This is an archived copy of the 2021-2022 catalog. To access the most recent version of the catalog, please visit http://catalog.sierracollege.edu.

Contact Information

Contact Information
Division
Liberal Arts
Dean
Anne Fleischmann
Associate Deans
Patrick Marasso, Timothy Wright
Location
Division Office
W 107, Rocklin Campus

Overview

Sociology is a disciplined quest for the understanding of human behavior—particularly in post-industrial society. Through a systematic analysis of society, its groups, institutions and processes, sociologists hope to better understand and predict human behavior. The introductory course provides a foundation in sociological concepts, with the goal of having students acquire the perspective in sociology and the ability to see their personal position in a societal context. Other sociology courses focus on social problems, race and ethnic relations, gender and gender identity, and the family.

TRANSFER REQUIREMENTS in Sociology are available in the Counseling Center. In all cases, students should consult with a counselor for specific transfer requirements. Positions for which four-year graduates in Sociology are qualified include, but are not confined to, research, social work, personnel and corrections/probation work.

Faculty

Jennifer Kattman

Professor, Sociology

B.A., California State University, Sacramento
M.A., California State University, Sacramento

Megan E. Seely

Professor, Sociology/Women and Gender Studies

B.A., California State University, Chico
M.A., California State University, Sacramento

Degrees/Certificates

Associate Degrees for Transfer

Social Justice Studies for Transfer

AA-T Degree

The Social Justice Studies Program utilizes an interdisciplinary approach to the study of social justice. The program explores the intersection of identities, for example race, class, gender and sexual orientation, and analyzes the socio-economic, cultural, environmental, and political influences on inequity and social justice.

The Associate in Arts in Social Justice Studies for Transfer degree (AA-T) prepares students to transfer into the CSU system to complete a bachelor’s degree in Social Justice or a major deemed similar by a CSU campus.  Students earning an associate degree for transfer and meeting the CSU minimum transfer admission requirements are guaranteed admission with junior standing to the CSU system, but not to a particular campus or major.  Upon transfer, students will be required to complete no more than 60 additional prescribed units to earn a bachelor’s degree.

To earn the Associate in Arts in Social Justice for Transfer degree, students must complete 60 CSU-transferable semester units with a minimum grade point average of 2.0, including both of the following:

  • completion of all courses required for the major with grades of “C” or better; and
  • completion of the California State University-General Education-Breadth (CSU GE) pattern or the Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) pattern. (Students transferring to a CSU campus using IGETC must complete Area 1C Oral Communication to be eligible for admission.)

The exact wording of the law pertaining to associate degrees for transfer may be found in Education Code Section 66746.

It is highly recommended that, prior to transferring, students complete courses that satisfy the CSU United States History, Constitution and American Ideals graduation requirement.  In all cases, students should consult with a counselor for more information on university admission and transfer requirements.

RESTRICTION: International coursework from non-United States regionally accredited institutions cannot be applied to associate degrees for transfer.

Required Courses
LGBT 0001Introduction to LGBT Studies/Queer Theory3
SOC 0003Race, Ethnicity and Inequality3
SOC 0015Introduction to Statistics in Sociology3
or PSYC 0142 Introduction to Psychological Statistics
SOC 0027Sociology of Gender3
SOC 0110Introduction to Social Justice3
Select 3 units from the following:3
Native Peoples of North America
Native Peoples of California
Global Problems
Introduction to Environmental Sciences and Sustainability
Dialogues in American Culture
Ethnic Images in Film
The African American Experience in American History to 1877
The African American Experience in American History since 1877
Chicano/Mexican American History
Native American History
Women in American History
Queer (LGBTIQ) Film History
Social Problems
Sociology of Women's Health
Feminism and Social Action
Introduction to Women's Studies

Sociology for Transfer

AA-T Degree

Sociology is a disciplined quest for the understanding of human behavior, particularly in  post-industrial society. Through a systematic analysis of society, its groups, institutions and processes, sociologists hope to better understand and predict human behavior. The introductory course provides a foundation in sociological concepts, with the goal of having students acquire the perspective in sociology and the ability to see their personal position in a societal context. Other sociology courses focus on social problems, race and ethnic relations, gender and gender identity, and the family.

The Associate in Arts in Sociology for Transfer degree (AA-T) prepares students to transfer into the CSU system to complete a bachelor’s degree in Sociology or a major deemed similar by a CSU campus. Students earning an associate degree for transfer and meeting the CSU minimum transfer admission requirements are guaranteed admission with junior standing to the CSU system, but not to a particular campus or major. Upon transfer, students will be required to complete no more than 60 additional prescribed units to earn a bachelor’s degree.

To earn the Associate in Arts in Sociology for Transfer degree, students must complete 60 CSU-transferable semester units with a minimum grade point average of 2.0, including both of the following:

The exact wording of the law pertaining to associate degrees for transfer may be found in Education Code Section 66746.

It is highly recommended that, prior to transferring, students complete courses that satisfy the CSU United States History, Constitution and American Ideals graduation requirement. In all cases, students should consult with a counselor for more information on university admission and transfer requirements.

RESTRICTION: International coursework from non-United States regionally accredited institutions cannot be applied to associate degrees for transfer.

Required Courses
SOC 0001Introduction to Sociology3
SOC 0002Social Problems3
SOC 0003Race, Ethnicity and Inequality3
SOC 0015Introduction to Statistics in Sociology3
SOC 0027Sociology of Gender3
Select 3 units from the following:3
The Family (also HDEV 0022)
Sociology of Women's Health
Introduction to Crime, Deviance, and Social Control
Feminism and Social Action (also WMST 0004)
Introduction to Sociology of Sport
Introduction to Hip Hop and Social Justice
Internship in Sociology
Introduction to Social Justice
Total Units18

Courses

Understanding course descriptions

SOC 0001. Introduction to Sociology

Units: 3
Hours: 54 lecture
Sociological analysis of social institutions, social interaction and behavior, collective behavior, social change, deviance, conformity, and social stratification. (C-ID SOCI 110) (CSU, UC)

SOC 0002. Social Problems

Units: 3
Advisory: Completion of SOC 1 with grade of "C" or better
Hours: 54 lecture
A sociological approach to the study of major social problems, addressing areas such as social stratification and social institutions. Utilizes a critical approach and emphasizes the social construction of social problems. (C-ID SOCI 115) (CSU, UC)

SOC 0003. Race, Ethnicity and Inequality

Units: 3
Also known as ETHN 3
Hours: 54 lecture
Examines the historical and contemporary impacts of the social constructs of race and ethnicity in the United States. Closely analyzes racial and ethnic inequalities within social institutions such as politics, economics, education, housing, health and medicine, and criminal justice. Explores anti-racist movements, strategies, and practices to eliminate racial and ethnic inequality. (C-ID SOCI 150) (CSU, UC)

SOC 0004. The Family

Units: 3
Also known as HDEV 22
Advisory: Completion of SOC 1 with grade of "C" or better
Hours: 54 lecture
A sociological approach to the analysis of the family as a social institution. Of particular interest are the changing structure of family, gender roles, dating, marriage, intimacy, relationships, and parenting. (C-ID SOCI 130) (CSU, UC)

SOC 0005. Sociology of Women's Health

Units: 3
Advisory: Completion of ENGL A with grade of "C" or better
Hours: 54 lecture
Provides a sociological analysis of health issues that concern women throughout their life course. The impact of physiology, psychology, culture, society, and politics upon women's well-being are addressed using the feminist perspective. (CSU, UC)

SOC 0009. Introduction to Crime, Deviance, and Social Control

Units: 3
Advisory: Completion with grade of "C" or better or concurrent enrollment in SOC 1
Hours: 54 lecture
Sociological analysis of crime, the criminal justice system, deviance, and mechanisms of social control. Explores the history and social construction of crime, criminality, and deviance. Examines definitions of crime and deviance as well as methods used to control deviant behavior. (C-ID SOCI 160) (CSU, UC)

SOC 0010. Feminism and Social Action

Units: 3
Also known as WMST 4
Advisory: Completion of ENGL N with grade of "C" or better
Hours: 54 lecture
Examines sociological underpinnings of social action and explores unique contributions of feminism in challenging traditional gender scripts. Provides an overview of the ways in which women engage in deliberative social action to change the conditions of their lives and of their communities. Emphasizes sociological theory as applied to issues related to the institutions of family, health, religion, employment, sexual harassment, housing, and interpersonal violence. (CSU, UC)

SOC 0015. Introduction to Statistics in Sociology

Units: 3
Prerequisite: Completion of intermediate algebra or appropriate placement
Advisory: Completion with grade of "C" or better or concurrent enrollment in SOC 1
Hours: 54 lecture
Application of statistical methods to sociological data. Topics include: descriptive and inferential statistics including levels and types of measurement; measures of central tendency and dispersion; normal, t, and chi-square distributions, probability and hypothesis testing, correlation and regression. Statistical software applied to sociological and/or other social science data. (C-ID SOCI 125) (CSU, UC-with unit limitation)

SOC 0015S. Support for Introduction to Statistics in Sociology

Unit: 1
Corequisite: Concurrent enrollment in SOC 15
Hours: 18 lecture
Support option covering the core prerequisite skills, competencies, and concepts for Statistics in Sociology. Intended for students who are concurrently enrolled in SOC 15. Topics include concepts from arithmetic, pre-algebra, elementary and intermediate algebra, and descriptive statistics that are needed to understand the basics of college-level statistics. Concepts are taught through the context of sociological data analysis. Strongly recommended for students taking SOC 15 with little or no recent algebra knowledge. (not degree applicable) (pass/no pass grading)

SOC 0024. Introduction to Sociology of Sport

Units: 3
Advisory: Completion of or concurrent enrollment in SOC 1
Hours: 54 lecture
Introduction to the examination of sport in contemporary society using a sociological approach. Analyzes sport as a social institution and examines sport's interaction with politics, economics, education, religion, gender, race, media, and ethics. Focus on the impact of sport on participants, spectators, and society as a whole. (CSU)

SOC 0027. Sociology of Gender

Units: 3
Hours: 54 lecture
A cross-cultural comparison of gender roles, gender identities, and sexualities viewed from sociological perspectives. Examines the social construction of gender inequities and the debates on sex and gender. Analyzes the impact of social, cultural, and political factors on gender expectations and practices. (C-ID SOCI 140) (CSU, UC)

SOC 0028. Independent Study

Units: 1-3
Designed for students interested in furthering their knowledge at an independent study level in an area where no specific curriculum offering is currently available. Independent study might include, but is not limited to, research papers, special subject area projects, and research projects. See Independent Study page in catalog. (CSU, UC-with unit limitation)

SOC 0047. Introduction to Hip Hop and Social Justice

Units: 3
Formerly known as SOC 11
Also known as ETHN 47
Hours: 54 lecture
Defining Hip Hop as both a noun and a verb, this course takes a critical look at the history, role, and influence of Hip Hop on social reality. Evaluates both the impact Hip Hop has had on culture and the manipulation of Hip Hop within social institutions. Builds a framework of understanding for socio-political and cultural conditions in exploring hip hop as a vehicle to social change and justice. (CSU, UC)

SOC 0095. Internship in Sociology

Units: 0.5-4
Designed for advanced students to work in an area related to their educational or occupational goal. Provides new on-the-job technical training under the direction of a worksite supervisor, allowing students to expand knowledge and skills in the chosen field. Mandatory orientation session and faculty approval to determine eligibility. Students may earn up to a total of 16 units in internship courses (any course numbered 95 and PDEV 94). (CSU-with unit limitation)

SOC 0110. Introduction to Social Justice

Units: 3
Hours: 54 lecture
Course focuses on the interdisciplinary study of social justice. Examines social justice movements in the United States in relation to key social groups and identities. Provides a better understanding of the socio-economic, cultural, and political conditions among these key social groups. (C-ID SJS 110) (CSU, UC)

SOC 0815S. Support for Introduction to Statistics in Sociology

Units: 0
Corequisite: Concurrent enrollment in SOC 15
Hours: 18 lecture
Support option covering the core prerequisite skills, competencies, and concepts for Statistics in Sociology. Intended for students who are concurrently enrolled in SOC 15. Topics include concepts from arithmetic, pre-algebra, elementary and intermediate algebra, and descriptive statistics that are needed to understand the basics of college-level statistics. Concepts are taught through the context of sociological data analysis. Strongly recommended for students taking SOC 15 with little or no recent algebra knowledge. (noncredit)

Program Student Learning Outcomes (PSLOs)

  • Apply sociological theory and critical analysis to key concepts in the study of society in a formal written assignment.
  • Describe, analyze and apply sociological research.
  • Apply principles of social justice to the study and practice of sociology.