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ACADEMIC PROGRAMS
Birmingham-Southern College Catalog 2016-2017
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SO 350 Special Topics in Sociology (1)
An in-depth exploration of theory and research in a sub-disciplinary area of sociology.
Topics will vary. May be repeated for credit when the focus of the course is different.
Prerequisite: SO 101.
SO 370 Medical Sociology (1)
Examination of the importance of applying a sociological perspective in examining
health and illness. Emphasis is placed upon understanding the unequal social distribution
of health, different social and cultural meanings and experiences of health, the
“medicalization of society,” and the changing nature of the profession of medicine and
the social organization of health care. A Leadership Studies designated course.
Prerequisite: SO 101. Fall.
SO 373 Urban Sociology (1)
Social organization of the urban community; historical and contemporary patterns in the
structure and growth of the city; cross-national processes of urbanization and social
change. Prerequisite: GCS 100 or SO 101. Spring.
SO 376 Environmental Sociology (1)
Examines environmental issues from a sociological perspective. Emphasis is placed on
human causes of environmental change such as science and technology, the government
and the economy, population and consumption, and religion and culture; social and
environmental consequences of the relationships between humans and the environment.
Prerequisite: SO 101, UES 110, or UES 150. Spring.
SO 380 Sociology of Religion (1)
An examination of the social dimension of religion and analysis of the dialectic between
religion and society. Sociological theories of religion, religious organizations and
behavior, and processes of social change and secularization are studied. Attention is
given to religion in America with use of comparative and historical material. Prerequisite:
SO 101.
SO 450 Sociological Theory (1)
An exploration of concepts and issues associated with various classical and contemporary
theoretical perspectives including those relative to the foundation of social thought.
Prerequisite: SO 101. Fall.
SO 470 Senior Capstone Seminar (1)
A capstone project that requires an independent sociological research project and a
substantial research paper that demonstrates knowledge of sociological concepts and
research methodology. Seminar topics will vary according to interests and needs. The
course stresses the ability to communicate ideas orally and in writing. Prerequisites: SO
304, SO 450, and senior sociology major standing. Spring.