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New Mexico State University
Graduate Catalog
2012-2013

SOCIOLOGY

Department website: http://sociology.nmsu.edu

(575) 646-3448

kassiaw@nmsu.edu

J. Maupin, Ph.D. (Arizona State University) – interim department head – juvenile justice, methods, policy & program evaluation; L. Hamilton, Ph.D. (Pennsylvania State) – rural sociology, community organization, social psychology; P. Hoffman, Ph.D. (University of Nebraska) – sociology of the family, environment and child well-being; K. Hovey, Ph.D. (University of New Mexico) – rural and urban communities, social control, criminological theory; C. A. Newby, Ph.D. (Texas-Austin) – race/ethnic/minority, relations; C. Pelak, Ph.D. (Ohio State University) – social inequalities, race and ethnicity, sociology of sport; J. Steinkopf-Rice, Ph.D. (Washington State U.) – gender, globalization, communities; J.C. Rice, Ph.D. (Washington State U.) – environment, society and technology, political sociology; S. Way, Ph.D. (University of Arizona) – sociology of education, gender, juvenile delinquency; K. Wosick, Ph.D. (UC, Irvine) – sexuality, gender, family

DEGREE: Master of Arts
MAJOR: Sociology

MINOR: Sociology

While we offer a broad sociological curriculum, the Masters of Arts degree program in sociology has two natural areas of focus. Both have a strong sociocultural emphasis based on strengths of the sociology faculty. Program focuses are:

The Southwest and Border Region

Our unique location attracts faculty who are interested in peoples of the southwest, particularly Hispanics/Latinos and American Indians. In addition, our proximity to the U.S.-Mexico border provides an ideal laboratory for the examination of such issues as globalization, transnational migration and the consequences of border development.

Social Inequality

Our faculty members examine the intersection of race, class and gender oppression in their teaching and research, with special attention to educational, rural/urban, ecological and global disparities. One goal of this examination is to address social problems such as poverty and racial/ethnic inequality.

The program is designed to prepare students for doctoral study in sociology and for employment in research and applied areas of the field. In addition to the on-campus program, we offer an online MA for students who are geographically distant from the NMSU main campus or who have full time jobs. Through small seminars, on campus graduate students engage in discussions of subjects that often result in thesis and internship topics. Regardless of course format, faculty members and students work toward the mutual goal of developing each student's full potential.

Students seeking a master's degree in sociology should have taken one undergraduate course each in methods and statistics or their equivalent. Students who have not taken these courses should complete them before beginning their graduate study in sociology in consultation with an academic advisor.

PROGRAM OPTIONS AND REQUIREMENTS

Graduate students in sociology have two program options, thesis or non-thesis. Faculty consider the student's special interests and career plans in advising regarding their choice of program options. The thesis option is typically selected by students who intend to pursue a Ph.D. degree, while the non-thesis option is commonly pursued by those desiring immediate employment in research and applied areas in government, education, social welfare and health. The non-thesis, coursework only option is currently the only option available for on-line MA students. All students must pass a final master's examination.

Thesis Program Requirements

In addition to the successful completion of an acceptable master's thesis, students who choose this option will take a minimum of 39 credit hours of graduate work distributed as follows:

  • SOC 501, SOC 551, SOC 552, SOC 553 (12 credits total), to be taken within the first 18 hours of graduate credit. A grade of B or better is required to receive credit for each of these core courses.
  • SOC 599 (6 credits) Thesis
  • 21 credits of additional graduate course work to be taken in consultation with the sociology graduate student's advisor. Twelve of these 21 credits must be in 500 level Sociology courses.
  • Final master's oral examination covering all general coursework and the thesis.

Non-Thesis Program Requirements: Internship

In addition to the successful completion of an internship and internship report, students who choose this option will take a minimum of 39 credit hours of graduate work distributed as follows:

  • SOC 501, SOC 551, SOC 552, SOC 553 (12 credits total), to be taken within the first 18 hours of graduate credit. A grade of B or better is required to receive credit for each of these core courses.
  • SOC 596 (6 credits) Internship
  • 21 credits of additional graduate course work to be taken in consultation with the sociology graduate student's advisor. Twelve of these 21 credits must be in 500 level Sociology courses.
  • Final master's oral examination covering all general coursework and the internship.

Non-Thesis Program Requirements: Coursework Only

Students who choose this option will take a minimum of 39 credit hours of graduate work distributed as follows:

  • SOC 501, SOC 551, SOC 552, SOC 553 (12 credits total), to be taken within the first 18 hours of graduate credit. A grade of B or better is required to receive credit for each of these core courses.
  • 27 credits of additional graduate course work to be taken in consultation with the sociology graduate student's advisor. Eighteen of these 27 credits must be in 500 level Sociology courses.
  • Final master's written examination covering all general coursework. In some cases, with the permission of the director of graduate studies, on-campus students may complete a special research project that will include a final master's oral examination covering all general coursework and the research project.

Admission Requirements

To apply for admission to the Sociology MA Program, submit the following:

  • Application form and fees (send to the Graduate School)
  • Official undergraduate and graduate transcripts from all colleges and universities attended (send to the Graduate School)
  • Department Application Form (send to the department)
  • A letter from the candidate addressing her or his interests and graduate school objectives (send to the department)
  • Letters of recommendation from three persons familiar with candidate's academic record (send to the department)

An undergraduate grade-point average of 3.0 or higher is strongly recommended. Department application and recommendation forms can be found on the program web page, http://www.artsci.nmsu.edu/sociology/. On-campus applicants wishing to apply for a graduate assistantship should apply by February 15 for fall and October 15 for spring. Note: Fall admission only for on-line MA program applicants.

SOCIOLOGY

SOC 450. Qualitative Research Methods 3 cr.
This course will provide an in-depth examination of qualitative research methods, including participant observation techniques, interviewing, and content analysis. Prerequisites: SOC 352, COMM 305, GOVT 300, C J 300, PSY 310,PSY 355 or consent of instructor.
SOC 451. Advanced Quantitative Techniques 3 cr.
Advanced methods of sociological analysis are examined in detail. Prerequisite(s): SOC 353 or equivalent or permission of instructor. Restricted to Sociology BA or MA or permission of instructor majors.
SOC 452. Advanced Social Theory 3 cr.
Analysis of classical and contemporary theoretical perspectives within the discipline. Prerequisite(s): SOC 351. Restricted to BA Sociology MA Sociology majors.
SOC 453. Advanced Research Methods 3 cr.
Exploration of research methods, issues, and practical applications. Builds upon foundation provided by SOC 352 or other junior-level social research courses. Prerequisite(s): One of the following: SOC 352, COMM 305, GOVT 300, CJ 300, PSY 310, PSY 355 or consent of instructor. Restricted to BA - Sociology MA - Sociology majors.
SOC 455. Advanced Social Research: Evaluation 3 cr.
Logic, design and ethics of evaluations including theory driven and multi level models. Emphasis on individual, group and community level needs assessment, process and activities assessment and outcomes assessment including social impact assessment. Data collection techniques will include survey questionnaire construction, interviewing, focus groups and case studies. Measures of efficiency and effectiveness will be examined. Prerequisite: Research Methods Course.
SOC 456. Survey Research Methods 3 cr.
This course will provide an in-depth examination of survey research techniques, including telephone surveys, mail survey, internet surveys, and multi-modal techniques. The various aspects of questionnaire construction and administration of surveys will be covered. Prerequisites: COMM 305, GOVT 300, CJ 300, PSY 355 or consent of instructor.
SOC 457. Gender, Science, and Technology 3 cr.
How gender, science and technology are interrelated social constructions. Science and technology are examined as social institutions. Explanations for different rates of participation based on race, class and gender are explored. Same as: WS 467.
SOC 458V. Comparative Global Family Systems 3 cr.
The study of families around the world. The comparison will include how capitalism and power differentials have affected the course of family history, gender relations, and family life today.
SOC 459. Advanced Issues in Sex and Gender 3 cr.
Comprehensive examination of current gender identity and gender stratification issues. Same as W S 459.
SOC 460. Sociology of Religion 3 cr.
Examination of religion in its social context to understand the intricate relations of religion, culture and U.S. society. Recommended preparatory courses: SOC 101G, SOC 273, SOC 376, ANTH 125G.
SOC 461. Population Trends and Analysis 3 cr.
Overview of past, present, and future population phenomena and introduction to techniques of demographic analysis.
SOC 465V. Environmental Sociology 3 cr.
Advanced examination of societal responses to environmental problems including social adjustments to natural and technological hazards, sociocultural aspects of technological risk and impact assessment, and emergence of environmental social movements.
SOC 466. Society and Technology 3 cr.
Examines the social dynamics shaping technological form and utilization as well as the impacts of technology and socio-technical systems upon society. Topics include: the historical role of technology in socio-cultural evolution, technology and contemporary social change, technological risks and risk management, technology and politics, and the contradictory effects of technology in contributing to and alleviating environmental degradation.
SOC 467. Internship 1-6 cr.
SOC 468. Global Sexualities 3 cr.
Generates a global context to focus on sexual identity and orientation, sexual identity politics, romantic relationships, patterns of sexual behavior, sexual regulation and the impact of different cultures on individual sexualities. Taught with SOC 568. Crosslisted with: W S 468
SOC 470. Sociology of Latinos/as in the United States 3 cr.
In-depth examination and comparative analysis of political and economic issues affecting Latino/a culture and behavior. Includes the Chicano/a and larger Latino/a movements, the border, immigration, language policies, education, religion, labor, and Latina women s issues. Recommended preparatory courses: SOC 101G, SOC 270, SOC 371, or HIST 367.
SOC 471. Advanced Race and Ethnic Relations 3 cr.
In-depth analysis of the dynamics of prejudice, discrimination, and patterns of intergroup interaction in the U.S.
SOC 472. Sociology of Medical Ethics 3 cr.
Focus on ethics as applied in health care from a sociological perspective. Includes cultural issues and the decision making process, with individual and social implications. Same as SOC 572.
SOC 474. Sociology of Organizations 3 cr.
Sociological models of formal organizations relevant to business, education, government, healthcare, military, and religion. Focus on internal organizational structure and dynamics plus the reciprocal relationship between organizations and their operating environment.
SOC 475. Advanced Social Stratification 3 cr.
Theories of stratification and current methods of stratification research. Focus on differences by ethnicity, race, class, and gender.
SOC 476. Social Institutions in Appalachia 3 cr.
Survey of social issues of Appalachia including the emergence and perpetuation of stereotypical images, the impact of the coal industry on the social environment, and consideration of religious, political, and social policy aspects.
SOC 477. Sociology of Education 3 cr.
Socio-political and economic factors that shape the structure and operation of educational institutions in modern complex societies. Socio-historical development of the school as a microcosm of society, with examples from American and other school systems.
SOC 478. Sociology of Development and the World System 3 cr.
A sociological approach to development and global system. Theories of development and underdevelopment; world poverty/inequality; Latin America, Africa, and Asia in comparative perspectives; transnational borders/U.S.-Mexico border; current topics. Same as GOVT 477.
SOC 479. Sociology Perspectives on the U.S.-Mexico Border 3 cr.
Theoretical perspectives and current research on the U.S.-Mexico border region, including topics such as migration, identity, health, gender, and environment.
SOC 480. Diversity in Alternative Families 3 cr.
Cross-cultural examination of diversity among and within families: analysis of family diversity includes consideration of the theoretical frameworks, ideological commitments, personal experiences, and methodological approaches to examine family life.
SOC 481. Social Deviance 3 cr.
Theoretical approaches to the study of social deviance with emphasis on critical theories. Exploration of forms of deviance in society. Examination of social construction of deviance within mass media and systems of social control.
SOC 482. Advanced Individual and Society 3 cr.
Examines reciprocal relationship between individual and society. Topics include socialization, social influence and persuasion, group structure and performance, altruism, aggression, interpersonal attraction, group cohesion and conformity, and inter-group conflict.
SOC 483. Symbolic Interaction 3 cr.
Examination of the interaction of self and the social order including society as process, the negotiation of social order, identity as a social product, role taking and the situated self, the social construction of reality with an emphasis on phenomenology and ethnomethodology.
SOC 489. Globalization 3 cr.
Analysis of the globalization process. Covers theories of globalization, the global economy, political globalization, global culture, transnational social movements, transnational migration and world labor market, global cities, and local-global linkages. Same as GOVT 469.
SOC 491. Criminological Theory 3 cr.
Schools of thought, contrasting approaches, and contemporary efforts in theory construction relevant to adult and juvenile offenders.
SOC 496. Internship 1-6 cr.
Supervised participation in an appropriate community setting. Prerequisite: consent of instructor. May be repeated for a maximum of 9 credits. Same as SOC 596.
SOC 501. Perspectives on Sociology 3 cr.
Overview of the field, subfields, and faculty available for students at NMSU. Emphasis on theories and research currently being developed in the Sociology program. Graded: S/U.
SOC 530. Advanced Social Movement Theory 3 cr.
Overview of key theories in past and present social movement research. Topics include a focus on rational or spontaneous choice theories, resource mobilization, and new social movement theories. Theoretical perspectives focus on analysis of case studies including women s movement, civil rights, and environmental movements.
SOC 548. Graduate Special Topics 3 cr.
Specific subjects to be announced in the Schedule of Classes.
SOC 549. Special Research Problems 1-3 cr.
Individual analytic or experimental investigations. May be repeated for a maximum of 6 credits. Prerequisite: consent of instructor.
SOC 550. Qualitative Research Methods 3 cr.
This course will provide an in-depth examination of qualitative research methods, including participant observation techniques, interviewing, and content analysis.
SOC 551. Issues in Advanced Quantitative Analysis 3 cr.
Advanced methods of sociological analysis are examined in detail. Prerequisite(s): SOC 353 or equivalent or permission of instructor. Restricted to Sociology MA majors.
SOC 552. Seminar in Sociological Theory 3 cr.
Analysis of contemporary theoretical perspectives within the discipline. Restricted to MA Sociology majors.
SOC 553. Seminar in Sociological Research 3 cr.
Exploration of research methods, issues, and practical application. Prerequisite(s): SOC 352 or equivalent. Restricted to MA Sociology majors.
SOC 554. Multiple Methods Research 3 cr.
Builds upon basic skills of social research to design and implement a multiple methods study. Data collection, organization, and analysis involve both quantitative and qualitative approaches Prerequisite(s): SOC 551, SOC 553. Restricted to: Main campus only.
SOC 555. Applied Evaluation 3 cr.
Logic, design and ethics of evaluations including theory driven and multi-level models. Emphasis on individual, group and community level needs assessment, process and activities assessment and outcomes assessment including social impact assessment. Data collection techniques will include survey questionnaire construction, interviewing, focus groups and case studies. Measures of efficiency and effectiveness will be examined. Prerequisite: Research Methods Course.
SOC 556. Survey Research Methods 3 cr.
This course will provide an in-depth examination of survey research techniques, including telephone surveys, mail surveys, internet surveys, and multi-modal techniques. The various aspects of questionnaire construction and administration of surveys will be covered.
SOC 557. Graduate Seminar in Gender, Science, and Technology 3 cr.
Graduate seminar that explores how gender, science, and technology are interrelated social constructions. Science and technology are examined as social institutions. Explanations for different rates of participation based on race, class, and gender are explored.
SOC 558. Seminar: Sociology of the Family 3 cr.
The family in various societies; evolution of the American family.
SOC 559. Graduate Seminar in Sex and Gender 3 cr.
Comprehensive examination of current gender identity and gender stratification issues. Same as W S 559.
SOC 560. Advanced Sociology of Religion 3 cr.
Examination of religion in its social context to understand the intricate relations of religion, culture and U.S. society.
SOC 565. Advanced Environmental Sociology 3 cr.
Advanced examination of societal responses to environmental problems including social adjustments to natural and technological hazards, sociocultural aspects of technological risk and impact assessment, and emergence of environmental social movements.
SOC 566. Ecology of Human Societies 3 cr.
Examines the social dimensions of natural resource use and degradation at both a domestic and a cross-national level.
SOC 568. Global Sexualities 3 cr.
Generates a global context to focus on sexual identity and orientation, sexual identity politics, romantic relationships, patterns of sexual behavior, sexual regulation, and the impact of different cultures on individual sexualities. Crosslisted with: W S 567
SOC 569. Advanced Issues in Sexualities 3 cr.
Various issues in sexualities are addressed through a wide range of theoretical and empirical sociological literatures that involve quantitative and qualitative data. Advanced examination of the ways in which sexuality is constituted in local, cultural and institutional environments.
SOC 570. Advanced Sociology of Latinos/as in the United States 3 cr.
In-depth examination and comparative analysis of political and economic issues affecting Latino/a culture and behavior. Topics include the Chicano/a and larger Latina/o movements, the border, immigration, language policies, education, religion, labor and Latina women s issues.
SOC 571. Advanced Race and Ethnic Relations 3 cr.
In-depth analysis of the dynamics of prejudice/discrimination and patterns of intergroup interaction in the U.S.
SOC 572. Advanced Sociology of Medical Ethics 3 cr.
Major issues in the roles and relationships of health care providers and consumers, problems in communication, malpractice, patients rights, and ethics. Taught with SOC 472 with additional work required at the graduate level.
SOC 574. Sociology of Organizations 3 cr.
Sociological models of formal organizations relevant to business, education, government, healthcare, military, and religion. Focus on internal organizational structure and dynamics plus the reciprocal relationship between organizations and their operating environment.
SOC 575. Graduate Social Stratification 3 cr.
Advanced examination of theories of stratification and current methods of stratification research. Focus on differences by ethnicity, race, class and gender.
SOC 576. Seminar on Social Institutions in Appalachia 3 cr.
Survey of social issues of Appalachia including the emergence and perpetuation of stereotypical images, the impact of the coal industry on the social environment, and consideration of religious, political, and social policy.
SOC 577. Advanced Sociology of Education 3 cr.
Socio-political and economic factors that shape the structure and operation of educational institutions in modern complex societies. Socio-historical development of the school as a microcosm of society, with examples from American and other school systems.
SOC 578. Advanced Sociology of Development and the World System 3 cr.
Sociological approach to development and the global system. Theories of development, and underdevelopment; world poverty/inequality; Latin America; Africa and Asia in comparative perspectives; transnational borders/U.S.-Mexico border; current topics. Same as GOVT 577.
SOC 579. Advanced Sociological Perspectives on the U.S.-Mexico Border 3 cr.
Theoretical perspectives and current research on U.S.-Mexico border region, including migration, identity, health, gender, and environment.
SOC 580. Diversity in Alternative Families 3 cr.
Cross-cultural examination of diversity among and within families: analysis of family diversity includes consideration of the theoretical frameworks, ideological commitments, personal experiences, and methodological approaches to examine family life.
SOC 581. Issues in Social Deviance 3 cr.
Selected forms of deviant behavior, social issues, and social problems.
SOC 582. Individual and Society 3 cr.
Examines reciprocal relationship between individual and society. Topics include socialization, social influence and persuasion, group structure and performance, altruism, aggression, interpersonal attraction, group cohesion and conformity, and intergroup conflict.
SOC 583. Symbolic Interaction 3 cr.
Examination of the interaction of self and the social order including society as process, the negotiation of social order, identity as a social product, role taking and the situated self, the social construction of reality with an emphasis on phenomology and ethnomethodology.
SOC 589. Advanced Issues in Globalization 3 cr.
Analysis of the globalization process. Covers theories of globalization; global economy; political globalization; global culture; transnational social movements; transnational migration and world labor market; global cities; local-global linkages. Same as GOVT 569.
SOC 596. Internship 1-6 cr.
Supervised participation in appropriate occupational setting. May be repeated for a maximum of 12 credits. Taught with SOC 496 with additional work required at the graduate level.
SOC 597. Problems in University Instruction 1-2 cr.
For description see G S 597 under Graduate School. Graded S/U.
SOC 599. Master's Thesis 0-6 cr.
Thesis. Consent of instructor required. Restricted to: Main campus only. Restricted to SOC majors.