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Course Descriptions

SOCIOLOGY (SO)

SO 200 Introductory Sociology (3)

Introduction to the theories and to the scientific research methodology and knowledge, as they relate to the understanding  of the structure, process, and functions of society and human behavior; exposure to the major social issues, such as deviance, class, gender and race relations, and to the major social institutions, like the family, that make up society. Course offered every semester.

English 102 and Communication 101 are prerequisites for all upper division courses.

SO 302 Theory in the Behavioral Sciences (3)

Systematic treatment of contemporary theory in anthropology and sociology through examining the historical development of social thought and the intellectual growth of the analysis of human behavior and societies. Course offered biennially.

SO 305 Sociology and Philosophy of Religion (3)

Religion from the perspectives of the behavioral sciences, especially sociology, and philosophy; the nature of religious experiences; higher states of consciousness (brought about by the use of drugs or other means); politics and religions; religion in the U.S. today; fundamentalism and electronic-media religions, ritual, belief and myth; faith and reason; problems of evil, death, salvation, immortality, and the existence of God. Cross-listed with RE/PH 305. Offered annually. Prerequisites: any 100-level Philosophy course and SO 200 or consent of instructor. This course may be used to satisfy the 300-level Religious Studies General Education Core requirement or the Interdisciplinary requirement.

SO 308 Social Problems (3)

Inquiry into the nature, extent, causes, effects, and possible solutions to the important problems confronting modern American society. Course is offered biennially.

SO 311 Marriage and the Family (3)

Study of marriage and the family as basic institutions in American society. Emphasis is placed upon theory and research in this area with consideration given to social change and interpersonal relationships. Course offered biennially.

SO 317 Social Research Methods and Evaluation (3)

Introduction to the quantitative and qualitative research methodologies and designs, used in the behavioral and social sciences; the scientific method, measurement, sampling, ethics in research, and the application of descriptive and inferential statistics to research data to evaluate research questions. Course offered annually in Spring semester. Prerequisite: MA 103.

SO 327 Career Development in the Behavioral Sciences (3)

This course examines vocational values, interests, and aptitudes in the identification and development of a career in the Behavioral Sciences, specifically Behavioral Sciences programs, Criminal Justice, Anthropology, and Psychology. The vital role of a student’s academic background is explored relative to creating a goodness-of-fit between the student and the world of work. Students will be introduced to career guidance programs, develop a career personality profile, generate a career road map, and investigate/utilize career development tools and techniques. A broad spectrum of resources will be explored against the backdrop of local, national, and international job market trends, and the goals, interests and abilities of the job seeker. Behavioral Science Division requirement. Offered each semester. Division majors will have priority enrollment; non- majors will be enrolled based on space availability. Cross-listed with AN 327, CJ 327, and PSY 327. Prerequisite: SO 200.

SO 331 Asian American Communities (3)

Historical, cultural, and social analysis of selected Asian American communities in the context of their heritage and their U.S. and Hawaii experiences. Looks at Asian American identity, role, and contributions in American culture. Fulfills Global Awareness course requirement. Course offered biennially.

SO 338 Religion, Philosophy and Social Ethics (3)

Designed to give students an interdisciplinary experience in the study of social ethics from the perspectives of theology, religion and philosophy. Students will explore the theory and practice of social ethics and develop the knowledge and skills for philosophical and theological critique of ethical systems and social policy. Cross-listed with PH 338 and RE 338. Course offered annually. This course may be used to satisfy the 300-level Religious Studies General Education Core requirement or the Interdisciplinary requirement. Prerequisites: Any 100 or 200-level Religion course or any 100-level Philosophy course or consent of instructor.

SO 360 Sociology & Philosophy of Gender (3)

An interdisciplinary course on gender from the perspective of the social sciences, philosophy, and the humanities. Students will evaluate arguments which view gender as a cultural construct or as corresponding to an essential reality. The nature of masculinity and femininity will be explored as will major issues of public policy. Cross-listed with PH 360. Offered every two years. Fulfills interdisciplinary course requirement. Prerequisites: any 100-level Philosophy course or SO 200 or consent of instructor.

SO 380 Special Topics (3)

Selected topics in sociology to be offered, such as Social Issues in Hawaii. Past offerings include Urban Sociology. Prerequisites vary according to topic.

SO 401 Race and Ethnic Relations (3)

Concept and current theories of race. Causes and results of race and group prejudices. The position of races and minority groups in the United States. The effects of interracial contacts. Fulfills Global Awareness course requirement. Course offered biennially. Prerequisites: junior or senior status or permission of instructor.

SO 407 Society and Mental Disorders (3)

Definition and classification of mental disorders; theoretical overviews of neurotic reactions and functional psychoses; description of personality and sexual disorders; the role of society and culture in epidemiology and control of the mental patient. May be substituted for PSY 424 with approval of program advisor. Course offered biennially. Prerequisites: junior or senior status, or permission of instructor.

SO 412 The Sociology of Sports (3)

Analysis of sport as a social institution, its structure and function throughout history. Examines male and female roles, race and sports, economics and politics and sport, the role of coaches, athletes, fans, and the media, and deviance and violence in sport. Course offered biennially. Prerequisites: junior or senior status, or permission of instructor.

SO 480 Special Topics (3)

Selected topics in sociology to be announced. Past offerings include Sociology of Health and Sociology of Occupations. Future topics include Asian American Experience and American Culture. Student learning outcomes met by this course will vary according to the topic and focus of the course. Prerequisites vary according to topic.

SO 487 Internship (1 to 3)

This course is composed of fieldwork in a community services agency. Students will demonstrate an understanding of: 1) the scientific method and its application; 2) human and cultural diversity; 3) social and individual dynamics; 4) the relationship between the self and the group. Cross-listed with AN 487. Course offered annually. Course offered as an IS (Individualized Study) Prerequisites: SO 200, junior or senior status, or permission of instructor.

SO 491 Juvenile Deviancy and Juvenile Justice (3)

Patterns of deviancy in youths, with particular emphasis on roles and relationships of the family, school, and peer groups; theories of causation and influence of middle-class culture on deviancy. Cross-listed with CJ 491. Course offered annually in the Fall semester. Prerequisite: CJ 291.

SO 494 Senior Thesis Research (3)

Limited to senior students majoring in behavioral sciences. Students will design a research project in the area of their interest and gather data for their senior thesis. Cross-listed with AN 494. Course offered every semester as an Individualized Study course. Prerequisites: SO 317 and senior standing in behavioral sciences.

SO 498 Senior Thesis (1)

Limited to senior students. Students pursuing a concentration in sociology will prepare a thesis incorporating theory, methodology, and data gathered in SO 494. Course offered every semester as an Individualized Study course. Prerequisites: SO 494 and senior standing in behavioral sciences.

SO 499 Directed Study (1 to 3)

Individualized study on a topic arranged through the program advisor. Offered every semester. Prerequisites: junior or senior standing; and consent of program advisor.