MATC 2026-27 Catalog

DEGREE/DIPLOMA/CERTIFICATE COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

SOCSCI-214

Credits:3

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 fi gures and doctrines of Western philosophy from classical antiquity to present times. The course also involves discussions of fundamental philosophical questions, especially questions having practical socioethical implications. SPEECH – Speech Elements of Speech 1 The purpose of this course is the development of speaking skills. Stress is placed upon speech content, organization and delivery. Growth in poise and con fi dence is a major goal of this course. SPEECH-203 Credits:3 Interpersonal Communication This course applies the theory and principles of one-to-one communication to personal and professional relationships. Topics include gender, self-awareness, verbal and nonverbal communication, con fl ict management, assertiveness, and perception. SPEECH-206 Credits:3 Intercultural Communication The course offers an opportunity to learn how to identify and appreciate cultural differences in terms of communication styles. Students will improve their ability to communicate, both personally and professionally, with others of different cultures. SPEECH-209 Credits:3 Business and Professional Communication This course is an introduction to business and professional communication. The course includes a rough discussion of intrapersonal, interpersonal, and/or sociocultural factors associated with individual behavior, collective action or societal development. The course also aims to enhance students’ ability to identify, apply and effectively communicate methodologies designed for conducting an inquiry into human behavior, collective action, societies or cultures. Several practical elements are built into the course based on foregoing considerations (e.g., impromptu speaking, career interview and presentation). Communication (Department 810) SPEECH-201 Credits:3

SOCSCI-207

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 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 speci fi cally 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.

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 fi nd 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. SOCSCI-210 Credits:3 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 identi fi cation 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 both 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.

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