Sociology

Rick Baldoz, Associate Professor of Sociology and Chair
Daphne A. John, Associate Professor of Sociology
Greggor Mattson, Associate Professor of Sociology
Christine Parris, Assistant Professor of Sociology
Veljko Vujacic, Professor of Sociology
Clovis L. White, Associate Professor of Sociology

Sociology is concerned with the study of social phenomena-the self, groups, community solidarity, economic and political behavior, inequality, culture and values, social organization, institutions-in societies of various types and levels of development. The question of how groups, societies, and larger social systems change or remain the same over time frames work in the discipline. The department curriculum reflects the breadth of the discipline and responds to the variety of student interests. The curriculum addresses the educational objectives of students who wish to: (1) study for advanced degrees in Sociology as preparation for careers in teaching or research; (2) apply Sociology in the professions such as law or urban planning; (3) apply Sociology in public policy or social service agency work; (4) utilize Sociology to contribute to majors in other disciplines such as psychology, anthropology, history, or political science; (5) learn the ways in which the sociological imagination can increase and enrich one’s participation in society. These different objectives may suggest different courses or combinations of courses so students thinking about majoring in the department should consult an advisor early in their decision process. Courses in many other disciplines add strength to a major in Sociology. The particular pattern of courses chosen will vary, depending on the plans and interests of the student. The pattern should be worked out in close consultation with the major advisor.

Major

A major in Sociology consists of the following:

A minimum of 9.5 courses (nine full courses and one half course) in the department, including an introductory sociology course.
   a. Required courses: 301, 302 and 303. Students are strongly advised to take these courses by the end of their junior year, since advanced courses assume knowledge of material covered in them. Those considering Honors should know that they must have completed 301 and 302 courses to be eligible for the program.
   b. STAT 113, or STAT 114 or STAT 213 must be taken before or while enrolled in SOCI 301/302.
   c. At least one seminar in Sociology.
   d. The 9.5 courses required for the major may include only one introductory course.
   e. A First Year Seminar offered by a Sociology faculty counts toward the major but is not considered a substitute for an introductory course.
   f.  Courses in which a student has earned a letter grade lower than a C- or P cannot be used to fulfill the requirements of the major or minor.

Minor

The minor in Sociology consists of the following:

A minimum of 5 full courses in the department which must include:
An introductory course (but not more than one).
Either Sociology 301/302 (Social Research Methods) or Sociology 303 (Social Theory).
Courses in which a student has earned a letter grade lower than a C- or P cannot be used to fulfill the requirements of the major or minor.

Honors

The department invites a number of qualified majors to participate in the Honors Program. To be eligible, students must have completed Sociology 301/302 by the end of their junior year. Senior Sociology Majors are asked to submit a written proposal (to the department chair) to participate in the Sociology Honors Program at the end of their junior year. Students are not formally accepted into the Honors Program until the research proposal is approved by the department. The level of Honors is determined by the thesis grade, assessment of oral presentation of the project and major GPA.

Off-Campus Programs for Credit

Students are encouraged to broaden their educational experience by taking advantage of off-campus programs, preferably sometime during their junior year. A maximum of 3 courses may be applied toward the major and require prior approval of the department. A program of special interest for Sociology majors is the GLCA Philadelphia Center.

Transfer of Credit

Students who transfer sociology courses taken at other institutions may, with the approval of the department, apply certain of such courses toward the major or minor. No transfer courses will substitue for the required Sociology 301, 302, and 303 which must be completed at Oberlin College. The transfer of credits may be subject to the transfer of credit fee. Requests to transfer courses taken at other institutions are evaluated on an individual basis. Generally, transfer credit shall not exceed 3 full courses.

Private Reading

Students who have completed available courses in a subject may schedule a reading course in that subject during their junior or senior years. In some instances, reading courses in subjects not offered in the department may also be arranged. No more than one reading course may be scheduled in any semester, or more than two during an undergraduate program. Each private reading course will be the equivalent of one-half course (2 credits).

Modules

SOCI 050 Cleveland Immersion Program

First Year Seminar Courses

FYSP 118 - Through the Looking Glass
FYSP 163 - She Works Hard for the Money: Women, Work, and the Persistence of Inequality
FYSP 191 - Social Justice in the US

Introductory Courses

Any of the following courses serves as a prerequisite for upper-level courses.

SOCI 110 Introduction to Sociology: Social Structure, Inequality, and Behavior
SOCI 112 Introduction to Sociology: You’re Not the Boss of You
SOCI 122 Introduction to Sociology: Principles of Sociological Thinking
SOCI 124 Introduction to Sociology: Classics of Sociology
SOCI 125 Introduction to Sociology: Sociological Analysis of Society
SOCI 130 Introduction to Sociology: Social Problems

Survey Courses in Specializations

SOCI 203 Desire to be Modern: Sociology of Sexuality
SOCI 222 Social Psychology: A Sociological Approach
SOCI 224 Sociology of Sport
SOCI 230 Social Change & Political Transformation in Eastern Europe
SOCI 241 American Urbanism
SOCI 250 Sociology of Popular Culture
SOCI 254 Political Sociology
SOCI 275 Enacting the Law
SOCI 277 Race & Ethnic Relations
SOCI 282 Social Theory
SOCI 284 Environmental Sociology
SOCI 288 Social Inequality: Class, Race, and Gender in the Contemporary United States

Advanced Courses in Specializations

SOCI 301 Social Research Methods
SOCI 302 Social Research Methods Lab
SOCI 303 Classical & Contemporary Sociological Theory
SOCI 314 Unequal Educations
SOCI 335 Sociology of Globalization
SOCI 338 Prostitution & Social Control: Governing Loose Women
SOCI 340 20C Spain & Yogoslavia
SOCI 345 Gender, Work, and Labor in a Transnational Context
SOCI 348 Constructing Immigrant Communities
SOCI 378 Sociology of African-American Community
SOCI 390 Practicum in Community Learning

Senior Seminars

These seminars are designed to integrate theory, methods, and the core analytical areas by linking the specific seminar topic to broader sociological issues. They serve as capstones for the sociology major.

SOCI 403 Seminar in Social Psychology: African-American Personality
SOCI 420 Social Inequalities: Class, Race, and Gender
SOCI 426 Alcohol and Culture
SOCI 431 Making & Unmaking of Communist Ideals
SOCI 438 Coal, Communities and Culture