General Catalog 2001-2002
Posted April 9, 2001 

Department Office: 301 Behavioral Science Building, 581-6153 

Department E-mail: socoff@soc.utah.edu

Mailing address: 380 S. 1530 E. Rm. 301, Salt Lake City, UT 84112-0250 

Department Chair, Frederick Rhodewalt, Ph.D. 

Faculty

Professors. W. Kuo, G. Miller, B. Sharda, M. Timberlake. 

Professors Emeriti. L. Bean, M. Carruth, R. Gray. T. Smith. 

Associate Professors. T. Burns, J. Collette, D. Gillespie, T. Martinez, D. Willigan. 

Assistant Professors. O. Gubin, J. Kentor, H. Melton. 

Research Associate Professor. G. Mineau. 

Adjunct Professors. D. Lund, K. Smith. 

Adjunct Associate Professor. J. Shelby. 

Adjunct Assistant Professors. T. Allen, L. Bench, M. Goodman, M. Hines, I. Hossain, S. Hossain, T. Kearin, O. Kostuchenko, J. Smithson, D. Tyler, W. Xu. 

Advisers. Undergraduate Adviser, 326 BEH S, 581-4678, socadv@soc.utah.edu; Graduate Adviser, George A. Miller, 431 BEH S, 581-8041, socgrads@soc.utah.edu. 

Research and training facilities include the Small Groups Laboratory, departmental and college computer laboratories, and the University Computer Center. 

Undergraduate Program

Degrees. B.A., B.S. 

Sociology is the study of social life, social change, and the social causes and consequences of human behavior. Since all human behavior is social, the subject matter of sociology ranges from the intimate family to the hostile mob; from organized crime to religious cults; from the divisions of race, gender, and social class to the shared beliefs of a common culture. Today, sociologists embark upon literally hundreds of career paths. Graduates with a B.A. or a B.S. in sociology have a strong liberal arts preparation for entry into the service and government worlds. A degree in sociology is also a valuable base for further graduate training in law, education, medicine, social work, and the social sciences. 

The option to complete degrees under quarter-system requirements expires at the end of Spring Semester 2003. 

Requirements for the Major

Students must complete a minimum of 34 semester credit hours in sociology courses. At least 18 semester credit hours in sociology must be completed at the University of Utah. 

There are five (5) required courses: SOC 1010 Introduction to Sociology (3); SOC 3111 Research Methods (3); SOC 3112 Statistics (4); SOC 3140 Sociological Theory (3); and either SOC 3020 Social Psychology (3) or SOC 3030 Social Structure (3). Students are strongly encouraged to take both. 

In addition, at least one upper-division (3000 and above) course must be taken in each of the three program areas: Social Differentiation; Social Structure and Change; and Deviance, Crime, and Social Control. Course choices are listed below. 

A minimum of nine elective semester hours in sociology courses is required. A maximum of six semester hours in individual study (SOC 3593, SOC 3950, SOC 3951, SOC 3952) can be counted toward the degree. 

Allied Credit. In addition to the sociology credits, a minimum of 13 semester credit hours is required from related areas of study, of which at least nine must be upper division (3000 and above). All courses from anthropology, economics, educational psychology, family and consumer studies, geography, political science, psychology, and social work are acceptable. Courses in ethnic studies and women's studies cross-listed with the departments noted above are also acceptable. Other courses accepted with prior department approval only. 

All courses for the major must be taken for a letter grade and completed with a C (2.0) or better, and students must have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 in sociology courses. 

Prerequisites for required courses: SOC 3020 (Prereq.: SOC 1010); SOC 3030 (Prereq.: SOC 1010); SOC 3111 (Prereq.: SOC 1010); SOC 3112 (Prereqs.: MATH 1010 and SOC 3111). Check the department and course listings elsewhere in this section of the catalog for other course prerequisites. Prerequisites are strictly enforced by the department. See departmental adviser for Model Program of Study. 

Program Area Courses

Social Differentiation (choose one)

SOC 3334 American Class System (3) 
SOC 3337 Sociology of Gender (3) 
SOC 3341 Social Inequality (3) 
SOC 3365 Ethnic Minorities in America (3) 
SOC 3380 Race/Ethnicity/Class/Gender (3) 
SOC 3382 Gender Systems/International Perspective (3) 

Social Structure and Change (choose one)
SOC 3422 Collective Behavior/Social Movements (3) 
SOC 3431 Social Change (3) 
SOC 3433 Formal Organizations (3) 
SOC 3435 Sociology of Economic Development (3) 
SOC 3436 Global Social Structure (3) 
SOC 3437 Aggression/Conflict/Violence (3) 
SOC 3438 Sociology of Marriage and Family (3) 
SOC 3443 Sociology of Education (3) 
SOC 3445 Environment, Ecology, and Society (3) 
SOC 3446 Political Sociology (3) 
SOC 3450 Population and Society (3) 
SOC 3453 Global Population Problems (3)
SOC 3471 Sociology of Health (3) 
SOC 3472 Sociology of Mental Health (3) 
SOC 3473 Social Epidemiology (3) 
SOC 3474 Mental Health of Asian Americans (3) 

Deviance, Crime, and Social Control (choose one)
SOC 3560 Deviant Behavior and Social Control (3) 
SOC 3561 Criminology (3) 
SOC 3562 Juvenile Delinquency (3) 
SOC 3563 Law Enforcement and the Administration of Justice (3) 
SOC 3564 Courts and Corrections (3) 
SOC 3593 Criminology Internship (1-3) 

Criminology Certificate Program

The University-conferred certificate in criminology is awarded to sociology majors who have included criminology-specific courses among their elective sociology credit hours and allied work. Elective sociology credits must include SOC 3561 (3) and three courses from among SOC 3560, 3562, 3563, 3564, 3593, and 3965 (White Collar Crime). For a list of accepted allied courses and additional information, contact the department undergraduate adviser. 

Requirements for the Minor

Students must complete a minimum of 18 semester credit hours in sociology courses. There are two (2) required courses: SOC 1010 Introduction to Sociology (3); and either SOC 3020 Social Psychology (3) or SOC 3030 Social Structure (3). Students are strongly encouraged to take both. 

An additional 12 elective semester hours in sociology are required, of which at least six credit hours must be upper division (3000 or above). Elective credits can include SOC 3593 (Criminology Internship) but not individual studies courses (SOC 3950, SOC 3951, SOC 3952). 

All courses for the minor must be taken for a letter grade and completed with a C (2.0) or better, and students must have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 in sociology courses. 

Prerequisites for required courses: SOC 3020 (Prereq.: SOC 1010), SOC 3030 (Prereq.: SOC 1010). Check the department and course information elsewhere in this section of the catalog for other course prerequisites. Prerequisites are strictly enforced by the department. 

Teaching Major, Minor, Certification. Please refer to Education in the Colleges section for information on teaching major and minor course requirements and state secondary teacher certification. 

Graduate Program

Degrees. M.S., M.A., Ph.D. in sociology; M.Stat. with a specialization in sociology. For additional information, see the Graduate Information section of this catalog. 

Graduate School Admission

Prospective graduate students, including University of Utah seniors, must apply for admission to the graduate program in sociology through both the Graduate School (via application to the University Admissions Office) and the Department of Sociology.  To request a Graduate Application Pack that includes full instructions and both application forms, e-mail socgrads@soc.utah.edu or write to the office address above (be sure to include your mailing address).

Admission to the Graduate School requires:
 

1. an undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0, based on all undergraduate work or work completed during the last two years of undergraduate study, whichever is higher.
2. a bachelor's degree from a fully accredited college or university.
3. recommendation of the faculty in the college or department in which the applicant wishes to study.

The requirements listed above are minimum requirements only and do not guarantee admission to a graduate program.  Applicants are evaluated with respect to both Graduate School and departmental requirements and in reference to the pool of available applicants.

Students should regularly consult the on-line General Catalog (www.acs.utah.edu/gencatalog) and the Graduate School web site (www.utah.edu/graduate_school) for any changes to University and/or Graduate School policies.

Department Admission

To be considered for admission to the graduate program in sociology, the department Graduate Committee must receive all required materials, including the Graduate School referral, before February.

Application materials are reviewed by the Graduate Committee and recommendations for admission are made to the department faculty.  Upon final approval by the faculty, notification on admission decisions is issued by the Graduate Director in March.

Admission to the graduate program in sociology requires a completed undergraduate major in sociology or its equivalent from a fully accredited college or university.  Students are admitted only to work toward the doctorate, although a master's degree may be earned during the course of study (a Master of Statistics in Sociology is also available: see www.math.utah.edu/mstat).  Except in extraordinary circumstances, students may enter the program only at the beginning of Fall term.

Continuous Registration Requirement

All graduate students must maintain minimum registration from the time of formal admission through completion of all requirements for the degree unless granted an official leave of absence (see "Leaves of Absence" under "Registration" in the on-line Graduate Handbook at the Graduate School web site: www.utah.edu/graduate_school).  If continuous registration is not maintained and official leave of absence is not obtained, the Graduate School terminates the supervisory committee and deactivates the graduate file.  Application for readmission is required to reactivate a graduate file.

Residency Requirement

To complete a master's degree, 24 credit hours in the program of study must be completed at the University of Utah.  The doctorate requires that one full year (two consecutive semesters) be spent in full-time academic work at the University of Utah.  When a student proceeds directly from a master's degree to a doctoral program with no break in the program of study (except for official leaves of absence), the residency requirement may be fulfilled at any time during the course of study.  A full load is nine credit hours.  After the residency requirement is fulfilled, three credit hours of thesis research or faculty consultation will satisfy the minimum continuing registration requirements (see "Registration" in the on-line Graduate Handbook at the Graduate School web site: (www.utah.edu/graduate_school).

Sociology Graduate Program of Study

The doctorate in sociology is based on an advanced mastery of general sociology and a command of basic theory and research methodology.  Successful degree completion represents advanced scholarly achievement demonstrated by independent research.  The essential requirement of every candidate for the doctorate in sociology is the capacity for original and creative research.

Entering students must have completed at least one course in research methods and one course in statistics equivalent to the Department's undergraduate courses: SOC 3111 and SOC 3112.  If a student has no equivalent, these courses must be taken as deficiency credits that will not count toward the degree.

The doctorate in sociology is a five-year program that consists of a core curriculum; elective courses selected for the individual's program of study in consultation with the supervisory committee; thesis and dissertation research credit hours; a comprehensive examination; a major paper (thesis); the written and oral qualifying examinations; a dissertation proposal colloquium; the dissertation; the final oral dissertation defense; and a teaching assistantship.  The teaching assistantship requirement may be fulfilled at any time during the program and is adapted to the individual's program of study.  There is no language requirement.  The University residency requirement and all department requirements except the final oral dissertation defense and the dissertation must be completed by the end of Spring term in the fourth year.  The fifth year is devoted to preparation of the completed dissertation and the final oral defense.

At present, the Department specialization is Quantitative International Comparative Sociology (QICS).  The program focuses on the quantitative analysis of global processes that shape the economic, social, environmental, military, and political dimensions of the world economy.  The goal is to provide students with both the theoretical background and the statistical tools necessary to conduct informed, empirical research in academic and policy-related careers.

The core curriculum is composed of the following courses:
 

Proseminar (1)
Foundations of Sociological Theory (3)
Sociological Analysis (3)
Sociological Research (3)
Contemporary Sociological Theory (3)
Statistics I (3)
Statistics II (3)
Seminar: Comparative-Historical Analysis (3)
Advanced Statistical Methods (3)
Research Internship (3): two consecutive semesters
 

It is the responsibility of the student to form an initial Supervisory Committee of three members no later than the second semester of graduate work.  The department Graduate Director serves as the student's advisor until the committee is formed.  The committee chair and at least one of the other members must be regular faculty in the Department of Sociology, and the committee must be approved by both the department Graduate Director and the Dean of the Graduate School.  The initial supervisory committee approves the first 30 hours (minimum) of the student's program of study, which results in completion of the major paper (thesis).  The committee meets once per term to consider the student's progress, based in part on a report submitted by the student, and prepares an assessment report for the student's file.  Once the assessment report is filed, the department Graduate Committee meets with each student and the student''s supervisory committee to identify any problems involving the student's progress.

The Comprehensive Examination is a written examination of approximately two hours duration covering general sociology, methodology, graduate work to date, and the student's area of concentration or specialization.  It is administered by an examination committee to determine whether or not the student possesses the requisite knowledge to pursue thesis research.  Ordinarily, the chair of the initial Supervisory Committee is also the examination committee chair.  The committee ma include faculty who are not members of the Supervisory Committee.  Students who fail the comprehensive examination are given one additional opportunity to pass.

Students are required to write a major research paper, or thesis, on a topic approved by the Supervisory Committee.  An adequate thesis poses a problem or question, locates it within past empirical and theoretical scholarship, provides data or evidence relevant to the problem/question, and discusses both the significance of the data for the research problem/question and the larger literature within which problem/question is embedded.  Theses involve and reflect research, but do not necessarily involve primary data collection.  For example, the research may involve a reanalysis of existing data or some other use of secondary sources.  The writing must be consistent with professional journal standards and demonstrate the student's sociological research skills.  Most theses are between 35 and 75 pages in length and must represent from six (6) to ten (10) credit hours of work in thesis research.  Final approval is earned after the student successfully defends the thesis in a public oral examination scheduled by the Supervisory Committee.  The final format and distribution of the thesis and abstract as well as the use of restricted data are governed by the Graduate School as described in A Handbook for Theses and Dissertations, which is available for $4.00 from the Thesis Office.

After satisfactory completion of the thesis requirement and a minimum 30 credit hours of graduate study, including a minimum six (6) hours in thesis research, a master's degree may be awarded to doctoral students in good standing.  A terminal master's degree will be given to students who do not demonstrate a sufficient level of progress to complete doctoral studies.

A new Supervisory Committee of five members is appointed to direct a student's post-thesis work.  At least one member must be appointed from the faculty in another department.  The chair of the committee normally directs the student's research for and writing of the dissertation.  The committee approves the post-thesis program of study, prepares and evaluates the qualifying examination, approves the dissertation proposal colloquium, judges the final oral dissertation defense, and grants final dissertation approval.

A written qualifying examination of six hours duration determines the student's mastery of general sociology principles and depth of understanding within an area or field of specialization.  This exam is taken only after all required course work is completed.  A Qualifying Examination Committee is appointed by the Department chair in consultation with the student and the chair of the Supervisory Committee to prepare, monitor, and grade the written qualifying exam, and to administer the oral qualifying exam.  The committee is composed of three or more members of the faculty from the student's area of specialization and may include all or some of the student's Supervisory Committee.  The exam must be taken on campus under monitored conditions and without aids to memory such as books, articles, and notes.  Following the written exam, an oral qualifying examination of no more than two hours duration is administered by the committee to allow the student to clarify and expand on answers provided in the written exam.  Students may retake the qualifying examinations only once.

Students are required to present a dissertation proposal colloquium that is approximately two hours in length and open to all sociology faculty and graduate students.  A written dissertation proposal must be distributed to the entire sociology faculty no later than two weeks prior to the colloquium.  The proposal should include a clear statement of the research question, a review of the relevant literature, a description of the methodology to be employed, and the data sources.  Usually, the proposal will not exceed 40 double-spaced pages.  After successful defense of the dissertation proposal in the colloquium, research for the dissertation may proceed.

Students must submit a dissertation embodying the results of research that provides evidence of originality and an ability to do independent investigation that contributes to knowledge in the field.  The dissertation should be of sufficient merit to warrant publication in a professional journal or monograph series.  Style and format are the same as required for manuscripts submitted to the American Sociological Review and are verified by the Graduate School dissertation editor.

Following submission of the dissertation and prior to graduation, the student must pass a final oral dissertation defense.  This is a public examination scheduled by the Supervisory Committee.  A copy of the dissertation must be placed on file in the department office and made available to faculty and students at least two weeks prior to the oral defense.

Students are expected to complete the doctoral program within five years.  Students who are allowed to continue after the normal five years must complete the degree within seven consecutive calendar years.  Upon written recommendation from the dissertation Supervisory Committee and the department Graduate Director, the Dean of the Graduate School may modify this requirement in extraordinary cases.

Students admitted to the Graduate Program in Sociology will be sent a more detailed description of policies and requirements that may not be represented in this document.

The University of Utah and the Department of Sociology are committed to a policy of nondiscrimination and equal opportunity in all programs, activities, and employment.

SOC Course Descriptions