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SOC101:  Introduction to Sociology:    Course Syllabus               Course Exercises               Course Content                

The course provides an overview of sociology as a scientific discipline. It helps students understand the sociological perspective on human social behaviors. The course will begin by defining the field of sociology and will discuss the similarities and differences between sociology and other approaches in understanding human behavior. Throughout the semester, students will learn the core concepts of sociology, sociological theories, the major areas of sociological inquiry, and more importantly, will develop the analytical and critical thinking skills in understanding human societies. The course has a focus on the basic principles of the scientific approach in doing sociology. The process of scientific research and its application in sociological inquiry will be substantially discussed.

SOC205: Social Problems     Course Syllabus               Course Exercises               Course Documents    

The course provides a survey of the "high visibility" social problems that plague America and the world today. It presents students with useful and intriguing information about society and social problems they are likely to encounter in their lives and in their future careers. The course emphasizes the understanding of social problems -- their causes, consequences, and solutions – from a sociological perspective, that is, examining the institutional, structural and cultural context under which social problems exist. It offers a provocative critical view of the social world and takes an integrative theoretical approach. During the semester, we will examine both macro and micro issues, ranging from social inequality, poverty, politics and economic power distribution to family problems, population and urban problems, deviant behavior, the justice, health care, and education systems.

SOC220: Sociology of the Family  Click here for general information on this course

The sociology course on marriage and family provides an overview of   the basic concepts and theoretical perspectives in the area of marriage, families and intimate relationships. The overall objective of the course is to help students develop a sociological/scientific perspective in understanding marriages and families.   The coverage includes abstract principles and empirically supported findings of family research. The course materials are internationalized to give students a multicultural and comparative perspective.  The text book has an emphasis on the diversity of family forms and types in the United States and is supplemented with historical and cross-cultural referents. The course also has a focus on the principles of the scientific methods and critical thinking in doing sociology.

SOC220(Internet): Sociology of the Family