Academic Calendar

Keys and Symbols Reference

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

(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.

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.

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}

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.

An overview of sociological research on the strongest social relationships and primary social groups: those of love, family and friendships.

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.

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.

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.

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.

This course explores how social inequities in education, housing, employment, health care, safety, resources, money, and power contribute to health disparities among refugee and immigrant populations and multilevel approaches to reducing these inequities and disparities.

This community-engaged course provides students the opportunity to apply knowledge about social inequalities and health to working with refugee and immigrant community members to create change that improves mental health and well-being and reduces inequities.

Prerequisite: 346.

The forms and development of urban community; demographic, spatial, functional and temporal patterns; metropolitan development and city-hinterland relations.

Prerequisite: 1110.

{Offered upon demand}

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.

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: 1110.

{Fall, Spring}

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: 1110.

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.

 A course exploring a topic not covered by the standard curriculum but of interest to faculty and students in a particular semester.

Gonzales.

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.

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}

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}

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.

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.

This course introduces social network analysis as a tool for studying topics related to the social aspect of criminal and delinquent behavior: delinquent peers, co-offending, and organized criminal groups.

Prerequisite: 312.

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.

Fiala, Ibarra, Lopez.

Structure and functioning of educational institutions in the United States and other societies.

Prerequisite: 1110.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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}

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.

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.

(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}

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.

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.

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.

For departmental honors students only. By arrangement with department's Honors and Awards Committee and approval of the Chairperson.

Barker, Toro-Tulla.

Advanced study of selected classical theorists.

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).

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.

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.

Fiala, Whooley, Wood.

Survey of contemporary theory, with a focus on constructing theory. Includes analysis of functional, interactionist, institutional and world-systems theory.

Broidy, Lyons, Jackson, Painter-Davis, Ragan, Soller, 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.

Content varies. Explores select substantive and theoretical topics in criminology. Topics may include communities and crime, gender and crime, contemporary research in criminology.

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.

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.

Fiala.

Introduces incoming graduate students to each of the department’s regular faculty members and their work.

Offered on a CR/NC basis only.

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}

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.

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.

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.

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.

Tutorial arrangement with a member of the graduate faculty.

Ragan.

Analytical examination of traditional methodological issues including measurement, experimental design, sampling, theory construction, role of statistics and nature of probability.

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.

Thomas.

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.

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.

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.

Faculty-supervised investigative study that results in the development and writing of a master’s thesis.

Offered on a CR/NC basis only.

Student works under faculty supervision in preparation for the Ph.D. comprehensive exam.

Offered on a CR/NC basis only.

Faculty-supervised investigative study that results in the development and writing of a doctoral dissertation.

Offered on a CR/NC basis only.

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