Department of Sociology and Political Science | Jacksonville State University Catalogs

Department Head: Dr. Tina H. Deshotels

210 Brewer Hall

The Department of Sociology and Political Science offers a variety of courses that prepare students for 21^st century careers. The Sociology program offers courses on social behavior, social relations, culture, the structure of society, and the tensions and conflicts produced by changes, expanding technologies, and knowledge, preparing students for careers and graduate school in criminal justice, business, teaching, data analysis, human services, and many more. The Political Science program offers a wide range of courses in American government and international relations, preparing students for careers in law, government, politics, international affairs, business, communications, and many other fields.

Political Science

PSC 100 Introduction to American Government (3)

Structure and organization of the American national government. Evolution of the United States Constitution and the federal system, civil rights, voting and elections, Congress, the President, and the federal courts

PSC 101 Introduction to Political Science (3)

(American Government) Nature and scope of political science, basic concepts and terminology, nature of the state and government, types of political systems, comparative political institutions.

PSC 102 Introduction to State and Local Government (3)

(American Government) A study of the organization, functions, and powers of state, county, and municipal governments in the United States.

PSC 103 Honors Introduction to American Government (3)

Prerequisite(s): Member of Honors Program or ACT English 25 or SAT Critical Reading 610.

(American Government) Structure and organization of the American national government. Evolution of the United States Constitution and the federal system, civil rights, voting and elections, Congress, the President, and the federal courts.

PSC 203 Introduction to the Law (3)

(American Government) An examination of the American legal system, court procedures, appeals procedures, and the use of legal reference materials with selected cases.

PSC 230 Politics and Film (3)

(American Government) Current impact and historical influence of film upon American politics and policy. Includes scholarship about the movie industry and civic values. Students view political films.

PSC 232 Introduction to International Relations (3)

(Global Studies) Background and basic principles of international politics with emphasis on the modern state system, nationalism, changes in international politics from World War II to the present, and domestic influences on foreign policy.

PSC 301 Political Science Methods (3)

(Theory and Methodology) The scope and approaches to political science with considerable attention to research methods, techniques, and current research problems.

PSC 303 Probate Courts and Administrative Law (3)

(American Government)Studies the duties and operations of Alabama probate courts as applied to adoptions, commitments, conservators, elections, eminent domain, estates and wills, guardians, legitimations, licensing, marriage licenses, name changes, and recording activities. Provides practical knowledge of the context and nature of administrative law at the state and local level.

PSC 310 Introduction to Public Policy (3)

Prerequisite(s): PSC 100.

(American Government) A survey of the functions and major programs of the United States federal government including federal taxes and spending, the regulation of business, national labor policy, public health and welfare programs, conservation and the environment, and national defense and foreign policy.

PSC 320 Introduction to Public Administration (3)

(American Government) Surveys the public administration literature. Examines the field's development and key concepts. Introduces core topics such as organizational theory and culture, bureaucratic structure, policy process, public finance, personnel policy, ethics, reform movements, managerial performance and accountability, and public sector drivers of local economic development. Public service values are emphasized.

PSC 338 International Human Rights (3)

(Global) Examines the concept and role of human rights in international affairs. Highlights the origins and protections of, explanations for the violations of, and the variety of solutions to protect human rights.

PSC 342 Political Parties (WI) (3)

(American Government) Composition, organization, and function of American political parties on the national, state, and local levels. (Writing Intensive Course)

PSC 352 The Legislative Process (3)

(American Government) American legislative bodies with emphasis upon recruitment, composition, structure, procedures, functions, role of parties and pressure groups, and problems of legislative reform.

PSC 355 Contemporary Values and Ideologies (3)

(Theory and Methodology) Surveys the development of political theory during the late 19th and 20th centuries. The course will examine the value systems and ideologies existing within the contemporary moment, including post-modernism, liberalism, conservatism, communitarianism, anarchism, nationalism, socialism, communism, fascism, multiculturalism, feminism, environmentalism, and others.

PSC 373 Governments of Europe (3)

Prerequisite(s): PSC 100.

(Global Studies) Examines the political systems and political cultures of Europe with major emphasis on Great Britain, France, Germany and Russia.

PSC 375 Governments of Latin America (3)

(Global Studies) Political organization and structure of the principal Latin-American countries with emphasis on constitutional development and present-day issues.

PSC 377 Governments of the Middle East (3)

(Global Studies) The government and politics of the Middle East with attention to present developments and the role of these countries in world affairs.

PSC 398 Political Science Study Away (1-18)

(1 to 18). Involves domestic study for credit. Topics, excursions, and requirements determined by the department. May be duplicated for credit; however only three (3) credits may be applied toward the completion of the major or minor. Sophomore level or higher. Subject to minimum and maximum numbers. Advance deposit, minimum GPA and permission of the department or instructor required.

PSC 399 Political Science Study Abroad (1-18)

(1 to 18). Involves short-term and long-term international study for credit. Topics, excursions, and requirements determined by the department. May be duplicated for credit; however only three (3) credits may be applied toward the completion of the major or minor. Sophomore level or higher. Subject to minimum and maximum numbers. Advance deposit, minimum GPA and permission of the department or instructor required.

PSC 412 Inter-governmental Relations (3)

Prerequisite for Undergraduate: PSC 100. Prerequisite for Graduate: None. (American Government) Examines the development, institutions, processes, and problems of state and local government in the United States and their interaction with each other and with the federal government.

PSC 423 American Foreign Policy (3)

(Global Studies) Traces main streams of American foreign policy from the twentieth-century to the present. Major American foreign policy decisions are used in the analytical development of American foreign policy processes. The various influences upon foreign policy decision-making are identified and evaluated.

PSC 430 Governments of Asia (3)

(Global Studies) Examines the political systems and political cultures of Asian countries from Afghanistan to Southeast Asia, with major emphasis on India, China, and Japan.

PSC 431 Comparative Politics (3)

(Global Studies) An examination of the government and politics of a variety of different national states that includes the concepts, ideas, and analytical tools necessary to understand the structures and processes of different types of political systems. Covers western and non-western, developed and less developed, communist and post-communist, and newly industrializing countries. The impact of globalization is also examined.

PSC 439 Model Debate Team: Global Issues (1)

Prerequisites for undergraduate: Sophomore status and completion of one global course with a grade of C or better and permission of instructor. Students learn about global issues by representing other countries in model simulations such as Model United Nations and Model Arab League. Students research, write, debate, negotiate, and pass resolutions on issues of international concern. Repeatable up to 4 times. Course also counts toward Political Science major.

PSC 442 Legal Reasoning (3)

Prerequisite(s): PSC 203 or Instructor's Approval.

(American Government) An examination of American legal decision-making processes with emphasis on legal theory and application, a review of our blended statutory-common law system and the associated legal processes, and the methodology of legal research and writing.

PSC 443 Constitutional Law I (3)

(American Government) Fundamental principles of U.S. Constitution and its development including powers of President and Congress, federalism, interstate commerce, and others; textbook and case method.

PSC 444 Constitutional Law II (3)

(American Government) Relationship between individual and government as revealed through constitutional law cases; civil liberties based on interpretation of Bill of Rights and Fourteenth Amendment; textbook and case method.

PSC 445 Southern Politics (3)

(American Government) An examination of the party system of the Southern states in terms of its origin, nature, distribution of power and impact on national politics.

PSC 447 Politics and Public Opinion (3)

(American Government) Forces affecting politics, public opinion, and elections in the U.S.; examines the election structure, as well as individual and group political participation.

PSC 450 The American Executive (3)

(American Government) Role and behavior of American executives at national, state, and local levels in the U.S. political system with emphasis on American presidency.

PSC 451 Ancient and Medieval Political Theory (3)

(Theory and Methodology) Examines political thought from ancient Greece to the late Middle Ages in Europe. An emphasis is placed on the historical-cultural context in which these theories developed and their influence on modern concepts.

PSC 452 Modern Political Theory (WI) (3)

(Theory and Methodology) Examines the major trends in political thought from the Early Modern Era of the 1600's to the present with emphasis upon the development of classical (conservative) liberalism, progressive or new liberalism, socialism, Marxist communism, fascism, and national socialism. (Writing Intensive Course)

PSC 454 American Political Thought (3)

(Theory and Methodology) Principal ideas of leading political thinkers in America from colonial period to the present.

PSC 455 Introduction to Political Psychology (3)

(Theory and Methodology) This course is an overview of the interdisciplinary connection between political and psychological processes. The incorporation of political science and psychology might help in the understanding of why leaders behave as they do and why citizens support or oppose political leaders. The course will include: social cognition and decision making, personality and identity, and environmental factors that affect individual political ideologies. (PSC 455 is cross-listed with PSY 446, but only one course may be taken for credit.)

PSC 458 Theory of Political Film (3)

(Theory and Methodology) Examines the literature-based classical conditioning of America's founding fathers with attention to symbolism, models and conceptions of merit. Contrast civic virtue in classical republicanism to individual rights in modern liberalism. Juxtaposes theories of Machiavelli and Montesquieu as enlivened in classical film.

PSC 482 Grantwriting (3)

(American Government) Practical course instructing the steps involved in the grantwriting process. The course includes strategic planning, research, finding appropriate grant sources and writing the grant. PSC 482 is cross listed with EH 482, and only one may be taken for credit.

PSC 484 Individual Study (3)

Prerequisite(s): Must be major or minor with advanced standing and have consent of instructor.

Involves extensive study/research upon specific topics under close supervision by instructor. Letter grades are assigned for this course.

PSC 485 Individual Study (3)

Prerequisite(s): Must be major or minor with advanced standing and have consent of instructor.

Involves extensive study/research upon specific topics under close supervision by instructor. Letter grades are assigned for this course.

PSC 493 The Judicial Process (3)

Prerequisite for Undergraduate: PSC 100. Prerequisite for Graduate: None. (American Government) Procedures involved in judicial process; attendance at actual court trials in the local area.

PSC 498 Internship (3)

Prerequisite(s): 15 hours of Political Science.

(American Government) Involves supervised assignment of student either to the U.S. Congress or Alabama State Legislature or to an area public agency such as the East Alabama Regional Planning Commission, City of Anniston, Calhoun County District Attorney's Office, Alabama Seventh Judicial Circuit offices, or a lawyer's office. Grade: Pass/Fail.

PSC 499 Internship (3)

Prerequisite(s): 15 hours of Political Science.

Sociology

SY 221 Introduction to Sociology (3)

Basic concepts, principles, and methods of sociological analysis are examined. Subject areas include culture, socialization, groups, communities, institutions, social inequality, and social change.

SY 222 Honors Introduction to Sociology (3)

Prerequisite(s): Member of Honors Program or ACT English 25 or SAT Critical Reading 610.

Basic concepts, principles, and methods of sociological analysis are examined. Writing intensive, the primary goal is to teach students how to critically evaluate the world around them and their place in it using the sociological imagination.

SY 223 Social Problems (3)

Prerequisite(s): SY 221 or SY 222.

An application of the sociological perspective to understanding important contemporary social issues and the social actions and policies that attempt to address them. Students develop critical thinking skills as they explore social problems, solutions and social change. Topics focus on inequality (race/ethnicity, class, gender, etc.) embedded in social institutions.

SY 301 Researching Society (WI) (3)

Prerequisite(s): SY 221 or SY 222.

Researching Society involves various methodologies researchers utilize to produce scientifically based knowledge about society. Methods are any application of methodology, and methodology attempts to answer the question: how do you know? This course is an introduction to theory, design, collection, and analysis of data in sociology with particular focus given to various techniques by which sociological data are examined. (Writing Intensive Course)

SY 308 Pop Culture (3)

Prerequisite(s): SY 221.

A sociological analysis of popular culture, this course will examine the basic institutions in American society such as family, education, religion, politics, and economy. It analyzes the roll of organizations in society. It discusses the origin of American culture and the nature of popular culture.

SY 309 Sociology of Disability (3)

This course addresses the human responses to and facilitation of the concept of disability. The emphasis will be to connect the relationship among theory, epistemology, power relationships, and the social construction of disability. When the course is over, you should have a deeper understanding of social theory, the history of disabilities, and also how the concept of disabilities impacts our lives today.

SY 310 Modern Family (3)

Prerequisite(s): SY 221 or SY 222.

A study of origin and evolution of the modern family as a social institution and as a social group with emphasis on how family is impacted by other institutions (economy, state, media, religion, etc.) as well as inequalities (gender, sexualities, race, class, etc.)

SY 313 Social Psychology (3)

Prerequisite(s): SY 221.

A survey of traditional and contemporary theories in social psychology regarding their applicability to everyday life, including such approaches as cognitive theory, reinforcement theory, symbolic interaction, and humanistic theories.

SY 315 Deviant Behavior (3)

Prerequisite(s): SY 221.

Introduction to the social and cultural factors related to human deviance. Special attention is given to the study of various theories of deviant behavior.

SY 320 Criminology (3)

Prerequisite(s): SY 221.

This course is an introduction to the study of criminology. Its focus is on the nature of crime, the nature and development of law, the criminal justice system, and theories of crime.

SY 322 Juvenile Delinquency (3)

Prerequisite(s): SY 221.

Popular misconceptions; delinquency trends; police and juveniles; programs of prevention; detention centers; juvenile courts, probation; theories of causation; corrections.

SY 324 Social Stratification (3)

Prerequisite(s): SY 221.

Causes, characteristics, and consequences of inequality are examined. Differences in wealth, power, and prestige are considered in the community, society, and between societies.

SY 326 Sociology of Education (3)

Prerequisite(s): SY 221.

The school is examined as a major social institution and socializing agent in American society. The formal and informal structure of the school, its influence upon the responses to the wider community institutions, and primary functions of the school system are examined. Teacher-student relationships, the classroom as a social system, and equality of educational opportunity will be considered.

SY 340 Perspectives on Death and Dying (3)

Prerequisite(s): SY 221.

An examination of the attitudes of differing cultures and subcultures toward death, which encourages students to supplement relevant readings by discussing personal attitudes toward death and dying. Current research in this topic will be explored by lectures, films, and readings. By better understanding death and dying, students can explore in this course opportunities for growth and for improving the quality of life. SY 340 is cross-listed with SW 371, but only one course can be counted for credit.

SY 350 Sociology of Disasters (3)

Prerequisite(s): SY 221 or SY 222.

The course applies a sociological perspective to trace the study of disasters, emphasizing how social inequalities constitute varying degrees of risk and destruction throughout pre, impact and post disaster stages. This course examines social structure and social process as they interact with disaster conditions.

SY 356 Social Movements and Activism (3)

Prerequisite(s): SY 221 or SY 222.

Crowds, mass behavior, fashions and fads, reform movements and revolutions are examined. Current examples are used to illustrate models and theories.

SY 358 Sociology of Sports (3)

Prerequisite(s): SY 221 or SY 222.

This course explores the relationship between sports and social, cultural, political, and economic forces. It examines sports on multiple levels including the micro individual/interactional, organizational, and institutional.

SY 360 Race, Ethnicity, and Society (3)

Prerequisite(s): SY 221.

This course focuses on relations between majorities and minorities, the conditions of minority life, and the structural, cultural, and interpersonal barriers that affect minorities.

SY 362 Global Immigration Patterns and Trends (3)

Prerequisite(s): SY 221 or SY 222.

This course examines the structural and individual immigration patterns and trends between country of origins and destination countries. The course examines how economic, political, and social forces lead to push and pull factors in both voluntary and forced migration routes. Course topics include illegal immigration, brain drain, refugees/asylum seekers, transnational migrants, etc.

SY 364 Medicine and Society (3)

Prerequisite(s): SY 221 or permission of instructor.

This course is designed to provide a brief introduction to the major themes of and current trends concerning the social causes and consequences of health and illness. Topics of interest will be to explore the social facets of health and disease; the social functions of health organizations; and the social behaviors of health personnel and consumers.

SY 365 Drugs and Society (3)

Prerequisite(s): SY 221.

This course presents a sociological framework for studying the ways in which societies both encourage and restrict the use of psychoactive drugs. The course will investigate the ways we think about alcohol, tobacco, prescription, and illegal drugs.

SY 366 Religion, Spirituality, and Cults (3)

Prerequisite(s): SY 221.

The study of religion in its social and cultural contexts. Comparatively examines how religious beliefs, rituals, and practices exist in close relation to other aspects of society and culture, giving to human existence coherence and purpose.

SY 367 Sociology of Sexualities (3)

Prerequisite(s): SY 221 or SY 222.

A study of how sexuality is perceived, defined, and experienced in the context of society. Topics include social norms, attitudes and beliefs about sexuality, public and private policies, as well as practices surrounding sexuality, and how sexuality is related to social institutions.

SY 368 Gender and Society (3)

Prerequisite(s): SY 221 or SY 222.

Gender and Society will examine various theories of gender; how gender shapes interactions in everyday life; and how gender works in various social institutions (education, work, family, politics, media, etc.) and challenges to gendered systems.

SY 370 Aging and Human Development (3)

An examination of aging in the United States. Primarily a sociological perspective but deals with the psychological and biological aspects of aging, as well as contemporary demographic, economic, and political trends. SY 370 is cross-listed with SW 370, but only one course can be counted for credit.

SY 399 Study Tour (3)

Topics, excursions, and requirements determined by department. May be duplicated for credit; however, only three (3) credits may be applied toward any major or minor. Infrequently scheduled and subject to minimum and maximum numbers. Advance deposit required.

SY 427 Understanding Society I (3)

Prerequisite(s): SY 221 or SY 222 plus 12 hours of sociology courses or permission of instructor.

An examination of the major trends in social thought up to WWII.

SY 428 Understanding Society II (3)

Prerequisite(s): SY 221 or SY 222 plus 12 hours of sociology courses or permission of instructor.

An examination of the major trends in social thought after WWII.

SY 441 Independent Study (3)

Prerequisite(s): Students seeking admission must have advanced standing and secure approval of instructor and head of department.

An opportunity for the student with advanced standing to explore areas of special interest.

SY 442 Independent Study (3)

Prerequisite(s): Students seeking admission must have advanced standing and secure approval of instructor and head of department.

An opportunity for the student with advanced standing to explore areas of special interest.

SY 443 Independent Study (3)

Prerequisite(s): Students seeking admission must have advanced standing and secure approval of instructor and head of department.

An opportunity for the student with advanced standing to explore areas of special interest.

SY 460 Sociology Internship (3)

Prerequisite(s): Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0; and a minimum completion of 12 hours of sociology course work at Jacksonville State University.

Instructor approval required. This course provides students the opportunity to gain work/career experience in service/learning or business/corporate settings.

SY 480 Advanced Seminar in Sociology (3)

Prerequisite(s): SY 221, advanced standing and approval of instructor.

An examination of current issues in sociology. The content of the course will vary each semester.

SY 481 Advanced Seminar in Sociology (3)

Prerequisite(s): SY 221, advanced standing and approval of instructor.

An examination of current issues in sociology. The content of the course will vary each semester.

SY 482 Advanced Seminar in Sociology (3)

Prerequisite(s): SY 221, advanced standing and approval of instructor.

An examination of current issues in sociology. The content of the course will vary each semester.

SY 499 Senior Sociology Seminar (WI) (3)

Prerequisite(s): SY 301 and SY 427; or approval of instructor.

A summary and reintegration of fundamental concepts in sociology. Career paths are also discussed. Offered Spring only. (Writing Intensive Course)