The student interested in sociology and related specializations should take both 101 and 280. These courses are recommended for all beginning students and are required for a major or minor in sociology and a major in criminology. Most higher level courses specify one or both of these introductory courses as prerequisites.
Normally, students should follow the introductory courses with at least one or two 200-level courses before attempting more advanced courses. In some areas there is a progression from less to more advanced courses and following such progressions is strongly recommended even when the lower level course is not explicitly listed as a prerequisite for the higher level course.
Note that courses applied toward a major degree may not be used for any of the minor degree programs. In cases of overlapping required or elective courses, students must take additional courses as approved by the sociology undergraduate advisor.
Courses
NONE 101.
Introduction to Sociology.
(3)
Basic concepts, topics and theories of contemporary sociology. Meets New Mexico Lower-Division General Education Common Core Curriculum Area IV: Social/Behavioral Sciences (NMCCN 1113). Prerequisite for more advanced courses in sociology.
NONE 200.
Foundations of Social Welfare.
(3)
Coughlin
Overview of social welfare institutions in Western societies related to social change, stratification, economy, politics, dependency, poverty, wealth, and unemployment in U.S. and other countries; examines social work and related human service occupations.
Prerequisite: 101.
NONE 205.
Crime, Public Policy and the Criminal Justice System.
(3)
Velez, Jackson
The study of crime, the criminal justice system and crime-related public policy. Discussion of key criminological concepts, measurement of crime and delinquency, its distribution in society, victimization, public opinion, the criminal justice system, crime control strategies and policies.
Prerequisite: 101.
NONE 211.
Social Problems.
(3)
Description and analysis of major social problems facing American society. Foci may include: poverty, homelessness, alcohol and drug problems, race and ethnic relations, aging and mental illness.
Prerequisite: 101.
NONE 213.
Deviance.
(3)
Lyons
Survey of major forms of norm-violating behavior in American society, such as drug and alcohol abuse, mental illness, criminal behavior and sexual deviance. Discussion of sociological explanations of the causes of, and attempts to address, these behaviors.
Prerequisite: 101.
NONE 216.
The Dynamics of Prejudice.
(3)
Ibarra, Lopez
Exploration of social constructions of inequalities by race, gender, class, sexuality, nationality, ethnicity, disability, immigrant status, and age. Students will conceptualize the intersecting oppressions and resistances at individual, institutional, and structural levels.
NONE 221.
Documenting Globalization and Human Rights [Global Issues].
(3)
The course will focus on human rights issues in the broader sociopolitical context of globalization, and will analyze how social change in relationship to human rights mobilization and contestation occurs. Meets New Mexico Lower-Division General Education Common Core Curriculum Area IV: Social/Behavioral Sciences.
Prerequisite: 101.
NONE 225.
Marriage, Family and Their Alternatives.
(3)
Comparative analysis of contemporary family and household forms such as dual-worker, single-parent and homosexual couple households. Focus on links between large-scale social changes and changing family composition and interaction patterns. Meets New Mexico Lower-Division General Education Common Core Curriculum Area IV: Social/Behavioral Sciences (NMCCN 2213).
Prerequisite: 101.
NONE 230.
Society and Personality.
(3)
The social psychology of personalities, relationships, small groups and organizations.
Prerequisite: 101.
{Offered upon demand}
NONE 300.
Social Welfare: Policies and Programs.
(3)
The development and operation of the U.S. social welfare programs (Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid), unemployment insurance, workers compensation, public assistance, and political ideologies shaping the public debate and attitudes toward social programs.
Pre- or corequisite: 200.
NONE 305.
Environmental Sociology.
(3)
Examination of humans and the environment from an ecological perspective. Focus on industrial and economic growth, natural resources development, environmental values and movements, resource management, and comparative perspective on people’s relationship to the environment.
Prerequisite: 101.
NONE 306.
Peace and Conflict.
(3)
(Also offered as PCST 306.)
This course addresses peace and conflict issues arising from the global search for scarce mineral resources and indigenous communities and cultures threatened by extractive industries.
NONE 307.
Nonviolent Alternatives.
(3)
(Also offered as PCST 307.)
This course studies the dynamics of violence and nonviolence at the interpersonal, institutional, cultural, and global level from a variety of disciplinary perspectives.
NONE 308.
Sociology of Gender.
(3)
How and why societies create gender categories. How do definitions of “masculinity” and “femininity” vary? What are the costs and benefits of being male or female in contemporary American society?
Prerequisite: 101.
NONE 310.
Sociology of Aging and the Aged.
(3)
Descriptive and theoretical study of the social situation of older persons in contemporary industrial societies; the impact on societal institutions of an increasing percentage of older citizens.
Prerequisite: 101.
{Offered upon demand}
NONE 312.
Causes of Crime and Delinquency.
(3)
Broidy, Painter-Davis, Velez
A survey of criminological theories exploring why some people are more likely to engage in crime than others and why crime rates vary over time and space and across social groups. Attendant policy issues will also be discussed.
Prerequisite: 205 or 213.
NONE 326.
Sociology of New Mexico.
(3)
Ibarra
New Mexico as a social system; the infrastructure of communities and ethnic groups, stratification, major social institutions, deviance and inter-group relations.
Prerequisite: 101.
NONE 328.
Sociology of Native Americans.
(3)
Huyser
The historical, comparative and contemporary study of Native American peoples in the U.S. and/or other countries. Emphasis on social construction of identity, population distribution, community infrastructure, and major social institutions.
NONE 331.
Social Movements.
(3)
Nepstad, Santoro
The study of riots, disturbances, social movements and other forms of contentious collective behavior. Strategies of conflict and conflict resolution are considered.
Prerequisite: 101.
NONE 340.
Sociology of Medical Practice.
(3)
Huyser, Whooley
An introduction to the delivery of health care in the U.S. and selected other countries is pursued with an emphasis on the interaction of patients, professionals and health care institutions.
NONE 345.
Youth and Society.
(3)
An assessment of the creation and dynamics of childhood and youth in human societies. Consideration of historical and cross-cultural material; and issues such as deviance and popular culture.
Prerequisite: 101.
{Offered upon demand}
NONE 346.
Health and Social Inequalities I.
(3)
This course explores theories and mechanisms related to how social inequities in education, housing, employment, health care, safety, resources, money, and power contribute significantly to health disparities globally, within countries, and within specific urban environments.
NONE 347.
Health and Social Inequalities II.
(3)
This service-learning course provides students the opportunity to apply knowledge about social inequalities and health to working with community members to create change that improves health and reduces health disparities.
Prerequisite: 346.
NONE 351.
The Urban Community.
(3)
The forms and development of urban community; demographic, spatial, functional and temporal patterns; metropolitan development and city-hinterland relations.
Prerequisite: 101.
{Offered upon demand}
NONE 354.
Introduction to Latin American Society I: Social Sciences.
(3)
(Also offered as LTAM 354, POLS 354)
Introduction to Latin American Studies through the social sciences examines major themes including colonialism, agrarian transformation, urbanization, demographics, family, human rights, inequalities, violence, and social movements. Emphasis given to insights gained from making interdisciplinary connections.
NONE 371.
Sociological Theory.
(3)
Barker, Fiala, Toro-Tulla
The study of how theory is constructed and applied by sociologists including traditions from 19th century sociological founders and contemporary theoretical formulations.
Prerequisite: 101.
{Fall, Spring}
NONE 380.
Introduction to Research Methods.
(3)
Hood, J. Roberts, Santoro
A survey of the major methods of social research: foundations of social research, research design, sampling and measurement, quantitative and qualitative research methods and data analysis.
Prerequisite: 101.
NONE 381L.
Sociological Data Analysis.
(4)
Huyser, Painter-Davis, Thomas
Introduction to quantitative sociological data analysis using basic statistics (both descriptive and inferential) and to the use of statistical software to analyze empirical data.
Prerequisite: 380 and STAT 145.
NONE 398.
Special Topics in Sociology.
(3, no limit Δ)
NONE 399.
Advanced Undergraduate Workshop in Sociology.
(3)
Gonzales
First of a six-credit Sociology Honors Thesis Program; students develop skills to write an honors thesis proposal; culminates in the completion of a senior honors thesis written in SOC 499.
Prerequisite: 380.
Restriction: permission of Department’s Honors Coordinator.
NONE 400.
The Welfare State.
(3)
Social, economic, and political aspects of programs and policies of the modern welfare state, from Europe to other industrialized nations; the future of the welfare state related to economic, political, and demographic changes.
Prerequisite: 200.
{Spring}
NONE 412.
Sociology of Police and Social Control.
(3)
Study of the relationship between society and law enforcement agencies, including the societal context of policing and how law enforcement impacts society. Discussion of law enforcement practices, training and management; the interface of police and communities; historical and contemporary models of policing; and efforts at police reform.
Prerequisite: 312.
{Fall, Spring}
NONE 414.
Sociology of Corrections.
(3)
Study of the perspectives of corrections, its relationship to other criminal justice agencies, various forms sentencing and punishment, corrections administration and issues in the field. Visits may be made to several facilities.
Prerequisite: 312.
{Fall, Spring}
NONE 415.
Inequality and Power [Social Stratification].
(3)
Survey course on sociological explanations for current inequality dynamics and social stratification. While the focus of the class will be social inequality in American society, the course situates contemporary trends in a comparative international context.
NONE 416.
Sociology of Law.
(3)
Broidy
Social science perspectives of the law, legal institutions and the impact of law on behavior. Topics include theories of law and legality; comparative legal systems; lawyers, judges and juries; and the use of social science in the courts.
Prerequisite: 312.
NONE 418.
Selected Topics in Criminology.
(3 to a maximum of 6 Δ)
Broidy, Jackson, Lyons, Painter-Davis, Ragan, Soller, Velez,
This course will explore in detail some aspects of research on the causes or characteristics of crime, such as juvenile delinquency, drug and alcohol-related behavior or child abuse.
Prerequisite: 312.
NONE 420.
Race and Cultural Relations.
(3)
Gonzales, Ibarra, Lopez
Comparative and structural analysis of intergroup relations in the United States and/or other countries and regions.
NONE 421.
Sociology of Education.
(3)
Fiala, Ibarra, Lopez
Structure and functioning of educational institutions in the United States and other societies.
Prerequisite: 101.
NONE 422.
Sociology of Religion.
(3)
Nepstad, Wood
(Also offered as RELG 422)
Study of belief, commitment, and practice within religious and spiritual traditions and institutions, with a focus on contemporary United States, Latin America, and the Middle East.
Prerequisite: 101 or RELG 107 or RELG 263 or RELG 264.
NONE 423.
Gender and Crime.
(3)
Broidy, Jackson
This course will outline similarities and differences in offending patterns across males and females and discuss various explanations for these differences. Discussions will also focus on the dynamics of female offending, the formal social control of female offenders and the role of women in the correctional system.
Prerequisite: 312.
NONE 424.
Race, Class and Crime.
(3)
Lyons, Painter-Davis, Velez
This class will examine the relationships between race, ethnicity, socio-economic status and involvement in criminal behavior, focusing on the influence of structural, cultural and historical influences. We will also explore contemporary criminal justice issues pertaining to race and class.
Prerequisite: 312.
NONE 425.
From Youthful Misbehavior to Adult Crime.
(3)
Broidy, Ragan
Causes and consequences of offending at various stages in the life course, focusing on the ways in which adolescent and adult roles, responsibilities and opportunities shape aggregate and individual level patterns of involvement in juvenile delinquency and adult criminality.
Prerequisite: 312.
NONE 426.
Drugs, Crime and Social Control.
(3)
Lyons
Study of the development of social policies concerning illicit substance use; its impact on social behavior; strategies for prevention and intervention with substance use; investigation, adjudication and supervision of drug offenders; and the relationship between criminal justice, education, public health and government policies.
Prerequisite: 312.
NONE *427.
Sociology of Madness.
(3)
Different historical and cultural frameworks for defining, making sense of, and responding to madness are examined. The social causes and social distribution of madness are critically examined.
NONE 428.
Sociology of Mexican Americans.
(3)
Gonzales, Lopez
The historical, comparative and contemporary study of the Mexican American in the U.S. Race and ethnic relations theories and the Chicano Movement.
{Offered upon demand}
NONE 441.
Complex Organizations.
(3)
Structure and functional dynamics of formal organizations; the role of bureaucracy in modern social organization.
Prerequisite: 101.
{Offered upon demand}
NONE 445.
Sociology of Work.
(3)
Overview of the field of sociology of work (historical, classical and contemporary theoretical perspectives) and empirical studies of different kinds of work and workplaces (technology/work, family/work, gender/race segregation, the corporation and globalization).
Prerequisite: 101.
NONE 452.
Community Organizing and the Struggle for Justice in America.
(3)
How can people use democratic power to create a good, or at least better, society? We answer this question by studying the political practices of community organizing and the ideas of democratic theory.
Prerequisite: 101 or PCST 102 or RELG 107.
NONE 461.
Visualizing Global Change [Social Dynamics of Global Change].
(3)
This course explores how global social problems and inequality (including poverty, urbanization, migration, human rights, etc.) are constructed and framed by sociologists and by documentary photographers and filmmakers, and explores possibilities for social change.
NONE *478.
Seminar in International Studies.
(3)
(Also offered as ECON 478)
Designed to provide seniors from several disciplines an opportunity to apply an international perspective to their undergraduate training. Each student presents a term project drawing upon his or her major disciplinary background and related to international concerns. Open only to seniors.
{Offered upon demand}
NONE 481L.
Research Methods in Sociology.
(4)
Use of the computer as a tool of social research; utilization of data archives; problems of research design, instrumentation and analysis of empirical data. Three lectures, 1 hour lab.
Prerequisite: 380 and 381L.
NONE 488.
Field Observation and Experience.
(3 to a maximum of 6 Δ)
An opportunity for Sociology/Criminology students to work in a criminal justice or social service agency for course credit. Students must have a 3.0 GPA or higher in the major.
Restriction: upper-division standing and permission of instructor.
NONE 490.
Directed Study.
(1-3 to a maximum of 6 Δ)
Tutorial arrangement with a member of the sociology faculty. Specific arrangements must be made with a member of the sociology faculty responsible for supervising the work. Arrangements normally made at least one semester in advance.
NONE 491.
Directed Study in Criminology.
(1-3 to a maximum of 6 Δ)
Tutorial arrangement for investigation of selected issues in criminology. Specific arrangements must be made with a member of the sociology faculty responsible for supervising the work.
NONE 499.
Senior Honors Thesis.
(3)
For departmental honors students only. By arrangement with department Honors and Awards Committee and approval of the chairperson.
NONE 500.
Classical Sociological Theory.
(3)
Barker, Toro-Tulla
Advanced study of selected classical theorists.
NONE 506.
Globalization and Transnational Sociology [Seminar: Comparing Nations].
(3)
The course will focus on issues of economic development, inequality, mobility, and stratification in Latin America and elsewhere in the world.
NONE 507.
Topics in Sociological Theory.
(3, no limit Δ)
NONE 509.
Gender and International Development.
(3)
This course focuses on gender dynamics in Latin America, Asia, and Africa and explores women's historical and current circumstances in light of the changing global political economy.
NONE 510.
Social and Political Movements.
(3)
Nepstad, Santoro, Wood
Examination of historical, theoretical and empirical materials on the character and dynamics of social and political movements. Includes consideration of the global context of contemporary social and political movements.
NONE 513.
Constructing and Analyzing Contemporary Sociological Theory.
(3)
Fiala, Wood, Whooley
Survey of contemporary theory, with a focus on constructing theory. Includes analysis of functional, interactionist, institutional and world-systems theory.
NONE 514.
20th Century European Theory.
(3)
Fiala, Whooley, Wood
Analytical Marxism, Nietzsche, Spengler, Sociobiology, Foucault, Sartre, Lukacs, The Frankfurt School.
NONE 515.
Criminological Theory.
(3)
Broidy, Lyons, Jackson, Painter-Davis, Soller, Ragan, Velez
Overview of mainstream criminological theory, focusing on its origins as well as developments and advancements over time. Students will critically evaluate key theories and core constructs in criminology.
NONE 516.
Crime, Law, and Social Control.
(3)
Broidy, Jackson, Lyons, Velez
An overview of classical and contemporary sociological perspectives in law, social control, and punishment. Explores empirical work on law and social control in various domains.
NONE 518.
Special Topics in Criminology.
(3)
Content varies. Explores select substantive and theoretical topics in criminology. Topics may include Communities and Crime, Gender and Crime, Contemporary Research in Criminology.
NONE 520.
Racial and Ethnic Relations.
(3)
Gonzales, Ibarra, Lopez
Historical and comparative analysis of race and ethnic relations in the U.S., with comparative reference to Western Europe, Latin America, Asia. Origins and maintenance of slavery; minority community development; causes and consequences of prejudice.
NONE 521.
Sociology of Education.
(3)
Lopez, Ibarra
Examination of the character and dynamics of education in human societies. Focus is on the organization and expansion of modern educational systems and the effects of education on individuals and society.
NONE 523.
Proseminar.
(1)
Fiala
Introduces incoming graduate students to each of the department’s regular faculty members and their work.
NONE 528.
Sociology of Mexican Americans.
(3)
Gonzales
The historical, comparative and contemporary study of the Mexican American in the U.S. Race and ethnic relations theories and the Chicano Movement.
{Offered upon demand}
NONE 531.
Sociology Teaching Seminar.
(3)
This course emphasizes teaching skills. Topics include syllabus development, lecture preparation and delivery, interactive learning methods, and grading approaches. We explore course policies and classroom practices that prevent common problems while enhancing the learning environment.
NONE 532.
Religion in a Globalizing World [Sociology of Religion].
(3)
Nepstad, Wood
Study of belief, commitment, and practice within and spiritual traditions in the context of cultural globalization. Focus on contemporary United States, Latin America, and Middle East; organizational and political change in contemporary societies.
NONE 540.
Medical Sociology and Health Policy.
(3)
Huyser
A review of major theories and research in medical sociology with special attention to health policy; focus on health and mental health problems of underserved populations; analysis of the U.S. health care system in comparative perspective.
NONE 551 - 552.
Problems.
(2-3, no limit Δ; 2-3, no limit Δ)
Tutorial arrangement with a member of the graduate faculty.
NONE 570.
Sociological Research: Special Topics.
(3, no limit Δ)
NONE 580.
Methods of Social Research I.
(3)
Ragan
Analytical examination of traditional methodological issues including measurement, experimental design, sampling, theory construction, role of statistics and nature of probability.
NONE 581.
Advanced Social Statistics I.
(3)
Soller, Thomas
Examines theory (assumptions, properties of estimators) and application of multiple regression. Introduces matrix notation and generalized least squares.
Prerequisite: 481L.
NONE 582.
Advanced Social Statistics II.
(3)
Thomas
Additional methods for quantitative social research: regression diagnostics, logit and Poisson regression, principal components, correspondence analysis.
Prerequisite: 581.
NONE 583.
Special Topics in Advanced Social Statistics.
(3, no limit Δ)
Soller, Thomas
A close examination of the properties and application of a single quantitative method (or a few related methods). Possible topics include structural equation models, log linear models, dynamic models, scaling.
Prerequisite: 582.
NONE 584.
Interdisciplinary Seminar on Problems of Modernization in Latin America.
(3)
(Also offered as ECON 584, POLS 584, HIST 689)
NONE 585.
Sociological Fieldwork Methods: Ethnography, Interviews, Focus Groups.
(3)
Intensive practicum on research fieldwork, including research design, human subjects review, the ethics/politics of fieldwork, and fieldwork implementation. Focuses on ethnographic and interview methods; some attention to focus groups and archives.
Prerequisite: 580.
NONE 595.
Special Topics in Sociology.
(3, no limit Δ)
NONE 596.
Professional Paper.
(1-6, no limit Δ)
Student works under faculty supervision toward completion of the professional paper requirement for a Plan II master’s degree. Paper must be of professional quality and in a format suitable for publication.
Offered on a CR/NC basis only.
NONE 599.
Master's Thesis.
(1-6, no limit Δ)
Offered on a CR/NC basis only.
NONE 699.
Dissertation.
(3-12, no limit Δ)
Offered on a CR/NC basis only.
