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Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts · Courses

SOCI

32 courses with the subject SOCI, 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.

SOCI 100Introduction to Sociology

Introduces the history, major concepts, and methods of sociology. Examines elements of social organization, sociological analysis of groups and relationships between major institutions of society. Emphasizes the idea of the sociological imagination and its application to contemporary issues.

Subject
SOCI
Type
course
Edition
2025-2026 Edition Undergraduate Course Catalog
Catalog
2025-2026 Edition Undergraduate Course Catalog
Source
catalog.mcla.edu
SOCI 201Social Problems

Studies problems and disorganization in modern industrial society such as: poverty, racism, sexism, environmental pollution, militarism and family issues.

Subject
SOCI
Type
course
Edition
2025-2026 Edition Undergraduate Course Catalog
Catalog
2025-2026 Edition Undergraduate Course Catalog
Source
catalog.mcla.edu
SOCI 201HHonors: Social Problems

Studies problems and disorganization in modern industrial society such as: poverty, racism, sexism, environmental pollution, militarism, and family issues.

Subject
SOCI
Type
course
Edition
2025-2026 Edition Undergraduate Course Catalog
Catalog
2025-2026 Edition Undergraduate Course Catalog
Source
catalog.mcla.edu
SOCI 210Families

Explores contemporary American families (the forms they take, the functions they serve, the problems they face) within the context of families of other historical time periods, and other cultures. Presents an interdisciplinary examination of topics such as: gender roles, marriage, divorce and blended families, nonmarital lifestyles, parenting, family policy and technology's impact on family life.

Subject
SOCI
Type
course
Edition
2025-2026 Edition Undergraduate Course Catalog
Catalog
2025-2026 Edition Undergraduate Course Catalog
Source
catalog.mcla.edu
SOCI 282Social Constructions of Deviance

Analyzes social definitions of and responses to deviance, as well as explanations of its causes. Examines drug and alcohol use and abuse, mental illness, sexual and gender differences, and other issues frequently considered deviant.

Subject
SOCI
Type
course
Edition
2025-2026 Edition Undergraduate Course Catalog
Catalog
2025-2026 Edition Undergraduate Course Catalog
Source
catalog.mcla.edu
SOCI 285Special Topics in Sociology

Provides students with an opportunity to explore topics, issues, methods, and theories in the field of sociology at an intermediate level.

Subject
SOCI
Type
course
Repeatable
Repeatable: Unlimited Credits
Edition
2025-2026 Edition Undergraduate Course Catalog
Catalog
2025-2026 Edition Undergraduate Course Catalog
Source
catalog.mcla.edu
SOCI 305Latinas in US Society

Addresses the modern lives of young Latinas in the U.S. Topics to be discussed include, but are not limited to, family, friendship, romance, appearance, identity, and socioeconomic status. In particular, the subject of "voice" or "voz" and the strength Latinas gain in society through expressing their opinions and giving testimony will be explored. The subject of the commodification and national/intercultural expectations of the body of Latinas will also be given much attention.

Subject
SOCI
Type
course
Edition
2025-2026 Edition Undergraduate Course Catalog
Catalog
2025-2026 Edition Undergraduate Course Catalog
Source
catalog.mcla.edu
SOCI 306Men and Masculinities

Provides an overview of the sociology of men and masculinities. Drawing on theoretical, historical, and contemporary empirical research, the course examines how masculinities are socially constructed; how and why these constructions change over time; and how experiences of masculinity vary based on social categories such as race, age, class, and sexuality.

Subject
SOCI
Type
course
Edition
2025-2026 Edition Undergraduate Course Catalog
Catalog
2025-2026 Edition Undergraduate Course Catalog
Source
catalog.mcla.edu
SOCI 307Representations of Mental Health

Explores how film, television, memoir, novel, and many other aspects of popular culture, mental illness is presented as painful and deviant, often encompassing gendered and racialized discriminatory portrayals. Pop culture and self-help approaches to mental health and illness in the U.S. are increasingly found in the global marketplace of human culture.

Subject
SOCI
Type
course
Edition
2025-2026 Edition Undergraduate Course Catalog
Catalog
2025-2026 Edition Undergraduate Course Catalog
Source
catalog.mcla.edu
SOCI 308Sociology of the Body

Explores the ways social practices shape the physical body both corporeally and symbolically. Close attention is paid to issues of power, particularly the ways that social practices and cultural meanings related to the body both produce difference and justify inequality. Course material also examines the ways that social actors exercise agency to resist social norms regulating the use of the body and dominant cultural meanings about the body that reproduce system.

Subject
SOCI
Type
course
Edition
2025-2026 Edition Undergraduate Course Catalog
Catalog
2025-2026 Edition Undergraduate Course Catalog
Source
catalog.mcla.edu
SOCI 309Sociology of Identity

Examines classical and contemporary sociological theorizing about identities. Particular attention will be paid to gender, race, class, and sexual identities, with a focus on the ways that these identity categories intersect. Course material will explore the role that social institutions (families, schools, religion, media, workplaces, etc.) play in shaping individual and collective identities.

Subject
SOCI
Type
course
Edition
2025-2026 Edition Undergraduate Course Catalog
Catalog
2025-2026 Edition Undergraduate Course Catalog
Source
catalog.mcla.edu
SOCI 312Sociological Theory

Explores the meaning of theory and its utility in the sociological enterprise. Examines foundational works of major classical theorists (Comte, Marx, Weber, Durkheim) and introduces contemporary perspectives such as symbolic interactionist, critical, feminist, and postmodern theories.

Subject
SOCI
Type
course
Edition
2025-2026 Edition Undergraduate Course Catalog
Catalog
2025-2026 Edition Undergraduate Course Catalog
Source
catalog.mcla.edu
SOCI 316Sociology of Sport

Analyzes sport as a microcosm of society. Specifically focuses on American sport from youth through the professional levels. Studies sport and the following: socialization, business, mass media, ethical dilemmas, race, gender, structural inequality and secular religion. Examines the sociological reasons why contemporary sport is organized and functions as it does.

Subject
SOCI
Type
course
Edition
2025-2026 Edition Undergraduate Course Catalog
Catalog
2025-2026 Edition Undergraduate Course Catalog
Source
catalog.mcla.edu
SOCI 321Race and Ethnic Relations

Explores the intersection of race, ethnicity, and issues of diversity in the U.S. and beyond. Begins by establishing what race and ethnicity are in the U.S. Course topics related to race will include family relations, friendships, urban life, gender, socioeconomic status, stereotypes, community, and space/location. Occurrence of racism and related inequality in its various forms is a central discussion thread throughout the course.

Subject
SOCI
Type
course
Edition
2025-2026 Edition Undergraduate Course Catalog
Catalog
2025-2026 Edition Undergraduate Course Catalog
Source
catalog.mcla.edu
SOCI 331Methods of Social Research

Examines sociological methods commonly used in the study of the social world, as well as ethical and political issues related to the research process. Explores the various steps of research design, data collection (questionnaire construction, interviewing, observation, content analysis) and data analysis. May include an independently designed research project.

Subject
SOCI
Type
course
Edition
2025-2026 Edition Undergraduate Course Catalog
Catalog
2025-2026 Edition Undergraduate Course Catalog
Source
catalog.mcla.edu
SOCI 351Criminology

Studies the nature of crime and theories of criminal behavior; operation of courts, police systems and correctional institutions; probation, parole and crime prevention.

Subject
SOCI
Type
course
Edition
2025-2026 Edition Undergraduate Course Catalog
Catalog
2025-2026 Edition Undergraduate Course Catalog
Source
catalog.mcla.edu
SOCI 395Special Topics in Sociology

A course or seminar for students who have taken a substantial number of sociology courses. Such courses or seminars may explore any of a variety of topics concerning social groups, social institutions, social interaction patterns, or any of the vast array of topic areas dealt with by sociologists.

Subject
SOCI
Type
course
Repeatable
Repeatable: Unlimited Credits
Edition
2025-2026 Edition Undergraduate Course Catalog
Catalog
2025-2026 Edition Undergraduate Course Catalog
Source
catalog.mcla.edu
SOCI 402Genocide

Examines legal definition and cases of genocide to understand structural preconditions and effective prevention strategies.

Subject
SOCI
Type
course
Edition
2025-2026 Edition Undergraduate Course Catalog
Catalog
2025-2026 Edition Undergraduate Course Catalog
Source
catalog.mcla.edu
SOCI 408Sociology of Sexualities

Explores theoretical and empirical work that highlights how sexual identities, desires, and practices are socially constructed. The course material examines the ways that sexuality intersects with other markers of social difference such as gender, race, class, age, and nationality. Close attention will be paid to issues of power, privilege, and inequality.

Subject
SOCI
Type
course
Edition
2025-2026 Edition Undergraduate Course Catalog
Catalog
2025-2026 Edition Undergraduate Course Catalog
Source
catalog.mcla.edu
SOCI 410Sociology of Education

Uses a race, class, gender analytic structure to investigate social inequalities in education. School choice, urban schools, school sports, space/location, and friendship are some of the areas that will be explored. Family involvement in school choice, tracking, and magnet programs will also be considered. Grade school through college educational outcomes will be addressed.

Subject
SOCI
Type
course
Edition
2025-2026 Edition Undergraduate Course Catalog
Catalog
2025-2026 Edition Undergraduate Course Catalog
Source
catalog.mcla.edu
SOCI 415Sociology of Happiness

Explores attainment and production of human happiness at individual and societal levels. It examines happiness theory and research from sociology, philosophy, anthropology, social psychology, health, political science, economics, public policy, and other fields to provide a comprehensive understanding of wellbeing and its multiple sources.

Subject
SOCI
Type
course
Edition
2025-2026 Edition Undergraduate Course Catalog
Catalog
2025-2026 Edition Undergraduate Course Catalog
Source
catalog.mcla.edu
SOCI 425Sociology of Childhood

Explores the sociology of childhood. The course will begin by establishing definitions for the child and the sociology of childhood. Methodological issues surrounding children as research subjects, meaning making, sense of belonging, inequality, and culture in the worlds of childhood will be addressed. There will be a special focus in this course on the existence and displays of agency and interpretive reproduction in children's lives.

Subject
SOCI
Type
course
Edition
2025-2026 Edition Undergraduate Course Catalog
Catalog
2025-2026 Edition Undergraduate Course Catalog
Source
catalog.mcla.edu
SOCI 432Doing Social Research

Provides opportunities for students to advance their understanding of social science inquiry in Sociology, Anthropology or Social Work by engaging with research methods, ethical principles and challenges, and research processes within qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methodologies. Students will gain advanced practical knowledge and skills through the application of qualitative, quantitative, and/or mixed methods.

Subject
SOCI
Type
course
Edition
2025-2026 Edition Undergraduate Course Catalog
Catalog
2025-2026 Edition Undergraduate Course Catalog
Source
catalog.mcla.edu
SOCI 441Social Stratification

Explores and analyzes stratification systems, theories of stratification, social mobility, types of inequality, methods of measuring inequality, and the impact upon life style and personality.

Subject
SOCI
Type
course
Edition
2025-2026 Edition Undergraduate Course Catalog
Catalog
2025-2026 Edition Undergraduate Course Catalog
Source
catalog.mcla.edu
SOCI 470HHonors: The Posthuman Child

Different iterations of posthumanity are examined to gain understanding of how child and youth posthumans relate to new, altered, or unaccepting societies and worlds. Drawing on posthuman and childhood studies theories, posthuman children and youth are contextualized by their positions as or relationships to various entities including aliens, animals, spirits, robots, vampires, witches, and clones.

Subject
SOCI
Type
course
Edition
2025-2026 Edition Undergraduate Course Catalog
Catalog
2025-2026 Edition Undergraduate Course Catalog
Source
catalog.mcla.edu
SOCI 475HHonors: Children's Geographies

Studies how the importance of space, place, location, and time in the lived realities of children and youth contextualizes the environments they occupy. Children's and youth's constructions of and interactions with definitions of carework, home, family, neighborhood, emotions, bodies, nature, friendship, animals, and school are examined on the local and global scale.

Subject
SOCI
Type
course
Edition
2025-2026 Edition Undergraduate Course Catalog
Catalog
2025-2026 Edition Undergraduate Course Catalog
Source
catalog.mcla.edu
SOCI 495Advanced Special Topics in Sociology

Provides advanced sociology students with an opportunity to explore advanced topics, current issues, methods, and theories in the field of sociology.

Subject
SOCI
Type
course
Repeatable
Repeatable: Unlimited Credits
Edition
2025-2026 Edition Undergraduate Course Catalog
Catalog
2025-2026 Edition Undergraduate Course Catalog
Source
catalog.mcla.edu
SOCI 499Teaching Assistant in Sociology

Supervised academic class presentation(s), assistance with study sessions and tutorials, attendance at all classes, final paper and other duties negotiated with course instructor. Must have completed a minimum of four (4) courses in the discipline, have a 3.0 overall GPA or better, and a B+ or better in the course. This course can be taken for either pass/fail or traditional letter grading. This course requires approval of the department prior to enrollment.

Subject
SOCI
Type
course
Repeatable
Repeatable: Maximum of 6 credits
Edition
2025-2026 Edition Undergraduate Course Catalog
Catalog
2025-2026 Edition Undergraduate Course Catalog
Source
catalog.mcla.edu
SOCI 500Independent Study - Sociology

Open to juniors and seniors who wish to read in a given area or to study a topic in depth under the direction of a sociologist. Requires written reports and frequent conferences with the advisor.

Subject
SOCI
Type
course
Repeatable
Repeatable: Maximum of 3 credits
Edition
2025-2026 Edition Undergraduate Course Catalog
Catalog
2025-2026 Edition Undergraduate Course Catalog
Source
catalog.mcla.edu
SOCI 501Research Assistant

Students will assist faculty member in conducting original quantitative and/or qualitative research projects. The responsibilities may include collecting archival, ethnographic, interview, or focus group data, working with data sets, or other research activities. This course is repeatable for a maximum of 6 credits.

Subject
SOCI
Type
course
Repeatable
Repeatable: Maximum of 6 credits
Edition
2025-2026 Edition Undergraduate Course Catalog
Catalog
2025-2026 Edition Undergraduate Course Catalog
Source
catalog.mcla.edu
SOCI 505ProSeminar

Prepares students for the start of potential graduate studies in the social sciences or a related discipline. The seminar will focus on and facilitate student exploration of graduate education and training opportunities including such topics as: the graduate school/program research and selection process; crafting curriculum vitae and/or business resumes; constructing a statement of purpose; and editing writing samples for graduate applications.

Subject
SOCI
Type
course
Edition
2025-2026 Edition Undergraduate Course Catalog
Catalog
2025-2026 Edition Undergraduate Course Catalog
Source
catalog.mcla.edu
SOCI 540Sociology Internship

Placement in public or private organizations that apply knowledge and approaches from the social sciences. Internships are available in community development, criminal justice, educational programs and institutions, and governmental agencies. Internships are awarded from 3-15 credits per semester, depending on the extent of student involvement.

Subject
SOCI
Type
course
Repeatable
Repeatable: Maximum of 15 credits © 2025-2026 Back to top Close this window Print Options Send Page to Printer Print this page.
Edition
2025-2026 Edition Undergraduate Course Catalog
Catalog
2025-2026 Edition Undergraduate Course Catalog
Source
catalog.mcla.edu

Source: Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts's catalog, linked per course · table learning_unit · CourseShelf publish 61