Sociology
Overview
Sociology is the study of human society in all its manifestations. Its aim is to discover the process and structure of human interaction, to identify the main forces that sustain or weaken social groups, and to determine the conditions that transform social life. Sociology, like any science, is a disciplined, intellectual quest for knowledge about the fundamental nature of things.
Roadmaps
Road maps lay out all of the courses you need to take for a given degree or certificate.
AA-T/AS-T Transfer Degrees
- Dean Kathy Sorensen
- Department Chair Pam Chao
- HomeBase People, Culture, and Society HomeBase
- Phone (916) 484-8283
- Email AskHB-PCS@arc.losrios.edu
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, 2025
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:Eligible for ENGRD 310 or ENGRD 312 AND ENGWR 300; OR ESLR 340 AND ESLW 340
- Transferable:CSU; UC
- General Education:Local GE L4 (effective Fall 2025); Cal-GETC Area 4 (effective Fall 2025)
- C-ID:C-ID SOCI 110
- Catalog Date:August 1, 2025
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.
Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- compare various sociological perspectives and their relevance to the understanding of social life.
- synthesize various sociological theories to enhance one's understanding of everyday life events and social experiences.
- identify and discuss major issues facing the world today from a sociological standpoint.
- relate sociological theories to the workings of various institutions and analyze social issues and events from a sociological standpoint.
- define the role of human agency in shaping institutions and structures in society.
- research and evaluate various economic, political, and social institutions in society.
- apply the micro-sociological and interpersonal level analysis to social behavior.
- apply macro-sociological and institutional and systemic analysis to social behavior.
SOC 301 Social Problems
- Units:3
- Hours:54 hours LEC
- Prerequisite:None.
- Advisory:Eligible for ENGRD 310 or ENGRD 312 AND ENGWR 300; or ESLW 340.
- Transferable:CSU; UC
- General Education:Local GE L4 (effective Fall 2025); Cal-GETC Area 4 (effective Fall 2025)
- C-ID:C-ID SOCI 115
- Catalog Date:August 1, 2025
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.
Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- demonstrate understanding of major social problems in the US using sociological perspectives and concepts.
- place local, regional, and national social problems in a global context.
- examine and explain causes and consequences of social problems within a national and global context.
- discuss how causes of social problems are structurally connected to their solutions.
- define the role of various institutions, the structure of power, the role of ideology, and global forces as they pertain to the social construction of social problems, their causes and solutions.
- analyze and interpret qualitative and quantitative information and evidence about social problems and how they are impacted by domestic and global socio-economic, political, and cultural processes.
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, STAT 300, or STAT 305 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 (effective Fall 2025); Local GE L4 (effective Fall 2025); Cal-GETC Area 4 (effective Fall 2025)
- C-ID:C-ID SOCI 120
- Catalog Date:August 1, 2025
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.
Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- examine the basic principles of the scientific method, including its application to social research and ethical issues involved.
- differentiate among various research methodologies and evaluate their usefulness and limitations in relation to specific sociological project.
- evaluate literature and research database to find common themes in research design and reporting.
- develop a hypothesis, define the parameters of the research, define social variables, and design a research project.
- compose an effective survey instrument (or other method of measurement), construct reliable questions, administer the survey, and score and code the data.
- analyze results as to whether they support a hypothesis, how they relate to previous research, and state conclusions.
- write a coherent and comprehensive report that includes project description, methodology, analysis, and conclusions.
- identify and describe the relationship between social theory and research.
SOC 309 Self and Society
- Units:3
- Hours:54 hours LEC
- Prerequisite:None.
- Advisory:Eligible for ENGRD 310 or ENGRD 312 AND ENGWR 300; OR ESLR 340 AND ESLW 340
- Transferable:CSU; UC
- General Education:Local GE L4 (effective Fall 2025); Cal-GETC Area 4 (effective Fall 2025)
- Catalog Date:August 1, 2025
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.
Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- compare and contrast various sociological and other perspectives and their relevance to the understanding of self
- explain the relationship between broad structural changes and strategies of self-management in everyday life
- differentiate between various agents of socialization and their impact on the formation of self-identity
- interpret the relationships between physical self, social/emotional self, and self-perception
- analyze how social roles (obligations and expectations) are constructed and maintained through social interaction in everyday life
- explain how gender, race/ethnicity, and social class intersect to shape the perception and presentation of self
- evaluate impression management and emotion management as they apply to various institutional settings
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 (effective Fall 2025); Cal-GETC Area 4 (effective Fall 2025)
- C-ID:C-ID SOCI 160
- Catalog Date:August 1, 2025
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.
Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- compare and contrast various sociological perspectives and their relevance to the understanding of crime, deviance, and social control.
- define basic terms and concepts regarding crime, deviance, and social control.
- explain the nature and meaning of deviance as a function of cultural norms, politics, social status, and law.
- apply various sociological theories to explain the process by which actions and behaviors come to be defined as deviant and/or criminal.
- evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of sociological theories as they relate to deviance, crime, and social control.
- differentiate between roles of various institutions of social control.
- explain the complex structural nature of punishment, prisons, and rehabilitation.
SOC 321 Race, Ethnicity and Inequality in the United States
- Units:3
- Hours:54 hours LEC
- Prerequisite:None.
- Advisory:Eligible for ENGRD 310 or ENGRD 312 AND ENGWR 300; OR ESL325
- Transferable:CSU; UC
- General Education:Local GE L4 (effective Fall 2025); Cal-GETC Area 4 (effective Fall 2025)
- C-ID:C-ID SOCI 150
- Catalog Date:August 1, 2025
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.
Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- explain, apply, and critique basic sociological approaches to race and ethnicity.
- evaluate and critique how social power shapes the identities and experiences of racial and ethnic groups, interpersonally and systemically, in the United States.
- compare and contrast the socio-historical, socio-political and socio-economic experiences of major ethnic and racial groups in the U.S. from multiple perspectives. This includes four historically defined racialized core groups: Native Americans, African Americans, Latina/o/x Americans and/or Asian Americans. European Americans and Whiteness will also be included.
- examine the importance of social systems in shaping and maintaining the dynamic relationship between racial and ethnic groups.
- formulate from various group perspectives macro level and micro level analyses of racial and ethnic issues.
- evaluate the social dynamics that lead to struggle, resistance, solidarity, and liberation for racial and ethnic groups in the United States.
- analyze current complex racial and ethnic issues and formulate and evaluate solutions.
- assess the intersectional attributes of racial and ethnic groups within the broader U.S. society, such as class, gender, sexuality, religion, spirituality, national origin, immigration status, ability and/or age.
- reflect critically on one's own cultural lens.
SOC 325 Chicano Culture
- Units:3
- Hours:54 hours LEC
- Prerequisite:None.
- Advisory:Eligible for ENGRD 310 or ENGRD 312 AND ENGWR 300; OR ESLR 340 AND ESLW 340.
- Transferable:CSU; UC
- General Education:Local GE L4 (effective Fall 2025); Cal-GETC Area 4 (effective Fall 2025)
- Catalog Date:August 1, 2025
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.
Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- explain historical and cultural origins of Mexican-Americans in the United States
- compare and contrast sociological paradigms’ approaches to Chicano culture
- list and describe various elements of Chicano culture
- evaluate differences between individual experiences of Chicano culture and systemic functions of Chicano culture
- analyze connections between culture and the Chicano Movement
- interpret how culture can be used to empower and oppress
- differentiate between culture expression and stereotyping
- generate and evaluate potential solutions to at least three of the modern cultural dilemmas Chicanos face in the United States today
- describe and evaluate the demographic shift in the Chicano population in the United States
- differentiate between ethnocentric and culturally relative analyses of Chicano culture and the Chicano movement
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 300, 302, & PSYC 374 combined: maximum credit, one course)
- General Education:Local GE L4 (effective Fall 2025); Local GE L7B (effective Fall 2025)
- Catalog Date:August 1, 2025
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.
Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- chart the demographic shift in America as it relates to older adults and evaluate the concept of generational equity
- explain at least five of the major implications and challenges of increased longevity as they relate to end-of-life issues, advocacy, adult abuse, filial responsibility, generational equity, and entitlements
- compare major biological theories with social theories of aging
- explain the major social issues as related to aging in America and their possible solutions
- analyze the overall economic position of older Americans, including retirement plans, health care, job outlook, and entitlements
- calculate the cost of the average funeral and construct cost-saving measures
SOC 342 Gender Relations in American Society
- Units:3
- Hours:54 hours LEC
- Prerequisite:None.
- Advisory:Eligible for ENGRD 310 or ENGRD 312 AND ENGWR 300; OR ESLR 340 AND ESLW 340
- Transferable:CSU; UC
- General Education:Local GE L4 (effective Fall 2025); Local GE L7B (effective Fall 2025); Cal-GETC Area 4 (effective Fall 2025)
- C-ID:C-ID SOCI 140
- Catalog Date:August 1, 2025
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.
Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- evaluate various sociological perspectives relevant to gender socialization, gender identity formation, and gender inequalities.
- construct a sociological and theoretical understanding of gender socialization in terms of how men's and women's experiences diverge in regarding family life, workplace, media, politics, education, and science.
- compare men's and women's lives as historically and culturally created realities and experiences.
- explain historical and theoretical causes and consequences of gender inequality in American society.
- discuss the role of various social, economic, political, religious, and cultural institutions in creating, reinforcing, and perpetuating gender inequality.
- utilize theory, history, and quantitative information to remedy gender inequality in American society.
SOC 350 Sociology of Popular Culture
- Units:3
- Hours:54 hours LEC
- Prerequisite:None.
- Transferable:CSU; UC
- General Education:Local GE L4 (effective Fall 2025); Cal-GETC Area 4 (effective Fall 2025)
- Catalog Date:August 1, 2025
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.
Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- compare and contrast the impact of differing popular culture products on different audiences through reception and consumption approaches.
- evaluate American popular culture products by utilizing the sociological perspective.
- define key terms relating the study of popular culture.
- critique the works and perspectives of sociological and cultural studies theorists like Marx, Adorno, bell hooks, Weber, Veblen, Sternheimer, Goffman, Gramsci, Radway, and Durkheim.
- examine the effects of subcultural and countercultural practice and objects on American society.
- apply core concepts within the study of popular culture to historically relevant events and examples.
- compare and contrast the main differences among core sociological theories such as conflict theory, structural functionalism, symbolic interactionism, and feminist theory and their application to popular culture.
- analyze the historical, cultural, economic, and political influences on the portrayals of various races, classes, genders, sexual orientations, and nationalities in media.
- evaluate various arguments related to the debate on taste with special emphasis on high culture, low culture, and folk culture.
SOC 480 Introductory Sociology - Honors
- Units:3
- Hours:54 hours LEC
- Prerequisite:Placement into ENGWR 480 through the assessment process.
- Transferable:CSU; UC
- General Education:Local GE L4 (effective Fall 2025); Cal-GETC Area 4 (effective Fall 2025)
- C-ID:C-ID SOCI 110
- Catalog Date:August 1, 2025
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.
Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- relate central sociological principles and concepts to the study of the social construction of reality, agency, structure, politics, the economy, deviance, and social change.
- apply main theoretical perspectives to various sociological topics including symbolic interactionism, structural functionalism, conflict theory, feminist theory, queer theory, and postmodernism.
- evaluate cross-cultural variations in the non-material and material cultures of societies while considering the influence of globalization on local cultures.
- explore and identify the interplay and intersectionality between race, class, gender, sexuality, and other social groups.
- analyze sociological research to understand the interrelatedness of various social intuitions and assess how social forces shape, guide, and influence individual and group behavior.
- explain how mass media, media ownership, and technology influence and change social institutions and social behaviors.
- define the micro, meso, and macro-sociological levels of analyses and how they both compliment and differ in their scope and focus.
- identify and apply main sociological frameworks and principles to analyze social problems, stratification, and inequality based on race, ethnicity, gender, social class, sexuality, and other social groups.
SOC 495 Independent Studies in Sociology
- Units:1 - 3
- Hours:54 - 162 hours LAB
- Prerequisite:None.
- Transferable:CSU
- Catalog Date:August 1, 2025
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, 2025
This is the experimental courses description.
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