# Sociology (SOC) courses

Gavilan College · 2026-2027 Catalog · 8 courses

Source: https://gavilan.curriqunet.com/catalog/iq/4259/4260/4320

"Offered" lists sections in this catalog year's class schedules: Summer 2026, Fall 2026, Spring 2027.

### SOC 1A — Introduction to Sociology

- **Units:** 3
- **C-ID:** SOCI 110
- **Offered:** Summer 2026, 4 sections (/c/gavilan-college/schedule/summer-2026/soc.md); Fall 2026, 6 sections (/c/gavilan-college/schedule/fall-2026/soc.md); Spring 2027, 8 sections (/c/gavilan-college/schedule/spring-2027/soc.md)
- Grading: Standard Letter Grade

Analysis of the structure and dynamics of human society focusing on basic concepts, theories and methods; the development of culture; the socialization process; group behavior; social inequality, deviance; sexism, racism, and ageism; major social structures and social institutions; human ecology, and global dynamics. Emphasizes contemporary American society. (C-ID: SOCI 110).

### SOC 1B — Introduction to Sociology: Social Problems

- **Units:** 3
- **C-ID:** SOCI 115
- **Offered:** Fall 2026, 1 section (/c/gavilan-college/schedule/fall-2026/soc.md); Spring 2027, 1 section (/c/gavilan-college/schedule/spring-2027/soc.md)
- Grading: Standard Letter Grade

This course provides an overview of how sociologists understand, identify, and address social problems, including the role of power and ideology in the definition of social problems. Students will be introduced to and critically evaluate various theories to explain and analyze the causes and consequences of social problems, their presence in our lives, and the extent to which they can be defined as social problems. In addition to identifying contemporary social problems, students will explore the root causes of these social problems and search for potential solutions and methods of intervention. Some issues that may be examined are: economic globalization, immigration, poverty, inequalities in educational and employment opportunities, race and gender inequality, and crime and violence in society. (C-ID: SOCI 115).

### SOC 3 — Sociology of Race, Ethnicity and Cultural Identity

- **Units:** 3
- **C-ID:** SOCI 150
- **Offered:** Summer 2026, 5 sections (/c/gavilan-college/schedule/summer-2026/soc.md); Fall 2026, 7 sections (/c/gavilan-college/schedule/fall-2026/soc.md); Spring 2027, 8 sections (/c/gavilan-college/schedule/spring-2027/soc.md)
- Grading: Option of a standard letter grade or Pass/no pass

This course is designed to introduce students to the basic sociological concepts and theories of race, ethnicity and cultural identity in U.S. society. Students will examine race, ethnicity and cultural identity as social constructs that permeate social structures and institutions, and how they change over time and space. Over the semester students will critically analyze the ways which race, ethnicity, class, and gender/sexuality continually shape people's lives and experiences. While the class focuses on U.S. societies, students will also critically compare and contrast race and ethnicity in other societies. (C-ID: SOCI 150) . Also listed as ETHN 3B.

### SOC 4 — Sociology of Gender

- **Units:** 3
- **Advisory:** ENGL 280 or eligible for ENGL 1A
- **C-ID:** SOCI 140
- **Offered:** Fall 2026, 1 section (/c/gavilan-college/schedule/fall-2026/soc.md); Spring 2027, 1 section (/c/gavilan-college/schedule/spring-2027/soc.md)
- Grading: Standard Letter Grade

This course is designed to introduce students to gender as a basic organizing principle of social life at the macro-analytic institutional level and the micro-analytic individual level. Students will examine how gender, femininity, and masculinity are socially constructed, and how these constructions shape gender, the socialization of gender, how individuals "do" gender, and how these affect self-identity, interpersonal interaction, and inequality in society. Students will critically analyze the interactions of gender with race, class, sexuality, the impact of economic and political change on gender expectations and practices. NOTE: Course formerly Sociology of Women and Men (C-ID: SOCI 140) ADVISORY:ENGL 280 or eligible for ENGL 1A .

### SOC 10 — Mass Media and Society

- **Units:** 3
- **C-ID:** JOUR 100
- **Offered:** Summer 2026, 1 section (/c/gavilan-college/schedule/summer-2026/soc.md); Fall 2026, 1 section (/c/gavilan-college/schedule/fall-2026/soc.md); Spring 2027, 1 section (/c/gavilan-college/schedule/spring-2027/soc.md)
- Grading: Option of a standard letter grade or Pass/no pass

This course helps students understand the evolution in mass media by focusing on the history, economics and social impact of the book publishing, newspaper, magazine, film, music, television, journalism, advertising, public relations industries, as well as the impact of digital industries built on the Internet. Students will study propaganda and mass communication theory, media literacy, and discuss new technology, ethnic media in the United States, ethical issues and attempts to regulate or control the media. This course is also listed as JOUR 10. This course has the option of a letter grade or pass/no pass. (C-ID: JOUR 100)

### SOC 21 — Marriage and the Family

- **Units:** 3
- **C-ID:** SOCI 130
- **Offered:** Fall 2026, 1 section (/c/gavilan-college/schedule/fall-2026/soc.md); Spring 2027, 1 section (/c/gavilan-college/schedule/spring-2027/soc.md)
- Grading: Standard Letter Grade

Overview of the sociological study of the family as a social institution. Examines historical and contemporary family patterns, theoretical perspectives regarding family roles and formation, and the effect of the economy, public policy, and other social institutions on families. Emphasis placed on gender, sexuality, social class, and racial/ethnic diversity in American families. (C-ID: SOCI 130).

### SOC 25 — Sociology of Crime and Deviance

- **Units:** 3
- **Offered:** not on the Summer 2026, Fall 2026, Spring 2027 schedules
- Grading: Standard Letter Grade

Sociological analysis of crime and deviance, criminal and deviant behavior, and the criminal justice system. Explores the history and social construction of crime and criminality and examines the definition of crime and its violations as well as the laws and methods used to control criminal behavior. Discuss measurement of crime and basic theoretical explanations of criminal behavior. C-ID (SOCI 160).

### SOC 32 — Introduction to Research Methods

- **Units:** 3
- **Prerequisite:** PSYC C1000 or SOC 1A with a grade of "C" or better and STAT C1000 with a grade of "C" or better. C-ID: SOCI 120
- **Offered:** Spring 2027, 2 sections (/c/gavilan-college/schedule/spring-2027/soc.md)
- Grading: Standard Letter Grade

An overview of the qualitative and quantitative methodologies used in the social sciences. Students will learn how to design and conduct research, including: formulating research questions and hypotheses, reviewing the scientific literature, evaluating ethical issues, selecting appropriate methodologies, sample selection, organizing and analyzing data, applying statistics, and writing research reports. This course is also listed as ANTH 32, PSYC 32, and POLS 32. PREREQUISITE: PSYC C1000 or SOC 1A with a grade of "C" or better and STAT C1000 with a grade of "C" or better. C-ID: SOCI 120