• SOC 3460

    Future Cities
     Rating

    4.33

     Difficulty

    3.00

     GPA

    3.66

    Last Taught

    Fall 2025

    This course conceives alternative possibilities for our cities. It will include such lines of inquiry as the challenges of equality and justice; sustainability and environmental change; the potential and limits of technology; and the impact of the changing global context. We will examine currently emerging urban forms as well as attempts to imagine new forms of urban life.

  • SOC 5056

    Sociology of Culture
     Rating

     Difficulty

     GPA

    3.67

    Last Taught

    Spring 2026

    Examines the most recent theoretical and methodological developments in the sociology of culture. Examines the influence of structuralism, phenomenology, critical theory, and cultural anthropology on contemporary sociological theory and practice. Considers the ways cultural analysis can be applied to a variety of pressing empirical problems.

  • SOC 5020

    Introduction to Statistics
     Rating

     Difficulty

     GPA

    3.68

    Last Taught

    Spring 2026

    SOC 5020 will serve as an introduction to multivariate regression, with an emphasis on applications in the 'eld of sociology. Along the way we will review basic concepts related to probability and inference. More specifically, this course will cover ANOVA, t tests, OLS regression, and logistic regression. In sum, the course is designed to teach graduate students in sociology how to use basic statistics to address concrete sociological problems.

  • SOC 4260

    Race, Crime and Punishment
     Rating

     Difficulty

     GPA

    3.69

    Last Taught

    Spring 2025

    This course is an exercise in critical thinking and writing. We will investigate connections between race and crime in contemporary America. To do so, we will explore constructions of crime and race and patterns of victimization, criminality and punishment. We will uncover shifting definitions of crime and the ways that institutions, policies and practices shape patterns of punishment.

  • SOC 4057

    Family Policy
     Rating

    4.50

     Difficulty

    3.17

     GPA

    3.69

    Last Taught

    Fall 2025

    Studies the relationship between family and society as expressed in policy and law. Emphasizes the effects of formal policy on the structure of families and the interactions within families. The American family system is examined as it has responded to laws and policies of government and private industry and to changes in society. Prerequisite: Six credits of sociology or instructor permission.

  • SOC 8410

    Race & Ethnicity
     Rating

     Difficulty

     GPA

    3.71

    Last Taught

    Spring 2026

    Studies pivotal issues relating to race in contemporary American society from a theoretical and historical point of view.  These include such topics as the contested meaning of the term "race", the relationship between race and ethnicity, assimilation, the relationship between race and inequality, and crime.

  • SOC 5100

    Research Design and Methods
     Rating

     Difficulty

     GPA

    3.72

    Last Taught

    Fall 2025

    Studies the steps necessary to design a research project including searching the literature, formulating the problem, deriving propositions, operationalizing concepts, constructing explanations, and testing hypotheses. Prerequisite: SOC 3120, or graduate standing, six credits of sociology; or instructor permission.

  • SOC 5120

    Intermediate Statistics
     Rating

     Difficulty

     GPA

    3.72

    Last Taught

    Fall 2025

    Studies the social science applications of regression models for quantitative and categorical dependent variables. Prerequisite: SOC 5020 and graduate standing or instructor permission.

  • SOC 5030

    Classical Sociological Theory
     Rating

     Difficulty

     GPA

    3.75

    Last Taught

    Fall 2025

    A seminar focusing on the writings of Marx, Weber, Durkheim and other social theorists. Open to students in related disciplines. Prerequisite: Six credits of sociology or instructor permission; open to advanced undergraduates.

  • SOC 4180

    The American Dream and Its Limits
     Rating

     Difficulty

     GPA

    3.76

    Last Taught

    Fall 2025

    In 1932, referring to the American dream, James Truslow Adams portrayed America as a nation in which life can be "better and richer and fuller for every man, with opportunity for each according to his ability or achievement." To subsequent generations of Americans and immigrants this meant endless upward mobility and material prosperity but, also, the denial of persistent social inequality. This course examines both sides of the American Dream.