An introduction to the major subfields of the profession, the populations social workers serve, the types of interventions they use, the theories behind those interventions, and the obstacles to success.

This course will help you see the world sociologically and understand how your own life is affected not only by yourself and other individuals, but also by the social structures and social circumstances in which you live. You will learn to translate complex sociological ideas and concepts into clear sophisticated written arguments that illustrate a nuanced understanding of our social world.

This course introduces students to sociological theory, concepts, methods, and results of critical inquiry into the issue of globalization -- the complex and multi-level interconnections of historical, political, economic, and cultural dynamics taking place internationally and how globalization is tied into numerous social issues and inequalities in the U.S. and around the world. (Gen. Ed. SB)

Aspects of drugs (alcohol, cannabis, stimulants, psychedelics, depressants, opiates): historical and cross-cultural perspectives; behavioral effects; social and cultural factors affecting use; addiction (including alcoholism); political economy of drugs; drugs and social reality. (Gen.Ed. SB)

This course will explore the role that community supervision plays in the U.S. Criminal Justice System. The course will span the evolution of probation services from the 19th Century father of probation, John Augustus, to the modern day focus on evidence based practices supervision. Likewise, the history of parole will be explored from its origin in England and Ireland to its current practice in community corrections. We will also focus on the federal probation system, which is practiced across the United States and its territories.

Basic issues in political sociology and politics: interaction between the political and social-cultural spheres, sources and manifestations of political inequality; variety of social conflict and its major theories; relationship between political ideas and political behavior. Issues of political violence and coercion, political propaganda and legitimation, intellectuals and political power.

This course uses a sociological framework to understand the various aspects that impact the four year college experience: race; class; gender; sexuality; institutional structure, resources, and priorities; social networks; academic preparedness; work; participation in athletics, mental health; etc. We will pay particular attention to the ways in which certain characteristics can support or inhibit successful and timely completion of a four-year college degree.

Disasters result from sudden or slow incremental environmental changes, technological glitches, industrial negligence, chemical pollution, and willful acts of terror. Despite various sources of disasters, they all culminate in unmistakable massive changes for individuals, rural communities, and urban centers. While earlier understanding of disasters focused on the impact of "natural" disasters on the built environment and fatalities, more recent sociological theories and case studies of disasters have given more attention to the social causes and consequences of disaster.

This course will take an historical approach to understanding the relationship between race, class and the criminal justice system. We will analyze the various ways that social inequality, as a result of race and class, mediate individual and social group experiences with crime and the legal system. We will also analyze the affect of mass incarceration on poor and marginalized communities. The main goal of the course is to situate contemporary inequalities in the criminal justice system and their impact on communities, social groups, and populations in an historical context.

This course will help you see the world sociologically and understand how your own life is affected not only by yourself and other individuals, but also by the social structures and social circumstances in which you live. You will learn to translate complex sociological ideas and concepts into clear sophisticated written arguments that illustrate a nuanced understanding of our social world.