SO 101S: Introduction to Sociology
An introduction to the principles and methods of sociology, as well as important research findings.
SO 125S: Social Problems
This course explores significant social problems in contemporary society, such as homelessness, crime, environmental degradation, racial and ethnic discrimination, and sex and gender inequalities. We use the sociological perspective to gain understanding of these problems.
SO 135S: Self and Society
Prisons operate with the clockwork logic of our criminal justice system: we punish people by making them "serve" time. This course examines the establishment, operation, and experience of prison in American society
SO 160M: Statistical Methods
Introduction to quantitative techniques for data analysis in the social sciences. Univariate description, bivariate description, and statistical inference.
SO 210: Inequality:Class, Race, Gender
This course considers the inequalities in wealth, power, and status in society and how race, ethnicity, and gender impact those inequalities.
SO 220: The City
In this course we will look at why people live in cities, how cities grow and change, how individual cities are tied to global structures, and how cities impact the way we live.
SO 225S: Social Movements and Change
This course explores how people band together to change their world. In addition to theoretical perspectives on social change, we will study specific movements such as the Civil Rights movement, environmentalism, and the fight for LGBTQ+ rights.
SO 226E: Environmental Sociology
How social structures alter the environment and the environment constrains societies. How inequalities of class, race affect experiences of environmental degradation. How social movements reduce environmental harms. Investigates these issues in the Tampa Bay area.
SO 226S: Family & Intimate Relationship
This course provides an overview of the sociology of family and intimate relationships. Emphasis on diversity in American families. Topics include marriage, divorce, stepfamilies, LGBT families, childfree families, work-family conflict, parenthood, singlehood, and polyamory.
SO 229S: Foundations of Public Health
This course examines the social determinants of health and illness. We explore disparities and inequities in access to care, along with diversity in aging experiences. Ideal for students interested in careers in health and medicine.
SO 230S: Sociology of LGBTQ+ Life
This course examines the experiences of LGBTQ individuals. Topics include LGBTQ history, public opinion, LGBTQ youth, contemporary inequality, anti-LGBTQ legislation, media representation, families, health disparities, and intersectional perspectives.
SO 234: Self and Society
Survey of classical and contemporary analyses of relationship between human self-consciousness and socialization. Each person is unique, but each person's sense of self is shaped by social interaction and culture. Prerequisite: SO 101S.
SO 235: Deviance
A survey of sociological research on deviance, with an emphasis on an interactionist perspective. Deviance is understood as interaction between those doing something and those who feel offended or threatened by what they are doing. Prerequisite: SO 101S.
SO 241S: Gender and Society
This course addresses how society and culture shape experiences with gender, gender identity, and gender expression. Topics include gender inequality, masculinity and femininity, transgender and intersex people’s experiences, intersectionality, work and family, and the media.
SO 260: Qualitative Methods
Research practicum on the observation and analysis of human behavior. Hands-on experience with field research methods and ethnographic inquiry. Each student conducts a research project. Prerequisite: SO 101S.
SO 280G: Time and Temporal Systems
This course concerns the study of time and temporal systems in various societies. Students learn to view their own temporal traditions and assumptions in the larger context of the world's diversity.
SO 320: Theories of Society
Concepts, approaches, and orientations that have played a part in shaping the nature of sociology, and ideas during the 19th and 20th centuries as sociology matured. Prerequisite: SO 101S.
SO 330S: Sex and Society
This course investigates how society shapes people's sexual behaviors, desires, and identities, along with norms and attitudes surrounding sexuality. Topics include LGBT issues, hook-up culture, kink, intersectionality, schools, the law, the media, and sex work.
SO 335: Social Interaction
The study of face-to-face behavior in public places with emphasis on gender and race in urban settings. The nature of deference and demeanor, embarrassment, harassment, rules governing involvement, normal appearances, and role distance. Prerequisite: SO 234 or SO 235.
SO 360: Research Design
The techniques and application of social science research, critical evaluation of research evidence, designing and administering a group survey project.
SO 420: Sociology of Culture
This course will examine theories of the production and uses of culture. We will go on to consider how culture impacts social stratification, race relations, arts and media production and reception, and sexuality.
SO 435: Social Construction of Reality
The processes whereby "society" is manufactured such that it becomes a force external to the dynamics which produced it. Primary frameworks, the anchoring of activity, legitimation, internalization, selective attention, typification. Prerequisite: SO 234 or SO 235.
SO 498: Comprehensive Examination
SO 499: Senior Thesis
