Sociology
Overview
Sociology is the study of social life, social change, and the social causes and consequences of human behavior. Sociologists investigate the structure of groups, organizations, and societies and how people interact within these contexts. Since all human behavior is social, the subject matter of sociology ranges quite a bit!
Our Faculty
Sociology faculty at Soka are teachers, scholars in their fields, and scholar-activists in their communities, but also they apply their research to address major social problems and bring their knowledge, lessons learned, and experiences from local, national, and global communities into their classrooms. The sociology faculty at Soka have training across the field of sociology to include expertise in theory and methods, inequality, institutions, socialization, social change and social movements, and with specific interest classes created around feminist and queer theory, sexuality, performance, the body, health, the family, education, and beyond.
Course Offerings
Courses currently offered in sociology at Soka University are listed below and detailed in the course catalog. Among the basic courses offered in most undergraduate programs, these courses will equip students with preliminary knowledge and the ability to better understand the function in their local communities and in a rapidly changing global world. Students may choose to pursue graduate and further studies of the discipline. Those opting for immediate employment after completing their liberal arts education might investigate opportunities in human and social services, public relations, community organizing and development, non-profit and family support organizations, research assistantships, law, civil service, and much more!
This course provides a basic introduction to and overview of the field of sociology, including basic concepts, terms, major theories, perspectives, and approaches employed in the discipline. The course examines the major social institutions that are the subject of the field and the sociological approaches employed to understand these institutions and their functions.
This course introduces students to major classical, contemporary, and post-modern sociological theories and theorists. Students obtain both a conceptual foundation and historical perspective of sociological theories. In addition, they become familiar with various themes associated with sociological theories. The application and linkage of theory with contemporary social issues and social science research is also a feature of this course. Prerequisite: ANTH 100 or SOC 100.
This course provides students with a comprehensive overview of the state of social movements and social change in 20th century. Students become familiar with the history of the field, recent developments and its current status. Case studies of social movements and social change are analyzed cross-nationally. Students also examine empirical studies and theoretical frameworks associated with social movements and social change. Prerequisite: ANTH 100 or SOC 100.
This course introduces students to major social problems in America and other societies. Students learn to apply sociology concepts and theories and to analyze social problems. Emphasis is placed on problem solving, discussion, and debate.
This course provides an overview of schooling, its purpose, and function in historical and contemporary societies. It introduces theoretical and methodological perspectives for understanding the purpose, structure, and function of educational systems in various societies. Students examine, discuss, and debate multiple perspectives regarding the roles, purposes, and outcomes of schooling, and they conduct an in-depth study of a major issue regarding schooling in different societies. Prerequisite: SOC 100 or instructor consent.
This course examines the many facets of inequality and rankings that exist among various groups and organizations in different societies, as well as methods of assessing inequality. Students engage in cross-cultural comparisons to explore global stratification and inequality between countries and produce a project that entails a cross-cultural, comparative analysis. Prerequisite: ANTH 100 or SOC 100.
This course examines the many facets of inequality and rankings that exist among various groups and organizations in different societies, as well as methods of assessing inequality. Students engage in cross-cultural comparisons to explore global stratification and inequality between countries and produce a project that entails a cross-cultural, comparative analysis. Prerequisite: ANTH 100 or SOC 100.
This course is a historical and cross-cultural examination of women’s issues, sexism, and patriarchy. The approach is multidisciplinary and draws on the humanities, social sciences, life/physical sciences, and other fields of study.
This course introduces students to the traditional and contemporary principles, theories and models, and research on leadership across cultures and sub-cultures within various societies. It examines leadership from an interdisciplinary perspective, thereby drawing upon theories and research in psychology and political science.