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Sociology

The most basic sociological premise is that humans are social beings, shaped in many ways by the groups to which we belong. Whether they be families, athletic teams, clubs (such as sororities and fraternities), religious groups, socioeconomic classes, complex bureaucratic organizations, or nations, much of human life is guided by group norms. Frequently, humanity is also consumed with conflicts between groups, each of which tries to defend its own self interests.

As a discipline, Sociology involves the description and explanation of social structures and processes. These range from two-person interactions to relations between large social institutions, such as politics and the economy; from family dynamics to relationships between nations. Sociology increases our understanding of ourselves and our society by providing us with concepts that describe and explain our social creations and how they influence thought and behavior.  Sociology helps us assess both the opportunities and constraints in our lives and allows us to gain insight into possible solutions to some of our greatest social problems.


Sociology AAT Degree

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Social Justice AAT Degree

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Why Sociology?

Learn more about why people choose to study Sociology

The Sociology Major

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Supporting the Work of Sociologists

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What are Sociologists Saying about Sociology?

Sociology Course Descriptions

Students learn the major principles of sociology as they are applied to contemporary social issues. With the use of several theoretical perspectives, the course examines social structures within American society and other cultures from macro and micro perspectives.  There are extensive references to contemporary research findings on social structure, group dynamics, social stratification, and social
institutions.

3 Units (Lec 3 Hrs)
Transfer Credit: CSU (CSUGE Area D), UC (IGETC Area 4), C-ID (SOCI 110)
Advisory: ENGLISH 101

The student applies sociological perspectives and concepts in analyzing contemporary social problems in the United States. Topics include problems associated with drug abuse; poverty; racial, ethnic, and gender inequality; crime and violence; and the environment.

3 Units (Lec 3 Hrs)
Transfer Credit: CSU (CSUGE Area D), UC (IGETC Area 4), C-ID (SOCI 115)
Advisory: ENGLISH 101

Students examine the fundamental principles and methods of sociological research design and implementation. Students analyze the key types of evidence, including qualitative and quantitative data, data gathering and sampling methods, logic of comparison, and causal reasoning. The work of several scholars is evaluated and students create their own research design related to a sociological issue.

3 Units (Lec 3 Hrs)
Transfer Credit: CSU (CSUGE Area D), UC (IGETC Area 4), C-ID (SOCI 120)
Prerequisite: SOC 001
Advisory: MATH 227 or MATH 227S

Sociological analysis of race, ethnicity, and racism. Examines the cultural, political, and economic practices and institutions that support or challenge racism, racial and ethnic inequalities, as well as historical and contemporary patterns of interaction between various racial and ethnic groups.

3 Units (Lec 3 Hrs)
Transfer Credit: CSU (CSUGE Area D), UC (IGETC Area 4), C-ID (SOCI 150)
Advisory: ENGLISH 101

Sociological analysis of family as an institution, including historical and recent changes, present nature and the socio-cultural and economic forces shaping these changes.

3 Units (Lec 3 Hrs)
Transfer Credit: CSU (CSUGE Area D, E), UC (IGETC Area 4), C-ID (SOCI 130)
Advisory: ENGLISH 101

Students learn the origins, purpose, subject matter, and methods of Women's Studies and the feminist perspectives on a range of social issues affecting women of diverse backgrounds. Study of
gender and its intersections with race, class, sexuality, dis/ability, age, religion, and other systems of difference.

3 Units (Lec 3 Hrs)
Transfer Credit: CSU (CSUGE Area D), UC (IGETC Area 4), C-ID (SJS 120)

Sociological analysis of the social construction of gender, masculinity, and femininity historically and cross-culturally. It examines the debates on sex and gender. It analyzes the impact of economic and political change on gender expectations and practices. It focuses on macro-analyses of how institutions shape gender and micro-analyses of how individuals are socialized and how they do and practice gender.

3 Units (Lec 3 Hrs)
Transfer Credit: CSU (CSUGE Area D), UC (IGETC Area 4), C-ID (SOCI 140)

Sociological analysis of crime, criminal behavior, and the criminal justice system. Explores the history and social construction of crime and criminality and examines the definition of crime and its violations as well as the laws and methods used to control criminal behavior. There is an extensive review of the major sociological explanations on the causes of crime and criminality in addition to a consideration of the biological and psychological perspectives. Discusses measurement of crime and basic theoretical explanations of criminal behavior.

3 Units (Lec 3 Hrs)
Transfer Credit: CSU (CSUGE Area D), UC (IGETC Area 4), C-ID (SOCI 160)

An introduction to the basic statistical methods and analyses commonly used in social sciences. Topics include descriptive and inferential statistics that usually include levels and types of measurement; measures of central tendency and dispersion; normal, t, and chi-square distributions; probability and hypothesis testing; and correlation and regression.

3 Units (Lec 3 Hrs)
Transfer Credit: CSU (CSUGE Area B4), UC (IGETC Area 2A), C-ID (SOCI 125)
Meets Math Expression Competency
Prerequisite: MATH 125 or by Appropriate Placement

Sociology and Social Justice

Location

Franklin Hall 219E

Contact

Carlos Reyes Guerrero, PhD
Department Chair
Email: @email
Phone: (323) 953-4000 ext. 2506

Jill Biondo, MA
Professor of Sociology
Email: @email