ACADEMICS
SOCIOLOGY COURSE CONCENTRATION
- RACE, CLASS AND GENDER
The Race, Class and Gender
concentration requires SOC 201, Social Inequality. A grade of C or
better must be achieved in SOC 201.
* -
Required courses for Race, Class and Gender concentration.
Elective courses - At least two of
the following electives must be taken to complete the concentration; at
least one of the two electives must be a Sociology course. SOC
304; SOC 319; SOC 330; SOC 371; BLS 101; FAS 101; NAS 101; and WST 101.
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SOC 201 Social Inequality *
Structural analysis of social inequality within American society and the
global community. Emphasis on the causes, extent and social
consequences of inequality, especially those based on race, gender, social
class and the level of economic development. (Satisfies the General
Education Social Contexts and Institutions and Cultural Diversity and International Perspectives
Requirements.) Prerequisite: SOC 101 or permission. Cr. 3
SOC 205 The Sociology of Close
Relationships
The study of informal, "primary" relations in modern societies,
including intimate couples, friendships, close co-workers, and others.
The content will focus on how dyads are shaped by the larger social
structures within which they are embedded (e.g., "networks," nuclear
families, extended families, organizations, and cultural value
frameworks). Attempts will also be made to identify gender, age, social
class, and race differences, where appropriate. (Satisfies the General
Education Human Values and Social Context/Social Contexts and
Institutions Requirement.) Prerequisite: SOC 101 or permission. Cr. 3
SOC 304 Sociology of Lesbian and Gay
Families and Relationships
Social, familial and legal issues surrounding the formation of lesbian
and gay marriages, domestic partnerships and families that include
children. Relationship dynamics, sexuality, and parenting among
lesbian and gay partners, and differences (when present) from heterosexual
experiences. Issues arising at the intersections of sexual
orientation with gender, race, and social class. The shifting
nature of lesbian and gay sexual identities in a postmodern world.
(This course is identical to SOC 404.) (Satisfies the General
Education Ethics and Cultural Diversity and International Perspectives
Requirements.) Prerequisite: SOC 101 or WST 101 or CHF 200 or CHF 351 or permission. Cr. 3
SOC 318 Sociology of the Family
A sociological approach to the study of the family, including the
structure of social relationships, the modern American family as a
social institution, the cultural background of the family, and the
impact of social change. Prerequisite: 6 hours of Sociology, or
permission. Cr. 3
SOC 319 Domestic Violence and Social
Structure
Examines domestic conflict and violence both nationally and within the
State of Maine. Emphasizes the social and political context of domestic
violence including the ways in which a society's culture and social
organization contribute to and reinforce this behavior. Incidence,
processes and consequences of domestic violence are explored as well as
strategies for change. Prerequisite: 6 hours of Sociology, or
permission. Cr. 3
SOC 329 Sociology of Gender *
Analysis of contemporary definitions of femininity and masculinity
within American society. Emphasis on the interpersonal and institutional
dimensions of sexism and the prospects of social change. (Satisfies the
General Education Human Values/Social Context Cultural Diversity and
International Perspectives Requirement.) Prerequisite: SOC 101 and
either SOC 201 or WST 101, or permission. Cr. 3
SOC 330 Perspectives on Women
Multidisciplinary analysis of the personal, interpersonal, and
institutional dimensions of women's lives. Explores commonalties among
women as well as differences based on race, social class, age, and
sexual identity. (Satisfies the General Education Human Values and
Social Context/Cultural Diversity and International Perspectives
Requirement.) Prerequisite: Either SOC 201 or WST 101, or permission.
Cr. 3
SOC 338 Race and Ethnicity *
Explores dominant/subordinate relations nationally and internationally
with emphasis on socially defined racial and ethnic groups.
Origins, nature, and consequences of racial/ethnic oppression and
inequality; historical and social conflicts; implications of changing
racial/ethnic diversity. (This course is identical to BLS
338.) (Satisfies the General
Education Social Contexts and Institutions and Cultural Diversity and International Perspectives
Requirements.) Prerequisite: SOC 101 and SOC 201 or permission. Cr. 3
SOC
371 Immigration, Women and
Society
Examines the varied and complex experiences of
immigrant women in the United States. Students will learn about the
history of U.S. immigration in general and about the experiences of
immigrant women in particular. Immigrant women's experiences will
be examined through a lens that views gender as a social system that
intersects with other social structures including race, religion, and
social class. A central feature of this course is a
service-learning oral history project which requires students to
interview a woman who has immigrated to the United States, incorporate
the interviewee's experiences into an analytical paper, and present the
findings at the end of the semester. (This course is identical to WST
371.) (Satisfies the General Education Cultural Diversity and
International Perspectives and Population and the Environment
Requirements.) Prerequisite: SOC 101 and SOC 201 or
permission. Cr. 3
