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Associate Professors: S. Schrader, G. Sehested, W. Swart (Chair)
In an increasingly complex society, it is vital for students to understand how society operates and to recognize the social connections between daily lives and experiences and larger societal forces. The Sociology department curriculum enables students to identify, understand, and critically explore these connections. Students may draw from a broad range of topical areas including family, religion, medical sociology, deviance, gender, gerontology and social inequality.
Because students of sociology grapple with a wide variety of contemporary social issues, a Sociology major or minor will equip students with basic tools for diverse career paths including graduate school preparation, administration, community development, human services, law, criminology, health-related fields, ministry, etc. A sociology faculty advisor will work with each student to identify career interests and to make appropriate course selections.
SOCIOLOGY MAJOR: 31 credit hours
SOCI 110 - Contemporary Society (3 cr)
SOCI 340 - Social Inequality (4 cr)
SOCI 350 - Social Science Research Methods (W) (4 cr)
SOCI 360 - Sociological Theory (4 cr)
ECON 270 - Statistics (4 cr)
SOCI - Elective courses (12 cr)
Since several emphases are available in sociology, it is recommended that selection of courses be done in
consultation with an advisor. The following guidelines will be helpful for those with specific career goals:
Law Enforcement Professions:
In addition to the required courses for the major add:
SOCI 240 - Deviance and Social Control (3 cr)
SOCI 250 - Delinquency and Crime (3 cr)
GOVT 290 - Criminal Law (3 cr)
Human Service Professions:
Consider adding the Gender Studies or Gerontology Minor and/or take:
BSAD 310 - Principles of Marketing (4 cr)
BSAD 320 - Principles of Management (3 cr)
ACCT 210 - Principles of Accounting I (4 cr)Graduate Study:
In addition to the required courses for the major add:
SOCI 210 - Sociology of Families (3 cr)
SOCI 260 - Sociology of Gender (3 cr)
SOCI 300 - Social Psychology (3 cr)
SOCI 398 - Honors in Sociology (3-4 cr)
SOCIOLOGY MINOR: 18 credit hours
SOCI 110 - Contemporary Society (3 cr)
SOCI 350 - Social Science Research Methods (W) (4 cr)
SOCI 360 - Sociological Theory (4 cr)
SOCI - Elective courses (6 cr)
SOCIOLOGY COURSES:
SOCI 110 - CONTEMPORARY SOCIETY (Area 3.3) (3 credits)
Students will understand their personal life in relation to broader social structures and change. This
awareness is accomplished through the application of the sociological perspective to human interactions,
relationships, groups, and social institutions.
NOTE: OFFERED EVERY SEMESTER
SOCI 210 - SOCIOLOGY OF FAMILIES (3 credits)
A sociological examination of family dynamics with emphasis upon the development of the self, interaction
patterns in mate selection, marriage and parenthood; and the effects of social class and ethnicity upon the family.
The focus is upon contemporary American society with attention to historical and cross-cultural comparisons.
NOTE: OFFERED EVERY FALL SEMESTER
SOCI 220 - SOCIAL GERONTOLOGY (3 credits)
This course is designed to build upon learning gained in Aging and Society (GERO 120). In addition to a
thorough examination of theoretical perspectives on aging, the course will also address other social
dimensions of the aging experience. Special emphasis will be devoted to social roles and life events while
exploring the interrelatedness of aging and social institutions (health, politics, economics, religion, and
family). Readings, lectures, and experiential learning will be used.
NOTES: CROSS-LISTED WITH GERO 220
OFFERED SPRING SEMESTER, ODD YEARS
SOCI 230 - MEDICAL SOCIOLOGY (3 credits)
A survey of the relationship between social cultural backgrounds and medical and health practices. Topics
include the socio-cultural context of illness; role of medical specialists in modern society; and the hospital
as a social organization. Applies toward Gerontology minor.
NOTE: OFFERED SPRING SEMESTER, EVEN YEARS
SOCI 240 - DEVIANCE AND SOCIAL CONTROL (3 credits)
An examination of the social processes and structures related to deviation from the norms of society.
Attention will be focused on the following kinds of questions: How and why do certain persons and kinds
of behavior come to be designated as deviant? What are the consequences of these processes? What
methods are used to prevent and/or control deviance and what are the consequences of these methods?
NOTE: OFFERED FALL SEMESTER, ODD YEARS
SOCI 250 - DELINQUENCY AND CRIME (3 credits)
Introduces student to the problems of crime and delinquency, especially the nature and extent of crime,
theories of criminal behavior and social response to crime.
NOTE: OFFERED SPRING SEMESTER, ODD YEARS
SOCI 260 - SOCIOLOGY OF GENDER (3 credits)
Examines the various ways in which gender is a basic component of social organization in contemporary
and traditional societies (with an emphasis on American society) and the ways in which this aspect of
society is currently undergoing change. The course will address a number of questions, including: What is
the relationship between sex (biological maleness or femaleness) and gender (social definitions of
masculinity and femininity)? What are the impacts of social construction of gender on the lives of
individual women and men? In what ways are basic social institutions (the economy, polity, religion,
education, etc.) “gendered?” How and why are the gender arrangements of societies changing?
NOTES: CROSS-LISTED WITH GENS 260
OFFERED SPRING SEMESTER, ODD YEARS
SOCI 270 - INTRODUCTION TO ARCHEOLOGY (3 credits)
The course is organized around the broadest possible definition of archeology: the study of artifacts in
relation to human behavior at any time and place. Tracing the immense journey of humankind across two
million years of evolution from crude chopping tools to high-speed computers that can simulate the rise and
fall of our own civilization, archeology provides a framework for reading the stories of change from the
material evidence. SOCI 270 or 271 may be counted toward the Sociology major, but not both courses.
NOTES: CROSS-LISTED WITH ANTH 270
OFFERED FALL SEMESTER, EVEN YEARS
SOCI 271 - CULTURAL ANTHROPOLOGY (Area 3.6) (3 credits)
An anthropological study of diverse cultures, past and present, focusing upon technologies and structure,
kinship and family patterns, political relations, religious concepts, and artistic forms. SOCI 270 OR 271
may be counted toward the Sociology major, but not both courses.
NOTES: CROSS-LISTED WITH ANTH 271
OFFERED SPRING SEMESTER, ODD YEARS
SOCI 280 - RACE, ETHNICITY AND MULTICULTURALISM (3 credits)
This course explores the dynamics of multicultural society. It takes a dual focus – one detailing the
subjective processes of identity construction among diverse racial and ethnic groups and the other
examining the experiences and consequences of discrimination and oppression. Particular attention will be
paid to contemporary issues of multiculturalism. In other words, what are the benefits and challenges of
social diversity and what does it mean to be a “citizen” in a society comprised of diverse and often
competing racial, ethnic, and gendered identities?
NOTE: OFFERED SPRING SEMESTER, EVEN YEARS
SOCI 291 - SOCIOLOGY OF RELIGION (3 credits)
This course sociologically explores American religion as a social institution which influences and in
influenced by other social institutions. Students will develop an understanding of sociological theories,
methods, and concepts associated with the scientific study of religion. Students will also explore current
religious issues and demographics and come to appreciate the “face” of the contemporary religious landscape.
Potential topics include religious change (the decline of mainline religions, the rise of fundamentalism,
evangelicalism, and alternative religions); the role of the media in constructing a religious cult; religion and
politics; connections between religion and violence; race, class, gender and religious behavior.
NOTE: OFFERED FALL SEMESTER, EVEN YEARS
SOCI 300 - SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY (3 credits)
A study of the dialectical relationship between the human individual and society. The course will focus on
the ways in which humans are inescapably social creatures. It will examine the social influences on human
perception, self-conception, cognition, and behavior and also the way in which human individuals
construct, maintain and transform the social structures within which they live.
NOTES: CROSS-LISTED WITH PSYC 300
OFFERED EVERY FALL SEMESTER
SOCI 320 - NATIVE AMERICAN SOCIAL SYSTEMS (Area 3.6) (3 credits)
This course presents an “institutional” approach to Native American (specifically Lakota) society from pre-
European contact to the present. It explores Lakota social institutions (political, economic, family,
religious, and educational systems) prior to European contact, and examines the impact of non-Indian
structures on the historical development of Lakota social institutions. This course fulfills the State of South
Dakota’s teacher certification requirement.
NOTES: CROSS-LISTED WITH NAST 320
OFFERED EVERY SEMESTER
SOCI 340 - SOCIAL INEQUALITY (4 credits)
An examination of social stratification which primarily explores the intersection of social class, raceethnicity,
and gender. Primary emphasis is on the system of stratification within the United States. Students
will understand how these inequalities interact by exploring historical and contemporary realities of these
inequalities from the voices of marginalized groups. Students will also examine classical and contemporary
theoretical explanations and current solutions offered for these social inequalities.
NOTE: OFFERED EVERY SPRING SEMESTER
SOCI 350 - SOCIAL SCIENCE RESEARCH METHODS (W - Area 2.1B) (4 credits)
An interdisciplinary approach to basic social science research methods. The course introduces students to
the several research methodologies used within the social sciences. Students participate in all stages of a
research project.
NOTES: CROSS-LISTED WITH ECON 350, GOVT 350, AND PSYC 350
OFFERED EVERY SEMESTER
SOCI 360 - SOCIOLOGICAL THEORY (4 credits)
This course presents a survey of the major European and American social theorists and theories of the late
19th and 20th centuries. Theories are tools that help sociologists understand their lives, communities, and
place in history. The goal is to help students develop both an appreciation for the ideas of specific “great
thinkers” and develop their skills in thinking theoretically. The course emphasizes the theoretical
knowledge, application, and development.
NOTE: OFFERED EVERY FALL SEMESTER
SOCI 390 - APPLIED SOCIOLOGY (3 credits)
What is the utility of sociology? This course offers a hands-on examination of the concepts and skills
developed within sociology, ways to engage in seeking solutions to issues of structure, process, and social
change within organizations, and application of a sociological perspective in potential career-related
settings. Students will couple field experiences with a weekly class seminar to address these topics. Note:
Student must meet with a sociology faculty member one month prior to the beginning of the term to identify
an appropriate placement based on individual interests.
NOTES: PREREQUISITE: 9 CREDITS OF SOCI COURSES OR CONSENT OF THE DEPARTMENT
CHAIR
OFFERED EVERY SEMESTER
SOCI 395, 495 - INTERNSHIP (2-4 credits)
SOCI 197, 297, 397 - TOPICS IN SOCIOLOGY (2-4 credits)
Examples of possible topics courses: Rural Studies; Human Communities; Social Change.
SOCI 398 - HONORS IN SOCIOLOGY (3-4 credits)
SOCI 199, 299, 399 - INDEPENDENT STUDY (2-4 credits)