10 courses with the subject SOC, each shown exactly as we captured it from the college's catalog, with every element we hold. Where the wording looks broken, that is our reading of the catalog, not the college's text.
An introduction to the scientific study of society covering topics such as culture and structure, socialization, deviance, and inequality. Students will examine the ways that the social world operates and shapes people's lives and how people reinforce or challenge the social world.
The nature and scope of sociology. In this study of human groups and relationships, the course explores the origin, structure, and growth of human society; its basic institutions and processes; and problems resulting from social change. Membership in the Honors Scholar Program required, but students with a 3.25 GPA or higher can take the course with permission of the Honors Coordinator.
The analysis of contemporary families in all their forms as a critical social institution. We will look at the varied forms the family takes today and how it has changed over time and varied across cultures. We will investigate how the health, economic, and political systems influence how the family works.
Specific course content at the discretion of the department. Details are in the preregistration materials.
An exploration of the major theories about the causes of social problems and how we as a society decide what counts as a social problem. We will look at how social institutions contribute to or reduce the impact of social problems and what actions are most likely to be effective at bringing attention to them. Topics may include gender, class, race, housing, crime, and different health outcomes as well as other topics that are critical at the moment.
An introduction to the way in which society constructs the nature of race and ethnicity. We will examine the changing and conflicting definitions of race and ethnicity and how they operate in the U.S. and in various places around the world. This will lead to an investigation of some of the ways these definitions are embedded in the social, economic, and political systems impacting the probable outcomes for people.
A comparative study of the growing urbanization in the United States and the world. We will start by looking at why and how cities are growing and how this interacts with larger social forces like globalization. This will lead into investigating how urbanization impacts social issues such as housing supply, crime, and education. The explorations will include examining how governments manage urban planning to see how it works and fails in real life including the study of towns and cities in our area.
An examination of globalization from a sociological perspective. An exploration of global processes giving attention to historical, cultural, and environmental dimensions, including population flows. Students will investigate how globalization as a social force impacts the structures of economic, political, educational, health, and life chances of communities around the globe. Case studies will be used to analyze global patterns of inequalities: rural and urban, majority and minority, gender relations, and sexualities.
Independent study for students with a foundation in the field. Student and instructor determine the project and the number of credits to be earned. Regularly scheduled meetings between student and instructor are required. Pass/No Pass or traditional grading.
Specific course content at the discretion of the department. Details are in preregistration materials.
Source: Berkshire Community College's catalog, linked per course · table learning_unit · CourseShelf publish 61
