Sociology & Social Psychology (SSP) - For a syllabus or more detailed course information, please contact the department at 610-758-3810.

Course Listings

 Course#              Course Title (Credit Hours)                        CRN      Day/Time       Location  Session  Instructor

Course  Descriptions

121. Social Psychology: Theories, methods of investigation and results of research on the way social and psychological processes interact in human behavioral settings. Topics include analysis of self and relationships, dynamics of small groups, attitudes and persuasion, prejudice, prosocial and antisocial behavior. Prerequisite: One of the following introductory courses: ANTH 1 or SSP 1 or PSYC 1. SS

153. Personality: Review and critique of theories of personality and their associated systems of psychotherapy. Prerequisite: PSYC 1 or SSP 1. SS

163. Pass the Peas: Mapping the Blueprint of Hip Hop Culture: The appearance of the "hip hop" movement can be traced to a specific time and place, the Bronx, New York, 1974. However, hip hop has no single cultural antecedent. To uncover the origins of hip hop culture, one must begin by discovering the richly layered history of African American and Jamaican music of the 20 th century. Using this broad canvas, students will discover how young Bronx natives in the 1970s fused elements of past musical styles with their own personal expression. From this point, the course will chart the expansion of hip hop culture from a five borough folk movement to a multi-million dollar entertainment industry in the late 20 th century.

302.  Sociology of Cyberspace:  An examination of social life on the Internet and the World Wide Web. Topics may include sociocultural and psychological aspects of communication in cyber-environments (e.g., email, chat rooms, news groups, MUDS, etc.), interpersonal relationships and group development, the nature of community, the politics of cyberspace (control and democracy), privacy and ethics, and economic dimensions. Examination of past and current case studies.  SS  Online section requires use of Blackboard. 

365. Inequalities at Work: Primary focus is on race, gender, and class as axes of disadvantage and privilege in work and employment. We will explore both theories and empirical studies of inequality as well as their social, political, and practical ramifications for the workplace. The course will be conducted seminar-style and the` class will rely heavily on student participation. SS

371. Special Topics: Advanced work through supervised readings. May be repeated for credit. Prerequisite: consent of the department chairperson. SS

393. Supervised Research: Conducting sociological or social psychological research under the supervision of a faculty member. May be repeated for credit. Prerequisite: consent of the department chairperson. SS

402.  Sociology of Cyberspace:  The course focus is on case-based discussion in the social psychology and sociology of the Internet and the World Wide Web. Questions of what it means to be an individual online, how relationships develop, the nature of groups, democracy and power, and education are considered.  Evaluation is based on short papers related to the cases and assigned readings, both in hard copy and online. SS

413. Research Practicum: Supervised research, either with a faculty member or in a community agency, designed to apply research skills to a particular problem as defined by the faculty member or agency in collaboration with the student and supervising instructor. Final paper should demonstrate theoretical understanding, proper application of methodology and data analysis, and results of the project. SS

461. Human Sexuality:  Course description coming soon.

465/WS 465. Inequalities at Work: Primary focus is on race, gender, and class as axes of disadvantage and privilege in work and employment. We will explore both theories and empirical studies of inequality as well as their social, political, and practical ramifications for the workplace. The course will be conducted seminar-style and the` class will rely heavily on student participation. SS

471. Special Topics: Intensive study in an area of sociology that is appropriate to the interests and needs of staff and students.