Sociology undergraduate courses can also be viewed in the UWM Catalog. Clicking on any individual course will provide information about how frequently it has been offered. Visit the Upcoming Courses page for a list of undergraduate courses offered in the current semester.
- SOCIOL 101 Introduction to Sociology
- 3 cr. Undergraduate.
Sociology as a special field of social science. The relationship of the work of the sociologist to contemporary society; an examination of the sociological perspective. - Prerequisites: none.
- General Education Requirements: SS
- Last Taught: Summer 2023, Spring 2023, Fall 2022, Summer 2022.
- SOCIOL 102 Solving Social Problems
- 3 cr. Undergraduate.
Examines problems relating to social inequality, troubled institutions, social control and social change. Explains how sociological theories can address these problems and improve communities. - Prerequisites: none.
- General Education Requirements: SS
- Last Taught: Spring 2023, Fall 2022, Spring 2022, Spring 2021.
- SOCIOL 103 World Society
- 3 cr. Undergraduate.
Demographic and development trends related to political, economic, and eco-systems. Policy options and strategies regarding population growth, economic development, and selected institutional issues. - Prerequisites: none.
- General Education Requirements: SS
- Last Taught: Spring 2023, Spring 2022, Fall 2021, Spring 2021.
- SOCIOL 104 Introduction to Social Psychology
- 3 cr. Undergraduate.
An introduction to sociological social psychology, emphasizing such topics as the nature of self, identity, socialization, various aspects of social interaction, and dynamics of group behavior. - Prerequisites: none.
- General Education Requirements: SS
- Last Taught: Spring 2023, Fall 2022, Spring 2022, Fall 2021.
- SOCIOL 199 Independent Study
- 1-3 cr. Undergraduate.
For further information, consult department chair. - Prerequisites: 2.0 GPA; consent of instructor, department chair, and Assistant Dean for Student Academic Services.
- Course Rules: May be retaken with change in topic to 6 credits max.
- Last Taught: Spring 2018, Spring 2015, Spring 2014, Fall 2004.
- SOCIOL 202 Professional Development for Social Science Majors
- 1 cr. Undergraduate.
Examination of the social forces that shape contemporary employment and job seeking experiences; learning to identify and describe the knowledge and skills they are acquiring as social science majors/minors. - Prerequisites: sophomore standing and declared or intended major or minor in anthropology, communications, economics, geography, political science, psychology, sociology, urban studies, women's and gender studies; or consent of instructor.
- Last Taught: Spring 2023.
- SOCIOL 207 Work and Society
- 3 cr. Undergraduate.
The sociology of work; changes in the structure of work. Theory and research on work settings: occupations, professions, housework, work subterranean. The future of work. - Prerequisites: sophomore standing or higher; or completion of a prior SOCIOL course; or consent of the instructor. Open to special students.
- General Education Requirements: SS
- Last Taught: Spring 2022, Spring 2012, Fall 2011, Spring 2011.
- SOCIOL 224 Race and Ethnicity in the United States
- 3 cr. Undergraduate.
Examines racial and ethnic relations in the U.S. in historical and contemporary contexts. Addresses racial inequality and American institutions (such as education, employment, healthcare, criminal justice, housing, and the environment). - Prerequisites: sophomore standing or higher; or completion of a prior SOCIOL course; or consent of the instructor. Open to special students.
- General Education Requirements: CD, SS
- Last Taught: Summer 2023, Fall 2022, Spring 2022, Spring 2021.
- SOCIOL 233 Social Inequality in the United States
- 3 cr. Undergraduate.
A survey of intersecting inequalities, examining race, class, gender, sexuality, age, disability, and other identities. Introduction to competing stratification theories. - Prerequisites: sophomore standing or higher; or completion of a prior SOCIOL course; or consent of the instructor. Open to special students.
- General Education Requirements: SS
- Last Taught: Summer 2022, Spring 2022, Fall 2021, Fall 2017.
- SOCIOL 235 Social Change in the Global Economy
- 3 cr. Undergraduate.
Global nature of contemporary economic and social change; local dimensions of globalization, economic integration, dislocation, transnationalization, popular resistance, and blacklash. - Prerequisites: sophomore standing or higher; or completion of a prior SOCIOL course; or consent of the instructor. Open to special students.
- General Education Requirements: SS
- Last Taught: Fall 2018, Fall 2017, Spring 2014, Fall 2013.
- SOCIOL 241 Criminology
- 3 cr. Undergraduate.
Analysis of competing perspectives on crime, with reference to the behavior of those who define, engage in, or become the victim of criminal behavior. - Prerequisites: sophomore standing or higher; or completion of a prior SOCIOL course; or consent of the instructor. Open to special students.
- General Education Requirements: SS
- Last Taught: Spring 2023, Fall 2022, Spring 2022, Fall 2021.
- SOCIOL 246 Juvenile Delinquency
- 3 cr. Undergraduate.
Study of personal and social determinants of juvenile delinquency and agencies for its control, treatment, and prevention. - Prerequisites: sophomore standing or higher; or completion of a prior SOCIOL course; or consent of the instructor. Open to special students.
- General Education Requirements: SS
- Last Taught: Fall 2022, Spring 2021, Spring 2020, Fall 2019.
- SOCIOL 248 Sociology of Education
- 3 cr. Undergraduate.
Social structure of the contemporary schooling system in the United States. Topics include social class membership and education outcomes; school desegregation; high school attrition. - Prerequisites: sophomore standing or higher; or completion of a prior SOCIOL course; or consent of the instructor. Open to special students.
- General Education Requirements: SS
- Last Taught: Spring 2018, Summer 2017, Spring 2017, Fall 2016.
- SOCIOL 250 Sex and Gender
- 3 cr. Undergraduate.
The study of gendered behavior and gender inequality; the social construction of gender; the impact of changing work and family roles on gendered experiences; sociological understandings of sex and gender diversity. - Prerequisites: sophomore standing or higher; or completion of a prior SOCIOL course; or consent of the instructor. Open to special students.
- General Education Requirements: SS
- Last Taught: Summer 2023, Spring 2023, Summer 2022, Spring 2022.
- SOCIOL 255 Sociology of Sexuality
- 3 cr. Undergraduate.
The social construction of sexuality, the social history of sexual arrangements, and contemporary sexual theory and practice. - Prerequisites: sophomore standing or higher; or completion of a prior SOCIOL course; or consent of the instructor. Open to special students.
- General Education Requirements: SS
- Last Taught: Fall 2022, Spring 2021, Spring 2020, Spring 2019.
- SOCIOL 260 Blood, Sex, Money, Power: Families and Intimate Relationships
- 3 cr. Undergraduate.
The social forces that shape inequality within, and the formation and maintenance of, marriage and other intimate relationships across diverse groups. - Prerequisites: sophomore standing or higher; or completion of a prior SOCIOL course; or consent of the instructor. Open to special students.
- General Education Requirements: SS
- Last Taught: Spring 2022, Fall 2019, Fall 2018, Spring 2017.
- SOCIOL 261 Introduction to Statistical Thinking in Sociology
- 3 cr. Undergraduate.
Introduction to basic statistical concepts and procedures and their selected application to sociological data. Covers both descriptive and inferential statistics. - Prerequisites: sophomore standing or higher or completion of a prior SOCIOL course; and satisfaction of GER Quantitative Literacy Part A requirement; or consent of instructor. Open to special students.
- General Education Requirements: QLB
- Last Taught: Spring 2023, Fall 2022, Summer 2022, Spring 2022.
- SOCIOL 282 Sociology of Aging
- 3 cr. Undergraduate.
Introduction to social gerontology; examination of the social dynamics and institutional contexts of aging in modern society. - Prerequisites: sophomore standing or higher; or completion of a prior SOCIOL course; or consent of the instructor. Open to special students.
- General Education Requirements: SS
- Last Taught: Fall 2017, Spring 2016, Spring 2015, Fall 2012.
- SOCIOL 289 Internship in Sociology, Lower Division
- 1-6 cr. Undergraduate.
Application of basic principles of Sociology in a business, organizational, educational, political or other appropriate setting. - Prerequisites: sophomore standing or higher, or completion of a prior SOCIOL course; and 2.25 gpa or better; and consent of supervising faculty member.
- Course Rules: One cr earned for academic work based on 40 hours in internship. May be retaken to 6 cr max.
- Last Taught: Spring 2020, Spring 2003.
- SOCIOL 297 Study Abroad:
- 1-12 cr. Undergraduate.
Designed to enroll students in UWM sponsored program before course work level, content, and credits are determined and/or in specially prepared program course work. - Prerequisites: acceptance for Study Abroad Program and department consent.
- Course Rules: May be retaken with change in topic.
- Last Taught: Summer 2023, Fall 2022, Summer 2022, Spring 2022.
- SOCIOL 299 Ad Hoc:
- 1-6 cr. Undergraduate.
Course created expressly for offering in a specified enrollment period. Requires only dept & assoc dean approval. In exceptional circumstances, can be offered in one add'l sem. - Prerequisites: none; additional prerequisites may be assigned to specific topic.
- Course Rules: May be retaken with change in topic.
- Last Taught: Fall 1995, Spring 1990, Fall 1989, Spring 1989.
- SOCIOL 304 Political Sociology
- 3 cr. Undergraduate.
Examination of structural and cultural factors as related to the nature of political systems; consideration of the organization and roles of political and para-political groups. - Prerequisites: junior standing or higher and completion of a prior SOCIOL course; or consent of the instructor. Open to special students.
- Last Taught: Fall 2022, Summer 2022, Spring 2022, Spring 2021.
- SOCIOL 321 Contemporary Issues of the American Indian
- 3 cr. Undergraduate.
Development of the institutional structure of American Indian affairs; current economic and social problems, contemporary manifestations of American Indian spirit, e.g. activism and cultural experiences. - Prerequisites: junior standing or higher and completion of a prior SOCIOL course; or consent of the instructor. Open to special students.
- General Education Requirements: CD, SS
- Course Rules: AIS 321 and SOCIOL 321 are jointly offered; they count as repeats of one another.
- Last Taught: Spring 2018, Spring 2011, Spring 2010, Spring 2009.
- SOCIOL 323 Perspectives on Latino Communities
- 3 cr. Undergraduate.
Sociological analysis of the experiences of Latinos. Examination of immigration and mode of incorporation from theoretical perspectives. Emphasis on Chicanos, Cubans, and Puerto Ricans. - Prerequisites: junior standing or higher and completion of a prior SOCIOL course; or consent of the instructor. Open to special students.
- General Education Requirements: CD, SS
- Course Rules: LATINX 323 and SOCIOL 323 are jointly offered; they count as repeats of one another.
- Last Taught: Fall 2022, Fall 2021, Fall 2020, Fall 2019.
- SOCIOL 324 Race and Ethnicity in Global Contexts
- 3 cr. Undergraduate.
Analysis of racial and ethnic relations in historical and cross-cultural perspective. Origin, persistence, adaptation, and change in patterns of racial and ethnic relations in various world societies. - Prerequisites: junior standing or higher and completion of a prior SOCIOL course; or consent of the instructor. Open to special students.
- Last Taught: Spring 2023, Spring 2022, Summer 2021, Spring 2016.
- SOCIOL 325 Social Change
- 3 cr. Undergraduate.
Study of change in society; integration and various theories of social change; examination of contemporary instances of social change. - Prerequisites: junior standing or higher and completion of a prior SOCIOL course; or consent of the instructor. Open to special students.
- Last Taught: Spring 2022, Fall 2021, Summer 2021, Spring 2021.
- SOCIOL 327 Data, Technology, and Society
- 3 cr. Undergraduate.
Examines the social implications of new and emerging technology, the diffusion of data and technology into practice, and the ways that data, technology, and society interact to reshape social relations and institutions. - Prerequisites: junior standing or higher and completion of a prior SOCIOL course; or consent of the instructor. Open to special students.
- Last Taught: Fall 2022, Spring 2018, Fall 2017, Summer 2017.
- SOCIOL 328 Science in Society
- 3 cr. Undergraduate.
Comprehensive overview of social scientific approaches to understanding science in society. Topics covered include science studies, science communication, public understanding of science, and science as culture. - Prerequisites: junior standing or higher and completion of a prior SOCIOL course; or consent of the instructor. Open to special students.
- Course Rules: Counts as a repeat of SOCIOL 495 with similar topic.
- SOCIOL 330 Economy and Society
- 3 cr. Undergraduate.
The sociological perspective applied to economic phenomena, including production, distribution, consumption, exchanges of goods, a country's economic development, and global market. - Prerequisites: junior standing or higher and completion of a prior SOCIOL course; or consent of the instructor. Open to special students.
- Last Taught: Fall 2022, Fall 2021, Summer 2021, Fall 2020.
- SOCIOL 331 Sociology of Health Care
- 3 cr. Undergraduate.
Cultural, social, and social-psychological factors in disease processes; distribution of disease; social definitions of illness; organization of health professions and health facilities. - Prerequisites: junior standing or higher and completion of a prior SOCIOL course; or consent of the instructor. Open to special students.
- Last Taught: Summer 2022, Spring 2022, Fall 2018, Fall 2017.
- SOCIOL 338 Small Groups
- 3 cr. Undergraduate.
Defining structure and functions of the group. Developing understanding of group processes. Recognizing and defining leadership, cliques and factions. - Prerequisites: Junior standing or higher and completion of a prior SOCIOL course; or consent of the instructor. Open to special students.
- Last Taught: Spring 2020, Fall 2018, Fall 2016, Spring 2008.
- SOCIOL 341 Sociology of Deviant Behavior
- 3 cr. Undergraduate.
Analysis of the ways in which deviant behavior is socially constructed, individuals are labeled and stigmatized as deviants, and mechanisms of social control are activated or challenged. - Prerequisites: junior standing or higher and completion of a prior SOCIOL course; or consent of the instructor. Open to special students.
- Last Taught: Fall 2022, Spring 2022, Fall 2021, Spring 2021.
- SOCIOL 342 Sociology of Law
- 3 cr. Undergraduate.
Examination of law as a social institution, the functions of law, evolution of legal systems, law and other social institutions, the legal profession. - Prerequisites: junior standing or higher and completion of a prior SOCIOL course; or consent of the instructor. Open to special students.
- Last Taught: Spring 2023, Spring 2020, Spring 2018, Spring 2017.
- SOCIOL 343 Collective Behavior
- 3 cr. Undergraduate.
Dynamic aspects of social and institutional change. The breakdown and transformation of the social system through cultural drift, collectivities, and social movements. Recruitment, ideology, and leadership. - Prerequisites: junior standing or higher and completion of a prior SOCIOL course; or consent of the instructor. Open to special students.
- Last Taught: Fall 2022, Fall 2021, Fall 2018, Spring 2017.
- SOCIOL 350 Environmental Sociology
- 3 cr. Undergraduate.
Sociological analysis of the interaction between humans, their artifacts, and the natural environment. - Prerequisites: junior standing or higher and completion of a prior SOCIOL course; or consent of the instructor. Open to special students.
- Last Taught: Summer 2023, Spring 2022, Fall 2021, Spring 2021.
- SOCIOL 352 Social Networks
- 3 cr. Undergraduate.
Introduction to the basic principles and methods of social network analysis; applications and methods that social scientists use to understand the structure and implications of social networks. - Prerequisites: junior standing or higher and completion of a prior SOCIOL course; or consent of the instructor. Open to special students.
- Last Taught: Spring 2023, Spring 2021.
- SOCIOL 361 Research Methods in Sociology
- 3 cr. Undergraduate.
Scientific methods in the analysis of society, procedures in problem definition, hypotheses/construction, and collection, and evaluation of data. - Prerequisites: junior standing or higher, completion of six credits in SOCIOL, and SOCIOL 261(P) or other approved statistics course; or consent of the instructor. Open to special students.
- Last Taught: Spring 2023, Spring 2022, Fall 2021, Spring 2021.
- SOCIOL 375 Social Theory
- 3 cr. Undergraduate.
Covers major historical and contemporary works of social thought. - Prerequisites: junior standing or higher and completion of six credits in SOCIOL; or consent of instructor. Open to special students.
- Last Taught: Spring 2023, Fall 2022, Spring 2022, Fall 2021.
- SOCIOL 376 Modern Sociological Theory
- 3 cr. Undergraduate.
Major theoretical paradigms including functionalism, conflict and dialectical models, exchange theory, symbolic interactionism, and social phenomenology. - Prerequisites: SOCIOL 375(P). Open to special students.
- Last Taught: Summer 2020, Spring 2020, Summer 2019, Spring 2019.
- SOCIOL 377 Urbanism and Urbanization
- 3 cr. Undergraduate.
Theoretical perspectives, substantive themes, and methodological approaches to the study of cities. Impact of historical development and changing spatial patterns on social behavior in metropolitan areas. - Prerequisites: junior standing or higher and completion of a prior SOCIOL course or URB STD 250(P). Open to special students.
- Course Rules: SOCIOL 377 and URB STD 377 are jointly-offered and count as repeats of one another.
- Last Taught: Spring 2023, Spring 2022, Spring 2021, Spring 2020.
- SOCIOL 380 Honors Seminar:
- 3 cr. Undergraduate.
Selected topics in sociology. - Prerequisites: sophomore standing or above and admission to Honors College.
- General Education Requirements: SS
- Course Rules: May be retaken with change in topic to 9 cr max.
- Last Taught: Fall 2022, Fall 2021, Fall 2020, Fall 2018.
- SOCIOL 399 Independent Study-Upper Division
- 1-3 cr. Undergraduate.
Independent work in specific areas of sociology under supervision. - Prerequisites: junior standing; 2.5 GPA; written consent of the instructor, department chair, and assistant dean for SAS.
- Course Rules: May be retaken with change in topic to 6 cr max.
- Last Taught: Spring 2021, Summer 2020, Spring 2020, Spring 2019.
- SOCIOL 442 The Work-Family Intersection
- 3 cr. Undergraduate/Graduate.
Social forces shaping work and family patterns and ideologies; implications of social change for employers, workers, and families; survey of work-family policies. - Prerequisites: jr st; 6 cr 200-level or above Sociol.
- Course Rules: No cr for students w/cr in Sociol 495 w/similar topic.
- Last Taught: Spring 2019, Fall 2016.
- SOCIOL 442G The Work-Family Intersection
- 3 cr. Undergraduate/Graduate.
Social forces shaping work and family patterns and ideologies; implications of social change for employers, workers, and families; survey of work-family policies. - Prerequisites: jr st; 6 cr 200-level or above Sociol.
- Course Rules: No cr for students w/cr in Sociol 495 w/similar topic.
- Last Taught: Spring 2019, Fall 2016.
- SOCIOL 443 Organizations, Occupations, and Professions
- 3 cr. Undergraduate/Graduate.
Development of occupations and professions in industrial societies. Study of professional concepts, ethical codes, work norms, specialization, recruitment, education, and work roles in an organizational context. - Prerequisites: junior standing; a 100-level Sociology course; or consent of instructor; or graduate standing.
- Last Taught: Spring 2018, Spring 2017.
- SOCIOL 443G Organizations, Occupations, and Professions
- 3 cr. Undergraduate/Graduate.
Development of occupations and professions in industrial societies. Study of professional concepts, ethical codes, work norms, specialization, recruitment, education, and work roles in an organizational context. - Prerequisites: junior standing; a 100-level Sociology course; or consent of instructor; or graduate standing.
- Last Taught: Spring 2018, Spring 2017.
- SOCIOL 444 Sociology of the Body
- 3 cr. Undergraduate/Graduate.
How the body is shaped by social forces. Relationship between the body, identity, and culture, focusing on gender, race/ethnicity, and disability. - Prerequisites: jr st & any Sociol course; or grad st.
- Last Taught: Spring 2023.
- SOCIOL 444G Sociology of the Body
- 3 cr. Undergraduate/Graduate.
How the body is shaped by social forces. Relationship between the body, identity, and culture, focusing on gender, race/ethnicity, and disability. - Prerequisites: jr st & any Sociol course; or grad st.
- Last Taught: Spring 2023.
- SOCIOL 448 Sociology of Children and Adolescents
- 3 cr. Undergraduate/Graduate.
Theoretical perspectives and research methods addressing substantive issues in children's and adolescents' lives, including peer cultures, schooling, families, gender, race, class, health, and work. - Prerequisites: jr st & any Sociol course; or grad st.
- Last Taught: Spring 2016, Fall 2015.
- SOCIOL 448G Sociology of Children and Adolescents
- 3 cr. Undergraduate/Graduate.
Theoretical perspectives and research methods addressing substantive issues in children's and adolescents' lives, including peer cultures, schooling, families, gender, race, class, health, and work. - Prerequisites: jr st & any Sociol course; or grad st.
- Last Taught: Spring 2016, Fall 2015.
- SOCIOL 461 Social Data Analysis Using Regression
- 3 cr. Undergraduate/Graduate.
Advanced practical training in multivariate regression using real, large datasets (surveys, census data, etc.); how multiple independent variables influence a dependent variable. - Prerequisites: junior standing and SOCIOL 261(P) or other approved statistics course; or consent of instructor.
- Course Rules: No cr for students with cr in SOCIOL 499 with similar topic.
- Last Taught: Fall 2022.
- SOCIOL 461G Social Data Analysis Using Regression
- 3 cr. Undergraduate/Graduate.
Advanced practical training in multivariate regression using real, large datasets (surveys, census data, etc.); how multiple independent variables influence a dependent variable. - Prerequisites: junior standing and SOCIOL 261(P) or other approved statistics course; or consent of instructor.
- Course Rules: No cr for students with cr in SOCIOL 499 with similar topic.
- Last Taught: Fall 2022.
- SOCIOL 476 Sociology of International Public Health
- 3 cr. Undergraduate/Graduate.
Social, economic, and political factors that influence inequality in health at the global level; interacting influence of micro and macro forces on public health. - Prerequisites: jr st; 9 cr in Sociol at 200-level or above; or grad st.
- Last Taught: Spring 2015, Fall 2014.
- SOCIOL 476G Sociology of International Public Health
- 3 cr. Undergraduate/Graduate.
Social, economic, and political factors that influence inequality in health at the global level; interacting influence of micro and macro forces on public health. - Prerequisites: jr st; 9 cr in Sociol at 200-level or above; or grad st.
- Last Taught: Spring 2015, Fall 2014.
- SOCIOL 489 Internship in Sociology, Upper Division
- 3 cr. Undergraduate.
Application of advanced principles of sociology in a business, organization, educational, political or other appropriate setting; includes course work and 120 hrs field work. - Prerequisites: junior standing; declared SOCIOL major or minor; SOCIOL 361(P); 2.75 GPA.
- Last Taught: Spring 2021, Fall 2019, Spring 2017, Spring 2015.
- SOCIOL 495 Seminar in Sociology:
- 3 cr. Undergraduate/Graduate.
Intensive study in a selected area of Sociology. Designed to encourage discussion, debate, and critical thinking. - Prerequisites: junior standing and 6 credits of SOCIOL coursework at the 200 level or above; or consent of instructor.
- Course Rules: May be retaken with change in topic to 6 cr max.
- Last Taught: Spring 2023, Fall 2012.
- SOCIOL 495G Seminar in Sociology:
- 3 cr. Undergraduate/Graduate.
Intensive study in a selected area of Sociology. Designed to encourage discussion, debate, and critical thinking. - Prerequisites: junior standing and 6 credits of SOCIOL coursework at the 200 level or above; or consent of instructor.
- Course Rules: May be retaken with change in topic to 6 cr max.
- Last Taught: Spring 2023, Fall 2012.
- SOCIOL 497 Study Abroad:
- 1-12 cr. Undergraduate/Graduate.
Designed to enroll students in UWM sponsored program before course work level, content, and credits are determined and/or in specially prepared program course work. - Prerequisites: jr st; acceptance for Study Abroad Prog.
- Course Rules: May be retaken w/chg in topic.
- Last Taught: Summer 2023, Spring 2023.
- SOCIOL 497G Study Abroad:
- 1-12 cr. Undergraduate/Graduate.
Designed to enroll students in UWM sponsored program before course work level, content, and credits are determined and/or in specially prepared program course work. - Prerequisites: jr st; acceptance for Study Abroad Prog.
- Course Rules: May be retaken w/chg in topic.
- Last Taught: Summer 2023, Spring 2023.
- SOCIOL 499 Ad Hoc:
- 1-6 cr. Undergraduate.
Course created expressly for offering in a specified enrollment period. Requires only dept & assoc dean approval. In exceptional circumstances, can be offered in one add'l sem. - Prerequisites: jr st; add'l prereqs may be assigned to specific topic.
- Course Rules: May be retaken w/chg in topic.
- Last Taught: Fall 2013, Fall 2007, Fall 2004, UWinteriM 2003.