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Sociology
SOC 200
Introduction to Sociology
Introduces students to the structure
and operation of society. Analyzes individual
behavior. Emphasizes the structure
and problems of American society.
(3-0-3) (S) (C)
SOC 242
Industrial Society
Analyzes social issues of particular
relevance to scientists and engineers:
demographic trends and their effects
on schools, labor markets, workplaces
and other institutions; the changing
role of the United States in the world
political economy; the impact of changing
technology on work and employ
ment; the shift to a service economy;
the Japanese challenge to American
business and industry; responses of
both the public and private sectors to
these issues. (3-0-3) (S) (C)
NOTE: All sociology courses
numbered above 300 require as
prerequisites successful completion
of at least one sociology
course at the 200 level and satisfaction
of IIT’s Basic Writing
Proficiency Requirement.
SOC 301
The Social Dimension of Science
Examines how social and psychological
factors influence the reasoning and
behavior of scientists. Through contrasting
traditional views of science
with actual scientific practice, the
course aims at understanding such
phenomena as “hype,” resistance to
scientific discovery, controversy,
vicious competition, error, self-deception
and fraud. (3-0-3) (S) (C)
SOC 302
Science and Belief
Explores the relationship between science
and belief through comparing
Western science with other belief systems,
science with religion, and science
with pseudo-science. The course also
examines cultural and ideological
influences on scientific knowledge and
public faith in science. (3-0-3) (S) (C)
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Copyright & Disclaimer Information: Copyright © 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007. CollegeSource®, Inc. and Career Guidance Foundation. CollegeSource® digital catalogs are derivative works owned and copyrighted by CollegeSource®, Inc. and Career Guidance Foundation. Catalog content is owned and copyrighted by the appropriate school. While CollegeSource®, Inc. and Career Guidance Foundation provides information as a service to the public, copyright is retained on all digital catalogs.
SOC 303
Science in Society
Examines the role of the institution
of science, scientific knowledge, and
scientists in society. The course
focuses on areas where science significantly
influences and is influenced
by political, economic and cultural
institutions and contexts. The course
addresses broader theoretical issues
such as boundaries of science, autonomy,
control of science, and science
and power. (3-0-3) (S) (C)
SOC 304
Politics of Science and Technology
Explores the interrelationships
among science, technology and politics,
with emphasis on the political
issues created by contemporary scientific
advances and molecular biology.
Investigates the politics of scientific
discovery, as well as procedures for
scientific advice to government, the
impact of industrial technology on the
economy and society, and the social
implications of science and technology
and how they can be predicted, measured
and controlled. Same as PS 332.
(3-0-3) (S) (C)
SOC 305
Social Communication
This course studies the variety of subtle
ways, verbal and nonverbal, in
which humans communicate in personal,
professional and public life—and
how to identify and solve problems and
misunderstandings that typically arise.
Topics include the social nature of
humans, interpersonal communication,
interaction within and between groups,
team work, leadership, and intercultural
communication. Group and individual
exercises develop skills in social
analysis, problem finding, problem
solving, and oral and written presentation.
(3-0-3) (S) (C)
SOC 308
Social Psychology in Society
We are all social psychologists in
everyday life - and we must be pretty
good ones, otherwise we wouldn’t be
here! In this course we explore different
aspects of our out-of awareness
instant everyday judgments and
their sometimes undesirable social
consequences, especially the
Fundamental Attribution Error.
IIT Undergraduate Bulletin 2006–2008
Course Descriptions
Other topics include various types of
group influences on individual judgment
and behavior, as well as persuasion,
“brainwashing”, helping
behavior, and prejudice. In each case
we examine the situational factors
and psychological mechanisms that
typically bring about particular
social consequences, as well as measures
that can be taken to promote
desirable outcomes and avoid undesirable
ones. The course also briefly
covers interpersonal communication
and the role of spatial factors in
social interaction. (3-0-3) (S) (C)
SOC 309
Research Methods in Social and Political Science
Introduces students to explanation in
the social sciences and both qualitative
and quantitative research methods.
Topics covered include formulation
of research questions, measurement,
data collection, survey
research, significance tests, experimental
and quasi-experimental
design, sampling, and various techniques
of qualitative research.
Prerequisite: A statistics course
approved by the department. Same
as PS 309. (3-0-3) (C)
SOC 310
Social and Political Thought
Examines central social and political
theories and their ideas concerning
such things as the relationship
between individual and society, social
harmony and conflict, social equality,
and the role of the state. Same as PS
310. (3-0-3) (S) (C)
SOC 312
Contemporary Social Problems
The course investigates various
“social problems” and how they came
to be defined as problematic. General
sociological concepts and theoretical
perspectives include symbolic interactionism,
conflict theory, structural
functionalism, and constructionism.
Students also examine the role of
state advocates and the media in the
definition of social problems. Case
studies illustrate how different
theoretical perspectives lead to different
“solutions” and policy recommendations.
Prerequisite: A social
science course. Same as PS 312.
(3-0-3) (S) (C)
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