A minimum of 26 credit hours; 23 credit hours must be in courses acceptable toward graduation.
A cumulative grade point average of at least 2.00 on all work.
Completion of Department of Sociology major admission coursework with grades of "C" or better:
Undergraduate students in the B.A. in Sociology program may seek admission to the Master of Public Administration (M.P.A.) under the Shared-Credit Undergraduate/Graduate Degrees Program. See the "Shared-Credit Undergraduate/Graduate Degrees Program" section of this page for specific admission information and requirements.
Because double-majors are intended to substantially broaden students' education, students may not double major in Criminology and Sociology.
The Sociology Department offers a specialized program in Criminology, designed to give students a comprehensive introduction to the field. Courses focus on the characteristics and causes of crime and deviance and on the origins, nature and consequences of societal reactions to crime and deviance, giving particular attention to the criminal justice system. Basic instruction is also given in sociological theory and research methods.
A cumulative GPA of 2.25 or better in all courses completed is required for regular admission to the Criminology major.
The program is particularly appropriate for students wishing to pursue one of the following career options:
Students must complete 34 credit hours of coursework in criminology, which includes 28 credit hours core courses and 6 credit hours of pertinent electives as advised.
The Sociology major requires 34 credit hours of coursework, including the following 13 credit hours of required courses: SOCI 1110; SOC 380, 371, 381L. Students must choose 12 credit hours (4 courses) from the list of upper-division elective courses, available from the department, and select 9 credit hours (3 courses) drawn from all Sociology courses not specifically required.
The Department accepts the grade of "C" in required and elective Sociology courses as counting toward graduation but requires that the student achieve a minimum GPA of 2.00 in the Sociology major or minor and a 2.00 overall GPA. A cumulative GPA of 2.25 or better in all courses completed is required for regular admission to the Sociology major.
The student may select from a number of designated courses that provide a concentration in one of the following subfields of sociology:
The concentration in Human Services and Social Policy is designed for students interested in pursuing a graduate degree or a career in human services, social work, social policy, health care, mental health, or education (K-12 and post-secondary). The concentration aims to provide broad thematic coverage of these fields by drawing upon elective courses that address topics critical to understanding the context within which welfare, health, mental health, and educational institutions operate, including social problems, race/ethnic relations, and socio-economic inequality.
The concentration in Pre-Law is designed for students interested in law school or other careers in the legal field, and highlights those aspects of law that overlap with crime and criminal justice. The concentration provides students with an introduction to the causes of crime and deviance as well as social and institutional responses to this behavior. Students can choose from courses focusing on the personal and social forces that give rise to crime, as well as courses that examine the role of the legal and criminal justice systems in dealing with criminals and reducing crime rates.
Through the B.A. in Sociology/M.P.A. Shared-Credit Degrees Program, students complete a minimum of 120 credit hours for the B.A. and 42 credit hours for the M.P.A.
This Shared-Credit Degrees Program is available only to UNM B.A. in Sociology students who have achieved junior-year academic standing or higher. Invitation is based on academic performance; only students with an overall cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.25 or higher are considered.
Admission to the graduate portion of the program is provisional until completion and award of the undergraduate degree.
Once accepted into the Shared-Credit degrees program, the undergraduate student must complete the Public Administration shared-credit minor as part of the bachelor's degree requirements. Required courses are as follows:
After the student is awarded the undergraduate degree and is admitted into the M.P.A. program, the following courses are required:
Because minors are intended to broaden students' education, multiple degree components within the Department of Sociology are not permitted. Students may not major in Criminology and minor in Sociology, or vice versa.
The Criminology minor requires a total of 21 credit hours (seven courses), consisting of core courses and others as described below:
The 21 credit hours must also include 6 credit hours from the approved list available from the Department of Sociology, or any upper-division Sociology course. Students may not count the same course as both a core criminology course and an elective.
The Sociology minor requires a total of 21 credit hours (seven courses), consisting of core courses and others as described below:
The 12 elective credit hours (four courses) are drawn from all sociology courses not specifically required above but must include at least 6 credit hours (two courses) from the upper-division elective courses, available from the department.
Superior sophomore or junior students majoring in Criminology or Sociology with a GPA of 3.5 in the major and 3.25 overall are invited to apply for admission to the department's 6 credit hour Undergraduate Honors Thesis Program, beginning in their junior year. Students participating in this program are eligible to graduate with departmental honors if recommended by the faculty on the basis of outstanding performance. Honors students are required to take SOC 399 (Advanced Workshop in Sociology) in the Spring term to be followed by SOC 499 (Senior Honors Thesis) in a subsequent semester. See the Department's Honors Coordinator for specific requirements.
Courses
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: SOCI 1110.
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: SOCI 1110.
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: SOCI 1110.
{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: 2120 or 2210.
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: SOCI 1110.
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: SOCI 1110.
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: SOCI 1110.
{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: SOCI 1110.
{Offered upon demand}
SOC 354. Introduction to Latin American Society I: Social Sciences. (3)
(Also offered as GEOG 254, POLS 254)
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: SOCI 1110.
{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: SOCI 1110.
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 MATH 1350.
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 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 or 371.
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 419. Social Networks and Crime. (3)
This course focuses on the links between social networks and individual offending and aggregate crime rates. Material centers on the sociological foundations of prevailing and emerging network-based theories of crime.
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: SOCI 1110.
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: RELG 1110 or RELG 2110 or RELG 2120 or SOCI 1110.
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. (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: SOCI 1110.
{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: PCST 1110 or RELG 1110 or SOCI 1110.
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. Data Analysis. (3)
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, may be repeated once Δ)
An opportunity for Sociology and 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.
Offered on a CR/NC basis only.
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 530. Social Science Writing and Publishing. (3)
This course emphasizes writing and publishing skills, the publishing process for the social sciences and how to produce constructive peer reviews. Students will prepare one of their existing manuscripts for submission and publication.
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 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.
SOCI 1110 [SOC 101]. Introduction to Sociology. (3)
Basic concepts, topics and theories of contemporary sociology. Prerequisite for more advanced courses in sociology.
Meets New Mexico Lower-Division General Education Common Core Curriculum Area IV: Social/Behavioral Sciences.
SOCI 2120 [SOC 205]. Introduction to Criminal Justice Systems [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: 1110.
SOCI 2210 [SOC 213]. Sociology of Deviance [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: 1110.
SOCI 2310 [SOC 211]. Contemporary Social Problems [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: 1110.
SOCI 2315 [SOC 216]. The Dynamics of Prejudice [Dynamics of Difference, Power and Discrimination]. (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.
SOCI 2340 [SOC 221]. Global Issues [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: 1110.