Sociology
The Department of Sociology is committed to the principles of a liberal education and to assisting students in learning to "utilize the sociological imagination" in order to define, analyze, and understand human behavior. The Sociology faculty brings the intellectual traditions of our discipline to the LaGrange curriculum and we teach students the various skills needed to conduct theoretically sound, methodologically rigorous and multifaceted analyses of human social phenomena at both the local and global levels. The department focuses on diversity and inequality while seeking to transform students into adults committed to civility, diversity, service, and excellence. The faculty encourages students to critically evaluate their community, to effectively communicate with fellow community members and to propose creative ways to establish a better society. These goals are reflected in the Department’s course offerings. Sociology majors demonstrate an understanding and mastery of:
- the difference between micro- and macro-level groups and processes, and the interconnections among them;
- the importance and necessity of theory in the process of learning;
- the strengths and weaknesses of various research methods, and the appropriateness of each for various research questions;
- the opportunities as well as constraints that are imposed on us by social structure.
Student accomplishments are assessed according to the requirements for each course and finally by completing a Senior Seminar.
Majors and Minors
Major Minor
B.A. in Sociology Minor in Sociology B.A. in Sociology with a Concentration in Health and MedicineCourses
Introduction to Sociology is a study of the fundamental concepts and principles of the discipline, with emphasis on socialization, social institutions, social interaction, social stratification and inequality, as well as mechanisms of social control. Familiarization with the distinction between macro- and micro-level sociological processes will be emphasized.
Using a special topics approach, this course provides the most current assessment of social problems and the policies created in an attempt to remedy these social ills.
Social Work introduces the prospective social worker to underlying theories associated with the field and provides an overview of the history and practice of social work.
Introduction to Gerontology explores the sociological aspects of aging including how the elderly affect society and how society affects the elderly. We examine the interaction of the elderly with society and with many of our social institutions such as religion, healthcare, government, and the economy. We look at the issues associated with our aging population and how those issues affect people of all ages as well as examining several current controversies associated with our changing population structure. Current theories, policies, and practices in gerontology are introduced and provide exploration of the field as a possible career choice.
Sports have made an enduring impact on the social world in which we all live and represent an important aspect of our everyday lives and our leisure time. The organization of sports is a reflection of the organization of society. By critically studying the relationship between sports and society we will gain a greater understanding of society as a whole. The goal of this course is to apply a sociological lens to the world of sports and athletics (a distinction that will be examined) through the incorporation of academic writing, popular media, and personal experiences. Using these tools, the student will explore the ways in which sports are entangled in social, cultural, political, and economic forces operating at many different levels (local and global).
Everything that is alive eventually dies, thus death is a part of life. Understanding death can help us to understand and experience life more fully, and it can help us to make appropriate, compassionate responses to death and dying. The question of death, with or without religious guidance, is essentially ethical – what to do in recognition of the fact that we, everyone we love, and everyone who loves us, is going to die. In order to better understand ourselves and others, and the diversity of loss experiences, this course examines how social, cultural, and historical factors influence individuals’ coping responses during loss and the last stage of life. Difficult and controversial health care, end of life, care giving needs, and after life issues are also be explored.
Kinship and Families offers a multi-disciplinary perspective on contemporary marriages, families, and other intimate relationships. Students will become familiarized with competing models and theories on family relationships. In addition, the course explores cross-cultural variation in family systems as well as diversity and change within the American population. Topics to be covered include: mate selection, sexuality, marital structure, marital happiness, divorce, parenting, and alternative family forms.
Introduction to Poverty Studies exposes students to the causes and effects of poverty and allows them to begin thinking about how they can help alleviate it. Readings and discussions will encourage students’ understanding of how disciplines can come together to help eradicate poverty, increase their understanding of what it means to be poor in both the U.S. and globally, and begin to think of solutions to complex problems.
An analysis of the sources, patterns, and consequences of social and cultural change. The roles of socio-economic, political, technological and other factors in processes of change at institutional and societal levels are investigated.
Students of Social Responsibility and Civil Society will examine past social justice movements as well as the meaning of civil society. In addition, students will examine the 21st century idea of social entrepreneurship. Combining these approaches, students will determine the meaning of a civil society and its implications for social responsibility and policy.
Focus is on theories needed for generalist social work practice with individuals and small groups. Critical evaluation of the value base of the social work profession and basic practice concepts for understanding a variety of intervention models in diverse settings will be explored.
Criminology examines the nature and impact of crime in the United States. We will focus on the following topics: 1) historical foundations of crime; 2) theoretical perspectives of criminology; 3) characteristics of victims and offenders; 4) different types of crime; and 5) an analysis of policies concerning crime and control.
A sociological analysis of the interplay between religion and culture.
An examination of the lifecourse of human populations with an emphasis on at-risk members within the population. Using Applied Sociology concepts and Social Work best practices, students will examine processes for engaging at risk individuals and to provide services that might lessen or remove risk and hardships from their lives. Students will also develop a lifespan approach to biopsychosocial examination of behavior and early development through old age emphasizing social influences.
Globalization in the 21st Century focuses on the social structure, economics, politics, and culture of the United States in a global context. It examines many of the common assumptions about American society, especially global influence, relationships. An overview of current and past theory is examined at an interdisciplinary level.
Deviance and criminology is a multi-disciplinary examination of deviant behavior and corrections, with an emphasis on competing theories regarding the origins and incidence of deviance. Special attention will be given to the social forces underlying criminal and deviant behavior.
A study of the ethical issues raised by the practice of nursing, medicine, and biomedical research.
Social Policy and Aging examines aging-related social policy topics in more depth than Introduction to Gerontology. We begin the class by looking at some of the important contexts in which aging policy occurs - social, economic, and political. We also look at the relationship between policy and diversity of the older population both as domestic and global issues. We then turn to specific policy areas, including employment, retirement, housing, health care and long-term community and family care. We also study the debate about generational equity - are older people benefitting at the expense of the young?
Students will become aware of the impacts of race, ethnicity and gender in a global society. The norms, values, and patterns of communication associated with each category and how these affect personal life choices and social status will be examined. Specifically, students will become aware of how our basic social institutions, such as the economy, the family, education, religion, and the political system are biased institutions with differing ideals and expectations for women and men as well as different race and ethnic groups.
Drugs and Society focuses on drug use and abuse as a social phenomenon. This course will examine the following: 1) The history behind drug laws; 2) The relationship between drugs and race/gender/class; 3) Use patterns related to specific drugs; 4) Drug policy, legislation, and enforcement; and 5) Drug use subcultures
Sociology of Education examines the structure and process of education in contemporary society and the effects on society. The primary focus will be on U.S. public education. An examination of current controversies in education will also be covered. These controversies include but are not limited to school funding, curriculum approaches, violence, bullying and educational reform movements.
This course will provide an introduction to central topics in the sociology of medicine while also suggesting how that field is being redefined and reinvigorated by science and technology studies. Students will seek to understand health, health care, and biomedicine by exploring multiple domains: (1) the work sites in which health professionals interact with one another and with their clients; (2) the cultural arenas within which ideas of health and disease circulate; (3) the market relations that produce health care as a commodity; the institutions that transform social inequalities into health disparities; and (4) the social movements that challenge biomedical practices and the authority of experts.
Special Topics will involve in-depth exploration into a unique topic in Sociology. The course content will rotate from year to year. Students may repeat the course for credit so long as the topic changes and with departmental approval.
Corrections and Society examines the history and background of the American corrections system. Specific attention will be placed on law, policies, issues, and controversies, as well as an examination of how race, class, and gender intersect within the criminal justice system. Alternatives to incarceration, capital punishment, and community based treatment plans will be discussed.
Methods I is a study of basic social science research methodology. Topics considered include: research design and data collection, writing a literature review, measurement and causality, fitting models to data with various methods, graphic analysis, and the use of statistical software. An emphasis is placed on designing a research project.
Methods II expands on the concepts, techniques, and interpretation of quantitative methods. Includes, but not limited to: measurement, hypothesis testing, bivariate and multivariate techniques, and application with SPSS.
This course provides an introduction to the basic tools of program evaluation thereby allowing students to assess and build higher quality programs and policies. An overview of the theoretical foundations and techniques of program evaluation including need assessments, outcome evaluations, surveys, program outcomes and impact evaluations. Topics covered include reasons for and uses of evaluations, evaluation design, comparisons of qualitative, quantitative and mixed method approaches, practical challenges in data collection and analysis, estimation of program impacts, dissemination of findings, and integration of findings into policy and organizational strategy as well as cost estimations for quality evaluations. Students will analyze the evaluations of a variety of programs and policy instruments through exercises and case studies.
Theory I is an introduction to the development of sociological theory. It focuses on the most influential figures in the development of sociological theory and their legacy in contemporary sociology. Major schools of social thought are covered.
Inequality and Stratification will examine social inequality, a topic which is at the core of sociological analysis and research. The classical perspectives on inequality will be examined, as well as the contemporary extensions of these approaches. Particular attention will be paid to class, race, and gender as separate and as intersecting axes of inequality.
Theory II is an introduction to classical, 20th century, and current social theorists. It focuses on the most influential figures in the development of sociological theory and their legacy in contemporary sociology.]
This course requires 120 hours of supervised experience (per 3 credit hours) in a local agency or office, selected readings, as well as an oral presentation given in one of the SOCI courses. Applications for internships must be submitted to the department chair in the term or semester prior to placement. Students may select a graded or Pass/No Credit option. Course may be repeated twice (for 3 hours credit) for a maximum of 6 hours credit.
The Senior Seminar is designed to access the student’s mastery of the discipline and to determine their ability to use Mills’ sociological imagination. Students are required to complete a research project and make a public presentation.