Sociology Online Bachelor’s Degree Program

In this class, students will explore how social relationships, groups, societies and culture develop and change over time. From a sociological theory foundation and employing the sociological imagination, students will examine the impact of social structures, institutions, and systems on individual lives. Students will apply sociological research methods to investigate sociological phenomena in their own lives.

In this course students will discuss theoretical explanations for contemporary social problems in the U.S. and other societies. From a sociological orientation, students will analyze root causes and consequences of those problems and debate potential solutions. Topics may include addiction, crime, poverty, mass media, family, war and terrorism, aging, and science and technology. Employing social science research approaches, students will strategize potential responses or solutions to those problems.

What, who and where is community and how does it form and change over time? Students will question how communities develop and can shift (e.g. urban sprawl). What is the impact of such shifts on the people who live in those communities? Students also explore how communities develop, how people organize to create or respond to change, and how communities build resilience in response to challenges.

This course explores the complex and evolving relationship between human beings and technology. Through a multi-disciplinary approach that draws on fields such as sociology, psychology, philosophy, and history, students will examine the ways in which technology has shaped human culture, identity, and values, as well as how humans have influenced and continue to influence the development, adoption and use of technology.

As society and culture evolve, so does the definition of family. In this course, students will explore historical patterns of change in family structure, roles, and behaviors using the sociological perspectives and theories of family. Students will critically assess the intersections of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, and other dimensions of diversity in the context of the family. By engaging with empirical research and case studies students will critically analyze dynamic and evolving dimensions of family.

In this course students will explore the sociological perspectives on deviant behavior, examining societal norms, values, and power structures. Through theoretical frameworks, and by reviewing empirical studies students will investigate various forms of deviance including crime, deviant sub-cultures and non-conformity.

Medical sociology examines the interplay between social factors and healthcare systems, fostering insights for addressing health disparities, improving patient care, and shaping policy. In this course students will assess how social structures, cultural beliefs and economic factors influence the functioning of healthcare systems and medical practices as well as health outcomes. Students will explore how people's experiences and conceptualizations of health and illness are impacted by social factors such as social class, race and gender. They will evaluate the role of social institutions such as public health to address health outcomes of the community.

Students will learn about how social science research is conducted, including the research methods (quantitative and qualitative) typically used in the social sciences. Students will assess the alignment of various research methods and the research goal and ultimately practice planning, conducting, analyzing and interpreting research. Additionally, students will critically analyze existing research through the lens of ethics and social justice.

Students will learn how to create conditions for successful conflict engagement, a necessary skill for any professional. The course focuses on the foundational capacities to remain calm and connected with oneself and others. In this state students can access helpful ideas and responses and be their best selves regardless of environment. Improving facility for conflict creates stronger relationships and reduces fear. By the end of the course, students will understand that disagreement and difference can become a source of personal and interpersonal growth.

This course explores the intersections among race, class, gender and categories of difference. Students will explore theories of difference in their relation to topics such as education, work, poverty, and the criminal justice system. They will recognize how those intersections and structural inequalities show up in their chosen career fields and their civic and personal lives. Students will critically analyze inequality as a system rather than as an aggregation of individual identities.

Ethics refers to accepted standards of right and wrong that prescribe what humans ought to do in various contexts, typically in relation to rights, obligations/duties, benefits to society, fairness, consequences, and virtues. In this course, students will explore both theoretical and practical dimensions of ethics in order to 1) define ethics and identify ethical positions and principles, 2) critically reflect on how ethics impacts individual and collective responsibility, decision-making, and action, and 3) apply ethics to the personal, civic, and professional contexts.

Students in Social Sciences programs will synthesize their program-specific knowledge and apply that perspective to a real-world problem or opportunity within the scope of their academic program. Students will create an experiential project of their own design that responds to the need of either a specific organization or the field of professional study. The project may be designed based on indirect or direct evidence, supporting a project idea that addresses a real-world problem or opportunity.

This course examines substance abuse in the U.S. from a sociological framework. Students will deconstruct categories such as drugs, addiction, dependence, and abuse, and explore their contextualization and embeddedness in evolving historical and social dynamics. Students will analyze social, cultural, and structural factors influencing the development, perpetuation, and the personal, social and cultural impact of addictions and addictive behaviors.

Disasters can result from forces of nature, technological accidents, human intent, or a combination. In this course students explore the social dynamics and impacts of disasters on individuals, communities, and societies. Students will examine how disasters are socially constructed and debate how social structure, inequalities, and cultural factors shape and reflect both the vulnerability and response to disasters. Through case studies and theoretical frameworks, students analyze the complex relationships between human behavior, institutions, and the broader social context during and after disasters.

This course introduces students to the foundational concepts needed to communicate effectively in writing for academic study and professional development. Students will also learn to read critically to evaluate an author's message. Students will be introduced to rhetorical modes and their role in the development of written communication. Students will also learn how to use revision strategies to create written communication that meets its intended purpose for its intended audience

This course builds on students' proficiency in the writing process and rhetorical modes to introduce the use of sources in written communication. Students will practice information literacy as they learn to determine information needs from sources, develop effective search strategies, and incorporate sources in written communication, legally and ethically.

Starting with a frame of human communication as a dynamic system of interactions in which people make choices that impact their relationships, other people, and themselves, students will define theory-informed communication concepts and processes, and critically examine how they apply to everyday life across a variety of contexts. Students will reflect on how the theory, concepts and processes apply to their own lives in becoming competent communicators who are knowledgeable, skilled, and versatile.

In this course, students are introduced to the theory and practice of ethical public communication in a culturally diverse society. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the public communication process which includes determining speech purpose, researching and structuring messages with attention to audience analysis, and setting. They will identify and practice elements of effective delivery in their own public speaking performances and meaningfully critique others' speech performances.

This course examines the principles of effective small group interaction. Students will analyze group development stages and small group roles. They will identify and evaluate communication skills that enhance small group cohesion and problem-solving. Students will explain how conflict affects group processes and compare face-to-face versus digital collaboration environments. These skills prepare students to participate effectively in group settings across academic, professional, and community contexts.

Students will learn and apply critical inquiry skills to analyze persuasive communication created by others and to develop persuasive communication/arguments of their own to solve problems in professional, civic, social, and personal contexts. Specifically, students will learn to recognize fallacies in logic; apply inductive and deductive reasoning strategies to the interpretation and development of persuasive communication; evaluate the validity of sources; and develop logically sound persuasive communication. Students will explore the roles of self-awareness, empathy, and ethics in the context of critical inquiry and the development of arguments.

Ethics refers to accepted standards of right and wrong that prescribe what humans ought to do in various contexts, typically in relation to rights, obligations/duties, benefits to society, fairness, consequences, and virtues. In this course, students will explore both theoretical and practical dimensions of ethics in order to 1) define ethics and identify ethical positions and principles, 2) critically reflect on how ethics impacts individual and collective responsibility, decision-making, and action, and 3) apply ethics to the personal, civic, and professional contexts.

This course is an historical overview, and examination of the evolution of digital, film, and print media, and their functions. Students will identify and analyze contemporary problems of the media such as the legal, social, economic and psychological implications of their relationships with society. They also will examine the ways in which marketing and PR professionals utilize the mass media channels to reach their intended target audiences.

This course explores the complex and evolving relationship between human beings and technology. Through a multi-disciplinary approach that draws on fields such as sociology, psychology, philosophy, and history, students will examine the ways in which technology has shaped human culture, identity, and values, as well as how humans have influenced and continue to influence the development, adoption and use of technology.

This course provides students with an understanding of the many different devices and technologies, from historical to emerging, that are required to design and build networks. In a broad survey of concepts and terminology, students will learn about topology, communications, protocols, and security, and to diagram basic networks to specification.

In this course, students will study key concepts such as player engagement, narrative development, and systems design and learn how to apply the principles of game design to narrative content in the development of engaging game experiences. By the end of this course, students should be able to demonstrate these design principles, showcasing their creativity, problem-solving skills, and the ability to adapt to evolving industry standards.

Computer game development is a broad industry involving the coordination of multiple digital technologies and creative design elements. In this course, students explore various computer game genres, the history, philosophy, and ethics of computer games, and methodologies for documenting and directing the game development process. Additionally, students examine the nature of play and engagement in the digital realm, as well as the application of diverse viewpoints in considering the intended game audience and the narrative construction of the games themselves.

This class is designed to provide students who have little or no digital video production knowledge with an introduction to methods and strategies for production of digital video stories. Using the art of telling a story, the class will create educational, informational or personal experience video productions utilizing audio, video, storyboard, scriptwriting and digital editing techniques

This course introduces students to basic statistics for data literacy. With a focus on exploring real-world data, students will interpret numerical information and utilize the tools necessary to complete the entire statistical process: designing a study; gathering, organizing, and analyzing sample data; and making inferences about a population. Students will demonstrate data-driven decision-making and effective communication of numerical data.

Students will develop the ability to apply scientific methods to understand the natural world, to identify scientific aspects of daily life, and to evaluate the quality of scientific information based on its source and the methods used for its generation.

In this course, students will gain an introduction to classical mechanics and learn about motion, force, energy, and momentum. The course covers vectors, scalars, and coordinate systems, as well as kinematics in one and two dimensions, Newton's Laws of Motion, circular motion, and kinetic energy and work. Students also learn about potential energy and energy conservation, collision theory, rotational motion, moment of inertia, torque, rotational dynamics, and angular momentum.

This course will introduce students to major streams of social justice thought, including historical social justice movements, theoretical problems having to do with social equality, personal freedom, marginalization, and stigmatization, and the ways in which civic and professional communities respond to these issues.

With pressure and release, a window opens and closes, recording light on a sensor. The simple action captures the instinct, judgement, and skill of the person behind the lens. This class will begin a study of the art and craft of photography. Students will develop their vision and their understanding of how to achieve it. Solid skills will be learned and many doors will be opened.

A survey of the continuing change experienced in art since the 15th century. Students will examine how an image is achieved as well as the significance of the subject represented. Individual inquiry concerning the nature of art is encouraged.

Students learn to appreciate films through the critical analysis of various elements of mise-en-scene, cinematography, editing and sound. The course introduces the conventions of classical Hollywood cinema, considers the work of one major director (auteur), and surveys selected international and independent films. Students view and discuss films each week.

Students in the course will explore the cultural history of the music genre broadly referred to as rock. Students will explore the social, economic and political contexts that are influenced by and that influenced each style in the United States. By listening, watching, reflecting upon, discussing and writing, students will explore how music takes on meaning, personally, and culturally. Topics and themes include the relationships between and among gospel, country, funk, folk, disco, rap and hip hop; the role of business and technology in those relationships, and political or transgressive elements of rock music.

Starting with a frame of human communication as a dynamic system of interactions in which people make choices that impact their relationships, other people, and themselves, students will define theory-informed communication concepts and processes, and critically examine how they apply to everyday life across a variety of contexts. Students will reflect on how the theory, concepts and processes apply to their own lives in becoming competent communicators who are knowledgeable, skilled, and versatile.

In this course, students are introduced to the theory and practice of ethical public communication in a culturally diverse society. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the public communication process which includes determining speech purpose, researching and structuring messages with attention to audience analysis, and setting. They will identify and practice elements of effective delivery in their own public speaking performances and meaningfully critique others' speech performances.

In this course, students will investigate how communication practices and processes shape organizations across settings such as businesses, nonprofit, and civic organizations. By examining case studies, applying theory to practice, and reflecting on their own experiences and observations, students critically analyze how communication impacts collaboration, conflict management, and organizational change. Students will explore the role of digital and mediated communication and how organizations communicate externally with stakeholders, partners, and the broader environment.

This course provides students with a comprehensive overview of the American criminal justice system as comprising three essential components: law enforcement, the court system and corrections. Students will recognize that the field of criminal justice is interdisciplinary and they will outline and discuss the historical foundation of the criminal justice system. They will also explore social and ethical dimensions as they review real-world case studies.

This course introduces students to the fundamentals of substantive criminal law. With this foundation for understanding the legal system students will identify the essential elements of crimes, including the criminal act, criminal state of mind, and jurisdiction. They will examine the rationale underlying criminal law, factors affecting criminal responsibility, and legal defenses. By analyzing real-world scenarios, students will develop skills to distinguish lawful from unlawful actions and prepare for advanced studies or careers in criminal justice.

This course focuses on the rules and procedures governing how the American criminal justice system must process individuals suspected, accused, and convicted of law violations.

Students will learn and apply critical inquiry skills to analyze persuasive communication created by others and to develop persuasive communication/arguments of their own to solve problems in professional, civic, social, and personal contexts. Specifically, students will learn to recognize fallacies in logic; apply inductive and deductive reasoning strategies to the interpretation and development of persuasive communication; evaluate the validity of sources; and develop logically sound persuasive communication. Students will explore the roles of self-awareness, empathy, and ethics in the context of critical inquiry and the development of arguments.

Principles of Economics introduces the fundamental concepts of economics - the study of how people manage resources, and how they react to scarcity. This course focuses on both microeconomics (the behavior of consumers and companies) and macroeconomics (large-scale economic factors such as employment and interest rates), so that you'll gain a broad understanding of how a modern market economy functions, how decisions in business settings are informed by economics, and how economics applies to your everyday life.

Students will study important themes in the social history of the United States since the Civil War. This course allows students to expand their critical thinking skills through an examination of primary and secondary sources. Themes might include: the evolving status of women; the immigrant experience; the concept of the American dream; the paradox of freedom vs. slavery; the minority experience; the tensions between social classes. Students will be evaluated primarily on writing assignments.

This course is an historical overview, and examination of the evolution of digital, film, and print media, and their functions. Students will identify and analyze contemporary problems of the media such as the legal, social, economic and psychological implications of their relationships with society. They also will examine the ways in which marketing and PR professionals utilize the mass media channels to reach their intended target audiences.

Ethics refers to accepted standards of right and wrong that prescribe what humans ought to do in various contexts, typically in relation to rights, obligations/duties, benefits to society, fairness, consequences, and virtues. In this course, students will explore both theoretical and practical dimensions of ethics in order to 1) define ethics and identify ethical positions and principles, 2) critically reflect on how ethics impacts individual and collective responsibility, decision-making, and action, and 3) apply ethics to the personal, civic, and professional contexts.

In this course, students will explore broad, foundational knowledge in psychology, including its history, major theorists and a survey of psychology subfields such as developmental, cognitive and social psychology. Students will also describe and assess the role of ethics and social responsibility in the study and application of psychological theory and practices.

In this class, students will explore how social relationships, groups, societies and culture develop and change over time. From a sociological theory foundation and employing the sociological imagination, students will examine the impact of social structures, institutions, and systems on individual lives. Students will apply sociological research methods to investigate sociological phenomena in their own lives.

This course empowers students with essential habits of mind for success in higher education and beyond. From a questioning mindset, students will explore informed decision-making and creative problem-solving; connecting personal values and discipline-specific ethical frameworks to various contexts. Students will learn the importance of communication to enhance collaboration to support integrated decision-making processes in diverse settings. This course provides a strong foundation for academic achievement and personal growth, valuable for all students regardless of their background or future aspirations.