SO–101 INTRODUCTION TO SOCIOLOGY
FALL/SPRING/ALL YEARS

3 credit hours

Online/Hybrid

This course is a study of human society, its diversity, its nature, structure, and processes including foundations of culture, social interaction, social controls, social change and cross-cultural relations. Special emphasis is given to social processes in Micronesia and the Western Pacific.

 

SO–201 CONTEMPORARY SOCIETY
FALL ONLY/FALL ONLY

3 credit hours

Hybrid

An application of sociological principles to contemporary society.

 

SO–202 CONTEMPORARY SOCIAL PROBLEMS
FALL/SPRING/ALL YEARS

3 credit hours

Online/Hybrid

This course is a study of the nature and root causes of social problems. Topics include such problems as inequality, crime population, environmental degradation and poverty. Students develop skills in critically analyzing their world and understand the causes and solutions to contemporary problems regionally and internationally.

 

SO–203 INTRODUCTION TO QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE RESEARCH METHODS
FALL ONLY/ALL YEARS

3 credit hours

Online/Hybrid

This course givegives undergraduate students experience in conducting quantitative and qualitative research on social issues relevant to the region. The course covers a wide range of topics dealing with processes, trends and approaches to basic research methodologies and designs found in the social sciences. The course examines the basic research methods of the social sciences, including causation, research design experimental designs, sampling data gathering techniques, data analysis and interpretation of research results. The course covers the structuring of social inquiry, conceptualization, operationalization, measurement, evaluation and presentation of first hand research. This course introduces students to the necessary tools needed for designing and implementing basic social science research. The rational of this course is to introduce quantitative and qualitative empirical science to undergraduate students. Prerequisites: EN111, MA110, SO101 with a grade C or better or instructor's consent.

 

SO–221 SOCIOLOGY OF HEALTH AND MEDICINE
FALL ONLY/ALL YEARS

3 credit hours

Hybrid

This course introduces students to sociological perspectives of medical practice and health. We explore some of the major ways that health and medical practice are structured by global inequalities and by the inequalities of class, race, gender and nationality. We also explore how our everyday lives and identities are influenced by knowledge production in the field of medicine. The history of medicine and the medical profession will also be briefly explored.

 

SO–230 MARRIAGE AND THE FAMILY
FALL/SPRING/ALL YEARS

3 credit hours

This is a comparative study of family relationships with special attention given to the social and cultural aspects of the family, mate selection, marriage adjustment, parental roles, and family stability. Prerequisites: SO101 or consent of instructor.

 

SO–302 DEVIANCE AND SOCIAL CONTROL
SPRING ONLY/ALL YEARS

3 credit hours

Hybrid

This course offers a theoretical orientation into the study of deviance and relevant methodological consideration. It covers extent of and trends in different forms of deviance, a description of offenders and victims, the consequences of attempts at social control, and public opinion regarding various deviant acts. Prerequisite: SO101 or SO202 or consent of instructor.

 

SO–332 GLOBALIZATION AND HUMAN DYNAMICS
SPRING ONLY/EVEN YEARS

3 credit hours

This course examines representative peoples in various parts of the world with regard to selected themes concerning globalization and human dynamics. Themes explored may include ethnicity, multiculturalism, nation building, and tourism. Prerequisite: AN101 or SO101.

 

SO–342 SOCIOLOGY OF SEX AND GENDER
FALL ONLY/EVEN YEARS

3 credit hours

This course examines traditional and contemporary views of gender roles and life chances for men and women in a social and cross- cultural context. It examines what relations exist between men and women and how women and men contribute to, negotiate with, and explore gender and traditional definitions of masculinity and femininity. Prerequisites: SO101 and SO230 or consent of instructor.

 

SO–344 AGING: MYTH AND REALITIES
FALL ONLY/ALL YEARS

3 credit hours

Hybrid

This course explores the major issues and concepts pertinent to gerontology, the study of the aging process. The prevailing theories of the social/biological aging process, and the economic, physical and psychological problems that might arise in late life are presented, and students learn how these factors impinge on the well-being of the older person and the social structure of a community. Aging as it occurs in different societies and throughout history is discussed. Social myths and stereotypes are explored. An overview of existing aging policies and special programs for the older population is included, as is a section on dying, death and grieving. Prerequisite: SO101 or consent of instructor.

 

SO–350 DEVELOPMENT OF SOCIOLOGICAL THEORY - CLASSICAL
FALL ONLY/ALL YEARS

3 credit hours

Online/Hybrid

Classical Sociological Theory examines the thought of sociologists from Auguste Comte, Karl Marx, Emil Durkheim and Max Weber through the writings of the Chicago School in the United States. These classical sociological writings are critically examined as to their present impact on theory today. Prerequisite: SO101 or consent of instructor.

 

SO–351 DEVELOPMENT OF SOCIOLOGICAL THEORY - CONTEMPORARY
SPRING ONLY/ALL YEARS

3 credit hours

This course introduces students to scholars who have had a significant influence on the practice of sociological research since the post-World War II era. We explore major genres of contemporary social theory including: structuralism, constructionism, post-structuralism, post-modernism, feminism, critical race theory, queer theory, performativity and other approaches deemed relevant by the instructor. Students learn to critically evaluate the strength and weaknesses of various theoretical approaches as they make connections between social theory and research practice in sociology. The final project requires students to describe the theoretical approach(es) they plan to use in their final research project for the sociology capstone course. Prerequisite: SO101.

 

SO–355 SOCIOLOGY OF WOMEN
FALL ONLY/ODD YEARS

3 credit hours

The Sociology of Women is designed to make students more aware of themselves as women, or if they are male, of others as women. We learn to ask questions important to women because we still lack information obtained from women's points of view. The course is directed first toward the study of women and then toward the study of women in society as a whole. Prerequisite: SO101 or consent of instructor.

 

SO–360 SOCIAL MOVEMENTS AND CHANGE
SPRING ONLY/ALL YEARS

3 credit hours

Online

This course is the study of the nature and characteristics of society and the changes society is undergoing. Prerequisite: SO101 or consent of instructor.

 

SO–386 JUVENILE DELINQUENCY AND CRIMINOLOGY
SPRING ONLY/ALL YEARS

3 credit hours

Online

Students will learn the differences between juvenile delinquency, criminology, deviance and criminal justice. This course applies the sociological perspective to the study of the nature, causes and origins of juvenile delinquency and crime. This course presents a critical evaluation of current theories of delinquency and criminal causation. Some questions that are addressed include: What is unique about the juvenile court system and the laws relating to juvenile offenders. How do institutional and no-institutional treatment programs for juveniles' function? How effective have the various delinquency control and prevention programs been? What is crime? How does behavior become labeled as criminal? What forces lead to criminal behavior becoming legalized, and legal behavior becoming criminalized, and who commits crimes? Prerequisite: SO-101 or consent of instructor.

 

SO–405 COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
SPRING ONLY/ODD YEARS

4 credit hours

Hybrid

This course on Community Development at the University of Guam explores the values of respect, compassion, and community rooted in Micronesia and in the broader context of the Pacific Asia region. This course seeks to empower students to work for the betterment of their communities. Students learn from and engage with local organizations and participate in an international field school to Bali, Indonesia. Prerequisites: SO101 and consent of instructor

 

SO–405G COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
SPRING ONLY/ODD YEARS

4 credit hours

This course on Community Development at the University of Guam explores the values of respect, compassion, and community rooted in Micronesia and in the broader context of the Pacific Asia region. This course seeks to empower students to work for the betterment of their communities. Students learn from and engage with local organizations and participate in an international field school to Bali, Indonesia. Prerequisites: SO101 and consent of instructor

 

SO–411 SOCIAL ISSUES IN MICRONESIA AND GUAM
FALL ONLY/ALL YEARS

3 credit hours

Online/Hybrid

This course provides the student with an in-depth sociological understanding of current issues and problems facing Micronesian society today, a part which is Guam. A critical examination of drug and alcohol abuse, family violence, crime, environmental issues, health disparities, political status, suicide, economic disparity and development issues, and other relevant topics will be addressed. Prerequisites: SO101, SO203 or consent of instructor.

 

SO–414 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY IN SOCIOLOGY
SPRING ONLY/ALL YEARS

3 credit hours

Online/Hybrid

This course covers the structuring of sociological inquiry, conceptualization, measurement and operationalization, and the use of bibliography, reference tools and research methods in Sociology. Presentation and cooperative evaluation of research materials, methods, and projects are required. Prerequisites: SO101, SO350 or by consent of instructor.

 

SO–418 SOCIAL STRATIFICATION
FALL ONLY/ALL YEARS

3 credit hours

Hybrid

This is a review of theory and research bearing on the institutional arrangement, individuals, roles and groups in hierarchical relationships known as systems of social stratification, with particular reference to differences between stratification in industrial and less developed societies. Prerequisite: SO101 and MA385, or consent of instructor.

 

SO–445 INEQUALITY AND IDENTITY
FALL ONLY/EVEN YEARS

3 credit hours

This course is designed to raise awareness of the dynamics of race/ethnicity, class, and gender in the shaping of society. The course explores the problems of conflict and accommodation between groups in multicultural societies. It analyzes variations in levels of harmony and conflict between such groups. Students are required to carry out a research project analyzing some aspect of gender, class, or ethnicity in Micronesia. Prerequisites: SO101, SO202 or consent of instructor.

 

SO–455 SOCIOLOGY OF WOMEN
FALL ONLY/ODD YEARS

3 credit hours

Hybrid

This course examines the ways in which gender and social structure shape conditions for women. In anticipating social structures and organizations that might influence women's lives, the course considers several areas such as the socialization of women, images of women, women in media, women and work, women and households, women and crime, and women and migration. Prerequisite: SO101 and SO230 or consent of instructor.

 

SO–475 HUMAN ECOLOGY: PROBLEMS AND SOLUTIONS
FALL ONLY/ODD YEARS

3 credit hours

This course examines the relationship between human populations and their environments in the context of functional interdependence involving population, environment, organization and technology. Special attention is given to an examination of world population, geography, and an analysis of the causes, consequences and solutions to modern day social and environmental problems. Prerequisite: SO101, SO202 and MA385 or consent of instructor.

 

SO–480 SPECIAL TOPICS
FALL/SPRING/ALL YEARS

3 credit hours

Hybrid

Special Topics Courses, such as the Sociology of Education, Sociology of Religion, Medical Sociology, Sociology of Government and Politics, etc. are offered intermittently as faculty resources permit. Students should keep aware of the current offerings in a given semester and plan their course selection accordingly. Prerequisites: SO101, SO350 and MA385, or consent of instructor. This course may be repeated for credit as the topic changes.

 

SO–491 SOCIOLOGICAL RESEARCH SEMINIAR
SPRING ONLY/ALL YEARS

3 credit hours

Hybrid

This course gives students experience in conducting sociological research as collaborators in faculty-supervised research projects. Students will complete a list of readings that are specific to the research project, assist in project planning, research design, data collection, and data analyses. Students will also collaborate (where appropriate) in the preparation and presentation of research findings. Prerequisite: SO101, SO414, MA385 or consent of instructor. May be repeated up to six credit hours.

 

SO–498 INTERNSHIP
FALL/SPRING/ALL YEARS

1 - 6 credit hours

The internship program permits the student to utilize her/his academic experience in both the academic and non-academic realm through teaching assistantships, placement in financial, social service, health-related or other organizations in the community. Prerequisites: SO101, SO203, SO350, or consent of instructor. May be repeated up to six credit hours.