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Sociology

Overview Degrees/Certificates Courses

Sociology is the study of human society in all its manifestations. Its aim is to discover the process and structure of human interaction, to identify the main forces that sustain or weaken social groups, and to determine the conditions that transform social life. Sociology, like any science, is a disciplined, intellectual quest for knowledge about the fundamental nature of things.

Degrees Offered

A.A.-T. in Sociology

Dean Pamela Chao
Department Chair Pam Chao
Phone (916) 484-8283
Email AskHB-PCS@arc.losrios.edu

Associate Degree for Transfer

A.A.-T. in Sociology

This Associate in Arts in Sociology for Transfer provides a path to students who wish to transfer to a CSU campus in Sociology and serves the diverse needs of students who wish to obtain a broad and an in-depth understanding of the field. Additionally, this degree allows students to learn the fundamental principles and practices of Sociology in order to create a solid foundation for their future personal and academic endeavors.

The Associate in Arts in Sociology for Transfer provides students with a major that fulfills the general requirements of the California State University for transfer. Students with this degree will receive priority admission with junior status to the California State University system.

The Associate in Arts in Sociology for Transfer (A.A.-T.) may be obtained by the completion of 60 transferable, semester units with a minimum of a 2.0 GPA, including (a) the major or area of emphasis described in the Required Program outlined below (earning a C or better in these courses), and (b) either the Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) or the California State University General Education‐Breadth Requirements.

Catalog Date: August 1, 2024

Degree Requirements

Course Code	Course Title	Units
SOC 300	Introductory Sociology (3)	3
or SOC 480	Introductory Sociology - Honors (3)
SOC 301	Social Problems	3
PSYC 330	Introductory Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences	3
A minimum of 6 units from the following:		6
SOC 302	Introduction to Social Research Methods (3)
SOC 318	Introduction to Crime, Deviance, and Social Control (3)
SOC 321	Race, Ethnicity and Inequality in the United States (3)
SOC 342	Gender Relations in American Society (3)
A minimum of 3 units from the following:		3
ANTH 310	Cultural Anthropology (3)
GEOG 310	Human Geography: Exploring Earth's Cultural Landscapes (3)
PSYC 300	General Principles (3)
or PSYC 480	Honors General Principles (3)
PSYC 354	The Psychology of Family Life and Intimate Relationships in a Diverse Society (3)
SOC 309	Self and Society (3)
SOC 350	Sociology of Popular Culture (3)
Total Units:		18

The Associate in Arts in Sociology for Transfer (AA-T) degree may be obtained by completion of 60 transferable, semester units with a minimum overall grade point average (GPA) of 2.0, including (a) a minimum grade of "C" (or "P") for each course in the major or area of emphasis described in the Required Program, and (b) either the Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) or the California State University General Education-Breadth Requirements.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this program, the student will be able to:

differentiate between scientifically-based sociological knowledge and hear-say, personal beliefs, and opinions.
compare and contrast the major theoretical perspectives in sociology.
define basic sociological terms and concepts regarding the nature of social life, social structures, socio-economic, political, and cultural institutions.
analyze various sociological perspectives and their relevance to the understanding of social life in general and personal life in particular.
construct and evaluate sociological data, utilize the scientific method, draw reasonable conclusions.
identify and understand the ethical implications involved in research and their impact on social policy/public policies.
apply sociological principles and theories to everyday life situations in regard to interaction with people from diverse backgrounds in a just, equitable, and inclusive manner.

Career Information

The Sociology degree is designed to facilitate students' successful transfer to four-year colleges that prepare them for advanced study in a variety of graduate programs as well as a variety of career opportunities in social work, law, criminology, law enforcement, teaching, health services, urban planning and development, and research.

Sociology (SOC) Courses

SOC 300 Introductory Sociology

Units:3
Hours:54 hours LEC
Prerequisite:None.
Advisory:Eligible for ENGRD 310 or ENGRD 312 AND ENGWR 300; OR ESLR 340 AND ESLW 340
Transferable:CSU; UC
General Education:AA/AS Area V(b); CSU Area D0; IGETC Area 4J
C-ID:C-ID SOCI 110
Catalog Date:August 1, 2024

This course examines principles and basic concepts in sociology. It includes the study of institutions, culture, social organization, group interaction, social stratification, economy, politics, social movements, and urbanization. This course is not open to students who have completed SOC 480.

SOC 301 Social Problems

Units:3
Hours:54 hours LEC
Prerequisite:None.
Advisory:Eligible for ENGRD 310 or ENGRD 312 AND ENGWR 300; or ESLW 340.
Transferable:CSU; UC
General Education:AA/AS Area V(b); CSU Area D0; IGETC Area 4J
C-ID:C-ID SOCI 115
Catalog Date:August 1, 2024

This course examines contemporary social problems in the US within a theoretical and global context. It examines the role and the structure of power and ideology in shaping our understanding and approach to social problems. This course supports students to include a critical analysis of their causes, consequences as well as an evaluation of proposed solutions and methods of treatment. Attention is directed to poverty and inequality, race and gender inequalities, problems of the environment, unequal access to education as well as problems in the economic and political systems and the impact of globalization on these problems.

SOC 302 Introduction to Social Research Methods

Units:3
Hours:54 hours LEC
Prerequisite:SOC 300 with a grade of "C" or better
Advisory:ENGWR 300, ESLW 340, PSYC 330, STAT 300, or STAT 305 with a grade of "C" or better
Transferable:CSU; UC
General Education:AA/AS Area V(b); CSU Area D; IGETC Area 4
C-ID:C-ID SOCI 120
Catalog Date:August 1, 2024

This course examines basic principles and methods of sociological research, application and critique of major research methods, including survey, ethnographic, experimental and historical comparative analysis. It emphasizes the fundamental components of sociological research design such as theory, hypothesis, data collection, and variables. Ethical, ideological, and political implications of social research are also considered.

SOC 309 Self and Society

Units:3
Hours:54 hours LEC
Prerequisite:None.
Advisory:Eligible for ENGRD 310 or ENGRD 312 AND ENGWR 300; OR ESLR 340 AND ESLW 340
Transferable:CSU; UC
General Education:AA/AS Area V(b); CSU Area D0; IGETC Area 4J
Catalog Date:August 1, 2024

This course introduces concepts, social theories, and methods used to analyze how the sense of self is created in everyday life. It explores various theories of the development of self, the nature of human behavior, the importance of language for perception and thought, and reality as a social construction. Additionally, it examines how the self emerges and is maintained through social interaction and our involvement in social relationships. It includes the study of social identity, roles, socialization, identity change, and emotions.

SOC 318 Introduction to Crime, Deviance, and Social Control

Units:3
Hours:54 hours LEC
Prerequisite:None.
Transferable:CSU; UC
General Education:AA/AS Area V(b); CSU Area D0; IGETC Area 4J
C-ID:C-ID SOCI 160
Catalog Date:August 1, 2024

This course introduces various sociological perspectives regarding issues of crime, deviance, and social control. Particular attention is paid to the analysis of how laws and cultural norms shape the definition and meaning of crime and deviance. Topics covered include street crimes, corporate crimes, white-collar crimes, domestic violence, drugs and alcohol abuse, lifestyle crimes, prison systems, capital punishment, rehabilitation, and the trend towards privatization of prisons. Field trips may be required.

SOC 321 Race, Ethnicity and Inequality in the United States

Units:3
Hours:54 hours LEC
Prerequisite:None.
Advisory:Eligible for ENGRD 310 or ENGRD 312 AND ENGWR 300; OR ESL325
Transferable:CSU; UC
General Education:AA/AS Area V(b); AA/AS Area VI; CSU Area D0; IGETC Area 4J
C-ID:C-ID SOCI 150
Catalog Date:August 1, 2024

In this course, students are invited to examine patterns of racial and ethnic group relations in the United States of America. This course utilizes basic sociological approaches to study race and ethnicity and includes an emphasis on a comparative and intersectional analysis of historical, social, political, and economic factors affecting intergroup and intragroup dynamics and current political and social issues. Using multiple perspectives, students will explore topics that include prejudice, discrimination, racism, anti-racism, racialization, racial and ethnic stratification, inequality, intersectionality, demographic shifts, colonization, decolonization, oppression, liberation, civil rights, and other related topics. Course focus will be on Native Americans, African Americans, Latinx peoples, Asian and Pacific Islander Americans, and European Americans. A variety of different learning activities will be included. Any course-related field trips will not be mandatory and alternative assignments will be offered.

SOC 325 Chicano Culture

Units:3
Hours:54 hours LEC
Prerequisite:None.
Advisory:Eligible for ENGRD 310 or ENGRD 312 AND ENGWR 300; OR ESLR 340 AND ESLW 340.
Transferable:CSU; UC
General Education:AA/AS Area V(b); AA/AS Area VI; CSU Area D0; IGETC Area 4J
Catalog Date:August 1, 2024

This course is an introduction to fundamental concepts, social theories, and methods used to understand and critically analyze the production, adaptation, and construction of Chicano identity and Chicano culture within the United States. It includes micro and macro sociological analysis of Chicano culture and its relationship to Chicano social identity, social inequality, and social change.

SOC 335 Sociology of Aging

Units:3
Hours:54 hours LEC
Prerequisite:None.
Advisory:ENGWR 102 and ENGRD 116 with a grade of “C” or better; OR ESLR 320 and ESLW 320 with a grade of “C” or better.
Transferable:CSU; UC (UC credit limitation: SOC 335, GERON 300, 302, & PSYC 374 combined: maximum credit, one course)
General Education:AA/AS Area III(b); CSU Area E1
Catalog Date:August 1, 2024

This course examines the aged and aging process with emphasis on social factors affecting and affected by an aging population. It includes an analysis of demographics, history of aging in America, social conditions, resources and support systems, employment, retirement, and social class/cultural differences.
This course is not open to students who have completed GERON 300.

SOC 342 Gender Relations in American Society

Units:3
Hours:54 hours LEC
Prerequisite:None.
Advisory:Eligible for ENGRD 310 or ENGRD 312 AND ENGWR 300; OR ESLR 340 AND ESLW 340
Transferable:CSU; UC
General Education:AA/AS Area V(b); AA/AS Area VI; CSU Area D0; IGETC Area 4J
C-ID:C-ID SOCI 140
Catalog Date:August 1, 2024

This course deals with gender relations in American society. It examines historical, social, economic, political, and cultural forces in shaping gender identity, gender roles, and gender expectations. This course utilizes sociological theories to explain gender experiences as socially constructed rather than biologically determined. Specifically, it examines the experiences of people of diverse economic, racial, and ethnic backgrounds within historical and cross-cultural perspectives. This course includes analysis and discussion of topics such as gender relations in the home, workplace, mass media, health care system, and politics.

SOC 350 Sociology of Popular Culture

Units:3
Hours:54 hours LEC
Prerequisite:None.
Transferable:CSU; UC
General Education:AA/AS Area V(b); CSU Area D0; IGETC Area 4J
Catalog Date:August 1, 2024

This course analyzes the historical development and emergence of American popular culture and the relationship between contemporary popular culture, social institutions and social behavior. Further, it explores popular culture within the context of social, political, technological, and economic changes in the United States and includes an analysis of sociological theories of popular culture, social media, advertising, music, and film.

SOC 480 Introductory Sociology - Honors

Units:3
Hours:54 hours LEC
Prerequisite:Placement into ENGWR 480 through the assessment process.
Transferable:CSU; UC
General Education:AA/AS Area V(b); CSU Area D0; IGETC Area 4J
C-ID:C-ID SOCI 110
Catalog Date:August 1, 2024

This course provides an in-depth examination of society and human behavior from various sociological perspectives. Sociological theories, both macro and micro, are applied to different aspects of life including culture, social stratification and inequality, social change, politics, economy, and deviance. The course is conducted as a seminar in which students will be responsible for developing in-depth analysis and understanding of issues based on classical and contemporary sociological theories. This course is designed for those from all academic disciplines who are motivated to learn sociological perspectives and how they apply to aspects of human experience both at the individual and societal levels. This course is not open to students who have successfully completed SOC 300.

SOC 495 Independent Studies in Sociology

Units:1 - 3
Hours:54 - 162 hours LAB
Prerequisite:None.
Transferable:CSU
Catalog Date:August 1, 2024

Independent Study is an opportunity for the student to extend classroom experience in this subject, while working independently of a formal classroom situation. Independent study is an extension of work offered in a specific class in the college catalog. To be eligible for independent study, students must have completed the basic regular catalog course at American River College. They must also discuss the study with a professor in this subject and secure approval. Only one independent study for each catalog course will be allowed.

SOC 499 Experimental Offering in Sociology

Units:0.5 - 4
Prerequisite:None.
Catalog Date:August 1, 2024

This is the experimental courses description.