MATC 2025-26 Catalog

SOCSCI – SURGT

and freedoms, Congress, the presidency, federal powers and policy-making, the federal judiciary, and the election process in American political cultures. SOCSCI-222 Credits: 3 American State and Local Government This is a comprehensive course that deals with the organization and functions of state and local governments: state executive, legislative and judicial branches; state constitutions; contemporary intergovernmental relations; differences in regional, rural and urban governments; and the political process at the grassroots level. SOCSCI-224 Credits: 3 Peoples and Cultures of the World The course will introduce students to different cultures across the world. It will specifically examine human behaviors and the larger society cross-culturally. The course will be organized thematically, wherein students will explore various cross-cultural applications of social life in one semester. Possible themes of social life include AIDS and society, culture and international development, globalization and society, technology and culture, religion and society, kinship, marriage, art and culture, nationalism, children, and society. SOCSCI-236 Credits: 3 Juvenile Delinquency The history, philosophy and theoretical framework of juvenile delinquency and the justice system for juveniles is surveyed. Psychological, sociological, biological and environmental factors influencing juvenile delinquency are studied. Significant statutes and Supreme Court decisions are analyzed along with significant research in ethnicity and gender. SOCSCI-242 Credits: 3 African American Social Thought and Culture This is an introduction to the diversity of African American social thought and culture. The course includes exploration into the ideologies of prominent African American social thinkers and sociologists and the underlying structure and patterns of African American culture. SOCSCI-246 Credits: 3 Human Sexuality This course focuses on the biological, psychological and social perspectives of human sexuality. It is a practical course designed to be applied to the everyday business of living, at home, in school and in the workplace. SOCSCI-250 Credits: 3 Introduction to Philosophy This course surveys the major figures and doctrines of Western philosophy from classical antiquity to present times. The course also involves discussions of fundamental philosophical questions, especially questions having practical socio-ethical implications.

SOCSCI-200

Credits: 3

SOCSCI-210

Credits: 3

Introduction to Ethical Issues Introduction to Ethical Issues is a course that surveys the range of theories and principles that are relevant in ethical discussion and debate today. Thoughtful exploration and examination will address the range of moral views and approaches that are pertinent to ethical dilemmas in both personal and public life, and from community or local interest to the larger worldview. SOCSCI-203 Credits: 3 Introduction to Sociology This is the study of social relationships with emphasis on groups and the structure of society. The course details the various social processes and concepts that shape behavior, analyzing such phenomena as culture, roles, groups, stratification, deviance, race, population and social change. SOCSCI-204 Credits: 3 Marriage and the Family This course is designed to make students aware of relationships and marriage in contemporary society. The basic functions of the family are studied and sociological and psychological principles are applied to family living. SOCSCI-206 Credits: 3 Introduction to Cultural Anthropology Students survey the broad field of anthropology with a strong emphasis on culture and its expressions in human societies. Cross-cultural comparison and descriptions based on fieldwork are utilized in order to understand human behavior realistically and without bias. SOCSCI-207 Credits: 3 Introduction to Criminology An analysis is made of criminal behavior. Theories of crime causation are examined, as well as crime typologies and crime statistics. The course provides an overview of criminal justice agencies. SOCSCI-208 Credits: 3 Global Cultures and Politics The goal of the course is to introduce students to a wide range of issues and concepts related to globalization from a cultural perspective. Students will be exposed to some of the pressing problems related to globalization that face humanity. Through course readings and class discussions, students will explore how they can find solutions to these problems. Major theories and cross-cultural demonstrations of globalization will be examined. Central to the course is how social actors and their communities respond to globalization processes and how globalization has affected cultural values, politics and human behaviors. SOCSCI-209 Credits: 3 Sociology of Religion This is an introductory course in the study of religions from the viewpoint of the social sciences. Religion is presented as a universal function of human societies and as an aspect of group behavior.

Death and Dying This course will concentrate upon the historical and sociological background of the customs and practices related to death and dying in the United States and other countries; the emotional reactions and adjustments to death and dying; and identification of services and resources. SOCSCI-211 Credits: 3 Intro to Women’s Studies This course is an introduction to understanding the world through diverse experiences of women. Together we will examine gender experience in both the public and private realms of society, in popular culture, and in institutions such as the workplace, the family and the state. The course focuses on the social construction of gender, race, class and sexual identity and the interlocking nature of these forms of oppression. Students will become familiar with women’s and gender studies scholarship and attain tools to connect what one learns to one’s life and to further academic study. We will pay special attention to how gender and sexuality vary across ethnic, racial and class lines. Reading assignments cover a wide range of perspectives and attempt to represent classic writings in women’s studies, recent women’s studies scholarship and women’s own accounts of their life experiences. Writing assignments will emphasize learning by doing. Students will come away with tools for both critical analysis of gender in society and for creating positive social change. SOCSCI-214 Credits: 3 Gender and Society Exploration of the social roles that are ascribed to females and males within society and the social behavior expected within the constraints of femininity and masculinity. Exploration of the social processes of creating, maintaining and changing sex/gender roles through the analysis of social institutions and social structures, using both theoretical and experiential perspectives. Students will become familiar with the social forces that help construct personal identity and consciousness and shape our belief systems as gendered beings. Gender will be explored on the personal level, the societal level and the global level, with cross cultural perspectives, as well as the historical roots of gender, being presented. Sociological theories will be considered as explanatory tools for understanding the impact of gender and its resulting imperative responsibilities and problems. SOCSCI-217 Credits: 3 Valuing Diversity Emphasis is placed on common elements among individuals and groups of people. Programs provide sociological lessons dealing with race, social class, age, gender, sexual orientation and the sociology of minorities. SOCSCI-221 Credits: 3 American National Government and Politics Today This introductory course in political science is concerned with the American political process and its institutions: the Constitution, civil rights

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