Sociology

SOCIOLOGY

Chair: Stephen J. Bahr
Graduate Coordinator: Darwin L. Thomas
800 SWKT
Provo, UT 84602-5547
(801) 378-6706

THE PROGRAM OF STUDIES

The Sociology Department trains graduate students to become capable teachers of sociology and skilled researchers and seeks to maintain excellence in research among faculty, assuring quality instruction as well as providing opportunities for student research involvement.

The Department of Sociology offers two degrees: Sociology—MS and Sociology—PhD.

The Sociology Department admits an average of eleven students to both the master's and doctoral programs each fall semester. Full-time students will normally finish a master's degree in two years and a doctoral degree in four years.

Sociology—MS

The purpose of the master's degree in sociology is to prepare students for doctoral work and to train them as teachers and researchers.

Admission and Entry.

• Semesters of entry and application deadlines: fall, February 1 (U.S. and international).
• Application requirements: entrance examination is GRE general test.
• Prerequisite: baccalaureate degree in sociology or equivalent.

Requirements for Degree.

• Credit hours (minimum 30): 24 course work hours, including at least 15 hours of formal course work in sociology, plus 6 hours of thesis (Soc 699R) or 6 hours of project (Soc 698R). Only course work with a grade of B- or better is acceptable.
• Required courses: Soc 600, 606, 502, 611; 620 or 650; demonstration of competence in sociological theory, research methods, and statistics.
• Thesis or project.
• Examination: oral defense of thesis or project.

Sociology—PhD

Students who desire a PhD in sociology may pursue a contemporary sociology track or one in studies of the family. Students in the contemporary sociology track will be expected to specialize in social organization, social psychology, or sociology of religion. Students in the studies of the family track will complete course work in sociology of the family and family courses in related disciplines such as anthropology or psychology. All PhD students are encouraged to be actively involved with faculty in research and publication.

Admission and Entry.

• Semesters of entry and application deadlines: fall, February 1 (U.S. and international)
• Application requirements: entrance examination is GRE general test.
• Prerequisite: master's degree in sociology or equivalent; master's thesis.

Requirements for Degree.

• Credit hours (66 plus skill): 48 hours of approved course work, plus 18 dissertation hours (Soc 799R) and the skill requirement. Only course work with a grade of B- or better is acceptable.
• Required courses: Soc 706, 711; minimum 6 hours selected from Soc 601, 602, 604, 608; minimum 9 hours in each of two specialty areas selected for comprehensive examinations; demonstration of competence at the doctoral level by required course work and by examination in sociological theory, research methods, and statistics.
• Language/Skill requirement:

Single Language Option: in-depth proficiency.

Two Languages Option: reading ability.

One Language and Skill Option: reading ability in French, German, Spanish, or Russian; 8-10 hours of statistics, computer science, and mathematics, or of Soc 400, 504, 608, 706; FamSc 602.

Single Skill Option: minimum 18 hours, approved by graduate committee, of statistics, computer science, and mathematics, or of courses listed in preceding One Language and Skill Option.

• Dissertation.
• Examinations: (A) written comprehensive examination in two of the following areas of emphasis: family sociology, social psychology, social organization, or religion; (B) oral defense of dissertation prospectus.
• Oral defense of dissertation.

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

The Sociology Department offers some tuition assistance to students as well as research assistantships and teaching opportunities. Financial assistance is also available through other agencies in the university.

RESOURCES AND OPPORTUNITIES

The Department of Sociology utilizes the Center for Studies of the Family, and the Women's Research Institute.

The Center for Studies of the Family is an interdisciplinary research center focusing on studies related to all aspects of the family. The institute encourages and supports research on family-
related topics ranging from prenatal development to problems of aging. For the past six years, sociology faculty have participated with the Church Educational System in the CES/Family Doctoral Research Fellowship Program. Three research fellows are chosen every three years who, under faculty direction, carry out a research project. For information about this program, contact the Department of Sociology.

Initially established in 1978, the Women's Research Institute became a part of the College of Family, Home, and Social Sciences in September 1983. Since then the institute has awarded research fellowships to upper-division and graduate students for conducting research on women and women's issues in amounts up to $500 annually for selected projects.

Faculty research interests cover a broad spectrum of social science research. However, the make-up of the department faculty generates most research in the following areas: Family; Social Psychology; Religion; Social Organization.

For a more detailed description of the graduate program requirements, send for a copy of the department's bulletin.

COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

Class Schedule

503. Advanced Social Science Computing. (3)

Prerequisite: Soc 303, 400, or instructor's consent.

Appropriate use of computer technology and software in social science scholarship and research: data acquisition and management, advanced statistical methods, computer information retrieval and exchange.

504. Mathematical Sociology. (3)

Prerequisite: Math 105.

Mathematical techniques of simulating and modeling social processes.

515. Seminar in Sociological Practice. (3)

Prerequisite: Soc 315, 600, 606, 610.

Uses of sociological theory and methods to deal with individual, organizational, and societal problems. Techniques for communicating such knowledge to the nonsociologist.

524. Advanced Political Sociology. (3)

Social basis of political behavior. Modern theories and research concerning use of power and decision making.

525. Sociology of Religion. (3)

Prerequisite: Soc 111, 325, or instructor's consent.

Influences of social factors in the development of various religious systems.

527. Sociology of the LDS Church and Its People. (3)

The LDS Church from a social science perspective, including the Church as a new religious movement; LDS culture; the institutionalization process.

528. Sociology of Rural Communities. (3)

Prerequisite: Soc 311, 370, or instructor's consent.

Review and critique of major theoretical and methodological approaches to the study of community, with a focus on rural communities.

530. Sociology of International Development. (3)

Major theoretical paradigms of development with strategies and practical application in the international setting.

545. Population Analysis. (3)

Prerequisite: Soc 205 or equivalent.

Availability, use, and interpretation of population data for local, state, and national areas applied to planning and evaluation.

550. (Soc-FamSc) History and Development of Theory About the Family. (3)

Prerequisite: FamSc 250, Soc 311, or equivalent.

Historical/intellectual roots of theorizing about families; paradigms and assumptions underlying theorizing; contemporary research and theory interface.

560. Contemporary Theories About the Family. (3)

Prerequisite: Soc 550 or instructor's consent.

Contemporary theories and research about the family, emphasizing role, exchange, and systems theories.

561. The Family Institution. (3)

The family in different societies; problems created by various family systems.

565. (Soc-FamSc 663) The Individual and Family in Later Years. (3)

Developmental aspects of aging, focusing on the biophysical, cognitive, social, affective, and pathological dimensions in people aged fifty and over.

590R. Special Topics in Sociology. (1-3)

Prerequisite: instructor's consent.

Course content varies from year to year.

595R. Directed Readings. (1-3)

Individualized reading program supervised by faculty member. Pass/Fail only.

600. (Soc-FamSc) Advanced Research Methods. (3)

Prerequisite: Soc 300 or equivalent.

Training in survey, experimental, secondary, and content analysis; qualitative, evaluation, and environmental impact research techniques.

601. (Soc-FamSc) Seminar in Survey Research. (3)

Prerequisite: Soc-FamSc 600 or equivalent.

Survey research techniques of the behavioral sciences; emphasizes research and sampling designs.

602. (Soc-FamSc) Experimental Design. (3)

Prerequisite: Soc-FamSc 600, Stat 501 or equivalent, or instructor's consent.

Research methods, logic, writing, and data analysis.

603R. (Soc-FamSc) Research Practicum. (3)

Prerequisite: instructor's consent.

Design, data collection, data analysis, and write-up.

604. Ethnographic Research Techniques. (3)

Prerequisite: Soc-FamSc 600.

Rationale, methods, and limitations of qualitative research; includes participant observation and hermeneutic skills.

606. Intermediate Statistics. (3)

Prerequisite: Soc 205 or equivalent; Soc 400 or concurrent registration.

Probability, estimation, hypothesis testing, correlation analysis, multiple regression, analysis of variance, and nonparametric methods for sociologists and other social scientists.

608. Sociological Measurement. (3)

Prerequisite: Soc-FamSc 600, Soc 606.

Unidimensional and multidimensional measurement techniques, emphasizing theoretical, methodological, and substantive consequences of technique selection.

611. Seminar in Contemporary Sociological Theory. (3)

Prerequisite: Soc 311.

Contemporary theories: structural functionalism, conflict theory, exchange theory, and symbolic interactionism.

612. Seminar in the Development of Sociological Theory. (3)

Prerequisite: Soc 610.

Contributions of sociological theorists, including Durkheim, Weber, Pareto, and Simmel.

620. Theory and Research in Social Organization. (3)

Prerequisite: admission to graduate sociology programs; others admitted by instructor's consent.

Graduate survey of the field of social organization and the core subfields therein.

621. Complex Organizations. (3)

Prerequisite: instructor's consent.

Theoretical approaches and empirical studies of organizations, their structures, processes, and problems; studies of industrial organizations, universities, hospitals, etc.

622. Social Stratification. (3)

Prerequisite: Soc 111.

Status, class, and power systems in various societies.

623. Seminar in Race and Ethnic Relations. (3)

Major theories of race-ethnic relations; critical issues in the field.

625R. Seminar in the Sociology of Religion. (3)

In-depth analysis of theory and research in topical areas of the sociology of religion. Course content varies from year to year.

630. (Soc-Psych 655) Attitude Measurement and Change. (3)

Prerequisite: instructor's consent.

Attitude development, change, and assessment, focusing on both individual and mass persuasion.

637. Sociology of Feminist Theory. (3)

Prerequisite: Soc 367.

Analysis of traditionally accepted models by Freud, Erikson, and Kohlberg from a feminist perspective; review of the works of such contemporary theorists as Chodorow, Gilligan and Elshtain; French and American differences.

650. Advanced Social Psychology. (3)

Processes of social influence, emphasizing theory and research testing. Basic principles of social behavior.

660. (Soc-FamSc) Child and Adolescent Socialization. (3)

Child and adolescent development in the context of social interaction, with particular emphasis on the family. Current theory and research evaluated.

670. Contemporary Urban Social Structure. (3)

Prerequisite: Soc 370.

Research-oriented examination of social forces in contemporary urban life that influence patterns of human interaction.

678. Social Policy and Feminist Legal Thought. (3)

Prerequisite: instructor's consent and departmental approval; law students have priority. (Taught by law instructor with law students in class.)

Survey of recent literature regarding the impact of women on law and legal institutions and the impact of law and legal institutions on the definitions, roles, and status of women in our society.

681R. Seminar in Deviance, Crime, and Corrections. (3)

Prerequisite: Soc 380, 381 or 383, or instructor's consent.

In-depth analysis of current issues in the field. Tailored to student interests.

692R. (Soc-FamSc) Seminar in Family Relationships. (3)

Prerequisite: Soc-FamSc 560.

Theory and research in topical areas of family study (topics presented on alternate years):

—Marital Stability

—Power and Gender Roles

—Marital Quality and Communication

—Family, Religion, and Education

—Household and Family Demography

697R. Directed Research. (1-3)

699R. Master's Thesis. (1-6)

706. Advanced Statistical Methods. (3)

Prerequisite: Soc 606.

Advanced multivariate analysis; analysis of variance and covariance, multiple regression, linear models, latent variables, log-lineal models, event history analysis.

711. Sociological Theory and Theory Building. (3)

Prerequisite: Soc-FamSc 600, Soc 606, 610.

Latest contributions to theory; current endeavors in construction of sociological theories.

720R. Seminar: Social Organization. (1-3)

Prerequisite: Soc 111, 620.

750. Seminar: Social Psychology. (3)

Prerequisite: Soc-Psych 650.

Evaluation of current cutting edge theory and research. Course content varies as course is offered every other year.

792R. (Soc-FamSc) Family Symposium. (0.5)

799R. Doctoral Dissertation. (1-9)

FACULTY 

BAHR, HOWARD M., Professor. PhD, University of Texas, Austin, 1965. Urban Problems; Ethnic Relations.

BAHR, STEPHEN J., Professor. PhD, Washington State University, 1972. Family; Deviance.

BARBER, BRIAN, Associate Professor. PhD, Brigham Young University, 1987. Sociology of the Family.

CALL, VAUGHN, Associate Professor. PhD, Washington State University, 1977. Family Life Course; Research Methods.

CHADWICK, BRUCE A., Professor. PhD, Washington University, 1967. Research Methods; Family.

CORNWALL, MARIE, Professor. PhD, University of Minnesota, 1985. Religion; Family.

DUKE, JAMES B., Assistant Professor. PhD, Harvard University, 1991. Social Stratification; Sociology of Education.

DUKE, JAMES T., Professor. PhD, University of California, Los Angeles, 1963. Sociological Theory; Sociology of Religion.

ENGLAND, J. LYNN, Professor. PhD, University of Pittsburgh, 1971. Theory; Community.

FORSTE, RENATA, Assistant Professor. PhD, University of Chicago, 1992. Demography; Statistics.

HEATON, TIM B., Professor. PhD, University of Wisconsin, Madison, 1979. Demography; Rural Sociology.

JACOBSON, CARDELL K., Professor. PhD, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, 1971. Social Psychology; American Race/ Ethnic Relations.

JOHNSON, BARRY L., Professor. PhD, University of North Carolina, 1977. Statistics; Medical Sociology.

JOHNSON, RICHARD E., Associate Professor. PhD, University of Washington, 1976. Deviance; Criminology.

KUNZ, PHILLIP R., Professor. PhD, University of Michigan, 1967. Complex Organization; Population.

SEGGAR, JOHN F., Professor. PhD, University of Kentucky, 1968. Social Organization; Social Psychology.

THOMAS, DARWIN L., Professor. PhD, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, 1968. Family; Social Psychology.

TORRES, JOHN C., Assistant Professor. PhD, Stanford University, 1995. Complex Organization; Political Sociology.

WARD, CAROL J., Assistant Professor. PhD, University of Chicago, 1992. Race and Ethnic Relations; Sociology of Education.

WARNER, W. KEITH, Professor. PhD, Cornell University, 1960. Complex Organization; Social Organization.

YOUNG, LAWRENCE A., Associate Professor. PhD, University of Wisconsin, Madison, 1989. Complex Organization; Religion.

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