The Department of Sociology offers a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Sociology with a Master of Arts (M.A.) in Sociology earned en route. The M.A. degree represents advanced knowledge in sociology appropriate for a variety of intellectual and occupational endeavors. It typically meets minimal requirements for teaching college-level sociology courses. The Ph.D. degree represents additional specialized sociological knowledge and the development of research skills appropriate for work in a variety of public and private research settings.
A student can enter directly into the Ph.D. program, with or without an existing M.A. degree. A student pursuing a Ph.D. without an M.A. degree (or with an M.A. degree that did not require a thesis or equivalent) completes a professional paper that fulfills the M.A. examination under Plan II, and is awarded the M.A. en route.
The M.A. requires SOCI 500 or 513; 523; 580; 581; 12 credit hours of substantive courses in the social sciences as approved by the Departments’ Graduate Committee; 10 additional credit hours of coursework and a professional paper that serves as the M.A. examination.
Upon successful completion of the M.A. degree, a student may file to continue to the Ph.D. program. Continuation in the Ph.D. program is not automatic. In considering the request, the Graduate Committee will evaluate the student's overall record and departmental file (record of timely progress toward degree, graduate transcripts, letters from committee members, and any other materials useful in assessing promise of high-quality doctoral-level work). Grades should reflect doctoral-level ability, which means a grade of "A-" or better in the majority of courses. Students who have positive reviews then move into the Ph.D. program.
The department admits a small number of well-qualified candidates to its Ph.D. program each year. Successful applicants must in addition to University Requirements, submit current (within the last 5 years) GRE General Test scores, three letters of recommendation, two writing samples, and a letter of intent. The Sociology Department recommends applicants have 12 credit hours of advanced undergraduate sociology courses, including statistics and methods courses (or the equivalents). We also recommend college-level algebra or its equivalent. In addition, such factors such as the University's commitment to affirmative action, the applicant's non-academic experience, and the ability of the department to provide faculty guidance and courses in the applicant's areas of interest are considered.
Specific requirements for all students seeking a Ph.D. in Sociology include (all required courses must be passed with at least a grade of "B-"):
Prior to taking the comprehensive examinations, a Comprehensive Exam Committee must be appointed which consists of at least three University of New Mexico faculty members approved for graduate instruction. The chairperson must be a regular faculty member approved by the student's graduate unit. A doctoral student must apply for and be admitted to doctoral candidacy after completing all coursework and passing the comprehensive examination. The Dissertation Committee consists of at least four members approved for graduate instruction: two members must hold regular, full-time faculty appointments at the University of New Mexico; one member must be from the student's graduate unit; the dissertation chairperson must be a regular (tenured or tenure-track), full-time member of the University of New Mexico faculty; a required external member must hold a regular full-time appointment outside the student's unit/department at the University of New Mexico. This member may be from the University of New Mexico or from another accredited institution; one member may be a non-faculty expert in the student's major research area. Doctoral candidates must be enrolled during the semester in which they complete degree requirements, including the summer session.
Courses
SOCI 1110. Introduction to Sociology. (3)
This course will introduce students to the basic concepts and theories of sociology, as well as to the methods utilized in sociological research. The course will address how sociological concepts and theories can be utilized to analyze and interpret our social world, and how profoundly our society and the groups to which students belong influence them. Students will be given the opportunity to challenge their “taken for granted” or “common sense” understandings about society, social institutions, and social issues. Special attention will also be paid to the intimate connections between their personal lives and the larger structural features of social life. In addition, the implications of social inequalities, such as race/ethnicity, gender, and social class will be central to the course’s examination of social life in the United States.
Meets New Mexico General Education Curriculum Area 4: Social and Behavioral Sciences.
SOCI 1996. Topics. (1-6, no limit Δ)
SOCI 2120. Introduction to Criminal Justice Systems. (3)
Velez, Jackson.
This course provides an introduction to social issues that are currently affecting the criminal justice system in the United States. The course will cover the history of the U.S. criminal justice system and how our system compares with other countries. We will address how the U.S. criminal justice system attempts to create and preserve a balance between sustaining order, maintaining individual rights, and promoting justice. Important themes also include, but are not limited to discussions of how crime and delinquency are measured, key correlates of crime, sociological approaches to researching crime, sociological theories of crime, the quality of crime data in the U.S. and how it is used to make public policy decisions, and the causes and consequences of mass incarceration in the United States.
Prerequisite: 1110.
SOCI 2210. Sociology of Deviance. (3)
Lyons.
This course is designed to provide an overview of the study of deviance and social control from multiple sociological perspectives. The instructor will present how sociologists research deviance and social control and the ethical issues involved in studying human subjects involved in these activities. The course also examines central sociological theories for understanding the causes of deviant behavior.
Prerequisite: 1110.
SOCI 2310. Contemporary Social Problems. (3)
This course studies the nature, scope, and effects of social problems and their solutions. The course will concentrate on sociological perspectives, theories, and key concepts when investigating problems, such as inequality, poverty, racism, alienation, family life, sexuality, gender, urbanization, work, aging, crime, war and terrorism, environmental degradation, and mass media. This course is designed to build students’ sociological understanding of how sociological approaches attempt to clarify various issues confronting contemporary life, as well as how sociologists view solutions to these problems.
Prerequisite: 1110.
SOCI 2315. The Dynamics of Prejudice. (3)
Ibarra, Lopez.
This course is designed to help students understand how attitudes and beliefs of individuals shape intergroup relations and their impacts on the daily lives of individuals as well as the effects that these beliefs have on the larger social structure of American society. We will examine how profoundly our society and the groups to which we belong, influence us and our beliefs and ultimately how these beliefs shape prejudice in our society. In this course, students are encouraged to challenge ideologies that are considered "common sense" or that are taken for granted and this in turn will allow them to critically engage issues in society such as racism, classism, sexism, and will leave with an understanding on how privilege affects our views on disability, LGBTQ issues, religion and immigration. Rather than investigating these themes in the abstract, students will identify and unpack how these larger structural issues play integral roles in their everyday lives, interactions, and existence. Ultimately, this course aims to address the social inequalities that exists in our society as a result of prejudice and will challenge students to identify and engage in strategies to work towards changing these aspects of society.
Meets New Mexico General Education Curriculum Area 4: Social and Behavioral Sciences.
SOCI 2340. Global Issues. (3)
Many of the problems we face on a daily basis are global in scope and global in origin. The world is now more interconnected than ever. The things that happen in China or in Saudi Arabia affect us in the United States, just as the things that we do here affect the people in Russia or Egypt. This course offers a sociological perspective on this phenomenon of globalization and explores its origins in the culture of capitalism. To this end, we will examine topics such as consumption, labor, migration and immigration, economic inequality, the natural environment, and health. We will also consider various ways in which these problems can, or cannot, be solved for us and for future generations.
Prerequisite: 1110.
SOCI 2996. Topics. (1-6, no limit Δ)
SOCI 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: 1110.
SOCI 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.
SOCI 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: 1110.
SOCI 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: 1110.
{Offered upon demand}
SOCI 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.
SOCI 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.
SOCI 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: 1110.
SOCI 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.
SOCI 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: 1110.
SOCI 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.
SOCI 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: 1110.
{Offered upon demand}
SOCI 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.
SOCI 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.
SOCI 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: 1110.
{Offered upon demand}
SOCI 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.
SOCI 371. Sociological Theory. (3)
The study of how theory is constructed and applied by sociologists including traditions from 19th-century sociological founders and contemporary theoretical formulations.
Prerequisite: 1110.
{Fall, Spring}
SOCI 380. Introduction to Research Methods. (3)
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: 1110.
SOCI 381L. Sociological Data Analysis. (4)
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.
SOCI 398. Special Topics in Sociology. (3, no limit Δ)
SOCI 399. Advanced Undergraduate Workshop in Sociology. (3)
First of a six-credit hour Sociology Honors Thesis Program; students develop skills to write an honors thesis proposal; culminates in the completion of a senior honors thesis written in SOCI 499.
Prerequisite: 380.
Restriction: permission of Department Honors Coordinator.
SOCI 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}
SOCI 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}
SOCI 416. Sociology of Law. (3)
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.
SOCI 418. Selected Topics in Criminology. (3-6 to a maximum of 6 Δ)
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.
SOCI 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.
SOCI 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.
SOCI 421. Sociology of Education. (3)
Fiala, Ibarra, Lopez.
Structure and functioning of educational institutions in the United States and other societies.
Prerequisite: 1110.
SOCI 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: 1110 or RELG 1110 or RELG 2110 or RELG 2120.
SOCI 423. Women, Gender, and Crime. (3)
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.
SOCI 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.
SOCI 425. Crime Through the Life Course. (3)
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.
SOCI 426. Drugs, Crime and Social Control. (3)
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.
SOCI 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.
SOCI 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}
SOCI **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.
SOCI 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: 1110 or PCST 1110 or RELG 1110.
SOCI *478. Seminar in International Studies. (3)
(Also offered as ECON *478)
Designed to provide students from several disciplines an opportunity to apply an international perspective to their undergraduate training. Each student will present a term project drawing upon his or her particular background and relating it to international matters.
Restriction: senior standing.
{Offered upon demand}
SOCI 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.
SOCI 490. Directed Study. (1-3 to a maximum of 6 Δ)
Tutorial arrangement for investigation of selected issues in sociology. Specific arrangements must be made with a member of the Sociology department faculty responsible for supervising the work. Arrangements are normally made at least one semester in advance.
SOCI 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.
SOCI 499. Senior Honors Thesis. (3)
For departmental honors students only. By arrangement with department's Honors and Awards Committee and approval of the Chairperson.
SOCI 500 . Classical Sociological Theory. (3)
Advanced study of selected classical theorists.
SOCI 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).
SOCI 507. Topics in Sociological Theory. (3, no limit Δ)
SOCI 510. Social and Political Movements. (3)
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.
SOCI 512. 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.
SOCI 513. Constructing and Analyzing Contemporary Sociological Theory. (3)
Survey of contemporary theory, with a focus on constructing theory. Includes analysis of functional, interactionist, institutional and world-systems theory.
SOCI 515. Criminological Theory. (3)
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.
SOCI 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.
SOCI 520. Racial and Ethnic Relations. (3)
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.
SOCI 521. Sociology of Education. (3)
Ibarra, Lopez.
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.
SOCI 523. Proseminar. (1)
Introduces incoming graduate students to each of the department’s regular faculty members and their work.
Offered on a CR/NC basis only.
SOCI 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}
SOCI 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.
SOCI 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.
SOCI 533. Critical Race Gender and Class: Intersectionality and Critical Race Theory for Inquiry and Praxis. (3)
Course focuses on the simultaneity of settler colonialism, structural racism, gendered anti-Blackness, heteropatriarchy, racial capitalism and other systems of oppression and resistance at the individual, institutional and structural levels of society.
SOCI 540. Medical Sociology and Health Policy. (3)
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.
SOCI 551–552 . Problems. (2-3, no limit Δ; 2-3, no limit Δ)
Tutorial arrangement with a member of the graduate faculty.
SOCI 580. Methods of Social Research. (3)
Analytical examination of traditional methodological issues including measurement, experimental design, sampling, theory construction, role of statistics and nature of probability.
SOCI 581. Advanced Social Statistics I. (3)
Soller, Thomas.
Covers the statistical methods most commonly used in social science research, from basic descriptives to multiple regression. No prior statistical training is necessary, and the emphasis is on practical use in conducting social research.
SOCI 582. Advanced Social Statistics II. (3)
Continuation of prerequisite. This course covers additional methods for quantitative social research, including models for discrete outcomes (Logistic, Poisson, etc), missing data analysis, and multilevel models.
Prerequisite: 581.
SOCI 585. Qualitative Research Methods. (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.
SOCI 595. Special Topics in Sociology. (3, no limit Δ)
SOCI 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.
SOCI 599. Master's Thesis. (1-6, no limit Δ)
Offered on a CR/NC basis only.
SOCI 696. Reading in Sociology. (1-6, no limit Δ)
Student works under faculty supervision in preparation for the Ph.D. comprehensive exam.
Offered on a CR/NC basis only.
SOCI 699. Dissertation. (3-12, no limit Δ)
Offered on a CR/NC basis only.
