An introduction to the study of social problems from several perspectives. Problems in areas such as drug abuse, crime, education, and the family are examined in the light of basic principles of sociology. An analysis of inter-group relations in the United States. Topics include a consideration of the mechanisms of group interaction between dominant and subordinate groups and the experiences and histories of the primary minority groups in the United States. An examination of the cultural and structural influences that guide the forms religion takes in society and the processes through which religious ideas, behaviors, and institutions are constructed.
Attention is given to the sociological theory and research that underlies religious behavior.
This course focuses on the basic premises of social change, including the evolutionary, conflict, and cyclical theories of social change, and the organized activities of collective behavior and social movements that encourages or discourages social change. Special attention is given to the theoretical contributions of the structural strain, resource mobilization, and social constructionists' perspectives. An exploration of the primary methods of social research and data collection. Topics include defining a research question and design, and data collection from operationalization to data entry. An introduction to statistical analysis for social research issues.