Elective Courses
Elective Courses for the Peace, Justice & Conflict Transformation Undergraduate Certificate
Roster of courses qualifying for Liberal Studies concentration in Peace Studies, for undergraduate certificate in Peace, Justice & Conflict Transformation, and for students seeking electives on related subjects. Additional courses may be added with permission of the department and approval by the director of Peace, Justice & Conflict Transformation.
(600 level designates graduate courses, which are only available for undergraduates with permission of the instructor.)
Anthropology
ANTH 307
Darwin
Darwin's work in its historical and intellectual milieu; his commitment to empirical support for his theory of evolution. The social controversy associated with misunderstanding evolution today.
ANTH 310 /PAS 368
Race, Culture, Identity
A cross-cultural examination of the construction and use of racial categories over the last 200 years and their links to gender, political and social trends, ethnicity and nationalism.
ANTH 318/PAS 318
African-American Cultural Traditions
An intensive examination of Afro-American life and culture in the U.S. drawn from historical, archaeological and socio-cultural literature. Attention is given to various systems of adaptation of people of African descent in America, including cultural traditions, urbanization and kinship.
ANTH 319
Cultures of the Middle East
Examines social organization, social relations, and cultures in the contemporary Middle East within a local, regional, and national framework.
ANTH 320
Indians-North America
A survey of the diversity of North American indigenous people before and after European contact. The course examines the social, political and economic effects that colonization has had on American Indian nations and how this is being dealt with today.
ANTH 321
American Indian Women
Issues affecting contemporary American Indian women exploring how origins and traditions shape their lives.
ANTH 323/PAS 383
Cultures of Africa -CD1
Africa is a large continent, with diverse regions, societies, histories, and cultures. This course will provide an introduction to the history and ethnography of colonial and postcolonial societies in Sub-Saharan Africa. It highlights change and resistance to change since the 1885 Berlin Conference where European nations divided Africa for colonization. In this course, we will come to understand the historical and cultural conditions underpinning current predicaments facing African societies, as well as the fact that tragedy is only one facet of African lives and experiences.
ANTH 325
The Anthropology of Latin America
An ethnographic examination of Latin American cultural diversity and social, political, and economic systems.
ANTH 331
Comparative Religious Systems
Examines the contexts within which cultures organize religious ideologies to explain their relationships with the world in which they live.
ANTH 332
Ecology, Politics, Culture
This class focuses on the complex interactions between people and their environment. It will look at 1) the varying ways that human populations have interacted with, adapted to, and shaped their environments in the past, 2) how elements of the environment have affected variation in socio-cultural, economic, and political organizations, 3) how these reciprocal relationships between human culture and the environment are manifest in human societies today, and 4) what the future holds for human-environmental relationship.
ANTH 333
Globalizing Inequalities -WR
Note: Approved for the Arts and Sciences upper-level requirement in written communication (WR). Explores the widening gap between rich and poor countries and examines innovative approaches to Third World development. Emphasizing practical applications of knowledge, the course examines programs of economic, political, and social change.
ANTH 334
Conflict, Law, and Culture
Cross-cultural analysis of law as an arena of cultural production where identities and power are produced, upheld, and challenged.
ANTH 336
War and Society
This course provides cross-cultural and historical perspectives on war and its larger social context. Course readings and lectures use political, economic, cultural, and feminist approaches to understanding war and its effects on social life.
ANTH 337
Nationalism, Violence and the State
A cross-cultural examination of nationalism, inter-ethnic and racially-motivated violence, genocide, massacres, pogroms, and warfare and the state in historical and contemporary contexts.
ANTH 338
Anthropology and Refugees
Theoretical and applied aspects of refugee communities; the relationship between refugees, conflict, and underdevelopment; the experience and meaning of refugee status.
ANTH 340
Human Rights
An overview of human rights discourse, laws, social movements and organizations. Critical anthropological analysis of human rights as a social, cultural and legal system; discussion of debates such as universalism versus cultural relativism.
ANTH 347
Global Capitalism
This course takes an anthropological approach to explore how capital is spread in ever new forms and examine how capitalism is getting organized, practiced, fused, and sometimes resisted in local settings. This course challenges the Eurocentric view of capitalism and aims at an understanding that various local forms of capitalisms are socially and culturally constituted regimes subject to contradiction and change.
ANTH 352
Food and the Body Politic
This class explores food and foodways as products of soil, culture, and politics.
ANTH 531
Anthropology of Water
Explores the political ecology of water from prehistory to present; integrates the archaeological and historical record with contemporary examples of water management; emphasis on privatization, globalization, and health.
ANTH 532
Cultural Heritage, Tourism & Globalization
Exploration of impact of globalization on tourism, heritage sites and cultural performances.
Chinese Studies
CHST 341
Ethnicity and Religion in China
Studies of minority peoples such as Uigurs, Huis, Mongols and Tibetans, including their life style, language, art and religion. Discussion of how Buddhism, Islam, Christianity and other religious ideas spread into China, and their presence today in China. Conducted in English.
Communications
COMM 275
African American Communication
Study of various dimensions of communication pertaining specifically to African-Americans. Communication patterns within the African-American community as well as communication patterns about that community are analyzed.
COMM 324/WGST 324
Communication and Gender
The course examines how gender identities, roles and norms have been structured within different modes of communication (e.g., interpersonal, mass media and institutional)
COMM 328
Introduction to Urban Communication
An investigation into the communicative dimensions of life in urban areas, especially among various ethnic and racial populations.
COMM 435
Media, Culture and Society
Prerequisite: COMM 305. Advanced study of media culture; analytical and critical perspectives on the institutional and social dimensions of television, film, journalism, and popular music.
COMM 440
Intercultural Communication
Survey of theory and research pertaining to problems of cross-cultural communication, including cultural, national, ethnic, and racial divisions.
COMM 555
Persuasive Movements
Prerequisite: COMM 311. Seminar focuses upon the role of persuasion and rhetoric in the formation and lifespan of social movements.
COMM 651
Conflict Management
Uses role-playing and case studies in community organizations to assist students in developing the skills needed for managing conflict.
COMM 630
Communication and Multiculturalism
Explores the influence of race, nationality, and/or gender on the communication practices of individuals and their institutions.
Geography and Geoscience
GEOG 300
Globalization and Diversity
A contemporary approach to world regional geography that focuses on human diversity and the geographic changes that accompany today's rapid rate of globalization.
GEOG 305/HIST 305
Historical Geography of the United States
Analysis of the changing cultural landscape and settlement patterns of the United States. Emphasis on the changing spatial relationships of ethnic minorities to the majority group.
GEOG 331
Population Geography
An examination of spatial variations in human population, with emphasis on population characteristics, growth, and mobility.
GEOG 500
Globalization Seminar
Prerequisite: GEOG 300 or permission of instructor. A discussion-based course that focuses on current events, global economies, and cultural and environmental issues resulting from globalization.
GEOG 590
The specific topic of these courses varies from semester to semester. The Director of Peace Studies in consultation with the Geography and Geoscience department will determine their relevance.
History
HIST 305/GEOG 305
Historical Geography of the United States
Analysis of the changing cultural landscape and settlement patterns of the United States. Emphasis on the changing spatial relationships of ethnic minorities to the majority group.
HIST 318
U.S. in the Sixties
Major social, political, cultural and economic developments of the decade, with emphasis on the forces critical of mainstream America.
HIST 322
The History of the Civil Rights Movement, 1900 to Present
Study of the modern civil rights movement, its leaders, programs and strategies, from 1900 to present.
HIST 327
American Labor History
Working people in America from pre-industrial to post-industrial period, focusing on conditions of the work place; industrialization; community and formal labor institutions.
HIST 513 PAS 513/ SCHG 513/ WGST 513/
U.S. Social Justice Movements
Course will begin with abolitionism, then concentrate on social justice upsurges of the 20th century, with emphasis on women in the civil rights and Black liberation movements.
HIST 514
United States Peace Movement
History of the peace movement in the United States from the beginning to the present. The course also examines nonviolent civil disobedience throughout U.S. history. Concentration on the twentieth century with the main focus being the Vietnam Anti-war movement.
HIST 519
Gilded Age and Progressive Era United States, 1877-1929 –WR
An intensive study of the social, economic, political and intellectual aspects of American History from the end of Reconstruction to the beginning of the Great Depression.
HIST 522
The American Revolution and the Confederation
An intensive study of the American Revolution and of the background of the Constitution.
HIST 524
United States Civil War and Reconstruction-WR
Political dissolution of the 1850s; political, social, economic, constitutional, and military events of the Civil War; the Reconstruction era.
HIST 529
Recent American History, 1945 to Present –WR
The interaction of political, economic, social, and intellectual forces in the shaping of foreign and domestic policy.
HIST 537
Black Radicalism
Modern Black Nationalists, Marxists, and Black Panthers in the U.S., and their programs, ideologies, and behaviors.
Justice Administration
JA 200
Title: Crime and Justice in the United States
A basic survey course covering all agencies involved in the administration of criminal justice. Topics included are: modern concepts of law, crime, the judicial process, punishment, and rehabilitation; criminal justice, police, and corrections history and practice; organization of local, state and federal agencies; courts and criminal procedures; and comparative criminal justice.
JA 360
Juvenile Justice
Prerequisite: JA 200 or consent of instructor. A study of the theories and philosophies underlying the evolution and maintenance of the juvenile justice system in America as well as the structure and processes of the contemporary juvenile justice system. Topics included are: the history of the juvenile and the legal system; issues in juvenile justice; and the roles of the police, courts, and corrections in implementing the juvenile justice model.
JA 403
Title: Prisons and Jail in the United States
Prerequisite: JA 200, JA 202 or consent of instructor. Issues involved in the design and operation of correctional institutions. In depth examination of prison and jail construction and design, administration and management, career opportunities, programming needs, inmate culture and subculture and the interplay of legislative and case law.
JA 405
Title: Crimes Against the Elderly
Description: Course examines federal and state laws designed to protect the older adult population; topics include types of abuse, victim advocacy, perpetrator prosecution, community resources and protection services.
JA 415
Substance Abuse, Crime and Criminal Justice
Study of history, origin, extent and causes of substance abuse, focusing on relationships between substance abuse, criminal activity, and criminal justice agencies.
JA 425
Profiling Violent Crimes
Examination of the basic concept of criminal assessments of fatally violent crimes. Topics include organized and disorganized criminal personalities, stages of violent homicides, blood spatter interpretation, the process of homicide investigation, media issues, typology of violent personal offenders and various types of murderous personalities.
JA 430
Environmental Crime
Provides an understanding of both the theoretical and practical legal issues relating to environmental CJ, including an introduction to criminological solutions to environmental problems.
JA 493
Police and the Community
Course will explore the relationship between the community and those who police it. Topics to include: the history of police and their origin, aspects of police community relations, and the paradigm of Community Oriented Policing.
JA 519
Domestic and Family Violence
A course addressing issues relating to family violence, includes examination of partner abuse, child abuse, and elder abuse throughout the life-course.
JA 523
Race and Gender Issues in Criminal Justice
His course will study the dynamics of racial discrimination and racial disparity in the U. S. and how it affects the criminal justice system.
JA 597
Ethics in Criminal Justice
A study of the need for ethics in criminal justice. The aims of ethics, ethical theories, ethical issues related to law making, law breaking and law enforcement.
Latin American and Latino Studies
LAS 310
Introduction to Latin American Studies
An interdisciplinary overview of Latin American and US Latino Studies, including geography
and history; social, political and economic systems; literature, culture and global issues.
LAS 311
Introduction to Latino Studies
An interdisciplinary introduction to the experience and condition of Latinos in the United States.
Pan-African Studies
PAS 247
Language, Protest and Conflict in the Global Community
This course investigates the intersection of linguistic behavior and society from the perspective of the global African Diaspora.
PAS 305
Legal Lynchings: A Survey of Race, Law, and the American Justice System (Social Sciences.)
A historical study of the American justice system and its treatment of persons of African descent.
PAS 313
Urban Ritual Violence
Examination of the role of ritual in gang culture; discussion of the power of ritual to reinforce and reflect cultural values. Analysis of cultic traditions in gangs in their historical relationships to religious institutions. Critical reflection on the use of ritual violence in organizational and institutional life in human societies.
PAS 318/ANTH 318
African-American Cultural Traditions
An intensive examination of Afro-American life and culture in the U.S. drawn from historical, archaeological and socio-cultural literature. Attention is given to various systems of adaptation of people of African descent in America, including cultural traditions, urbanization and kinship.
PAS 324
Politics, Political Violence and Black Resistance
Examination of the structural, institutional and personal dimensions of violence and the human drama as it unfolds in situations of oppression.
PAS 327
Politics of the Black Community
The politics of black sub communities in the context of political behavior research: political socialization, sub community power structure, leadership, voter and party roles, strategies of protest, and government outputs.
PAS 329
Slave Trade and Slavery
An historical and sociological study of the trans-atlantic slave trade through 1900.
PAS 368
Race, Culture, Identity
A cross-cultural examination of racial categories over the last 200 years and their link to gender, political and social trends, ethnicity and nationalism.
PAS 374
The Black Power Movement
Examination of the phase of the African American freedom struggle known as the Black Power Movement, spanning the mid -1960's trough the 1970's.
PAS 383/ ANTH 323
Cultures of Africa -CD1
Africa is a large continent, with diverse regions, societies, histories, and cultures. This course will provide an introduction to the history and ethnography of colonial and postcolonial societies in Sub-Saharan Africa. It highlights change and resistance to change since the 1885 Berlin Conference where European nations divided Africa for colonization. In this course, we will come to understand the historical and cultural conditions underpinning current predicaments facing African societies, as well as the fact that tragedy is only one facet of African lives and experiences.
PAS 392 SOC 392/ WGST 343
Faces of Global Poverty (Social Sciences)
Persistent poverty in the 3rd World and specific groups in the U.S. Focuses on causes, consequences, solutions and survival strategies.
PAS 412
The Underground Railroad and American Memory
The course examines the need for and operation of national and international Underground Railroad and Abolition movements.
PAS 512
Gender, Race, Work and Welfare
Introduction to theory and research on labor market and welfare state with focus on gender and race/ethnicity as they influence women's experiences of and ideas about work and welfare.
PAS 513/ HIST 513/ SCHG 513/ WGST 513
U.S. Social Justice Movements
Course will begin with abolitionism, then concentrate on social justice upsurges of the 20th century, with emphasis on women in the civil rights and Black liberation movements.
PAS 514
History of Pan-African Social Thought
Contributions of African and African-American social theorists from Marcus Garvey to Cornell West; role of ideology in relations of domination and oppression.
PAS 515
Race and Racism
Manifestations, dynamics and impact of racism in the contemporary American social order. Topics covered include affirmative action, multiculturalism, and inequality.
PAS 520
The Black Family
Nature and function of African-American familial systems from the slave era to the present. Emphasis on impact of public policy on socioeconomic and political status of Black family structures.
PAS 532
Slave Trade and Slavery in the African World
An in-depth examination of the evolution and characteristics in the western world, the mechanics and organization of the African slave trade, the nature and types of slave societies established in Europe and the Americas, and the impact of slave trade in Africa.
Philosophy
PHIL 222
Contemporary Ethical Problems
Ethical aspects of current medical, legal, political, environmental and social problems and of the presuppositions contained in their various solutions.
PHIL 308
Social and Political Philosophy
Classical and contemporary philosophies of society and the state, individual in society, and social change. Philosophical analysis of such concepts as justice, revolution, freedom, and duty.
PHIL 317
The Nature of Violence
Analysis of concepts of violence and examination of causes, effects, and solutions to interpersonal and global forms of violence.
PHIL 318/WGST 360
Philosophy and Feminism
An examination of philosophical issues involved in feminism, including classical, but emphasizing contemporary discussions.
PHIL 319
Philosophy of Race and Racism -CD1
A critical examination of philosophical issues involved in interdisciplinary inquires into race and racism.
PHIL 328
Environmental Ethics
Examination of the moral status of the natural environment and ethical problems of human/environment interaction.
PHIL 329
Social Institutions and Social Change
Philosophical analysis of the nature of social institutions and their constitutive human actions; the ethics of individual and collective action for social change.
PHIL 524
Philosophies of Peace
History of peace movements; analysis of concepts of nonviolence pacifism, positive and negative peace; approaches to conflict resolution and negotiation for global and local conflicts.
PHIL 529
Philosophy of Emotions
Philosophical studies in the nature, interrelations, and moral and aesthetic value of specific emotions, such as pride, shame, guilt, regret; jealousy, envy, resentment; anger, hate, contempt; love; joy, happiness, contentment.
PHIL 535
Political Philosophy
The main concepts of contemporary political thought: Rights, law, power, ideology, legitimacy, democracy, tyranny, the state, and justice, with the focus on the topic of political action in both its individual and collective forms.
PHIL 582
Gender, Race, and Culture in Health Care
Examines ways social groupings and systems affect the kind of health care needed and the kind people receive. Addresses both biases and stereotypes, and empirical claims about biologically-based differences.
PHIL 583
Health Care, Justice & Community
Examines theories of justice and equality as they apply to issues in health care delivery, considers explanations for why disparities exist, and the practical ways that communities have addressed inequalities.
PHIL 624
Philosophies of Peace
History of peace movements; analysis of concepts of nonviolence pacifism, positive and negative peace; approaches to conflict resolution and negotiation for global and local conflicts. Multi-disciplinary. Note: Credit may not be earned for 524 and 624.
PHIL 638
Critical Social Theory
A critical examination of interdisciplinary theories that seek to understand and explain social formations while at the same time uncovering ways that such formations can be unjust and irrational.
Political Science
POLS 313
American Constitutional Law - Civil Liberties and Civil Rights
American constitutional law, with a focus on civil and political rights such as First Amendment freedoms, rights of accused persons, racial equality, due process, equal protection of the law.
POLS 314
Judicial Process
Analysis of court systems, including structure and functions of the courts, staffing, relationship to other branches, formation of judicial policy, and the impact of judicial decisions.
POLS 315
Race, Law and Politics
This course examines the legal consequences of racial inequality in the United States. It explores the origins of the concept of race and documents the nature of contemporary racial inequality.
POLS 318
Religion and Politics
Study of the impact of religion on political processes and the influence of political systems on development of religious thought and behavior; emphasis on contemporary problems of Church and State relationships both American and comparative.
POLS 319
Media and Politics
An examination from normative, empirical and legal perspectives, of the influence of the news media on American politics.
POLS 320
Civil Rights and the Law II
An examination of the legal and political aspects of Black civil rights from World War II to contemporary times.
POLS 323 /WGST 323
Queer Politics
The course examines the political organization of gays, lesbians and transgendered persons, forms of oppression they experience, forms of political activism they utilize, and their relationship to mainstream political institutions.
POLS 324/WGST 355
Women in American Politics
A study of women's involvement in American politics as active political party members, as candidates for national, state, and local offices, as elected officials, and as appointees to government positions at all levels.
POLS 327
The Politics of the Black Community
The politics of black sub communities in the context of political behavior research: political socialization, sub community power structure, leadership, voter and party roles, strategies of protest, and governmental outputs.
POLS 330
International Relations
An introduction to the study of world affairs, with a focus on interstate politics; examines power politics, the role of ideology and globalism.
POLS 331
International Organization
Work of the United Nations and non-governmental organizations in peacemaking; peacekeeping, and the promotion of global economic, social and humanitarian progress through the interpretation of international law.
POLS 332
International Law
A study of existing and emerging law, which governs nation-states in their relations with each other.
POLS 334
The Politics of Global Economic Relations
Introduction to political aspects of international economic institutions and processes, international trade, foreign aid, theories of neo-colonialism and dependency. North-South and East-West problems and prospects.
POLS 384
Democracy and Its Critics
Problems in democratic theory, examination of the moral foundations of democracy; consideration of such issues as liberty and authority, equality, representation, majority rule, and participation.
POLS 386
Political Theory and Utopia -WR
Examination of selected literary utopias from the perspective of political theory. Analysis of socialist, anarchist, democratic and totalitarian elements.
POLS 387
The Quest for Community
Examination of selected "utopian" communities, past and present. Consideration of groups such as the Shakers, Rappites, Oneidans, Owenites and Fourierists as well as current intentional communities. Emphasis on communal values and practices, issues of equality, authority, conflict, participation and freedom.
POLS 520
Coping with Conflict
This active-learning course involves students negotiating and then analyzing realistic hypothetical cases related to local, national, and international issues found within the North American countries.
POLS 520
International Negotiation
POLS 563/ WGST 558
Women in the Developing World
This course follows the progress on the international women's movement since the United Nations First World Conference on Women 1975 to the present.
POLS 628
Mediation and Dispute Resolution
Designed principally for incipient practitioners of the mediation process. Class participation, serving as a mediator in cases presented to the class, and a short paper depicting mediating in process are the course requirements
Psychological and Brain Sciences
PSYCH 366
Multicultural Psychology -WR
The influences of race, gender, class and sexual bias in American society and its impact on individual psychology as well as on economically and socially marginalized groups.
PSYC 404
Peace and Violence in Children and Adolescents
Introduces students to the field of peace psychology and provides them with an opportunity to engage in service learning on peace and nonviolence with children. Each student will work with a public school classroom and conduct a ten-week curriculum meeting one hour per week. The curriculum employed has been used in the school system, see http:// www.spava.us
PSYC 404-08
Intergroup Conflict and Conflict Resolution
A prerequisite course intended to expose students to applicable theories of intergroup contact, conflict resolution, and empirical research regarding the centuries-old Northern Ireland conflict, and includes training in IRB human subjects protection, field research methodology, surveying/interviewing skills, and diversity issues.
Psychology 404/571 International Service Learning: Supporting Healthy Children in Botswana
Class will travel in Spring 2012 and work with children in Gabarone, Botswana. Learn more about international service learning at the University of Louisville International Service Learning web site http://louisville.edu/student/isl
PSYC 407
Community Internship in Psychology
On-site formal training and community-based research and/or service with select non-profit agencies. Sites are chosen based on special topics/social issues and programs in applied developmental psychology.
PSYC 408-01
International Service Learning and Research in Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland: An international cultural immersion experience intended to expose students to the impact that intergroup contact in the form of cross-community involvement has in assisting conflict resolution, behavioral and mental health, and multicultural psychology, as students interact and conduct research with individuals in Northern Ireland.
PSYC 408/571
International Service Learning and Research in Botswana, Africa
Social Change
SCHG 300, 301, 302, 303, 399, 500, 501, 501, 503
The specific topic of these courses varies from semester to semester. The Director of Peace Studies in consultation with the Health and Sports Sciences will decide determination of their relevance.
SCHG 453/ SOC 453
Social Change
Examines social change from a sociological perspective; explores theories, spheres, patterns, consequences of change; involves students in field study of actual case of change in local community or region.
SCHG 513/ WGST 513/ PAS 513/ HIST 513/
U. S. Social Justice Movements
Course will begin with abolitionism, then concentrate on social justice upsurges of the 20th century, with emphasis on women in the civil rights and Black liberation movements.
SCHG 538
Critical Social Theory
A critical examination of interdisciplinary theories that seek to understand and explain social formations while at the same time uncovering ways that such formations can be unjust and irrational.
Social Work
SW 201
Introduction to Social Work
Introduces students to the profession of social work, its code of ethics, values base and commitment to social justice and working with vulnerable and oppressed groups; 30 hours service-learning requirement.
SW 202
Family Relationships
The course introduces students to the scientific study and understanding of couple and family life. Examination of attitudes and values regarding intimate relationships is encouraged. Class activities and assignments enable students to integrate personal experiences with newly gained understanding and knowledge.
Plus two electives...Here are some choices for SW electives that may work with Peace studies:
SW 352
Child Abuse/Neglect
Restricted to Students admitted to Kent School of Social Work Bachelors. This course is designed to provide a comprehensive introduction to child abuse and neglect from a social work perspective.
SW 364
Social Work and the Law
Restricted to students admitted to Kent School of Social Work Bachelors. This course is designed to (1) familiarize social work students with the legal system and the various roles of social workers within the legal arena, (2) increase the social work student's understanding of the impact of the legal system on social work clients and client groups, (3) increase the social work student's understanding of the interface of the law with professional social work practice, and (4) develop and enhance the skills needed by the professional social worker in situations where social work and the law interface.
SW 381
Social Gerontology
Restricted to students admitted to Kent School of Social Work Bachelors. This course is designed to enable students to understand the complexity of the aging process from the perspective of the individual, the family and society.
Sociology
SOC 201
Introduction to Sociology –SB
Introduction to the study of human societies. How societies are organized and changed and the implications of social organization on everyday life.
SOC 202
Social Problems - SBCD2
Structural sources and individual experiences of the major contradictions of contemporary societies. Poverty, racial/ethnic conflict, work and occupations, and the environment may be among the topics considered.
SOC 210
Race in the United States -SBCD1
Examines the social processes leading to the development of major racial grouping in the United States. Focuses on racialization in the United States, relationship between assimilation and racialization, and causes and consequences of the social construction of race.
SOC 305
Urban Sociology
An introduction to the sociology of urban areas, including the study of how humans organize their lives in cities; analysis of the form and development of cities; and review of theories and research that aid understanding these phenomena.
SOC 314
Public Policy and Social Services
Examination of current social services, public and private, and their implications. An analysis of public policy-making based on social values.
SOC 315
Environmental Sociology
Problem identification, policy formulation, and agenda implementation examined from an environmental and developmental perspective. Review of institutions, processes, and social conflict.
SOC 323
Diversity and Inequality
Dimensions, sources, and problems associated with social inequality. Includes discussions of social class, gender, and race/ethnicity. Focus on American society, with international phenomena also considered.
SOC 343/WGST 312
Sociology of Women's Health
Introduces key theoretical and substantive issues in the sociology of women's health and healing. Draws from feminist theories and their intersections with critical perspectives on gender, race/ethnicity, social structure, power and medicine; attention to social and cultural factors in the U.S. and abroad.
SOC 346
Sociology of Religion
Study of religion as a product of collective human endeavor, as a social institution; functions, types, and structures of religious organizations and conduct; relationships between religion and other aspects of sociocultural and class existence.
SOC 374
Sociology of Economic Life
The economy as a social institution; sociological theories of the development of capitalism; historical development of industrialization; labor-management relations; trade unions; the service economy; globalization.
SOC 392 PAS 392/ WGST 343
Faces of Global Poverty –WR
Persistent poverty in the 3rd world and specific groups in the U.S. Focuses on the causes, consequences, solutions and survival strategies.
SOC 394/PAS 334
Globalization, Culture, and Third World Development
Examination of the social, economic, political, and ideological aspects of global economic development as they affect and shape the African development experience.
SOC 453/SCHG 453
Social Change
Examines social change from a sociological perspective; explores theories, spheres, patterns, consequences of change; involves students in field study of actual case of change in local community or region.
SOC 454
Classes and Stratification -WR
Analysis of systems of the distribution of power, property, privilege, and prestige in human communities and societies. Comparison of alternate theories of the nature of distributive systems.
SOC 460
Women: International Perspective
This course examines some of the major social concerns of women around the world, such as issues related to labor and slavery, sex trafficking, religion, media representation, health, education, political involvement, and violence against women.
SOC 462
Family Violence
Examines history and theories of family violence, with a focus on the United States. Discusses the sociological factors that condone or discourage violence in the family, as well as the social psychological dynamics by which it is perpetuated.
SOC 464
Race and Ethnicity –WR
Historical and social origins of racism as a system and an ideology.
SOC 469
Gender in the Middle East
This course examines the ways in which gender shapes and is shaped by social, political, economic, and cultural processes in the Middle East.
SOC 503
Political Sociology
Focuses on the theoretical and empirical issues pertaining to the relationship between political processes, political structures, the state, and society.
SOC 512
Gender, Race, Work, and Welfare
Introduction to theory and research on labor market and welfare state with focus on gender race/ethnicity as they influence women's experiences of and ideas about work and welfare.
Sport Administration
SPAD 561
This Special Topic varies from semester to semester, but can include "Olympism, Development and Peace" and "International Sport for Development." The Director of Peace Studies in consultation with the Chair of Health and Sport Science will decide determination of a course’s relevance.
Theatre Arts
TA 326
Cultural Diversity in Performance -WRCD1
Performance and discussion of selected public and private texts written by American minority writers. Course explores what it means to be part of a culturally diverse society.
TA 352 Special Topic: Tai Chi for Actors
Women's and Gender Studies
WGST 312 /SOC 343
Sociology of Women's Health
Introduces key theoretical and substantive issues in the sociology of women's health and healing. Draws from feminist theories and their intersections with critical perspectives on gender, race/ethnicity, social structure, power and medicine; attention to social and cultural factors in the U.S. and abroad.
WGST 323/POLS 323
Queer Politics
The course examines the political organization of gays, lesbians and transgendered persons, forms of oppression they experience, forms of political activism they utilize, and their relationship to mainstream political institutions.
WGST 355/POLS 324
Women in American Politics
A study of women's involvement in American politics as active political party members, as candidates for national, state, and local offices, as elected officials, and as appointees to government positions at all levels.
WGST 360/ PHIL 318
Philosophy and Feminism
An examination of philosophical issues involved in feminism, including classical, but emphasizing contemporary discussions.
WGST 343/PAS 392/SOC 392
Faces of Global Poverty
Persistent poverty in the 3rd World and specific groups in the U.S. Focuses on causes, consequences, solutions and survival strategies.
WGST 513/ PAS 513/ HIST 513/ SCHG 513
US Social Justice Movement
Course will begin with abolitionism, then concentrate on social justice upsurges of the 20th century, with emphasis on women in the civil rights and Black liberation movements.
WGST 558/POLS 563
Women in the Developing World
This course follows the progress on the international women's movement since the United Nations First World Conference on Women 1975 to the present.

