This course introduces basic concepts, theories, and methods in the discipline of sociology that reveal the relationship between the individual and society and challenge students to develop a sociological perspective. Students are exposed to diverse cultures and social structures with an emphasis on the dynamics of power and inequality on the local, national, and global levels as they are influenced by the social constructs of race, ethnicity, class, gender and sexuality.

This course provides an examination of child maltreatment from a variety of perspectives, including theoretical, cultural, historical, and legal. It offers definitions of the types of child abuse and neglect, and allows students to reflect on how culture and history play roles in the defining process. Students learn to identify signs and symptoms resulting from maltreatment, and take an in-depth look at how trauma affects all areas of child development. The roles of child protection workers, the complex child protection system, and the legal systems are explained. Students have the opportunity to critically review current research and debate emotionally charged ethical issues. This course challenges students to consider the dynamics that may lead people to harm children and connect the development of prevention strategies to these variables.

This course offers an introduction to the body of research and understanding about race and diverse identities and cultures, particularly in the context of the United States. Students will identify and describe terminology relating to race and diversity and will explore and describe the concepts of race, culture, class, sex, and gender identity as social constructs. Students will be asked to think critically about assumptions related to race- and sex-based hierarchical ideas and the effects of those assumptions on equitable economic, social, and political participation in the United States. Students will explore, and explain, the meaning of intersectionality as it relates to diverse identities (e.g. race, ethnicity, sex and gender, etc.).

This course examines evolving family structures in contemporary American society. The functions that a family serves are reviewed. The stages of family life and development, a variety of communication patterns, and the causes of breakups are addressed. The focus of the course is on helping students develop an ability to assess the strengths of a family system, evaluate the decision-making processes used by a family, and discuss the resiliency of the family. The course reviews a range of intervention methods that can be used to improve family relationships.