex. Applied use of anthropology in a non-academic setting. Students will learn skills of career development in anthropology. Requirements include several short assignments and a final report to the instructor. Prerequisite: ANTH 2307, ANTH 2322, OR ANTH 2339; permission of the instructor; and junior standing.
ANTH 4394. HONORS THESIS/SENIOR PROJECT. 3 Hours.
Required of all students in the University Honors College. During the senior year, the student must complete a thesis or project of equivalent difficulty under the direction of a faculty member in the major department.
ANTH 4398. SUMMER FIELD SCHOOL IN ANTHROPOLOGY. 3 Hours.
(3 or 6 hours credit). Offered only during the summer session. Experience in methods of field research in ethnography or archaeology. May be repeated for credit if research topic changes.
ANTH 4406. HUMAN OSTEOLOGY. 4 Hours.
Detailed examination of human skeletal morphology. Topics include form and function of all skeletal elements in the human body, differentiation of each bone, left and right side identification, identification or fragmented remains, and muscle attachments and articulations. Content useful in forensic anthropology, archaeology, and hominid paleontology. Offered as BIOL 4406 and ANTH 4406; credit will be granted only in one department.
ANTH 4459. BIOARCHAEOLOGY. 4 Hours.
The study of human remains in archaeological contexts in order to reconstruct individual identity, life history, and past population characteristics. No formal prerequisites, but familiarity with the human skeleton is helpful. Lab component is required. Offered as BIOL 4459 and ANTH 4459; credit will be granted only in one department.
ANTH 4460. ZOOARCHAEOLOGY. 4 Hours.
The study of faunal remains from archaeological contexts to understand past human economic strategies and ecological circumstances. Topics include skeletal and taxonomic identification, taphonomic processes, mortality profiles, biometric analyses, and human behavioral ecology. Lab component is required. Offered as BIOL 4460 and ANTH 4460; credit will be granted only once.
ANTH 4698. SUMMER FIELD SCHOOL IN ANTHROPOLOGY. 6 Hours.
(3 or 6 hours credit). Offered only during the summer session. Experience in methods of field research in ethnography or archaeology. May be repeated for credit if research topic changes.
ANTH 5191. CONFERENCE COURSE. 1 Hour.
ANTH 5307. FORENSIC ANTHROPOLOGY. 3 Hours.
Estimating age, sex, race, stature, pathology, cause of death, and time since death from human remains. The role of skeletal biology and physical anthropology in criminal investigation. Case studies will be used to demonstrate application of the methods studied. Requires enrollment in the undergraduate lab section.
ANTH 5310. HISTORY OF ANTHROPOLOGICAL THEORY. 3 Hours.
This course is a critical examination of major theoretical trends in ethnological theory, from mid-19th century to the present.
ANTH 5315. ARCHAEOLOGICAL METHODS. 3 Hours.
An examination of research methods and underlying theory in archaeology and their evolution since the era of European antiquarianism. Origins and development of archaeology as a scholarly discipline. Emphasis on the period 1960-present; consideration of recent trends in analysis and reportage.
ANTH 5317. ARCHAEOLOGY OF EXPLORATION. 3 Hours.
Archaeological evidence for travel in antiquity. Technology of travel (horse/camel, wheeled vehicles, boats) and related topics (navigation; development of trade and trade routes; nature of discovery, settlement and colonization in antiquity). Case studies drawn from ancient cultures of the Old World from the Stone Age through Medieval times.
ANTH 5320. METHODS IN BIOLOGICAL ANTHROPOLOGY. 3 Hours.
This course covers several topical areas relevant to biological anthropologists specializing in human biology, including osteology and skeletal biology, skeletal maturation (both postcranial and craniofacial), growth and development from birth to biological maturity, and selected topics in forensics, anthropometry, physiology, nutrition, genetics, epidemiology, and demography.
ANTH 5325. QUALITATIVE METHODS. 3 Hours.
Students do fieldwork in anthropology. Students practice participant observation, conduct an interview, collect a kinship chart, map blocks, collect life histories and participate in rituals. Course emphasizes methods of data collection, analysis/interpretation of data, and critical writing.
ANTH 5341. POSTCOLONIAL SOUTH ASIA. 3 Hours.
It approaches the competing and complementary claims on postcolonial theory by mapping the intersections in historical anthropology, literary theory, and cultural analysis. More broadly it brings to focus the shifts from Marxist to Poststructuralist directions. Though the regional focus is on India, the endeavor is also to assess dialogues among varying strands of cultural perspectives and its impact in other postcolonial contexts, both within and beyond the South Asian subcontinent.
ANTH 5342. ADVANCED ETHNOLOGY. 3 Hours.
Seminar based on student reports and critiques of assigned readings. Major emphasis on the areas of ethnology and social anthropology.
ANTH 5344. CULTURES OF LATIN AMERICA. 3 Hours.
An ethnological comparison of societies and cultures in Central and South America. Emphasis on gender, ethnicity, and political economy.
ANTH 5345. RELIGION AND CULTURE. 3 Hours.
An ethnological comparison of native religions to understand non-western belief systems. Emphasis on rituals, myths, totemic systems, taboos, and cosmology.
ANTH 5346. MESOAMERICAN ARCHAEOLOGY. 3 Hours.
An examination of the diversities of several prehistoric Mesoamerican cultures including the Olmec, Maya, Teotihuacan, Zapotec, and the Aztec. Current issues including the beginnings of agriculture, early village life, the rise of complexity and the institution of kingship, warfare, and Mesoamerican ideology and cosmology will be addressed.
ANTH 5349. TOPICS IN ANTHROPOLOGY. 3 Hours.
May be repeated for credit as the topic changes.
ANTH 5351. EMERGENCE OF HUMANKIND. 3 Hours.
An intensive review of the evidence for, and main outlines of, human biological and cultural evolution up to agricultural origins.
ANTH 5353. MEDICAL ANTHROPOLOGY. 3 Hours.
An examination of anthropological concepts for understanding curing practices and attitudes toward health programs in various cultures.
ANTH 5355. HUNTERS AND GATHERERS. 3 Hours.
Cross-cultural approach to the ecological, social, and historical contexts of hunters, gatherers, and foragers.
ANTH 5363. ETHNOGRAPHY AND PERSONAL NARRATIVE. 3 Hours.
Focus is on anthropology and autobiography, autoethnography, life history, and narrative constructions of selfhood in different cultural contexts. Development of the life history approach in ethnographic research. Methods in the collections and analysis of life stories.
ANTH 5365. GLOBALIZATION AND INTERNATIONAL MIGRATION. 3 Hours.
Examines how the expansion of global capitalist economy has contributed to the growth of international migration around the world. Focuses on how transnational migration affects the economic, social, political, and cultural practices of immigrants in both their countries of origin and destination.
ANTH 5369. FOLKLORE AND MYTHOLOGY. 3 Hours.
Function, forms, and interpretation of folklore and myth in traditional societies; examination of oral literature as an expression of continuity and change; emphasis on a structural analysis of myth.
ANTH 5370. APPLIED ANTHROPOLOGY. 3 Hours.
Examines the application of anthropological knowledge to solve practical problems in today's global world. We learn how anthropological concepts, methods, and insights are applied to understand and solve important problems related to economic development, health, environmental issues, immigration, international business, and others.
ANTH 5371. RESEARCH PRACTICUM / INTERNSHIP. 3 Hours.
ANTH 5373. ARCHAEOLOGY FIELD SCHOOL. 3 Hours.
This course, conducted during the summer sessions, consists of on-site and classroom instruction in techniques of archaeological survey, excavation, laboratory, processing, and analysis. Students can receive either three or six hours of credit. Enrollment by permission of instructor only. Prior coursework in anthropology desirable but not necessary.
ANTH 5389. TEACHING ANTHROPOLOGY. 3 Hours.
To learn strategies of coping with practical problems of teaching undergraduate anthropology, students confer with one or more professors to discuss preparing syllabi and lectures, constructing and evaluating examinations, etc. Not to be counted toward the degree requirement.
ANTH 5392. CONFERENCE COURSE IN ANTHROPOLOGY. 3 Hours.
ANTH 5398. THESIS. 3 Hours.
ANTH 5406. HUMAN OSTEOLOGY. 4 Hours.
Detailed examination of human skeletal morphology. Topics include form and function of all skeletal elements in the human body, differentiation of each bone, left and right side identification, identification of fragmented remains, and muscle attachments and articulations. Content useful in forensic anthropology, archaeology, and hominid paleontology. If taken for undergraduate credit either as ANTH 4306 or ANTH 4406, cannot be repeated for graduate credit.
ANTH 5673. ARCHAEOLOGY FIELD SCHOOL. 6 Hours.
This course, conducted during the summer sessions, consists of on-site and classroom instruction in techniques of archaeological survey, excavation, laboratory, processing, and analysis. Students can receive either three or six hours of credit. Enrollment by permission of instructor only. Prior coursework in anthropology desirable but not necessary.
ANTH 5698. THESIS. 6 Hours.
Courses
SOCI 1200. PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL SUCCESS IN THE SOCIAL SCIENCES. 2 Hours.
A first year experience course for new students and new transfer students interested in a career in the social sciences. Provides the necessary foundation for success in a college environment while balancing personal and/or work obligations. Orients students to life on campus, demonstrates how to leverage campus resources to achieve career and academic goals, and emphasizes engagement outside the classroom through collaborative and co-curricular opportunities. Fulfills the University requirement for either UNIV 1101 or UNIV 1131. Offered as SOCI 1200 and ANTH 1200; credit will be granted only once.
SOCI 1310. INTRODUCTION TO POPULAR CULTURE. 3 Hours.
This course will introduce students to the role of popular culture in American society. It examines culture as a process through which people make symbolic meaning out of the world. Since everyone has access to popular culture, it constructs the way that people think about the world around them. The course will explore the creation, production, dissemination, reception and consumption of popular culture.
SOCI 1311. INTRODUCTION TO SOCIOLOGY. 3 Hours. (TCCN = SOCI 1301)
(SOCI 1301). A scientific approach to the analysis and explanation of culture, personality, and social organization. The social processes and mechanisms of interaction involved in the natural process of cultural development, dissemination, assimilation, and the institutions of the group. This course satisfies the University of Texas at Arlington core curriculum requirement in Social and Behavioral Sciences.
SOCI 2312. SOCIAL PROBLEMS. 3 Hours. (TCCN = SOCI 1306)
A survey of contemporary social problems in the United States. Emphasis is on applying different theoretical perspectives and systematic procedures to understand social problems as public issues rather than personal problems. This course satisfies the University of Texas at Arlington core curriculum requirement in Social and Behavioral Sciences.
SOCI 3312. JUVENILE DELINQUENCY. 3 Hours.
The delinquent as a person and delinquency as a social problem, theories of delinquency, and methods of correctional treatment and preventive programs.
SOCI 3313. CRIMINOLOGY. 3 Hours.
Crime-related social issues. Defining and measuring crime, surveying major theoretical explanations of criminal behavior, and society's formal responses to crime and criminals.
SOCI 3314. THE LATINA EXPERIENCE. 3 Hours.
Examines the social, cultural and economic experiences of Latin American women in the United States, with particular emphasis on Mexican-origin women. The course surveys the historical and contemporary experiences of Latinas in the United States with respect to family dynamics, religion, education, politics, health and illness, the labor market, mass media, and the arts. Offered as MAS 3314, SOCI 3314, SOCW 3314, GWSS 3314, and AAST 3321. Credit will be granted in only one department.
SOCI 3315. SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY OF CRIME. 3 Hours.
Selected concepts in social psychology applied to issues in crime and justice, such as the actions of victims, criminals, and criminal justice professionals. Topics include aggression, social perception, cognitions, conformity, obedience, and deviance.
SOCI 3316. LATINO HEALTH ISSUES. 3 Hours.
A cross-cultural examination of issues in Latino health and relevant health practices in the United States through the lenses of social sciences. Themes include the Latino Threat Narrative, acculturation histories and health care status of major Latino ethnic enclaves in the U.S. Listed as SOCI 3316, MAS 3316, and ANTH 3316; may receive credit for either SOCI 3316, MAS 3316, or ANTH 3316.
SOCI 3317. INDIVIDUAL AND SOCIETY. 3 Hours.
How society influences individual thought, feeling, and behavior. Includes interpersonal perception, attitudes, norms, roles, conformity, and such social issues as aggression, helping behavior, prejudice, and interpersonal attraction.
SOCI 3318. SELF AND SOCIAL IDENTITY. 3 Hours.
The social self. Topics include factors in the development, organization, evaluation and presentation of self in everyday life and processes by which social categories and roles influence self concept.
SOCI 3319. SMALL GROUPS. 3 Hours.
The process and structures of small-scale interaction systems, including an analysis of the process of leadership, the exercise of influence, the effect of groups on individuals and of individuals on groups, the relation and function of the small group as a part of a larger whole, and the process of group formation, development, and disintegration.
SOCI 3320. DEVIANCE: SOCIAL AND PERSONAL. 3 Hours.
Theoretical perspectives on societal definitions of behavior as deviant or disorganized. Selected studies, representative of current problems, examined critically in terms of the structural-cultural conditions of contemporary society.
SOCI 3321. SOCIALIZATION AND SOCIAL CONTROL. 3 Hours.
The relationship between social structure and the individual. The influence of social factors on cognitive development, personality formation, and the behavior of individuals throughout the lifecycle. The effect of socialization on conformity and deviance. Prerequisite: sophomore standing or permission of the instructor.
SOCI 3322. RACE, LATINOS, AND THE AMERICAN NARRATIVE. 3 Hours.
Adopts race and ethnicity as a central platform to examine how sociocultural and structural processes intersect to shape an American narrative of Latinos in the United States. Assesses topics like ethnic capital, socioeconomic mobility, and the digital age to broaden a sociological understanding of Latino group progress in relation to widening inequality gaps. Offered as SOCI 3322 and MAS 3322; credit will be granted in only one department.
SOCI 3323. COLLECTIVE BEHAVIOR. 3 Hours.
Provides an overview of the elementary forms of collective behavior including riots, panics, fads, fashion, cults and crazes. Explanatory theories and specific instances of the different forms of collective behavior are examined. Prerequisite: SOCI 1311.
SOCI 3324. SOCIAL MOVEMENTS. 3 Hours.
Focuses on twentieth and twenty-first century social movements, including the U.S. civil rights movement, the student and anti-war movements of the 1960s, the women's movement, the environmental movement, and anti-globalization movements. Status politics movements, such as pro-choice/pro-life and gay rights movements, are also explored. Compares these movements with their counterparts in other countries and identifies the reasons for their successes and failures.
SOCI 3327. INTERCULTURAL INTERACTION. 3 Hours.
Patterns and variations in interactions involving people from different cultures and subcultures. Intercultural interaction, both within multicultural societies and between persons from different societies.
SOCI 3328. MARITAL AND SEXUAL LIFESTYLES. 3 Hours.
Contemporary American lifestyles selected from: singles, traditional marriage, homosexuals, single-parent families, open marriage, non-marital sexuality, cohabitation, dual-career marriage, childless couples, egalitarian marriage, families in later life. Offered as DIVR 3328, SOCI 3328 and GWSS 3328; credit will be granted only once.
SOCI 3331. SOCIOLOGY OF THE FAMILY. 3 Hours.
The family's role in American society and in other cultures past, present, and future. Family research methods, comparative family systems, child development/parenting, culture and personality, minority families, social class variation in families, work and family. Offered as SOCI 3331 and GWSS 3331; credit will be granted only once. Prerequisite: sophomore standing or permission of the instructor.
SOCI 3332. SOCIOLOGY OF REPRODUCTION. 3 Hours.
Investigates historical and contemporary cultural customs, social institutions, and personal experiences related to reproduction. Topics may include assisted reproduction, pregnancy loss, living "child-free," sperm/egg donation, and surrogacy. Examines how changing economic conditions, technologies, and social norms shape the meaning of children, childbirth education, infertility, and the experience of birth for both men and women.
SOCI 3334. SOCIOLOGY OF GENDER. 3 Hours.
Examination of theoretical and empirical approaches to understanding the formation of gender. Assesses individual and structural dimensions of gender in various social institutions including work, education, and families. Offered as SOCI 3334 and GWSS 3334; credit will be granted only once.
SOCI 3336. SOCIAL INEQUALITY. 3 Hours.
Examines the processes, characteristics, and consequences of social inequality in society. Topics include the social class structure, status groups, and elite power structure as they influence people's life chances. Offered as AAST 3336 and SOCI 3336; credit will be granted in only one department.
SOCI 3337. RACIAL & ETHNIC GROUPS IN US. 3 Hours.
Compares the immigration, acculturation, and adjustment processes of various racial/ethnic groups in the U.S. Examines historical and contemporary discrimination in relation to the social conditions of racial/ethnic minority groups in the U. S. Topics include classical and contemporary theory; individualistic, cultural, and structural arguments about social arrangements; and conflict among majority and minority groups. Offered as AAST 3337, MAS 3337, and SOCI 3337; credit will be granted in only one department. Credit will not be granted for both SOCI 3337 and SOCI 4310 or for MAS 3337 and MAS 4310.
SOCI 3338. CONTEMPORARY BLACK EXPERIENCE. 3 Hours.
An overview of recent research concerning the African American experience in the post-civil rights era. Topics include explanations for racial differences across spheres of society such as income, education, and occupation; the debate over race versus social class; the persistence of racial discrimination; and emerging disputes within the black community regarding "what it means to be black." Offered as AAST 3338 and SOCI 3338; credit will be granted in only one department.
SOCI 3339. RACE, SPORT AND MEDIA. 3 Hours.
The media, including television, film, print, audio, and online outlets, influence how we view the world. This course analyzes overt, subtle and subliminal messages about culture, race, ethnicity, and sport as presented to us through various forms of the media. Through examinations of media portrayals of race, both past and present, students will analyze media artifacts, identify recurring themes, and examine research focused on the societal effects of stereotypical media portrayals. Offered as AAST 3339 and SOCI 3339; credit will be granted in only one department.
SOCI 3340. SOCIOLOGY OF EDUCATION. 3 Hours.
Social relations between the school and society, teachers and parents, teachers and school management, and other relevant relationships. Studying cooperation and conflict, values, complex organizational structure, and social change. Prerequisite: sophomore standing or permission of the instructor.
SOCI 3341. SOCIOLOGY OF SPORT. 3 Hours.
Sociological examination of the institution of sport in U.S. society. By examining selected topics such as sport and socialization, sport and politics, sport and education, the Olympics, race and sport, violence in sport, women in sport, and the business of sport, this course will address the social significance of sport and its function as a major social institution.
SOCI 3342. SOCIOLOGY OF THE HUMAN BODY. 3 Hours.
Drawing from the social sciences, cultural and gender studies, and exercise physiology, this course in body sociology addresses several contemporary issues relating to diet, nutrition and exercise. Specific topics include eating disorders, factory farming, and "body industries" involving weight-loss diets, gyms, fashion, and cosmetic and bariatric surgery. The medical model of bodies is also examined. Also listed as KINE 3342; credit will not be granted for both.
SOCI 3343. SOCIOLOGY OF RELIGION. 3 Hours.
This course provides an overview of the scientific study of religion from a sociological perspective. The focus is on theories, research and trends relevant to religion in the contemporary United States. Topics include, but are not limited to, religious traditions, practices, and beliefs; declining religious participation; and religion and social change. The relationship between religion, politics, race relations, sex and gender will also be examined. Offered as SOCI 3343 and AAST 3342; credit will be granted in only one department.
SOCI 3345. SOCIOLOGY OF THE 1960S. 3 Hours.
This course presents a sociological analysis of the sixties, stressing the connection between grassroots mobilization and large structures of power, war, race and gender. The legacy of the sixties is examined through stories told by and about activists of the period. Parallels between the sixties and the present are identified. Movements covered may include civil rights, black power, anti-war and women's rights. Offered as AAST 3344 and SOCI 3345; credit will be granted in only one department.
SOCI 3346. U.S. INTO THE TWENTY-FIRST CENTURY. 3 Hours.
Selected problems, prospects, and dilemmas examined in the context of contemporary perspectives in sociology as the United States enters the new millennium as a global actor.
SOCI 3347. ENVIRONMENT AND SOCIETY. 3 Hours.
Explores the causes, consequences, and potential resolutions of environmental issues as they relate to human society. Topics include the social roots of environmental problems, inequalities in the distribution of environmental risks and harms, and new directions in sustainable development.
SOCI 3348. SOCIAL ASPECTS OF RISK. 3 Hours.
An examination of the social aspects of risk in everyday life. The course covers the relationship between risk and thrill-seeking behavior, risk assessment and the management of risk by technical experts, risk perceptions among the general public, and how technology and culture change the nature and meaning of risk over time.
SOCI 3351. WORK, OCCUPATIONS, AND CAREER DEVELOPMENT. 3 Hours.
Combines applied information on career development with a sociological perspective on work and occupations. Career development topics may include academic majors and career options, networking, career mentorship and sponsorship, job searches, resume writing, and interviewing. Other topics may include the historical development of work, occupational structures (professional, managerial, service, and blue-collar occupations), inequalities, work satisfaction, work-life balance, and the future of work.
SOCI 3352. SOCIAL STATISTICS. 3 Hours.
Descriptive statistics including measures of central tendency, measures of dispersion, and measures of association. Emphasis is on probability theory and testing hypotheses. Specific models include T-Test, chi-square, gamma, lambda, theta, analysis of variance and covariance, regression and correlation analysis. Prerequisite: sophomore standing or permission of the instructor.
SOCI 3353. SOCIAL CLIMATE OF CITIES. 3 Hours.
A comparative study of urban communities and metropolitan areas in terms of their distinctive social life and culture. Topics touching on power and urban politics, race and ethnic relations, poverty, and leisure and lifestyles will be examined in terms of their contribution to the unique social climate of cities. Offered as AAST 3353 and SOCI 3353; credit will be granted in only one department.
SOCI 3355. APPS AND TOOLS FOR SOCIAL RESEARCH. 3 Hours.
A hands-on course in which students learn to use the apps and tools commonly used in qualitative and quantitative social research to collect, manage, analyze, and present different types of information, such as numeric data, pictures, audio, video, and text. Satisfies the university requirements for computer literacy and oral communication.
SOCI 3356. WOMEN, WORK AND SOCIAL CHANGE. 3 Hours.
Women's work experiences, how these experiences are changing, and relationship between paid employment and non-wage household labor. Paid and unpaid work experiences are empirically examined in terms of a variety of theoretical perspectives. Offered as DIVR 3356, SOCI 3356 and GWSS 3356; credit will be granted only once.
SOCI 3357. LAW AND SOCIETY. 3 Hours.
Law as a social institution. The processes of defining criminal conduct and the social functions of law and of legal processes and systems. Prerequisite: sophomore standing or permission of the instructor.
SOCI 3360. TOPICS IN SOCIOLOGY. 3 Hours.
Selected topics in social issues, policy, processes and/or structure. May be repeated for credit with departmental permission.
SOCI 3362. SOCIAL RESEARCH. 3 Hours.
Students examine quantitative and qualitative research designs, such as experiments, survey research, and intensive interviewing. Additional topics including research ethics, literature reviews, measurement, sampling, and causation. Required of all sociology majors.
SOCI 3365. PROGRAM EVALUATION & NEEDS ASSESSMENT. 3 Hours.
Introduces basic concepts in evaluation research addressing the need for and implementation, effectiveness, and efficiency of social intervention efforts. Students will advance their skills in quantitative and qualitative research in partnership with community organizations. The course provides an opportunity to learn about and apply techniques for needs assessment, formative and summative program evaluation, developing and testing social impact models, examining costs and benefits, and communicating findings. Prerequisite: SOCI 3462.
SOCI 3366. POPULATION TRENDS AND PROCESSES. 3 Hours.
Examines the fact that all people are born, usually move from one place to another, and inevitably die. Societal patterns in human fertility, migration and mortality contribute to widely varied life-chances for people over time and across the planet. This course explores theories and research on demographic dimensions of human behavior as they affect social and economic issues. The course provides an understanding of how vital population trends and processes are for assessing social problems and offering solutions. Credit will not be granted for both SOCI 4325 and SOCI 3366.
SOCI 3372. SOCIOLOGICAL THEORY. 3 Hours.
This course introduces students to major theories and figures who have provided sociology with interpretations of the social world. Students will consider how sociologists use theoretical concepts to understand social interactions, social problems, and social change. Students will apply sociological theories to social phenomena. Prerequisite: junior standing or permission of the instructor.
SOCI 3373. SOCIAL THEORY THROUGH POPULAR CULTURE. 3 Hours.
This course examines major theories and figures who have provided sociology with interpretations of the social world. Students will read major social, cultural, and political theories through popular culture texts (including movies, television, music, video games, and comic books) in order to interpret sociological theory. The course is designed to demonstrate the relevance of social theory in students' everyday lives.
SOCI 3380. SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY IN SOCIETY. 3 Hours.
Explores the complex relationship between society, science, and technology. Themes include historical perspectives on the production and deployment of scientific knowledge, critical approaches to the social, cultural, and ethical impacts of scientific and technological developments, and the role of democracy in the advancement of science and technology.
SOCI 3381. GIG WORKERS. 3 Hours.
This course examines the way employers increasingly rely on temporary flexible labor, and what it feels like to be employed precariously. Themes may include creative labor, cultural production, automation, algorithmic hiring, labor contracts, and exploitation.
SOCI 3390. HONORS COLLOQUIUM. 3 Hours.
An interdisciplinary course designed to meet the needs of advanced undergraduates in the Honors College. Prerequisite: participation in the Honors College and/or permission of the instructor.
SOCI 4191. CONFERENCE COURSE. 1 Hour.
Topics assigned on an individual basis covering personal research or study in the designated areas. Prerequisite: permission of the instructor.
SOCI 4193. INTERNSHIP IN SOCIOLOGY. 1 Hour.
Supervised internship program in which a student interns at a company, non-profit organization, or governmental agency. Involves the application of sociology in a non-academic setting. Students may complete a maximum of 6 hours in any combination of SOCI 4193, SOCI 4293, and SOCI 4393. Prerequisite: SOCI 1311 or SOCI 2313; permission of the instructor; and junior standing.
SOCI 4195. SERVICE LEARNING INDEPENDENT STUDY. 1 Hour.
This course involves the investigation and application of sociological knowledge through community based service. Involves structured academic analysis of service experiences. The student and supervising faculty will identify the partner agency and social issue to be addressed. Prerequisite: permission of the instructor.
SOCI 4291. CONFERENCE COURSE. 2 Hours.
Topics assigned on an individual basis covering personal research or study in the designated areas. Prerequisite: permission of the instructor.
SOCI 4293. INTERNSHIP IN SOCIOLOGY. 2 Hours.
Supervised internship program in which a student interns at a company, non-profit organization, or governmental agency. Involves the application of sociology in a non-academic setting. Students may complete a maximum of 6 hours in any combination of SOCI 4193, SOCI 4293 and SOCI 4393. Prerequisite: SOCI 1311 or SOCI 2312; permission of the instructor; and junior standing.
SOCI 4295. SERVICE LEARNING INDEPENDENT STUDY. 2 Hours.
This course involves the investigation of sociological knowledge through community based service. Involves structured academic analysis of service experiences. The student and supervising faculty will identify the partner agency and social issue to be addressed. Prerequisite: permission of the instructor.
SOCI 4303. WOMEN IN SOCIETY. 3 Hours.
Women's status in contemporary American society, including the family, workplace, and politics. Women's status will also be examined in historical and crosscultural perspectives. Offered as SOCI 4303 and GWSS 4303; credit will be granted only once.
SOCI 4306. QUALITATIVE RESEARCH METHODS. 3 Hours.
Conceptual frameworks and techniques for planning, conducting, analyzing, reporting and evaluating qualitative research. Topics include interviewing, participant observation, coding, case studies and focus groups. Prerequisite: sophomore standing or permission of the instructor.
SOCI 4309. WRITING FOR THE SOCIAL SCIENCES. 3 Hours.
This course blends the theory and practice of social science writing in order to teach students how to move from the first draft to the final draft of term papers, theses, dissertations, and articles. The primary skill taught is self-editing --appraising one's work from the outside. The goal is to learn how to write for publication, drawing from postmodern perspectives on writing. Prerequisite: SOCI 1311 or permission of instructor.
SOCI 4315. VIOLENCE IN SOCIETY. 3 Hours.
Violence as a group process directed toward social change. Historical perspectives, current events, preventive and control techniques, public reaction, and individual behavior. Prerequisite: sophomore standing or permission of the instructor.
SOCI 4320. MEDICAL SOCIOLOGY. 3 Hours.
The relationships between different societies and social groups and their incidence of disease and mortality. Also examines culture-related causes of disease and treatment approaches, medicine as an occupation, healer-patient relationships, and the modern hospital as a bureaucratic organization.
SOCI 4331. RACE, ETHNICITY & FAMILY FORMATION. 3 Hours.
Investigates the ways in which cultural understandings of race and ethnicity have shaped historical and contemporary variations in family structure, familial experiences, and the legal possibilities for family formation. Junior standing (60 hours) or permission of the instructor required to enroll in this course. Offered as AAST 4331 and SOCI 4331; credit will be granted in only one department.
SOCI 4341. INEQUALITIES IN PUBLIC EDUCATION. 3 Hours.
This course examines the manner in which race, ethnicity, and class affect the quality of education in the public schools. Topics include the resegregation of schools, class and race based achievement and funding gaps, and the role the schools play in reproducing inequality. This course has a service learning component and requires volunteering in programs designed to reduce inequality in the schools. Offered as AAST 4341 and SOCI 4341; credit will be granted in only one department.
SOCI 4365. TOPICS IN SOCIOLOGY. 3 Hours.
Selected topics in social issues, policy, processes and/or structure. Prerequisite: junior standing or permission of the instructor. May be repeated for credit with departmental permission.
SOCI 4370. SENIOR RESEARCH SEMINAR. 3 Hours.
Provides sociology majors with an opportunity to gain practical experience in social research through in-depth participation in a cooperative research project. Integrates substantive knowledge with methodological and statistical skills. Oral, written, and computer application components are included. Prerequisite: SOCI 3352 and SOCI 3462 or permission of the instructor.
SOCI 4391. CONFERENCE COURSE. 3 Hours.
Topics assigned on an individual basis covering personal research or study in the designated areas. Prerequisite: permission of the instructor.
SOCI 4393. INTERNSHIP IN SOCIOLOGY. 3 Hours.
Supervised internship program in which a student interns at a company, non-profit organization, or governmental agency. Involves the application of sociology in a non-academic setting. Students may complete a maximum of 6 hours in any combination of SOCI 4193, SOCI 4293, and SOCI 4393. Prerequisite: SOCI 1311 or SOCI 2312; permission of instructor; and junior standing.
SOCI 4394. HONORS THESIS/SENIOR PROJECT. 3 Hours.
Required of all students in the University Honors College. During the senior year, the student must complete a thesis or project of equivalent difficulty under the direction of a faculty member in the major department.
SOCI 4395. SERVICE LEARNING INDEPENDENT STUDY. 3 Hours.
This course involves the investigation and application of sociological knowledge through community based service. Involves structured academic analysis of service experiences. The student and supervising faculty will identify the partner agency and social issue to be addressed. Prerequisite: Permission of the Instructor.
SOCI 4396. INTERNSHIP IN POPULAR CULTURE. 3 Hours.
Supervised internship program in which a student interns at a company, non-profit organization, or governmental agency. Involves the application of popular culture knowledge in a non-academic setting. Prerequisite: SOCI 1310; permission of instructor; and junior standing.
SOCI 5191. CONFERENCE COURSE. 1 Hour.
SOCI 5301. SOCIOLOGICAL THEORY. 3 Hours.
A comprehensive review, analysis, and evaluation of the dominant conceptual perspectives, and their proponents, in sociological theory.
SOCI 5303. RESEARCH DESIGN. 3 Hours.
This seminar course overviews the process of designing, conducting, and presenting research. Topics include writing literature reviews, formulating research questions and hypotheses, designing measures for concepts, crafting research instruments, collecting data, analyzing data, and reporting the results. The course examines both quantitative methods, such as surveys and experiments, as well as qualitative methods, such as interviews and ethnographic observation.
SOCI 5304. SOCIAL STATISTICS I. 3 Hours.
This course reviews univariate and bivariate descriptive and inferential statistics, focuses on ordinary least squares multivariate regression (including statistical control, path analysis, dummy variables, interaction effects, nonlinear relationships, and regression assumptions), and introduces the generalized linear model (binary logistic regression). Emphasis is on the application of these methods to social science data.
SOCI 5305. RACIAL AND ETHNIC GROUPS IN THE UNITED STATES. 3 Hours.
This seminar course compares and contrasts the immigration, acculturation, and adjustment processes of various racial and ethnic groups in the United States. We will examine conventional and controversial arguments, as well as classical and contemporary theories concerning the dynamics of inter-group relations in America. Some of the more controversial topics in sociology-such as debates over assimilation, Americanization, and enduring conflicts between groups-are the foremost intellectual topics to be addressed. The reading list includes a diverse group of scholars who advance relevant research on race and ethnic relations.
SOCI 5306. SEMINAR IN RACE AND ETHNICITY. 3 Hours.
An advanced seminar on Race and Ethnicity in the United States. Past and present discrimination will be examined in relation to the current social conditions of minority groups living in the United States. A sociological approach to the topic begins with the assumption that race and ethnicity are socially and politically constructed phenomena. Race/ethnic categories within the United States have varied significantly across time and place. Sociology connects the concepts of race and ethnicity to social structures of inequality, power, and stratification. Scholarship on race and ethnicity is central to American sociology. We will empirically and theoretically explore: 1) the social, political and historical conditions under which segregation, racial hierarchies and racial conflict emerge, and 2) the institutions through which racial boundaries and hierarchies are produced and reproduced in the United States.
SOCI 5307. INEQUALITY, POVERTY, AND MOBILITY. 3 Hours.
This seminar course provides a graduate-level introduction to inequality, poverty, and mobility. We will focus on the United States, exploring the contemporary structure as well as long term trends in the distribution of material and nonmaterial resources and the economic, social, and cultural forces that generate and perpetuate the unequal distribution of resources. Our focus will be on inequalities in the areas and intersections of social class, gender, and race.
SOCI 5308. COMPARATIVE ETHNIC AND RACIAL CONFLICT. 3 Hours.
This seminar course provides a graduate-level introduction to ethnic and racial conflict from a comparative perspective. The course will focus on topics, such as the creation and maintenance of ethnic, racial, and national identities; the sources of conflict; the consequences of conflict; conflict prevention and resolution; and attaining justice. We will use a variety of cases to examine conflict, such as former Yugoslavia and Rwanda.
SOCI 5309. CONTEMPORARY BLACK EXPERIENCE. 3 Hours.
This seminar course is an overview of the contemporary sociological literature on the black experience in America. Some of the topics to be addressed include (but are not limited to) the debate over the "significance of race," tensions over the cultural/attitudinal adaptation to inequality, and emerging disputes within the black community regarding what it "means to be black" in the post-Civil Rights Era. By the end of this course, students should be more aware of the important role that class position plays in shaping African-American identities and ideologies.
SOCI 5310. SEMINARS IN SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY. 3 Hours.
Introduction and discussion of theoretical and methodological perspectives in social psychology. Focusing on particular domains of social life, these seminars examine fundamental processes of social interaction and the influence of social situations and social experience on the thought, feeling, and behavior of individuals. (May be repeated for credit when topics vary.).
SOCI 5311. SOCIOLOGY OF FAMILIES. 3 Hours.
This seminar course explores major areas of inquiry in the sociological study of families in the contemporary U.S. We will examine the evolution of American families and the historical processes that have shaped them. Throughout the course, the interconnections between families and social structures will be emphasized. Particular attention will be given to the ways in which gender, class, race and ethnicity influence families.
SOCI 5312. SOCIOLOGY OF REPRODUCTION. 3 Hours.
This seminar course investigates the history and sociology of reproduction in the United States. We examine the history of reproductive politics, the changing meaning of children, childbirth education, the experience of birth for both men and women, pre-natal diagnostic testing, pregnancy loss, adoption, infertility, living "child-free," new reproductive technologies, sperm/egg donation, surrogacy, and the burgeoning "baby business." The course explores the cultural norms, social institutions, and experiences of women and men as they navigate contemporary reproduction, mindful of variations by race, class, and gender.
SOCI 5313. RACE AND FAMILY. 3 Hours.
Who can become a family? This seminar course investigates this question from a socio-historical perspective, focusing on the ways in which dominant cultural understandings of race and ethnicity have shaped the legal possibilities for family formation, family structure, and the experiences of families in the U.S. The course inspects historical and contemporary families, looking at the intersection of race and family formation.
SOCI 5314. GENDER AND FAMILY. 3 Hours.
This seminar course focuses on current issues in the sociology of families, focusing on the intersection of gender and family. The course is organized to provide an overview of the issues of particular interest to contemporary scholars, with theoretical, conceptual and empirical research/work included in the readings. We focus particularly on how gender affects how family is experienced.
SOCI 5315. WOMEN AND WORK. 3 Hours.
This seminar course focuses on current issues in the sociology of women and work. We address contemporary and historical patterns of women's paid and unpaid work focusing on theoretical, conceptual and empirical research.
SOCI 5316. THE SOCIAL MIND AND INTERPERSONAL PROCESSES. 3 Hours.
This seminar course is a study of the influence of the social context on human thoughts, feelings and actions, and on the processes that constitute social interaction. Relevant theories in social psychology and microsociology and original-source readings will be covered.
SOCI 5317. CULTURAL SOCIOLOGY. 3 Hours.
This seminar course examines the relationship between culture and society. Students will study contemporary debates around culture. Students will pay special attention to the use and experience of popular symbols for the ways that their use involves the creation of meanings.
SOCI 5318. MEDIA, CULTURE, AND SOCIETY. 3 Hours.
Media saturate our everyday lives. As such, they have a tremendous impact on the way we understand and interact with society. This seminar course will take a critical approach to the study of culture in order to examine the fundamental role of media in society. We will pay particular attention to the influence of the Culture Industry.
SOCI 5319. SEMINARS IN SOCIAL INSTITUTIONS AND CHANGE. 3 Hours.
Seminars in this area are concerned with the structure and change of the basic elements of society that represent ordered and regulated aspects of social life. Also examined are collective behavior and social movements which result from instability in institutional arrangements and represent efforts to enact social change. (May be repeated for credit when topics vary.).
SOCI 5320. SOCIOLOGY OF EDUCATION. 3 Hours.
This seminar course will examine the relationships between U.S. education institutions and society by reviewing a variety of sociological theories and empirical studies. A primary area of focus will be on the relationship between formal education and class, race/ethnicity, and gender-based inequality. Topics will include, but are not limited to, the following: the history and development of U.S. educational institutions, social mobility and stratification, social reproduction, the dynamics of race, class and gender in education, student teacher relationships, teaching as a profession, higher education, and an exploration of educational reforms.
SOCI 5321. ENVIRONMENTAL SOCIOLOGY. 3 Hours.
This seminar course covers advanced topics in environmental sociology. We will investigate how human social organization affects environmental problems and responses. Specifically, we will explore topics such as environmental inequality, the social construction of nature, risk assessment, consumption and materialism, environmental values and identities, and environmental social movements. We will also look at social problems tied to environmental issues, such as those stemming from disasters, climate change, and food production. We will conclude with new directions in sustainable development.
SOCI 5322. SOCIOLOGY OF SPORT. 3 Hours.
An advanced seminar on the Sociology of Sport. This course is a sociological examination of the institution of sport in American society. By examining selected topics (such as sport and socialization, sport and politics, sport and education, race and sport, violence in sport, women in sport, and the business of sport) this course will address the social significance of sport and its function as a major social institution. We will examine the manner in which society has been shaped by the institution of sport and how sport has been shaped by society.
SOCI 5323. SOCIOLOGY OF RELIGION. 3 Hours.
This seminar course provides an overview of the scientific study of religion from a sociological perspective. The focus in the course will be on theories, research, and trends concerning religion in the contemporary United States. Some of the topics to be addressed include (but are not limited to) understanding the rich variety of religious traditions and affiliations, religious practices and beliefs, as well as the role that religion plays in facilitating and limiting social change as well as conflict in society. We will also examine differences across various religious traditions such as "mainline" and "fundamentalist" believers, secularization, and the often-controversial ways that religion intersects with other spheres of society such as morality, politics, race and ethnic relations, sex and gender.
SOCI 5324. QUALITATIVE RESEARCH METHODS. 3 Hours.
This seminar course introduces students to the qualitative tradition in sociology. We will study the assumptions underlying qualitative methods and important ethical and theoretical issues in field work. Students will become familiar with ethnographic research techniques (participant-observation and in-depth interviewing) and implement those methods in an individual small-scale research project.
SOCI 5325. READING THE QUALITATIVE CLASSICS. 3 Hours.
What makes a classic a classic? In this seminar course we will sample-read, examine, and analyze-the wealth of "classic" ethnographies within the field of Sociology. We will study the classics with an eye to exploring the qualities that make these exemplary texts which often connect people to and excite them about the field of Sociology.
SOCI 5326. SOCIAL MOVEMENTS. 3 Hours.
Examines core concepts and theoretical perspectives in social movements. Topics include recruitment and participation, tactics in activism, countermobilization, repression, and the effectiveness of movements in changing both policy and cultural norms.
SOCI 5330. SEMINARS IN SOCIAL DIFFERENTIATION. 3 Hours.
In all human societies, perceptions of differences in individuals, social positions and groups arise and form a basis for social evaluation. Seminars in this area examine the processes involved in social differentiation, social evaluation, and resulting forms of social inequality. (May be repeated for credit when topics vary).
SOCI 5341. SEMINARS IN THEORY AND RESEARCH METHODS. 3 Hours.
Research methods seminars address a variety of issues related to quantitative and qualitative approaches to data collection and analysis. Theory courses offer extended treatment of topics in theory and theory construction, reflecting systematic efforts to understand the nature and operation of human society and social behavior. (May be repeated for credit when topics vary.).
SOCI 5385. NON-THESIS PROJECT. 3 Hours.
A written essay synthesizing the students' coursework in response to one of two supplied prompts. The topic and scope of the written project must be approved by the non-thesis committee chair. A final presentation of the project to the non-thesis committee, composed of the non-thesis committee chair and two additional members of the graduate faculty, is required.
SOCI 5388. RESEARCH PRACTICUM / INTERNSHIP. 3 Hours.
SOCI 5389. TEACHING SOCIOLOGY. 3 Hours.
To learn strategies of coping with practical problems of teaching undergraduate sociology, students assist one or more professors in lecture preparation, grading, and examination construction. Not to be counted toward the degree requirement.
SOCI 5392. CONFERENCE COURSE IN SOCIOLOGY. 3 Hours.
There is not currently a description listed for this course since the content varies.
SOCI 5393. THESIS SUBSTITUTE. 3 Hours.
An academic literature review, research design, or an internship report on a selected sociological topic of individual interest. The topic and scope of the written project must be approved by the final thesis committee, which is composed of three graduate faculty members. A proposal defense and a final oral defense of the project is required.
SOCI 5398. THESIS. 3 Hours.
SOCI 5698. THESIS. 6 Hours.
Substantial original empirical or theoretical research project on a sociological topic of individual interest. The topic and scope of the written project must be approved by the final thesis committee, which is composed of three graduate faculty members. A proposal defense and a final oral defense of the project is required.
Faculty
Heather Jacobson
Chair and Professor
Robert Kunovich
Professor
Beth Anne Shelton
Professor
Jason Shelton
Professor
Shelley Smith
Professor
Christian Zlolniski
Professor
David Arditi
Associate Professor
Krystal Beamon
Associate Professor
Kelly Bergstrand
Associate Professor
Naomi Cleghorn
Associate Professor
Ritu Khanduri
Associate Professor
Amy Speier
Associate Professor
Alma Nidia Garza
Assistant Professor
Robert Young
Professor Emeritus
Joseph Bastien
Professor Emeritus
Raymond Eve
Professor Emeritus
Karl Petruso
Professor Emeritus
Linda Rouse
Associate Professor Emeritus
Christian Crowder
Adjunct Assistant Professor
Faye Hanson-Evans
Adjunct Assistant Professor
Dorothy Kalanzi
Adjunct Assistant Professor
Josephine Ryan
Adjunct Assistant Professor
Lilian Chavez
Senior Lecturer