Sociology
10 courses · Las Positas College · 2026-2027 Catalog
Classes: Summer 2026 · Fall 2026
SOC 3 Introduction to Race and Ethnicity
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 hours lecture
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
- C-ID
- SOCI 150
A sociological introduction to the social construction of race and ethnicity, and a critical analysis of the structural factors that produce racialized consequences. Examines the cultural, political, legal, and economic institutions involved in racial formation, racial and ethnic disparities, and patterns of interaction among racial and ethnic groups in the United States. Examples are drawn mainly from historical and sociological assessments of racialized lived experiences, focusing on the perspectives of African Americans, Hispanic/Latinx Americans, Asian Americans, and Native Americans. Students may receive credit for ETHS 6 or SOC , but not both.
SOC 5 Introduction to Global Studies
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 hours lecture
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
- C-ID
- GLST 101
This course looks at the economic and political forces that have led to rapid changes in global interaction and culture over the past century, with special emphasis on the last twenty years. It explores the issues of nationalism, global citizenry, state violence, terrorism, the global economy, migration, the threatened environment, technology, and the role of multinational media industries on culture. Students who have completed, or are enrolled in, SOC 5 may not receive credit.
SOC 29 Independent Study, Sociology
- Units
- 0.5-2
- Hours
- 108 hours laboratory
- Transfers to
- CSU
Supervised study in the area of Sociology. Any student interested in registering for an Independent Studies course should contact a full/part-time instructor or dean in the appropriate area.
SOC 1 Principles of Sociology
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 hours lecture
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
- C-ID
- SOCI 110
The sociological perspective: scientific study of human interaction and society as a whole with emphasis on impact of groups on social behavior; systematic examination of culture and social organization, and methodology.
SOC 4 Marriage and Family Relations
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 hours lecture
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
- C-ID
- SOCI 130
Sociological perspective of the family including mate selection, marital roles, marital adjustment, sexual adjustment, reproduction, child rearing, marital dissolution, and problems associated with the family in modern industrial society.
SOC 6 Social Problems
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 hours lecture
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
- C-ID
- SOCI 115
An identification and analysis of contemporary social problems including (1) the role of power and ideology in the definition of social problems, (2) their causes and consequences, (3) evaluations of proposed solutions, and (4) methods of intervention. Topics will vary.
SOC 7 Sociology of Sexuality
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 hours lecture
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
- C-ID
- SOCI 115
This course looks at the social forces that influence, and are influenced by our construction of sexuality. Topics covered include: the social construction of the erotic, the creation of sexual identities, gender and sexuality, religion and sexuality, sexual commerce, and global issues such as birth control and STDs.
SOC 11 Sociology of Gender
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 hours lecture
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
- C-ID
- SOCI 140
This course examines the social construction of masculinity and femininity historically and cross-culturally. It analyzes the impact of economic and political change on gender expectations and practices. This class focus includes both macro-analysis of how institutions shape gender and microanalyses of how individuals “do” or practice gender.
SOC 12 Popular Culture
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 hours lecture
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
The course explores the historical, theoretical, political, economic, and global factors that influence the construction and consumption of popular culture from a sociological perspective. The course investigates representations of intersectional social identities involving race, class, gender, sexual orientation, and disability in popular culture through the critical analysis of film, television, music, print and digital media.
SOC 13 Research Methods
- Units
- 4
- Hours
- 54 hours lecture,, 54 hours laboratory
- Prerequisite
- SOC 1
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
- C-ID
- SOCI 120
This course orients students to the methods of data collection and analysis used by sociologists. Instruction includes an overview of sociological theory, instruction on experimental methods, surveys, interviews, field research, participant observation, demographic methods, and comparative historical approaches.