Courses

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In this course we will discuss issues and practice techniques in the major qualitative methods of conducting ethnography. Class will combine lecture, discussion, online contributions and student presentations. Over the course of the term, each student will develop a research project utilizing... Read more

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Participants will develop organizational and activist skills, understand how social change occurs, and link theory to concrete organizing practice in the community. Course blends critical analysis of organizing theories and methods with hands-on projects.

How are race and gender constructed and regulated in U.S. law?  How have activists challenged such constructions and regulations?  Is it possible to use the law even as we critique it?  How can we demystify the power of the law and legal language?  Why is it important to see the intersections... Read more

What is crime? How do we measure the extent of crime? Is the image of crime we see in the media accurate? Why do some people engage in criminal activities while others do not? Why do crime rates differ between cities, regions, and countries, as well as over time? What is the most effective way... Read more

This course will explore systems of inequality and their relationship to 'crime,' violence and the criminal justice system. Students will gain a firm understanding of race, class, gender, and sexuality as categories of analysis and as structures, which influence the life course. How is the body... Read more

This course will explore systems of inequality and their relationship to ‘crime,’ violence and the criminal justice system. Students will gain a firm understanding of race, class, gender, and sexuality as categories of analysis and as structures, which influence the life course. How is the body... Read more

Law and Society represents a rich area of study, drawing on a diverse array of academic disciplines, including sociology, anthropology, philosophy, economics, cultural studies and political science. This course will provide a broad overview of the field’s central questions, including: what... Read more

 We will explore myths vs. reality when it comes to assumptions about gender and crime, and how the unique ways we socialize girls and women, as well as boys and men, shape criminality inside and outside of the female/male gender binary. We will discuss how being perceived as a member of LGBTQ (... Read more

By now you have spent time thinking about the ways we, as a society, define, monitor, punish and talk about crime. In this course, you will dive into one of the most important aspects of criminology— criminological theory. In this class, we will explore various sociological explanations for why... Read more

This course follows neither a “how to” nor a “just say no” agenda. One objective is to explore the social, cultural, political, and economic processes that shape drug policy and our understandings thereof.  A second objective is to provide a historical and theoretical grasp of the social causes... Read more

“When I dare to be powerful – to use my strength in the service of my vision, then it becomes less and less important whether I am afraid.” -Audre Lorde

Youth crime has historically been the focus of considerable interest by the public, media, and government officials. Though young people have undoubtedly always engaged in rule-violating behavior, it was during the early 19th century that our more modern conception of the “delinquent” was... Read more

This course introduces students to the field of critical prison studies, to prison activist social movements and to the relationship between the two. We will set critical prison studies within the wider scholarly literature on forms of punishment more generally and think about the connections... Read more

“If a white man wants to lynch me, that’s his problem.  If he’s got the power to lynch me, that’s my problem.  Racism is not a question of attitude; it’s a question of power.” - Stokely Carmichael

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This course explores various genocides of the modern era, with particular emphasis on the Armenian Genocide (1915-1923). We will examine the processes of genocide, collective responsibility and responses from the international community. People want to know why genocide happens and that is a... Read more

This course exposes students to the geographic and political reality of two nations and two cultures in constant contact and tension. It introduces the long history of conflict that has marked this region. It also highlights various acts of resistance by indigenous and immigrant populations... Read more

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Do you have something to say that you want people to see and listen to? The ability of film to persuade audiences makes it a very powerful tool for social change. Social Change Digital Productions aim to increase awareness, influence positive behavioral change and transform social norms. This... Read more

Successful grant writing entails having a vision you can articulate; strong critical thinking and writing skills; an unwavering attention to details; motivation and perseverance; and an understanding of the philanthropic and proposal process. Students have the opportunity to develop their skills... Read more

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You will learn to apply in-depth reporting techniques and synthesize large amounts of information into a compelling story about an important community issue.

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This course examines the origin of the federal government’s policies on environmental injustice, with emphasis on the issues/concerns that led to Executive Order #12898: "Federal Actions to Address Environmental Justice in Minority Populations and Low-Income Populations," and the creation and... Read more

This course is aimed at a comprehensive understanding of Federal Indian Law and its development of federal Indian law from the late 19th century to the present. Emphasis is given to unique principles of law concerning tribal sovereignty, the federal trust relationship, and the interplay between... Read more

Tribal justice systems are among the least understood legal structures in the United States. Used in tribal communities since time immemorial their use is now entering the Anglo-American legal system throughout the U.S. But what do we know about tribal justice systems? How do they work? Is there... Read more

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In this class we will analyze various philosophical perspectives regarding topics such as the nature of law and legal reasoning, the relationship between morality and law, theories of punishment, civil disobedience, and other relevant topics.  Most basically, this course focuses on foundational... Read more

Broadly, we will examine the various direct and indirect policy actors in—and their influences on—the United States criminal justice system. Furthermore, we will analyze the role of said players in the politics and politicization of crime in the formulation, implementation, and evaluation of... Read more

While it is entitled “Constitutional Law”, this is not a course in the law, nor is it a substitute for any law school course. Rather, it will introduce you to the U.S. legal system; more specifically, we will study the U.S. Constitution and the judicial system through various landmark cases. We... Read more

While it is entitled “Legal Research”, this is not a course that one might encounter in law school. Rather, it is designed to introduce students to the fundamentals of thinking about and framing legal problems. In order to be successful in legal research, we must first learn and understand the... Read more

This course will prepare students to participate in undergraduate moot court competitions, which simulate the experience of making appellate oral arguments before the United States Supreme Court. Students will argue hypothetical constitutional cases. To do so, they will develop legal... Read more

 Political Science 341 is an introduction to international law. In a single course it is not possible to canvass the entire field. We shall attempt to gain some familiarity with those aspects of international law which are believed to be the most prominent against the background of international... Read more

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This​ ​course​ ​will​ ​introduce​ ​students​ ​to​ ​the​ ​field​ ​of​ ​Sociology​ ​and​ ​will​ ​expose​ ​students​ ​to the​ ​basic​ ​concepts​ ​and​ ​principles​ ​of​ ​Sociology.​ ​​ ​Students​ ​will​ ​apply​ ​their​ ​learning​ ​to social​ ​problems​ ​and​ ​issues.​ ​​ ​This​ ​course​ ​covers​ ​... Read more

This course provides an introduction to sociological perspectives on social problems. We will explore how particular social conditions come to be defined as problematic and targeted for intervention by policymakers, while other issues struggle to gain traction. In the process, we will examine... Read more

Topics vary by semester. Talk to your advisor to see where a special topics course will fulfill course requirements towards gradaution. Speical topics include:

This course is designed to help you apply your statistics knowledge through developing your skills in quantitative data analysis.  Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) will be used for this work.

A course addressing the development, structure, and functioning of socio-ecological relationships centered around forests. Specific topics include capital accumulation, urbanization, deforestation, community management models, bioregionalism, sustainability and development, and local topics... Read more

Required corequisite for sociology majors enrolled in the 3-unit GE course SOC 302: Forest & Culture.

Race is part of our everyday lives. We see race in our neighborhoods, our schools, our churches, our jails, and all over the media. It’s a social category that shapes nearly every interaction and institution in the contemporary U.S. Despite the prevalence of racialized issues and meanings in... Read more

In an effort to increase student knowledge on issues of race and inequality, including social justice issues, students will engage in review of research in a subtopic area of their choice and learn the mechanics of writing a literature review. The format of this course is primarily a workshop... Read more

This course will examine the social, economic, and political forces and transformations pervading the globe in the current era commonly known as globalization.  By globalization we mean a process, not an end-state or a stage reached. It characterizes the increasing scope and intensity of... Read more

Required corequisite for sociology majors enrolled in the 3-unit GE course, SOC 305: Modern World Systems.

This is an upper level GE course, with a “Diversity and Common Ground” designation. There are no prerequisites but it does assume a basic knowledge of social science.  The family, as a basic social institution, will be examined from historical, social and cultural variations. This course... Read more

Required corequisite for sociology majors enrolled in the 3-unit GE course, SOC 306 The Changing Family.

This is an upper level, Area D GE course. There are no prerequisites but it does assume a basic knowledge of social science.  Altruism and compassion are studied as an antidote to a world polarized in conflict. Focus will be on how to create a more caring society by understanding what motivates... Read more

Required corequisite for sociology majors enrolled in the 3-unit GE course, SOC 308: Sociology of Altruism & Compassion.

This course is an in depth study of classical sociological theory focusing on the shapers, intellectual visionaries, and seminal scholars who forged the backbone upon which the discipline and profession of sociology is based.  We will explore the life and writings of a number of these theorists... Read more

We are gendered beings that produce on a daily basis the gendered institutions in which we interact. These institutions proliferate particular intersections of gender, race, class, ability and age that reproduce inequalities. This is the sociological perspective. This framework and the related... Read more

This course will introduce you to some of the basic theories of social ecological relations and the debates among their respective adherents.  You will learn about the sub-discipline of environmental sociology, a field of inquiry that focuses on the relationship between humans and the... Read more

This course examines and engages critically with core theories and research within the sociology of sport. It explores the role sport plays as a vehicle for social change and justice, and in producing, reproducing, and transforming culture and society. Note that this course is an upper division... Read more

Social Deviance deals with the fringe (but not only the fringe) of any society; the “other” or the “outsiders.” One can be labeled a deviant for who one is or is not, or for what one does or does not do. What is considered deviant is related to what a society has constructed as their norms. This... Read more

This course will critically examine the nature and causes of social movements in a national and global context. It explores a number of core questions about social movements: What are social movements? When do social movements occur? Who joins social movements? How are social movements organized... Read more

This course explores the nature, causes and prevention of environmental crime.  Specifically it examines the many ways in which governments, corporations, military apparatuses, criminal organizations and individuals routinely harm ecosystems, humanity and animal life.  Eco-criminology assumes... Read more

This course examines the connection between environmental inequality and economic globalization.  The focus of our attention will be on the broad dimensions of the intersection between environmental quality and social hierarchies.  Specifically, we will address more structural questions that... Read more

We all “code switch” regularly depending on the context of our interactions.  In this workshop we will explore the codes most often associated with successful career building and professionalism. Remaining true to your values and overall sense of self, you will be challenged to build your “... Read more

Theoretical principles, ethical issues, and common techniques for designing and implementing qualitative and quantitative social science research. [Prereq: STAT 108 and SOC 282L (C) with a grade of C or higher.] This course is designed to help students understand and appreciate research as an... Read more

What is social theory? What is the purpose of social theory? How can social theory help us understand how individuals, groups, social structures, and the natural environment interact as a historical and cultural project? These are some of the basic questions we will explore this semester through... Read more

Considers popular culture as an important arena of social and political struggle. Students explore a variety of social practices such as wrestling, hip hop, weddings, and television talk shows, and consider the ways that these practices are linked to larger systems of power.

We are living through a period defined by unprecedented shifts in human population.  By the end of 2017, the United Nations estimated that over 68.5 million people have been forcibly displaced from their homes due to war and sectarian conflict, environmental degradation, climate change, and... Read more

Develop criteria for researching graduate programs. Identify goals and match with programs. Develop application materials - CV and statement of purpose. Plan experiences to make you a stronger candidate.

This course will develop student knowledge and understanding of community organizing history, theory and practice. It will provide insight into what propels people into action, the political independence and interdependence of various organizational forms, and how an organizational form, over... Read more

Topics vary by semester. Talk to your advisor to see where a special topics course will fulfill course requirements towards gradaution.Speical topics include:

Capstone internship experience. Discuss opportunties for placement in an internship position for your Senior Capstone experience. Contact Karen August for more informaiton. View more information at:... Read more

Your senior thesis should be the capstone expression of your “sociological imagination.” You have spent a great deal of time and energy in the last few years developing core knowledge, skills, and ethics that are central to the practice of Sociology. Your senior thesis represents an important... Read more

This class is a workshop designed to prepare graduate students to teach their own courses in Sociology.  The reasoning behind this class is simple: most academics spend a large time of their work life teaching, yet most graduate training is focused on how to conduct research.  We are somehow... Read more

This is the required methods course for all Sociology masters students. The purpose of this course is to provide students with a working knowledge of the research methods and basic statistical skills needed to collect and analyze quantitative data. Though this course emphasizes the... Read more

This course will introduce you to the theoretical, interactional, ethical and practical aspects of qualitative research with a focus on interviewing and focus group methodologies.  We will also discuss field research methods, unobtrusive methods such as content analysis and orientations to... Read more

The goals of this course this Fall semester will be to get you ready for the job market, or a PhD program, based on your career and educational goals. You will be working on various aspects of your job or program materials, and searching for potential positions/programs. You will complete weekly... Read more

What is social theory? What is the purpose of social theory? How can social theory help us understand how individuals, groups, social structures, and the natural environment interact as a historical and cultural project? These are some of the basic questions we will explore this semester through... Read more

This course is designed to provide you with 1) a firm understanding of the development and trajectory of thinking about race and ethnicity in Sociology as a discipline, and to acquaint you with some of the finest thinking about race and 2) a grasp of the racialization process and outcomes in the... Read more

Sociology originated as a field whose early practitioners and theorists were centrally concerned about human emancipation and liberation.

This course is designed to help students understand probability concepts and modern statistical methods. You will be learning (i) basic probability concepts and (ii) the application of modern statistical methods in our real world. Briefly, you will be learning how to communicate in the language... Read more

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Act to End Sexualized Violence is a course which extends on the work of the Act to End Sexualized Violence seminar.   Participants will

  • Understand the structural resources available in our community.
  • Create connections between national organizations and Humboldt using tactical... Read more