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Sociology

Overview Degrees/Certificates Courses Faculty

Sociology (SOC) Courses

SOC 300 Introductory Sociology

  • Units:3
  • Hours:54 hours LEC
  • Prerequisite:None.
  • Transferable:CSU; UC
  • General Education:AA/AS Area V(b); CSU Area D; IGETC Area 4
  • C-ID:C-ID SOCI 110
  • Catalog Date:January 1, 2025

This course introduces the social and cultural bases that impact human behavior, social interaction, and life opportunities. This course will cover sociological concepts, theoretical approaches, and major fields of sociological inquiry including culture, socialization, social structures and institutions, inequalities and stratification, deviance, and social change.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

  • compare and contrast major theoretical orientations in sociology and analyze social phenomenon using three of these theories.
  • analyze the societal dynamics of socialization, social interaction, group interaction, deviance, and other social processes.
  • evaluate social institutions such as family, education, government, and the economy in the context of the larger society.
  • assess the causes and impacts of social inequality.

SOC 301 Social Problems

  • Units:3
  • Hours:54 hours LEC
  • Prerequisite:None.
  • Transferable:CSU; UC
  • General Education:AA/AS Area V(b); AA/AS Area VI; CSU Area D; IGETC Area 4
  • C-ID:C-ID SOCI 115
  • Catalog Date:January 1, 2025

This course investigates current social problems in the United States. It examines these problems through sociological and ideological perspectives and evaluates how these perspectives influence both definitions of problems as well as proposed solutions. Topics include: racism, economic inequality, sexism and heterosexism, as well as problems arising in the areas of education, marriage and family, crime, health and healthcare, and the environment. Particular attention is paid to the impact of media on perceptions of social problems.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

  • evaluate the objective and subjective components of social problems and examine specific contemporary problems from different theoretical and ideological perspectives.
  • assess the impact of media on how social problems are defined, interpreted, and addressed.
  • evaluate racism as a system and determine its particular relationship to other structural inequalities and social problems.
  • analyze the structural causes of contemporary social problems.
  • research and recommend solutions to specific social problems.

SOC 310 Marriage and the Family

  • Units:3
  • Hours:54 hours LEC
  • Prerequisite:None.
  • Transferable:CSU; UC
  • General Education:AA/AS Area V(b); AA/AS Area III(b); CSU Area D; CSU Area E1; IGETC Area 4
  • C-ID:C-ID SOCI 130
  • Catalog Date:January 1, 2025

This course examines the social, historical, cultural, and structural factors that impact families and influence societal definitions and expectations of the concepts of marriage and family. This course also examines the internal dynamics of families, as well as the ways in which they are shaped by the hierarchies of the larger social world. Gender roles and expectations, media impact, intimacy, violence in families, parenting, and public policies are also explored. Special emphasis will be placed on the diversity of families and family forms.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

  • assess the impact of social, historical, and cross-cultural factors on kinship and family arrangements.
  • investigate the diversity of families in relation to race, ethnicity, class, immigration status, age, class, gender, and sexuality and how those experiences relate to contemporary family issues and social inequality.
  • evaluate constructions of birth and parenting.
  • compare definitions and experiences of marriage.
  • research public policies relating to families and marriage.

SOC 321 Race, Ethnicity and Inequality in the United States

  • Units:3
  • Hours:54 hours LEC
  • Prerequisite:None.
  • Transferable:CSU; UC
  • General Education:AA/AS Area V(b); AA/AS Area VI; CSU Area D; IGETC Area 4
  • C-ID:C-ID SOCI 150
  • Catalog Date:January 1, 2025

This course uses the sociological perspective to examine the relationship between race, ethnicity, and inequality in the U.S. and covers topics including: prejudice, discrimination, ethnocentrism, individual and institutional racism, privilege, assimilation, civil rights, and other related issues. This course includes an analysis of the social and historical contexts of major racialized and ethnic groups in the U.S. and how these contexts impact current conditions and experiences.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

  • uncover the diverse histories and social contexts of major ethnic and racialized groups in the U.S.
  • synthesize course concepts and themes in order to assess the overall arrangements of racial and ethnic inequality in the U.S.
  • evaluate the relationship between societal structures and institutional discrimination.
  • investigate connections between individual social location and broader societal patterns of privilege and inequality.
  • devise personal responses to racism and other forms of inequality.

SOC 341 Sex and Gender in the U.S.

  • Units:3
  • Hours:54 hours LEC
  • Prerequisite:None.
  • Transferable:CSU; UC
  • General Education:AA/AS Area V(b); AA/AS Area III(b); AA/AS Area VI; CSU Area D; IGETC Area 4
  • C-ID:C-ID SOCI 140
  • Catalog Date:January 1, 2025

This course introduces gender issues from a sociological perspective and examines how gender is constructed and embodied in the U.S. It examines historical, social, economic, political, and cultural forces in shaping gender identity, gender expression, and gender roles. The course also emphasizes the intersections of gender with other identities including those relating to race, ethnicity, sexuality, income and wealth, etc. Specifically, the course examines the experience of people from diverse economic, racial, and ethnic origins within a historical and cross-cultural perspective. Finally, this course explores the role that social movements and organizations play in working for gender equality and challenging the gender binary.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

  • apply sociological concepts, perspectives, and theories to the concepts of sex and gender.
  • analyze the social and historical constructions of sex and gender in relation to their intersections with other identities such as race, sexuality, socioeconomic status, age, etc.
  • evaluate the role of social, economic, political, religious, and cultural institutions in creating, reinforcing, and perpetuating gender inequality and stratification.
  • examine the role of social movements in challenging gender inequality and working for social change.

SOC 379 Making Social Change

  • Units:3
  • Hours:54 hours LEC
  • Prerequisite:None.
  • Transferable:UC
  • General Education:AA/AS Area V(b); CSU Area D; IGETC Area 4
  • Catalog Date:January 1, 2025

Empowerment through the development of technological skills and access to tools is and will continue to be a significant issue in social justice work and social change. In this interdisciplinary course, students will explore social change through historical and contemporary movements, organizations, and groups and the ways those entities use, create, modify, and improve tools and technologies to support and drive change. Students will research and analyze the contexts and tactics of these movements and synthesize their discoveries with hands-on experience using tools and technologies of the maker movement to develop projects designed to address social, environmental, and economic needs.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

  • examine how social change can be seen through the lens of social movements and social movement organizations.
  • use social movement theories to analyze the historical, social, economic, political, resource, and geographical contexts of social movements and their organizations.
  • evaluate the relationship of social movements and social movement organizations to technology and tools.
  • assess ethical dilemmas and choices both within social movements themselves and in relation to the tools and technology they use.
  • evaluate the relationship of access to tools and technology to power and empowerment.
  • research, design, develop and prototype possible solutions and responses to social justice issues, using a variety of technologies, tools, techniques and materials.
  • synthesize understanding of social movements with material skills learned in the course to design and create a project to address a particular social justice issue.

SOC 495 Independent Studies in Sociology

  • Units:1 - 3
  • Hours:54 - 162 hours LAB
  • Prerequisite:None.
  • Transferable:CSU
  • Catalog Date:January 1, 2025

SOC 498 Work Experience in Sociology

  • Units:0.5 - 4
  • Hours:30 - 300 hours LAB
  • Prerequisite:None.
  • Advisory:ENGWR 110 or ESL 325
  • Transferable:CSU
  • General Education:AA/AS Area III(b)
  • Catalog Date:January 1, 2025

This course provides students with opportunities to develop marketable skills in preparation for employment or advancement within the field of Sociology. Course content will include understanding the application of education to the workforce; completing required forms which document the student's progress and hours spent at the work site; and developing workplace skills and competencies. During the semester, the student is required to attend orientation. Students must complete 75 hours of related paid work experience, or 60 hours of related unpaid work experience, for one unit. An additional 75 hours of related paid work experience or 60 hours of related unpaid work experience is required for each additional unit. The course may be taken for a maximum of 16 units. Students should have access to a computer, the Internet, and some computer media such as a USB drive to store data files. Online students must have an email account. Only one Work Experience course may be taken per semester.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

  • identify competencies for effective and competitive workforce performance as written in the minimum three (3) learning objectives created by the student and his/her employer or work site supervisor at the start of the semester.
  • manage personal career plans and decision making using industry & workforce information and online resources.
  • behave professionally and ethically, exhibiting adaptability, initiative, self-awareness and self-management as needed.
  • exhibit effective communication, collaboration, leadership skills at work, with consideration to workplace dynamics and social and diversity awareness.
  • demonstrate critical and creative thinking skills as they apply to the workplace.

SOC 499 Experimental Offering in Sociology

  • Units:0.5 - 4
  • Prerequisite:None.
  • Transferable:CSU
  • Catalog Date:January 1, 2025

This is the experimental courses description.