DEPARTMENT OF SOCIOLOGY COURSE OFFERINGS 
FALL SEMESTER - 2009

101 Introduction to Sociology – Professor Kimbro
Introduction to the principal concepts, theories, and methods of sociology.                                                               

	280 Poverty, Justice, Capabilities – Professor Emerson This course provides an introduction to the study of poverty, justice, and human capabilities. The course considers theory and policy oriented towards improving human well-being in the US, Asia, Africa, and other countries. Readings address not just material deprivations but also gender, racial and ethnic disparities, health status, education, human rights, and political freedoms.

304 Environ Issues: Rice in Future – Professors Long & Johnson
Students use the campus as a laboratory for learning about sustainability through group projects to reduce Rice's environmental impact or resolve environmental problem.
 

332 Contemporary Chinese Society – Professor Zhang This course provides a survey of social change in post-Mao reform-era China. Chinese society and culture during this period will be examined with a focus on two major themes: The dynamics and dilemmas of market reform as well as key areas of contention and resistance between society and the state.

360 Sociology of Culture – Professor Zhang
This course surveys the different sociological approaches to studying culture. Part I focuses on the relationships between culture and social structure, including various theoretical approaches. Part II examines different perspectives on modern culture.

367 Environmental Sociology – Professor Klineberg
Applications of research and theory in the social sciences to an understanding of the attitudes and behaviors that contribute both to environmental problems and to their remediation; examination of the interactions between population pressures and human appetites, technological developments and ecological constraints as they combine to shape the human prospect.

381 Research Methods – Professor Gorman
An introduction to the methods sociologists use to study human societies and their members. Hypothesis formulation and research design; qualitative studies through observation and interviews; historical and comparative approaches; sample surveys and the statistical analysis of quantitative data, political and ethical issues in social research.
 

386 African Americans in Society – Professor Heard Contemporary life of Blacks (African-Americans) in society. The meaning and significance of race, prejudice and discrimination; social institutions such as the economy, education, and family; and potential strategies such as affirmative action and reparations.

386 African Americans in Society – Professor Heard
Contemporary life of Blacks (African-Americans) in society. The meaning and significance of race, prejudice and discrimination; social institutions such as the economy, education, and family; and potential strategies such as affirmative action and reparations.

403 Independent Study – Staff
Directed reading and written papers on subjects not regularly offered; advanced study of subjects on which courses are offered.

405 Ethnographic Research – Professor Smith
Beginning with the theoretical frameworks for ethnographic and other qualitative research methods, the course will cover ethics, entry, observation, field notes, interviewing, data analysis, and writing reports. It will offer a hands-on approach combining lectures, research through lectures, readings, and fieldwork. Field projects can be conducted in group, classroom, campus, or community settings. 

406 Basic Demographic Methods – Professor Murdock The course provides a survey of basic demographic methods for assessing population change, fertility, mortality, and (im)migration and characteristics such with age, gender, race/ethnicity, household/family composition, marital status, economic, employment, and educational. Emphasis placed on the use of the methods in a variety of demographic and other settings.

 409 Visual Sociology – Professor Karner
Project driven course will explore historical and theoretical foundations of use of visual images in social science research. Class sessions will focus on images - the visual technologies for creation and documentation, sociological interpretation and analysis, and dissemination choices.

493 Directed Honors Research - Staff
Sociological research under faculty supervision. Includes first-semester review of relevant literature and the preparation of an outline for planned research, followed by second-semester research and the writing of an honors thesis. Open only to students in sociology honors program.