Sociology
16 courses · El Camino College · 2026-2027 Catalog
Classes: Fall 2026 · Winter 2027 · Spring 2027
SOCI 101 Introduction to Sociology
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 3 hours lecture
- Advisory
- Eligibility for English 1A
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
This course introduces students to the major theoretical perspectives, concepts, and areas of study in sociology. It critically examines the relationship between the social environment and human behavior, specifically how social forces such as race, gender, sexuality, age, and social class shape our everyday lives. In addition to learning sociological theories and research methods, students gain an understanding of sociological concepts such as culture, socialization, social institutions, deviance, stratification, and social change.
SOCI 101H Honors Introduction to Sociology
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 3 hours lecture
- Advisory
- Eligibility for ENGL 1A (now ENGL C1000)
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
This honors course, intended for students in the Honors Transfer Program, introduces students to the major theoretical perspectives, concepts, and areas of study in sociology. It critically examines the relationship between the social environment and human behavior, specifically on how social forces such as race, gender, sexuality, age, and social class shape our everyday lives. In addition to learning sociological theories and research methods, students gain an understanding of sociological concepts such as culture, socialization, social institutions, deviance, stratification, and social change. This course is enriched through extensive, rigorous reading, writing, and research assignments.
SOCI 102 Families and Intimate Relationships
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 3 hours lecture
- Advisory
- SOCI 101 eligibility for ENGL 1A (now ENGL C1000)
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
This course provides students with a sociological perspective on families and intimate relationships in the United States. Both historical and contemporary aspects of partnership, singlehood, dating, love, marriage, intimacy, dyadic and multiple-partner relationships, parenthood, divorce and break-ups are examined. Students use theoretical perspectives to analyze components of families and intimate relationships including gender socialization, parenting styles, communication and conflict resolution. Course content emphasizes diverse family structures and how social categories like social class, race/ethnicity, age, gender, and sexuality shape broad patterns and personal experiences within families and intimate relationships.
SOCI 104 Social Problems
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 3 hours lecture
- Advisory
- SOCI 101 eligibility for ENGL 1A (now ENGL C1000)
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
In this course, students explore various social problems from a sociological perspective. Students apply sociological theories and concepts to examine social problems related to race, gender, sexuality, age, and social class. Problems experienced in our social institutions such as the family educational system, criminal justice system, healthcare, media, and environment are analyzed. Using a 'sociological imagination,' students explore potential solutions and strategies to address contemporary social problems at both micro and macro levels.
SOCI 107 Issues of Race and Ethnicity in the United States
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 3 hours lecture
- Advisory
- SOCI 101
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
In this course students examine issues of race and ethnicity in the United States from a sociological perspective. Sociological concepts and theories are used to analyze the social construction of race and ethnicity. Course material will examine how race simultaneously shapes and is shaped by immigration patterns, policies, and inequalities in social institutions such as the media, education, labor market, housing, and the criminal justice system. Intersectionality, nativism, colorism, racial ideologies, and sociological theories of race and racism will also be studied.
SOCI 107H Honors Issues of Race and Ethnicity in the United States
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 3 hours lecture
- Advisory
- Sociology 101 or Sociology 101H
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
This honors course, intended for students in the Honors Transfer Program, is a survey of the concepts, theories, and functions of the race and ethnicity issues in the United States. In this course students examine issues of race and ethnicity in the Unites States from a sociological perspective, Sociological concepts and theories are used to analyze the social construction of race and ethnicity. Course material will examine how race simultaneously shapes and is shaped by immigration patterns, policies, and inequalities in social institutions such as the media, education, labor market, housing, and the criminal justice system. Intersectionality, nativism, colorism, racial ideologies, and sociological theories of race and racism will also be studied. This course is enriched through extensive, rigorous reading, writing, and research assignments.
SOCI 108 Global Perspectives on Race and Ethnicity
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 3 hours lecture
- Advisory
- Eligibility for English C1000 or equivalent AND Sociology 101 or Sociology 107 or Anthropology 2
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
In this course students examine ethnic groups around the world using concepts of race, ethnicity and minority status. Multiple theoretical perspectives will be used to examine the conditions under which certain ethnic groups are marginalized with a focus on patterns of interactions between dominant and subordinated groups, power dynamics, and resistance. Emphasis is on the historical and social forces that shape systems of ethnic and racial stratification globally.
SOCI 109A Introduction to Statistics and Data Analysis for the Behavioral Sciences
- Units
- 4
- Hours
- 3 hours lecture, 3 hours lab
- Prerequisite
- Sociology 101 or Sociology 101H or Psychology 101 or Psychology 101H, proficient in intermediate algebra skills
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
Students are taught standard descriptive and inferential statistics for summarizing sample data and estimating population parameters. All aspects of significance testing are emphasized: hypotheses, models, calculations, interpretations, and criticisms. Students are also taught to review scientific articles critically and to write APA-style manuscripts. Note: This course is the same as Psychology 109A.
SOCI 109B Research Methods in the Behavioral Sciences
- Units
- 4
- Hours
- 3 hours lecture, 3 hours lab
- Prerequisite
- Sociology 101 or Sociology 101H, Sociology 109A, and Mathematics 150 or Mathematics 150H with a minimum grade of C
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
This course is centered on the philosophy of science in general and the scientific method in particular. Students develop individual research studies with these elements: literature review, hypothesis, design and method, data collection and analysis, and discussion, oral presentation, and manuscript preparation (APA Publication Style). Note: Sociology 109B is the same course as Psychology 109B.
SOCI 110 Introduction to Social Work
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 3 hours lecture
- Advisory
- SOCI 101
- Transfers to
- CSU
This course introduces students to the field and profession of social work. Following a generalist model of practice within an ecological framework, students will learn about the historical influences that shaped the development of the social work profession as well as its core ethics and values, paying close attention to the missions of social justice and cultural competency. Course content will explore central theoretical influences, the functions and roles of social work practitioners, the various social service delivery systems and fields of practice social workers typically work in as well as populations that social workers typically serve.
SOCI 112 Introduction to Criminology
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 3 hours lecture
- Advisory
- Sociology 101 and eligibility for English C1000 or equivalent
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
This course introduces students to the scientific analysis of crime and criminality. Sociological concepts and theories are used to analyze the nature, extent, and cause of crime; theoretical explanations for criminal behavior will be discussed. The dynamics of law, social control, treatment processes, and victimology will be evaluated.
SOCI 113 Gender and Society
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 3 hours lecture
- Advisory
- SOCI 101 and eligibility for ENGL 1A (now ENGL C1000)
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
Through this course, students will explore the concepts of sex and gender from a sociological perspective. Course content will examine shifts in attitudes, the social construction, and the importance of gender, both femininities and masculinities, in our everyday lives. Students will examine the methods sociologists use to study gender as well as how gender shapes and is shaped by the family, work, education, politics, media, the criminal justice system, health, religion, interaction, and performance. This course also analyzes the interlocking nature of gender with other major organizing principles of life such as race, class, age, and sexuality.
SOCI 113H Honors Gender and Society
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 3 hours lecture
- Advisory
- SOCI 101 Eligibility for English 1A/English C1000 or equivalent
- Transfers to
- CSU
Through this honors course, students will explore the concepts of sex and gender from a sociological perspective. Course content will examine shifts in attitudes, the social construction, and the importance of gender, both femininities and masculinities, in our everyday lives. Students will explore the methods sociologists use to study gender as well as how gender shapes and is shaped by the family, work, education, politics, media, the criminal justice system, health, religion, interaction, and performance. Students will analyze the interlocking nature of gender with other major organizing principles of life such as race, class, age, and sexuality. This honors course is enriched through extensive reading, writing and research assignments. Note: Students may take either Sociology 113 or Sociology 113H. Duplicate credit will not be awarded.
SOCI 115 Sociology of Death and Dying
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 3 hours lecture
- Advisory
- SOCI 101 and eligibility for ENGL 1A (now ENGL C1000)
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
This course is a sociological approach to investigating death, dying, and bereavement processes in contemporary society. Students will compare the concept of death historically, socially, psychologically, and cross-culturally. Current legal, medical, and ethical issues related to death and dying, hospice, palliative care, end-of-life issues, violent deaths, and mass killings are also discussed.
SOCI 118 Sociology of Sexualities
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 3 hours lecture
- Advisory
- SOCI 101 and ENGL 1 or eligibility for ENGL 1A (now ENGL C1000) or qualification by appropriate assessment
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
This course examines how and why sexuality matters in society at both individual and institutional levels. It addresses diverse sexualities using sociological theories, methodological processes, and an intersectional approach involving race/ethnicity, class, and gender. Students will utilize a sociological lens to assess the relationship between historical socio-sexual contexts and contemporary sexualities.
SOCI 380 Medical Sociology
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 3 hours lecture
- Transfers to
- CSU
This course introduces students to medicine, health and illness from a sociological perspective. Emphasis is placed on the social determinants of health, the social construction of illness, and medicine as a social institution. Key topics involve the industrialization of health care, the professionalization of medicine, the history of medical sociology, contemporary health care policies, the death care industry, and the relationship between patients and health care professionals. Students will examine health care disparities perpetuated by social inequalities involving race/ethnicity, class, gender, sexuality, age, and culture.