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
SOC 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.
SOC 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.
SOC 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.
SOC 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.
SOC 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.
SOC 216.
Dynamics of Difference, Power and Discrimination [The Dynamics of Prejudice].
(3)
Ibarra, Lopez
This course focuses on the individual-, institutional- and structural-level dynamics of difference, power and discrimination by race, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability and class.
SOC 221.
Documenting Globalization and Human Rights.
(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.
SOC 230.
Society and Personality.
(3)
The social psychology of personalities, relationships, small groups and organizations.
Prerequisite: 101.
{Offered upon demand}
SOC 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.
SOC 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.
SOC 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.
SOC 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.
SOC 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.
SOC 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}
SOC 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.
SOC 325.
Couples, Family and Friendship.
(3)
An overview of sociological research on the strongest social relationships and primary social groups: those of love, family and friendships.
SOC 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.
SOC 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.
SOC 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.
SOC 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.
SOC 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}
SOC 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.
SOC 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.
SOC 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}
SOC 354.
Introduction to Latin American Society I: Social Sciences.
(3)
(Also offered as LTAM 254, 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.
SOC 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}
SOC 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.
SOC 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.
SOC 398.
Special Topics in Sociology.
(3, no limit Δ)
SOC 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.
SOC 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}
SOC 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}
SOC 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}
SOC 415.
Inequality and Power.
(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.
SOC 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.
SOC 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.
SOC 420.
Race and Inequality.
(3)
Gonzales, Ibarra, Lopez
An exploration of empirical studies and theories on the social construction of racial and ethnic inequality at the individual, institutional and structural levels in the U.S. and/or global context.
SOC 421.
Sociology of Education.
(3)
Fiala, Ibarra, Lopez
Structure and functioning of educational institutions in the United States and other societies.
Prerequisite: 101.
SOC 422.
Sociology of Religion.
(3)
Nepstad, Wood
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.
SOC 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.
SOC 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.
SOC 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.
SOC 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.
SOC *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.
SOC 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}
SOC *430.
Intersectionality: Race, Gender, Class for Social Policy [Connecting Race, Gender, Class for Social Policy].
(3)
Focuses on how race, gender, class, ethnicity and inequalities interact in society. Students will apply intersectional epistemologies for research and policy-relevant solutions in education, health, housing, environmental justice, criminal justice, employment, and media.
SOC 441.
Complex Organizations.
(3)
Structure and functional dynamics of formal organizations; the role of bureaucracy in modern social organization.
Prerequisite: 101.
{Offered upon demand}
SOC 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.
SOC 461.
Visualizing 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.
SOC *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}
SOC 481 [481L].
Data Analysis [Research Methods in Sociology].
(3 [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. Two lectures, 1 hour lab.
Prerequisite: 380 and 381L.
SOC 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: junior or senior standing, permission of instructor.
SOC 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.
SOC 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.
SOC 499.
Senior Honors Thesis.
(3)
For departmental honors students only. By arrangement with department Honors and Awards Committee and approval of the chairperson.
SOC 500.
Classical Sociological Theory.
(3)
Barker, Toro-Tulla
Advanced study of selected classical theorists.
SOC 501.
Knowledge and Power.
(3)
Drawing on theoretical traditions from sociology, science studies, and the social sciences, this course attends to the complex, multifaceted ways in which power influences knowledge, is legitimated through knowledge, and is challenged by alternative knowledge(s).
SOC 506.
Globalization and Transnational Sociology.
(3)
The course will focus on issues of economic development, inequality, mobility, and stratification in Latin America and elsewhere in the world.
SOC 507.
Topics in Sociological Theory.
(3, no limit Δ)
SOC 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.
SOC 511.
Documenting Globalization, Human Rights and Social Change.
(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.
SOC 512.
International Political Sociology.
(3)
Examines power, authority, states, and nations within a global and transnational context. Focuses on Latin America and other regions in context of globalization; authoritarian/democratic regimes, political culture, immigration, revolution, and both state and non-governmental actors.
SOC 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.
SOC 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.
SOC 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.
SOC 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.
SOC 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.
SOC 523.
Proseminar.
(1)
Fiala
Introduces incoming graduate students to each of the department’s regular faculty members and their work.
SOC 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}
SOC 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.
SOC 532.
Religion in a Globalizing World.
(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.
SOC 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.
SOC 551 - 552.
Problems.
(2-3, no limit Δ; 2-3, no limit Δ)
Tutorial arrangement with a member of the graduate faculty.
SOC 570.
Sociological Research: Special Topics.
(3, no limit Δ)
SOC 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.
SOC 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.
SOC 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.
SOC 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.
SOC 584.
Interdisciplinary Seminar on Problems of Modernization in Latin America.
(3, no limit Δ)
(Also offered as ECON, POLS 584; HIST 689)
SOC 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.
SOC 595.
Special Topics in Sociology.
(3, no limit Δ)
SOC 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.
SOC 599.
Master's Thesis.
(1-6, no limit Δ)
Offered on a CR/NC basis only.
SOC 699.
Dissertation.
(3-12, no limit Δ)
Offered on a CR/NC basis only.
