Sociology Courses

SOC101 Sociology and Society

[3–0, 3 cr.]

This course introduces students to basic concepts in sociology. It is designed to make students understand what makes sociology a different discipline from other social sciences. It covers basic topics including, but not limited to: groups, communities and society, evolution of societies, social structure and social change, communication in society, social stratification, youth and subculture, family and kin relations, social inequality and social mobility, social integration and solidarity, culture and social values. Examples are drawn from Lebanon and elsewhere to clarify the discussion.

SOC201 Introduction to Sociology

[3–0, 3 cr.]

The course introduces students to the basic concepts and processes governing social relationships as well as scientific approaches dealing with and explaining social phenomena. Various social institutions are examined.

SOC203 Citizenship and Leadership

[3–0, 3 cr.]

This course covers the basic concepts of leadership, active citizenship and public involvement in a democratic society.  It also examines the theories and approaches that link together these three concepts. The course will cover the principles and skills that leaders and citizens should acquire to be civically engaged in different social, political and economic contexts. Students will propose and implement a civic engagement project.

Exclusion: Students who take POL230 Citizenship (1 cr.) AND  POL / 237 Basics of Leadership (1 cr.) cannot take this course for credit.

SOC204 Social Psychology

[3–0, 3 cr.]

Social Psychology focuses on how individual motives, cognitions, attitudes are affected by groups, organizations and institutes. These influences will be explored in domains such as interpersonal attraction, prejudice, conformity, attitudes, aggression and motivation. 

Prerequisite: PSY201 Introduction to Psychology

SOC210 Introduction to Political Thought

[3–0, 3 cr.]

The course surveys key political ideas primarily from the Renaissance through the Enlightenment up to the beginning of the 20th century. Analysis and discussion of original texts and political ideas related to the general philosophy of each author’s historical and political background.

Prerequisite: POL201. 

SOC212 Media and Society

[3–0, 3 cr.]

This course studies forms of mass media communications as elements/products of cultural, political, and economic processes. The approach is interdisciplinary, drawing on a variety of theories and methods of media studies and analysis.

SOC215 Introduction to Gender Studies

[3–0, 3 cr.]

This course examines what it means to be a man or a woman, from a variety of interdisciplinary perspectives. It explores the construction of masculinities and femininities in a variety of cultural contexts. Special attention is given to gender differences, and gender inequalities.

SOC216 Introduction to Political Thought

[3–0, 3 cr.]

The course surveys key political ideas primarily from the Renaissance through the Enlightenment up to the beginning of the 20th century. Analysis and discussion of original texts and political ideas related to the general philosophy of each author’s historical and political background.

Prerequisite: POL201 Introduction to Political Science

SOC222 Comparative Political Systems

[3–0, 3 cr.]

This course provides an overview of political systems in the world and compares the ways governments operate and people behave in political life. It examines why different countries in the world implement different forms of government and electoral systems.  It compares the ways different governments interact with their respective citizens in both representation and policy making.

Prerequisite: POL201 Introduction to Political Science

SOC303 Urban Sociology

[3–0, 3 cr.]

This course is a survey of the city as a historical development, in relation to economic, social, and political factors, from the early settlements to the development of contemporary urbanism. It deals with a broad overview of the current planning theories, from the context of modernist ideals to the social studies of planners and sociologists.

Introduction to Sociology

SOC304 Sociology of Religion

[3–0, 3 cr.]

This course examines historical and contemporary relationships between social groups and their sacred symbols and objects, including the forms and functions of religion, religious beliefs and rituals, the politics and economics of religion, identity politics and religious movements.

Pre-requisite: SOC201 Introduction to Sociology

SOC311 Social Problems: Stratification & Marginalization

[3–0, 3 cr.]

The course surveys key political ideas primarily from the Renaissance through the Enlightenment up to the beginning of the 20th century. Analysis and discussion of original texts and political ideas related to the general philosophy of each author’s historical and political background.

Prerequisite: POL201. 

SOC313 Women in the Arab World

[3–0, 3 cr.]

This course examines the roles and status of Arab women in relation to various societal factors, including a brief overview of the legal rights as stated in the personal status code. Class discussions will analyze the changes by identifying determinants and patterns of change. Students are also introduced to basic gender, and feminist, perspectives on the status of women in Arab societies.
 

SOC321 Sociology of the Arab World

[3–0, 3 cr.]

A seminar for students interested in understanding the Arab world’s social structures with emphasis on major institutions and values, viewed from a three-dimensional perspective, namely: habitat, ethnic compositions and history.

SOC335 Politics of Multiculturalism

[3–0, 3 cr.]

Multiculturalism is a buzz word in current political debates and popular discussions of ethnicity and migrant communities.  This course explores why multicultural policy has become important, what kinds of minorities need to be accommodated and what kinds of policy contexts are important for multiculturalism in different countries.  The course examines sociological evidence for cultural diversity, its linkages with inter-generational socio-economic disadvantage and the political arguments for and against multiculturalism. 

Prerequisite: POL201 Introduction to Political Science

SOC401 Sociological Theories

[3–0, 3 cr.]

The course is an advanced study of classical and modern sociological theories including, but  not restricted to, the works of Durkheim, Marx, Weber, Bourdieu, Giddens, Hall and Norbert Elias.

Pre-requisite: SOC201 Introduction to Sociology

SOC488 Topics in Sociology: Sociology of Migration

[3–0, 3 cr.]

The course introduces students to the basic concepts and processes governing mobility of people between various countries. It applies sociological, anthropological and cultural studies approaches to analyze this phenomenon. 

Pre-requisite: SOC201 Introduction to Sociology

SOC815 Gender and Migration

[3–0, 3 cr.]

This seminar will use a gender lens to various forms of migration and trafficking in persons. Themes covered include: international gendered labor markets, migration to and from the Middle East, domestic labor, Human Trafficking; Sex trafficking, displacement through conflict and development, remittances, and human rights.