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Home Catalog Programs of Study List of Programs Sociology

Sociology

Overview

The ARC Sociology department offers courses that prepare students to research, understand, and change our social world using the sociological perspective and scientific method. Our faculty are enthusiastic about introducing students to the sociological imagination and subfields such as sociological research methods, crime/law/deviance, race/ethnicity, media and popular culture, sociological theory, gender and sexuality, and social psychology. Students leave our classes with the ability to think critically about society, engage with data to understand our social world, explore/critique/craft theories of how the social world works, articulate sources of social inequality, and propose solutions to social problems. Our courses strive to make students competitive applicants in fields such as social work, community planning and organizing/activism, human services, education, user experience (UX) research, criminal justice, for-profit and non-profit organizations, and government agencies.

Degrees Offered

  • A.A.-T. in Sociology

Associate Degree for Transfer

A.A.-T. in Sociology

The Associate in Arts in Sociology for Transfer (AA-T) provides students with a major that fulfills the general requirements of a California State University for transfer. Students with this degree will receive priority admission with junior status to the California State University system and learn the fundamental principles and practices of Sociology in order to create a solid foundation for their future personal and academic endeavors. Students should work closely with their American River College counselor to ensure that they are taking the appropriate coursework to prepare for majoring in Sociology at the institution they wish to transfer to because major and general education requirements may vary for each CSU and the degree may only transfer to specific institutions.

Students must complete the following Associate Degree for Transfer (ADT) requirements (pursuant to SB1440, §66746):
• 60 semester or 90 quarter CSU-transferable units
• the California General Education Transfer Curriculum (Cal-GETC) pattern
• a minimum of 18 semester or 27 quarter units in the major or area of emphasis as determined by the community college district
• obtain a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.0

All ADTs also require that students must earn a “C” or better in all courses required for the major or area of emphasis. A "P" (Pass) grade is also an acceptable grade for courses in the major if the course is taken on a Pass/No Pass basis.

Catalog Date: August 1, 2026

Degree Requirements
Course Code Course Title Units
Required Core:
SOC 300 Introductory Sociology (3) 3
   or SOC 480 Introductory Sociology - Honors (3)
SOC 301 Social Problems 3
PSYC 330 Introductory Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences (3) 3 - 4
   or STAT C1000 Introduction to Statistics (4)
   or STAT C1000H Introduction to Statistics - Honors (4)
List A:
A minimum of 6 units from the following: 6
SOC 302 Introduction to Social Research Methods (3)
   or PSYC 335 Research Methods in Psychology (3)
SOC 309 Self and Society (3)
SOC 318 Introduction to Crime, Deviance, and Social Control (3)
SOC 321 Race, Ethnicity and Inequality in the United States (3)
SOC 325 Chicano Culture (3)
SOC 342 Gender Relations in American Society (3)
SOC 350 Sociology of Popular Culture (3)
List B:
A minimum of 3 units from the following: 3
Any course from List A not already used or
ANTH 310 Cultural Anthropology (3)
   or ANTH 481 Honors Cultural Anthropology (3)
PSYC C1000 Introduction to Psychology (3)
   or PSYC C1000H Introduction to Psychology - Honors (3)
SOC 335 Sociology of Aging (3)
Total Units: 18 - 19

The Associate in Arts in Sociology for Transfer (AA-T) degree may be obtained by completion of 60 transferable, semester units with a minimum 2.0 GPA, including (a) the major or area of emphasis described in the Required Program, and (b) the California General Education Transfer Curriculum (Cal-GETC) Requirement.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this program, the student will be able to:

  • differentiate between scientifically-based sociological knowledge and hear-say, personal beliefs, and opinions.
  • compare and contrast the major theoretical perspectives in sociology.
  • define basic sociological terms and concepts regarding the nature of social life, social structures, socio-economic, political, and cultural institutions.
  • analyze various sociological perspectives and their relevance to the understanding of social life in general and personal life in particular.
  • construct and evaluate sociological data, utilize the scientific method, draw reasonable conclusions.
  • identify and understand the ethical implications involved in research and their impact on social policy/public policies.
  • apply sociological principles and theories to everyday life situations in regard to interaction with people from diverse backgrounds in a just, equitable, and inclusive manner.

Career Information

The Sociology degree is designed to facilitate students' successful transfer to four-year colleges that prepare them for advanced study in a variety of graduate programs as well as a variety of career opportunities in social work, law, criminology, law enforcement, teaching, health services, urban planning and development, and research.

Sociology (SOC) Courses

SOC 300 Introductory Sociology

  • Units:3
  • Hours:54 hours LEC
  • Prerequisite:None.
  • Advisory:Eligibility for ENGL C1000/C1000H (formerly ENGWR 300/480) or ESLW 340
  • Transferable:CSU; UC
  • General Education:Local GE L4; Cal-GETC Area 4
  • C-ID:C-ID SOCI 110
  • Catalog Date:August 1, 2026

This course examines principles and basic concepts in sociology. It includes the study of institutions, culture, social organization, group interaction, social stratification, economy, politics, social movements, and urbanization. This course is not open to students who have completed SOC 480.

SOC 301 Social Problems

  • Units:3
  • Hours:54 hours LEC
  • Prerequisite:None.
  • Advisory:Eligibility for ENGL C1000/C1000H (formerly ENGWR 300/480) or ESLW 340
  • Transferable:CSU; UC
  • General Education:Local GE L4; Cal-GETC Area 4
  • C-ID:C-ID SOCI 115
  • Catalog Date:August 1, 2026

This course examines contemporary social problems in the US within a theoretical and global context. It examines the role and the structure of power and ideology in shaping our understanding and approach to social problems. This course supports students to include a critical analysis of their causes, consequences as well as an evaluation of proposed solutions and methods of treatment. Attention is directed to poverty and inequality, race and gender inequalities, problems of the environment, unequal access to education as well as problems in the economic and political systems and the impact of globalization on these problems.

SOC 302 Introduction to Social Research Methods

  • Units:3
  • Hours:54 hours LEC
  • Prerequisite:SOC 300 with a grade of "C" or better
  • Advisory:PSYC 330 or STAT C1000 with a grade of "C" or better; and ENGL C1000/C1000H (formerly ENGWR 300/480) or ESLW 340 with a grade of "C" or better
  • Transferable:CSU; UC
  • General Education:Local GE L1B; Local GE L4; Cal-GETC Area 4
  • C-ID:C-ID SOCI 120
  • Catalog Date:August 1, 2026

This course examines basic principles and methods of sociological research, application and critique of major research methods, including survey, ethnographic, experimental and historical comparative analysis. It emphasizes the fundamental components of sociological research design such as theory, hypothesis, data collection, and variables. Ethical, ideological, and political implications of social research are also considered.

SOC 309 Self and Society

  • Units:3
  • Hours:54 hours LEC
  • Prerequisite:None.
  • Advisory:Eligibility for ENGL C1000/C1000H (formerly ENGWR 300/480) or ESLW 340
  • Transferable:CSU; UC
  • General Education:Local GE L4; Cal-GETC Area 4
  • Catalog Date:August 1, 2026

This course introduces concepts, social theories, and methods used to analyze how the sense of self is created in everyday life. It explores various theories of the development of self, the nature of human behavior, the importance of language for perception and thought, and reality as a social construction. Additionally, it examines how the self emerges and is maintained through social interaction and our involvement in social relationships. It includes the study of social identity, roles, socialization, identity change, and emotions.

SOC 318 Introduction to Crime, Deviance, and Social Control

  • Units:3
  • Hours:54 hours LEC
  • Prerequisite:None.
  • Transferable:CSU; UC
  • General Education:Local GE L4; Cal-GETC Area 4
  • C-ID:C-ID SOCI 160
  • Catalog Date:August 1, 2026

This course introduces various sociological perspectives regarding issues of crime, deviance, and social control. Particular attention is paid to the analysis of how laws and cultural norms shape the definition and meaning of crime and deviance. Topics covered include street crimes, corporate crimes, white-collar crimes, domestic violence, drugs and alcohol abuse, lifestyle crimes, prison systems, capital punishment, rehabilitation, and the trend towards privatization of prisons. Field trips may be required.

SOC 321 Race, Ethnicity and Inequality in the United States

  • Units:3
  • Hours:54 hours LEC
  • Prerequisite:None.
  • Advisory:Eligibility for ENGL C1000/C1000H (formerly ENGWR 300/480) or ESLW 340
  • Transferable:CSU; UC
  • General Education:Local GE L4; Cal-GETC Area 4
  • C-ID:C-ID SOCI 150
  • Catalog Date:August 1, 2026

In this course, students are invited to examine patterns of racial and ethnic group relations in the United States of America. This course utilizes basic sociological approaches to study race and ethnicity and includes an emphasis on a comparative and intersectional analysis of historical, social, political, and economic factors affecting intergroup and intragroup dynamics and current political and social issues. Using multiple perspectives, students will explore topics that include prejudice, discrimination, racism, anti-racism, racialization, racial and ethnic stratification, inequality, intersectionality, demographic shifts, colonization, decolonization, oppression, liberation, civil rights, and other related topics. Course focus will be on Native Americans, African Americans, Latinx peoples, Asian and Pacific Islander Americans, and European Americans. A variety of different learning activities will be included. Any course-related field trips will not be mandatory and alternative assignments will be offered.

SOC 325 Chicano Culture

  • Units:3
  • Hours:54 hours LEC
  • Prerequisite:None.
  • Advisory:Eligibility for ENGL C1000/C1000H (formerly ENGWR 300/480) or ESLW 340
  • Transferable:CSU; UC
  • General Education:Local GE L4; Cal-GETC Area 4
  • Catalog Date:August 1, 2026

This course is an introduction to fundamental concepts, social theories, and methods used to understand and critically analyze the production, adaptation, and construction of Chicano identity and Chicano culture within the United States. It includes micro and macro sociological analysis of Chicano culture and its relationship to Chicano social identity, social inequality, and social change.

SOC 335 Sociology of Aging

  • Units:3
  • Hours:54 hours LEC
  • Prerequisite:None.
  • Advisory:ENGWR 102 and ENGRD 116 with a grade of “C” or better; OR ESLR 320 and ESLW 320 with a grade of “C” or better.
  • Transferable:CSU; UC (UC credit limitation: SOC 335, GERON 302 and PSYC 374 combined: maximum credit, 1 course)
  • General Education:Local GE L4; Local GE L7B
  • Catalog Date:August 1, 2026

This course examines the aged and aging process with emphasis on social factors affecting and affected by an aging population. It includes an analysis of demographics, history of aging in America, social conditions, resources and support systems, employment, retirement, and social class/cultural differences.
This course is not open to students who have completed GERON 300.

SOC 342 Gender Relations in American Society

  • Units:3
  • Hours:54 hours LEC
  • Prerequisite:None.
  • Advisory:Eligibility for ENGL C1000/C1000H (formerly ENGWR 300/480) or ESLW 340
  • Transferable:CSU; UC
  • General Education:Local GE L4; Local GE L7B; Cal-GETC Area 4
  • C-ID:C-ID SOCI 140
  • Catalog Date:August 1, 2026

This course deals with gender relations in American society. It examines historical, social, economic, political, and cultural forces in shaping gender identity, gender roles, and gender expectations. This course utilizes sociological theories to explain gender experiences as socially constructed rather than biologically determined. Specifically, it examines the experiences of people of diverse economic, racial, and ethnic backgrounds within historical and cross-cultural perspectives. This course includes analysis and discussion of topics such as gender relations in the home, workplace, mass media, health care system, and politics.

SOC 350 Sociology of Popular Culture

  • Units:3
  • Hours:54 hours LEC
  • Prerequisite:None.
  • Transferable:CSU; UC
  • General Education:Local GE L4; Cal-GETC Area 4
  • Catalog Date:August 1, 2026

This course analyzes the historical development and emergence of American popular culture and the relationship between contemporary popular culture, social institutions and social behavior. Further, it explores popular culture within the context of social, political, technological, and economic changes in the United States and includes an analysis of sociological theories of popular culture, social media, advertising, music, and film.

SOC 480 Introductory Sociology - Honors

  • Units:3
  • Hours:54 hours LEC
  • Prerequisite:Placement into ENGL C1000H (formerly ENGWR 480) through the Los Rios placement process OR guided self-placement.
  • Transferable:CSU; UC
  • General Education:Local GE L4; Cal-GETC Area 4
  • C-ID:C-ID SOCI 110
  • Catalog Date:August 1, 2026

This course provides an in-depth examination of society and human behavior from various sociological perspectives. Sociological theories, both macro and micro, are applied to different aspects of life including culture, social stratification and inequality, social change, politics, economy, and deviance. The course is conducted as a seminar in which students will be responsible for developing in-depth analysis and understanding of issues based on classical and contemporary sociological theories. This course is designed for those from all academic disciplines who are motivated to learn sociological perspectives and how they apply to aspects of human experience both at the individual and societal levels. This course is not open to students who have successfully completed SOC 300.

SOC 495 Independent Studies in Sociology

  • Units:1 - 3
  • Hours:54 - 162 hours LAB
  • Prerequisite:None.
  • Transferable:CSU
  • Catalog Date:August 1, 2026

Independent Study is an opportunity for the student to extend classroom experience in this subject, while working independently of a formal classroom situation. Independent study is an extension of work offered in a specific class in the college catalog. To be eligible for independent study, students must have completed the basic regular catalog course at American River College. They must also discuss the study with a professor in this subject and secure approval. Only one independent study for each catalog course will be allowed.

SOC 499 Experimental Offering in Sociology

  • Units:0.5 - 4
  • Prerequisite:None.
  • Catalog Date:August 1, 2026

This is the experimental courses description.

Sociology (SOCI) Courses

SOCI 299 Experimental Offering in Sociology

  • Units:0.5 - 4
  • Prerequisite:None.
  • Catalog Date:August 1, 2026

This is the experimental courses description.

SOCI 499 Experimental Offering in Sociology

  • Units:0.5 - 4
  • Prerequisite:None.
  • Catalog Date:August 1, 2026

This is the experimental courses description.

Catalog