Graduate Course Descriptions

The following directory lists the graduate courses which the University expects to offer, although the University in no way guarantees that all such courses will be offered in any given academic year, and reserves the right to alter the list if conditions warrant. Click on the links below for a list of courses in that subject area. You may then click “View Classes” to see scheduled classes for individual courses.

5001. Proseminar

1.50 credits

Prerequisites: None.

Grading Basis: Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory

Part one of a required year-long seminar for all M.A. candidates in the first year of study. Provides an orientation to graduate education and offers students opportunities for professional development. Topics include strategies for successful graduate education; advice on mentoring and networking; starting a thesis project, presenting research, applying for grants, and publishing. Reviews various career opportunities for professional sociologists and provides guidance on how to best prepare for the job market.

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5002. Proseminar

1.50 credits

Prerequisites: SOCI 5001 or Instructor consent.

Grading Basis: Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory

Part two of a required year-long seminar for all M.A. candidates in the first year of study. Provides an orientation to graduate education and offers students opportunities for professional development. Topics include strategies for successful graduate education; advice on mentoring and networking; starting a thesis project, presenting research, applying for grants, and publishing. Reviews various career opportunities for professional sociologists and provides guidance on how to best prepare for the job market.

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5003. Teaching Sociology

1.00 - 3.00 credits

Prerequisites: Open only to graduate students in Sociology.

Grading Basis: Graded

A survey and discussion of the content, viewpoints and methods that can be employed in teaching sociology. Emphasis is on course preparation for new teachers .

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5005. Writing Sociology

3.00 credits

Prerequisites: Instructor consent.

Grading Basis: Graded

Furthers the development of students' sociological writing skills and enhances their ability to generate clear, concise and effective sociological arguments and analysis through engaged discussion of writing goals and strategies, instructor feedback, and peer review.

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5201. The Logic of Social Research

3.00 credits

Prerequisites: None.

Grading Basis: Graded

Required of all M.A. candidates in the first year of study. Covers the logic of how to frame and design social research. Topics include the link between theory and method, selection of a research topic, inductive versus deductive reasoning, causality (including research designs for identifying causal relations) and causal errors, conceptualization, operationalization, levels of analysis, measurement, reliability and validity, sampling, using mixed methods, research ethics, and the politics of social research.

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5203. Quantitative Research I

3.00 credits

Prerequisites: SOCI 5201.

Grading Basis: Graded

Required of all M.A. candidates in the first year of study. Introduction to quantitative methods of social research. Topics include linear regression, including ANOVA and ANCOVA; hypothesis testing and model selection; regression diagnostics; non-linearity and functional form; path analysis; and factor analysis.

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5205. Topics in Quantitative Methods

3.00 credits | May be repeated for a total of 9 credits.

Prerequisites: None.

Grading Basis: Graded

Special topics in quantitative methods in sociological research. Topics will vary by semester.

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5231. Qualitative Research I

3.00 credits

Prerequisites: Open only to Sociology graduate students; others with instructor consent.

Grading Basis: Graded

Introduction to qualitative methods of social research. Topics include contemporary theoretical and epistemological debates; ethical issues; and exploration of the diverse traditions approaches of qualitative research. Discussion of different strategies for conducting fieldwork, interviewing, and textual, virtual, and archival research. Hands on approaches to gathering data and addressing the relationships between theory, methods of analysis, and data collection; and introduction to a variety of perspectives on writing, narrative, and analytic strategies.

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5235. Topics in Qualitative Methods

3.00 credits | May be repeated for a total of 9 credits.

Prerequisites: None.

Grading Basis: Graded

Special topics in qualitative methods in sociological research. Topics will vary by semester.

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5251. Core Theorists

3.00 credits

Prerequisites: None.

Grading Basis: Graded

An examination of the original writings of the major figures in sociological theory: Durkheim, Marx, Weber, and Simmel. The course focuses upon the theories of these major figures, their relations with contemporaries, their interconnections, and their influence upon subsequent theory and theory groupings.

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5255. Topics in Sociological Theory

3.00 credits | May be repeated for a total of 9 credits.

Prerequisites: None.

Grading Basis: Graded

Special topics in sociological theory. Topics will vary by semester.

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5275. Topics in Culture

3.00 credits | May be repeated for a total of 9 credits.

Prerequisites: None.

Grading Basis: Graded

Special topics in sociological theory and research in culture. Topics will vary by semester.

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5315. Topics in Deviance and Crime

3.00 credits | May be repeated for a total of 9 credits.

Prerequisites: None.

Grading Basis: Graded

Special topics in sociological theory and research in deviance and crime. Topics will vary by semester.

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5411. Sociology of Work

3.00 credits

Prerequisites: None.

Grading Basis: Graded

Analysis of work behavior with particular attention to formal and informal organization of labor, white collar, executive and professional roles.

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5421. Seminar in Social Stratification

3.00 credits

Prerequisites: None.

Grading Basis: Graded

Social class theories, and problems of distribution of power and privileges. Some attention will be given to a comparative analysis of class systems.

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5425. Topics in Stratification and Inequality

3.00 credits | May be repeated for a total of 9 credits.

Prerequisites: None.

Grading Basis: Graded

Special topics in sociological theory and research in social stratification and inequality. Topics will vary by semester.

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5471. Energy, Environment, and Society

3.00 credits

Prerequisites: None.

Grading Basis: Graded

Sociological perspectives on energy production, distribution and consumption; environmental impacts and constraints; alternative energy and environment futures; and cross-national studies of policy formation and implementation.

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5501. Racism

3.00 credits | May be repeated for a total of 6 credits.

Prerequisites: None.

Grading Basis: Graded

Variable topics in the study of racism, such as racism and U.S. social policy, white racism, and the social construction of whiteness. Topic may vary by semester.

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5505. Topics in Racism and Ethnic Group Relations

3.00 credits | May be repeated for a total of 9 credits.

Prerequisites: None.

Grading Basis: Graded

Special topics in sociological analyses of racism and ethnic group relations. Topics will vary by semester.

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5515. Sociology of Immigration

3.00 credits

Prerequisites: None.

Grading Basis: Graded

Theoretical and empirical work on immigration and ethnicity including forms of assimilation, ethnicity and transnationalism; challenges and opportunities for incorporation, and struggles over political, social, economic human rights. The course focuses on the US with selected cases from Europe and Asia.

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5525. Race, Immigration, and Reproduction

Also offered as: LLAS 5525

3.00 credits

Prerequisites: None.

Grading Basis: Graded

This interdisciplinary course considers intersections of race, immigration, and reproduction within the United States and in a transnational context.

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5601. Gender and Society

3.00 credits | May be repeated for a total of 6 credits.

Prerequisites: None.

Grading Basis: Graded

Critical appraisal of social scientific perspectives on women and men. Feminist theory and current social science research on gender. Emphasis on interdisciplinary approaches.

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5602. Gender in Global Perspective

Also offered as: WGSS 5602

3.00 credits

Prerequisites: Instructor consent.

Grading Basis: Graded

Debates surrounding "established" concepts such as gender, feminism, intersectionality, and postcolonial, as well as the situated contexts within which these concepts are redefined, debated, and institutionalized. Analysis of literature from Africa, Latin America, and South Asia on the politics of knowledge, violence, development and human rights.

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5604. Sociology of Sexualities

Also offered as: WGSS 5604

3.00 credits

Prerequisites: Instructor consent.

Grading Basis: Graded

Explores social organization, construction, and politics of sexualities with a particular focus on lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) experiences and the intersection of sexualities, gender, race, age, and class. How institutions, identities, and discourses interact with, are regulated by, and produce sexual meanings and social and political inequalities.

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5605. Topics in Gender and Sexualities

3.00 credits | May be repeated for a total of 9 credits.

Prerequisites: None.

Grading Basis: Graded

Special topics in sociological theory and research in gender and sexualities. Topics will vary by semester.

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5612. Feminist Theory and Social Science

Also offered as: WGSS 5612

3.00 credits

Prerequisites: None.

Grading Basis: Graded

Examines intellectual background and contemporary context for feminist theoretical debates in the social sciences. Explores these debates with reference to feminist perspectives on political theory, science, economics, postmodernism, postcolonialism, globalization, socialization, and sexuality.

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5613. Theories of Intersectionality

Also offered as: WGSS 5613

3.00 credits

Prerequisites: None.

Grading Basis: Graded

Analyses of theories that simultaneously take into account dynamics of race, class, gender, sexuality, nation, ability, and other dimensions of social inequality and difference. How scholars research intersectionality, the limits and possibilities of different approaches, and the types of methodologies that are most effective for intersectional analysis.

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5614. Sexual Citizenship

Also offered as: WGSS 5614

3.00 credits

Prerequisites: None.

Grading Basis: Graded

Sexuality as an axis of citizenship in diverse national and international contexts. Analysis of access to citizenship, relationship recognition, marriage rights, heteronormativity and compulsory heterosexuality, trans citizenship claims, immigration, asylum, sex work, reproductive rights, sex education, racism and racialization, colonialism, and social justice.

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5651. Seminar in the Family

3.00 credits

Prerequisites: None.

Grading Basis: Graded

An analytical study of the family as a social group in terms of structure, member roles, and function with an examination of ethnic, religious, and class differences. The interrelationship between the family and its cultural context is analyzed with particular reference to the impact of modern culture.

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5701. Urban Sociology

3.00 credits

Prerequisites: None.

Grading Basis: Graded

A survey of topics in urban sociology. Examines both classical and contemporary perspectives on the social organization of cities including urbanization, suburbanization, spatial characteristics of cities, residential segregation, immigration, poverty and wealth, and urban-­based social problems.

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5703. The Metropolitan Community

3.00 credits

Prerequisites: None.

Grading Basis: Graded

Topics in urban sociology.

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5751. Demography

3.00 credits

Prerequisites: None.

Grading Basis: Graded

Survey and analysis of theories and present problem areas in demography. This includes such topics as: population growth and distribution, population composition, mortality, fertility, migration, and population policy.

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5753. Methods of Population Analysis

3.00 credits

Prerequisites: None.

Grading Basis: Graded

The sources and characteristics of demographic data and vital statistics and the methods and problems of population data analysis.

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5801. Political Sociology

3.00 credits

Prerequisites: None.

Grading Basis: Graded

Sociological aspects of political institutions and behavior; social and economic bases of political power, ideology, and mobilization of support; community and national power systems, political parties, and elites.

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5805. Topics in Political Sociology

3.00 credits | May be repeated for a total of 9 credits.

Prerequisites: None.

Grading Basis: Graded

Special topics in sociological theory and research in political sociology. Topics will vary by semester.

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5821. Social Movements

3.00 credits

Prerequisites: None.

Grading Basis: Graded

Analysis of the conditions and processes underlying movement formation and participation and influencing their careers and outcomes.

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5825. Sociology of Human Rights

Also offered as: HRTS 5825

3.00 credits

Prerequisites: Instructor consent.

Grading Basis: Graded

Critical sociological perspective on human rights, with a specific emphasis on power, inequalities, and people's struggles to claim and access political, civil, economic, social and cultural human rights.

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5833. Gender, Politics and the State

3.00 credits

Prerequisites: None.

Grading Basis: Graded

Explores gendered construction of state and politics with attention to changes over time, across cultures and political institutions. Examines key debates within feminist political and legal theories and third world feminist and post colonialsist theories of the state. Discusses links between local resistance, immigration, cultural citizenship, international politics, neoliberal discourse, and global economic restructuring.

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5895. Investigation of Special Topics

1.00 - 3.00 credits | May be repeated for a total of 15 credits.

Prerequisites: None.

Grading Basis: Graded

A seminar course. Topics vary by semester.

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5899. Independent Study for Graduate Students

1.00 - 6.00 credits | May be repeated for a total of 36 credits.

Prerequisites: None.

Grading Basis: Graded

Special topic readings or investigations.

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6005. Advanced Topics in Sociology

3.00 credits | May be repeated for a total of 9 credits.

Prerequisites: None.

Grading Basis: Graded

Advanced topics in sociological analysis. Topics will vary by semester.

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6203. Quantitative Research II

3.00 credits

Prerequisites: None.

Grading Basis: Graded

Advanced quantitative methods of social research. Topics include generalized linear models, including binary logit and probit, multinomial logit, ordered logit and probit, and count data; censoring, truncation, and sample selection; panel data; and correlated errors.

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6205. Advanced Topics in Quantitative Methods

3.00 credits | May be repeated for a total of 9 credits.

Prerequisites: None.

Grading Basis: Graded

Advanced topics in quantitative methods in sociological research. Topics will vary by semester.

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6231. Qualitative Research II

3.00 credits

Prerequisites: SOCI 5231 or equivalent; open to master’s and doctoral students in sociology, others with instructor consent.

Grading Basis: Graded

Advanced topics in qualitative methods of social research. Further interrogation of topics including contemporary theoretical and epistemological debates in qualitative methodology; continued exploration of ethical issues and diversity of traditions in conducting fieldwork, interviewing, and analysis of virtual, and archival research. Hands-on approaches to gathering data and addressing the relationship between theory, analysis, and data; and introduction to a variety of perspectives on writing and narrative analysis.

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6251. Current Theory and Research

3.00 credits

Prerequisites: SOCI 5251.

Grading Basis: Graded

An examination of current theories. Topics include: consideration of their continuities with classical theories, conceptual and measurement problems in testing and constructing current theories, and the interplay between theory and research.

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6255. Advanced Topics in Qualitative Methods

3.00 credits | May be repeated for a total of 9 credits.

Prerequisites: None.

Grading Basis: Graded

Advanced topics in qualitative methods in sociological research. Topics will vary by semester.

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6265. Advanced Topics in Sociological Theory

3.00 credits | May be repeated for a total of 9 credits.

Prerequisites: None.

Grading Basis: Graded

Advanced topics in sociological theory. Topics will vary by semester.

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6275. Advanced Topics in Culture

3.00 credits | May be repeated for a total of 9 credits.

Prerequisites: None.

Grading Basis: Graded

Advanced topics in sociological theory and research in culture. Topics will vary by semester.

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6315. Advanced Topics in Deviance and Crime

3.00 credits | May be repeated for a total of 9 credits.

Prerequisites: None.

Grading Basis: Graded

Advanced topics in sociological theory and research in deviance and crime. Topics will vary by semester.

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6355. Advanced Topics in Individuals and Society

3.00 credits | May be repeated for a total of 9 credits.

Prerequisites: None.

Grading Basis: Graded

Advanced topics in sociological theory and research in the relationship between individuals and society. Topics will vary by semester.

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6425. Advanced Topics in Stratification and Inequality

3.00 credits | May be repeated for a total of 9 credits.

Prerequisites: None.

Grading Basis: Graded

Advanced topics in sociological theory and research in social stratification and inequality. Topics will vary by semester.

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6505. Advanced Topics in Racism and Ethnic Group Relations

3.00 credits | May be repeated for a total of 9 credits.

Prerequisites: None.

Grading Basis: Graded

Advanced topics in sociological theory and research in racism and ethnic group relations. Topics will vary by semester.

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6605. Advanced Topics in Gender and Sexualities

3.00 credits | May be repeated for a total of 9 credits.

Prerequisites: None.

Grading Basis: Graded

Advanced topics in sociological theory and research in gender and sexualities. Topics will vary by semester.

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6805. Advanced Topics in Political Sociology

3.00 credits | May be repeated for a total of 9 credits.

Prerequisites: None.

Grading Basis: Graded

Advanced topics in sociological theory and research in political sociology. Topics will vary by semester.

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6825. Topics in the Sociology of Human Rights

Also offered as: HRTS 6825

3.00 - 9.00 credits | May be repeated for a total of 9 credits.

Prerequisites: Instructor consent.

Grading Basis: Graded

Topics in sociological theory and research in human rights. Topics will vary by semester. May be repeated to a maximum of nine credits.

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