Loyola University Chicago

Department of Sociology

Graduate Course Descriptions

Spring 2013 Graduate Course Descriptions

TitleDescriptionOutcome
SOCL 404 
Sociological Perspectives II
Faculty will discuss their intellectual biographies and work that is of current interest to them.
Students will gain familiarity with the range of substantive, theoretical and methodical concerns of the department's faculty.
SOCL 405 
History Sociological Thought
This course looks at the intellectual roots and expressions of the foundations of sociological theory in the 19th and early 20th century.
Students will gain familiarity with the classical texts in sociological theory that established some of the basic perspectives, issues and debates that inform contemporary social theory and research
SOCL 412 
Qual Meth in Social Research
This course is an introduction to the major qualitative methods of social inquiry and the ethical issues raised by qualitative research.
Students learn the skills of participant observation, interviewing, historical analysis, building theory from qualitative data, coding and content analysis.
Sociology 415
Statis Methods of Analysis II
The course extends the applications of the general linear model to topics including path analysis, logistic regression, factor analysis and spatial and cluster analysis.
Student will: understand the techniques with enough clarity to recognize when they are appropriate research tools; gain sufficient expertise to apply the techniques to moderately complex research problems; be able critically review the relevant literature.
Sociology 423 
Social Movements
This course will use case studies of contemporary social movements to examine collective efforts to promote social or cultural change.
Students will be able to apply major theoretical perspectives on social movements to a variety of historical cases.They will gain an understanding of the recursive relationship between empirical research and theory development.
Sociology 461  
Race & Ethnicity
This course explores the construction, meaning, uses and consequences of racial and ethnic identity in American society over time. 
Students will understand the role of migration and immigration on the construction of identity; analyze prejudice, discrimination, and inter-group conflict; and explore how social movements have and are changing these group relationships.
Sociology 490
Workshop:Applied Sociology
This focuses on special issues for methods used by applied sociologists, and topics vary from semester to semester. Most workshops involve presentations by faculty or applied sociologists from outside the university.
Students will develop expertise in, for example: survey research, evaluation research, use of population data in policy making, focus groups, and developing community leadership.
Sociology 494  
Internship
Placements are typically in non-academic settings, e.g., government agencies, community organizations, businesses, or labor organizations. Students are expected to work a minimum of 300 hours and write an internship report.
Students will develop skills in applying sociological methods and theoretical perspectives to the understanding and ameliorating of social issues in real world settings
Sociology497 
Independent Research
Students registered for independent study will meet as a workshop, under the guidance of a faculty member, at least three times per semester.
Students will develop the skills and dispositions necessary to be successful and productive in independent work. These skills are important for expeditious completion of proposals, theses, and dissertations.
Sociology 499 
Directed Study
   
Sociology 595 
Thesis Supervision
   
Sociology 600 
Dissertation Supervision
   
Sociology 605 
Master's Study
   
Sociology 610
 Doctoral Study