2006-2008 HBU Catalog - Houston Baptist University

SOCI 4293 Senior Seminar in Sociological ResearchPrerequisite: SOCI 4292The student conducts a previously approved research project and prepares a reportwhich includes findings and conclusions. See Note 9 under “Undergraduate DegreeRequirements.”SOCI 4312 Cultural StudiesPrerequisites: SOCI 2115; WRIT 3303 or 3304A course designed to create in the student an awareness of the concepts of culturalrelativity, cultural integration, and variation in cultural values, organization, institutions,and concepts of time, space, and symbols.SOCI 4315 Pop CulturePrerequisites: SOCI 2115; WRIT 3303 or 3304This course is an exploration and examination of American pop culture. Studentswill be immersed experientially in current examples of pop culture. The class willfocus on a variety of learning experiences in order to understand how popular culturefunctions; to explore the ways that popular culture is created and maintained; and toexamine the variety of meanings of popular culture first hand.SOCI 4332 Social PsychologyPrerequisites: PSYC/SOCI 2115, and WRIT 3303 or 3304Contemporary approaches to social behavior are considered. Cultural influences,prejudice, persuasion, conformity, attribution theories and attraction are some of thetopics addressed. (Offered also as PSYC 4332 and PSYC 5332.)SOCI 4333 Sociology of ReligionPrerequisite: WRIT 3303 or 3304An analysis of the roles and functions of religion in human societies, types of religiousorganizations, and the relations between religion and other social institutions. The rolesof Christianity and of other major religions in American society will be emphasizedand reviewed from sociological perspectives. (Offered also as CHRI 4333.)SOCI 4340 Contemporary Social TheoryPrerequisites: SOCI 1313, 2115, and WRIT 3303 or 3304This course explores the roots of social theory and its development in the late 20 thand 21 st century. It examines a variety of contemporary theoretical explanations forthe transformation of the social world.SOCI 4345 Sociology of AgingPrerequisites: SOCI 2115; WRIT 3303 or 3304Analysis of sociological and social psychological approaches to the study of middle ageand aging; the emergence of aging as a problem in industrial societies; considerationof specific problems and programs related to aging.SOCI 4373 The American FamilyPrerequisites: SOCI 2115; WRIT 3303 or 3304An in-depth examination of current research related to the family as a dynamiccomponent of American culture. Recent trends reflected in research data will be carefullyexamined within the context of sociological theory. Selected concepts and theoriesof the institutions of marriage and the family and factors and forces of society whichimpact on self-understanding, relationships, human development, life cycles, mateselection, alternative life styles, feminine and masculine roles, marital adjustments,parenting, and family crises will be addressed.Courses / 343