Applied Sociology (MA) — Courses

Please consult UMass Boston’s undergraduate catalog for complete information about the undergraduate courses listed here as prerequisites for individual graduate-level courses.

SOCIOL 598
Field Experience Project

This course includes site visits and observation time spent in the field at state or social service agencies.
1 Credit

SOCIOL 600
Foundations of Applied Sociology

This course is required for all formally accepted first-year students. The purpose of the course is a) to engage students in the field and substance of applied sociology, in order to strengthen their understanding of how theories, concepts, and sociological research are central to social problem-solving, policymaking, and the skills required in a variety of occupational settings; b) to involve students at the beginning of their graduate education in designing their studies to meet their educational, career, and personal objectives; and c) to maximize and facilitate student utilization of the curriculum, faculty, and departmental/university resources.
Prerequisite: Enrollment in the MA Program in Applied Sociology.
3 Lect Hrs, 3 credits

SOCIOL 601
Complex Organizations

The course acquaints students with studies of complex organizations that throw light on decision-making and conflict in the setting of formal organizations. Students will study how policies emerge and how they are translated into action. They study research illuminating the nature and functions of rules, the initiation and consequences of political processes, the role and problems of street-level bureaucrats, and the impact of social, political, and economic conditions on organizational behavior. Theories and concepts are applied to human service organizations, and their distinctive features are discussed.
Prerequisite: Graduate standing or permission of instructor.
3 Lect Hrs, 3 Credits

SOCIOL 605
Applied Sociological Theory

This course examines the nature and aims of applied sociological theory. Of special interest is the bearing of pure or basic sociological theory on applied research and problem solving, the differences between pure and applied sociological theory, and the relevance of applied theory for basic sociological theory. Other topics include the theoretical implications of moral and ethical concerns and restrictions in applied social research and employment and the nature of the values and assumptions involved in efforts to devise and implement policy intended to treat social problems.
Prerequisite: Graduate standing or permission of instructor.
3 Lect Hrs, 3 Credits

SOCIOL L609 (GERON L609, PPOL L609)
Qualitative Methods and Field Research

This course is designed to introduce students to qualitative research methods; its specific focus is on policy research and aging. Students practice the skills needed to observe the world around them by attending to social phenomena, descriptively and analytically. The course functions as both a seminar and a research workshop, and students learn by engaging in a field work project.
Prerequisites: GERON 601, 602, or 603, or permission of instructor.
3 Lect Hrs, 3 Credits

SOCIOL 618
Psychiatric Epidemiology and Forensic Services

This course provides necessary professional skills and helps students understand forensic evidence and its use in courts. Topics include research in psychiatric epidemiology, sources of violence, recidivism, and risk assessment.
3 Lect Hrs, 3 Credits

SOCIOL 620
Social Problems

An analysis of theories to explain the historical development of social problems. Theories include Marxian and non-Marxian analyses, micro- and macro-theoretical approaches such as functionalism, conflict, interactionism and deviance perspectives. Special attention is given to the application of theories for the understanding of such contemporary social problems as unemployment and poverty, problems of urban communities, inter-group conflict/relations, individual deviance, and others.
Prerequisite: Graduate standing or permission of instructor.
3 Lect Hrs, 3 Credits

SOCIOL 621
Social Psychiatry

Sociological analysis of psychiatric theories and practices; examination of the effect of social structure on the construction, diagnosis, and treatment of mental disorders.
Prerequisite: Graduate standing or permission of instructor.
3 Lect Hrs, 3 Credits

SOCIOL 622
Comparative Approaches to Deviance and Social Control

This course considers the relation between deviance and societal development, concentrating on the effects of modernization, urbanization, and industrialization on definitions of deviance and on the incidence and control of various kinds of deviant behavior. Methodological problems of cross-cultural comparison are addressed, and comparative material on violent crime, juvenile delinquency, prostitution, alcoholism, and other types of deviance is drawn from Western Europe, the former Soviet Union, Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and Latin America.
Prerequisite: Graduate standing or permission of instructor.
3 Lect Hrs, 3 Credits

SOCIOL 623
Alcohol, Drugs, and Crime

This course focuses on the multifaceted associations among alcohol, drug use, and crime in America. It distinguishes legal and policy issues from competing paradigms and contrasts criminal justice and public health models. State-of-the-art etiology, epidemiology, prevention, and treatment studies correlating criminality and substance misuse are assessed and evaluated in historical and sociocultural contexts. The course highlights social service systems in relation to current practices and institutionalized definitions of health and illness, crime and criminals.
Prerequisite: Graduate standing or permission of instructor.
3 Lect Hrs, 3 Credits

SOCIOL 641
Social Policy I

An in-depth examination of major factors shaping social policy, including historical antecedents; public and private sectors; the interaction of social policy, economy, and politics; and how issues become defined as social problems.
Prerequisite: Graduate standing or permission of instructor.
3 Lect Hrs, 3 Credits

SOCIOL 642
Social Policy II

A continuation of SOCIOL 641 with special emphasis on problems and issues in implementing social policy, its impact on both recipients and non-recipients of services, and principles of social policy analysis and research. Special attention is given to selected problem areas, such as income-maintenance programs, manpower policy, race and ethnic relations, crime and delinquency, and health-care programs.
Prerequisite: SOCIOL 641 or permission of instructor.
3 Lect Hrs, 3 Credits

SOCIOL 650
Methods of Research I

This course focuses on methods of collecting information about social beliefs and social process, including the operation of social service and other programs. The course requires students to conduct exercises that will give them firsthand experience in various approaches to data collection and management. Emphasis is given to techniques of survey, field, and experimental research. Students are introduced to the use of computers. (Course offered in the fall only.)
Prerequisite: Graduate standing or permission of instructor.
3 Lect Hrs, 3 Credits

SOCIOL 651
Methods of Research II

A continuation of SOCIOL 650, focusing on the interpretation, analysis, and presentation of quantitative data. Course exercises use descriptive statistics, cross-tabulation and regression analysis, as well as related inferential statistics, to analyze social data. Procedures for computer-based statistical analyses are introduced and used throughout the course. No prior experience with computers or knowledge of statistical formulae are required. (Course offered in the spring only.)
Prerequisite: SOCIOL 650 or permission of instructor.
3 Lect Hrs, 3 Credits

SOCIOL 655
Evaluation Research

An advanced course in the theory and practice of evaluation of public policy and social service programs for social science students and practitioners. Basic knowledge of research methods is assumed, but relevant issues in research design and implementation are reviewed. The course provides general overview of evaluation theory and landmark evaluation studies, as well as analysis of commonly used evaluation models and of practical and political issues involved in design and implementation of evaluations. Design of an evaluation of a social agency program is required.
Prerequisites: Graduate standing and permission of instructor.
3 Lect Hrs, 3 Credits

SOCIOL 667/467
Sociology of Law

This course provides a general analysis of the social origins, operations, and consequences of law and legal process. Alternative theories of the relation between law and society are considered. Special attention is given to criminal law, the operation of juvenile courts, discretion in the legal system, and methods of legal research. Alternative methods of dispute resolution are considered.
3 Lect Hrs, 3 Credits

SOCIOL 681
Health Care Policy

This course focuses on recent changes in health care policy and in the organization of medicine, with special attention to the impact of these changes on the delivery, distribution, and quality of health services. Additional emphasis is given to the history of medicine; the political economy of health care; inequality in utilization of and access to health services; rising costs and cost containment programs; attempts at regulation; and government health programs and private health service organizations.
Prerequisites: Graduate standing and permission of instructor.
3 Lect Hrs, 3 Credits

SOCIOL 682
Social Psychological Context of Health Care

This course highlights the role of the social sciences in dealing with problems of health care practice, focusing on research contributions to health maintenance, prevention, treatment, and quality of care. Topics include the nature and goals of client-practitioner relationships, health education, behavioral and psychosomatic medicine, and the linkages between social problems and medical problems.
Prerequisite: Graduate standing.
3 Lect Hrs, 3 Credits

SOCIOL 683
Socio-Medical Aspects of Aging

This course focuses on several issues: the epidemiology of health problems associated with aging; social support systems for the elderly; stress and health; medical and psychiatric treatment of the aged; comparative analysis of health care settings; characteristics of the dying process; cross-societal comparison of the medical problems and the medical care of the elderly.
Prerequisite: Graduate standing.
3 Lect Hrs, 3 Credits

SOCIOL 690
Classic and Contemporary Views of the Nature of Crime

This course examines the social nature of crime. It explores a variety of theoretical perspectives, including anomie/strain theory, social disorganization theory, social control theory, social learning theories, opportunity theory, deterrence theory, and conflict theory. The various theories are examined through an extensive review of recent empirical studies. Special attention is given to methodological problems in specifying theories for empirical study. Discussion topics also include the adaptability of these theories to social policy and their varying political and social acceptability during particular historical periods.
Prerequisite: Graduate standing or permission of instructor.
3 Lect Hrs, 3 Credits

SOCIOL 691
Contemporary Issues in Responding to Crime

This seminar focuses on responses to crime. As individual citizens and as a community, we respond to crime in a variety of ways. The issues covered in this course may therefore include anything from informal responses—such as fear of crime, the reporting of crime to the police, and the organizing of neighborhood watch groups and crime stopper programs—to formal responses, which include police decisions to arrest or handle informally, bail decisions, issues of sentencing, the use of imprisonment, community corrections, parole and probation, and the death penalty. The course emphasizes the social nature of responses to crime and generally focuses on one or a few of these topics each semester
Prerequisite: Graduate standing or permission of instructor.
3 Lect Hrs, 3 Credits

SOCIOL 695
Master’s Research Seminar

This course guides students in their design and completion of the master’s paper. It operates as an intellectual workshop where throughout the semester students share with the group the process as well as the results of their research. Special attention is given to the formation of research questions, research methodology, and writing appropriate literature reviews.
Hrs by arrangement, 6 Credits

SOCIOL 696
Independent Study

In-depth study of a particular topic according to the student’s interests. Independent study projects are expected to make an important contribution to a student’s training in applied sociology. All projects are under the supervision of a faculty advisor, who is responsible for guiding and evaluating the student’s work. An application and detailed proposal must be submitted to the graduate program director not later than two weeks before the end of the semester previous to that in which SOCIOL 696 is to be taken.
Prerequisites: Graduate standing and permission of the graduate committee.
Hrs by arrangement, 3-4 Credits

SOCIOL 697
Special Topics in Applied Sociology

An advanced seminar on selected topics in applied sociology. The course content and credit vary according to topic. Details on special topics courses will be announced during the advance registration period.
Prerequisite: Graduate standing or permission of instructor.
3 Lect Hrs, 3-6 Credits

SOCIOL 698
Field Work

Intensive field work and/or internship in a public or private research or practice setting jointly supervised by faculty and agency-based staff. Placements made according to student interest and internship availability.
Prerequisite: Graduate standing or permission of instructor.
Hrs by arrangement, 3-6 Credits

SOCIOL 699
Thesis Research in Applied Sociology

Supervised thesis research open to students who elect the thesis option. The research is conducted under the supervision of a faculty committee consisting of a primary faculty advisor and two additional faculty members, who are responsible for advising the student in preparing and carrying out the thesis project and for evaluating and judging its acceptability.
Prerequisite: Permission of the graduate program director and committee.
Hrs by arrangement, 9 Credits