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Illinois Institute of Technology
SOC 249
Social Problems
Analyzes selected problems affecting
American society, including: poverty
among and discrimination against
minorities; crime and delinquency:
urban problems; United States and
world population problems; foreign
policy and militarism. (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 employment;
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)
SOC 249
Sociology of the Family
This course examines the family in its
cultural, social, and economic contexts:
how the family forms, function, and
ideology are related to other aspects
of society; and how the family serves
as the environment for interpersonal
behavior. Among the topics to be
considered are feminine and masculine
roles, alternative lifestyles, parenthood
and the changes in family related to the
human life cycle. (3-0-3) (S) (C)
SOC 259
Race and Ethnic Relations
The course examines the social, psychological,
and cultural dimensions of race
and ethnic relations in the context of
modem society. Major theories regarding
the origins and impact of interracial
and interethnic conflict are analyzed,
with special emphasis placed on the
consequences of such conflict for the
wider society. Governmental responses
to prejudice and discrimination also
are examined. (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,
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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.
at least one other course marked with
an (S), 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 pseudoscience.
The course also examines
cultural and ideological influences on
scientific knowledge and public faith
in science. (3-0-3) (S) (C)
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)
Course Descriptions
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,
teamwork, 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 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) (S) (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 311
Comparative Social Structure
Examines theories of social organization
with particular focus on complex bureaucratic
organizations, social stratification
and social change; also considers basic
social institutions (e.g., family and government)
in light of relevant theories.
(3-0-3) (S) (C)
SOC 321
Social Inequality
Evaluates the patterns and dimensions of
social, economic and political inequality
in American society and how these
compare with other societies; who gets
ahead and why; the relationship of social
class to other features of society; some
IIT Undergraduate Bulletin 1999-2001 165