Back to Announcements

Spring 2026 – Two Great Sociology Courses available: SOCL 397 and SOCL 325

All Campus, Sociology, Course and Registrar posted

Two exciting Sociology courses, both of which are 300-level electives taught by amazing instructors, still have spots for Spring 2026! We are temporarily waiving the pre-requisites for these courses, so if you are interested and have not taken SOCL 101, please email Dr. Spurgas at [email protected] for a PIN so you can register.
 
SOCL 397-01: Sociology of Hip Hop
Wednesday: 1:30PM-4:10PM,  Instructor: Hall, Rhys
 
and
 
SOCL 325-01: Sociology of Law
Thursday: 6:30PM-9:00PM,  Instructor: Duncan, Armanthia
 
 

SOCL 397: SOCIOLOGY OF HIP HOP

WEDNESDAY: 1:30PM-4:10PM,  INSTRUCTOR: HALL, RHYS

Distribution Requirement: Meets Social Sciences Requirement

Sociology of Hip Hop exposes students to a decade-based approach to the origins and development of the popular music and cultural genre, beginning with its predecessors and the initial pillars of hip hop. We assess the significant technological developments of each era that pushed artistic expression and production to new levels, and students utilize weekly “song of the week” breakdowns to highlight an artist or style that resonates with them and is emblematic of key evolutions in the genre. Students will complete a final project that demonstrates budding mastery of one component of music creation or appreciation; show how broader sociological debates surrounding race, class, gender, sexuality and other social variables are taken up in lyrics, videos, and associated media; and consider how both fans and critics respond to, embody, and in some cases co-opt the imagery, affect, and political messages of hip hop. We will also consider what the future holds for the medium.

SOCL 325: SOCIOLOGY OF LAW

THURSDAY: 6:30PM-9:00PM,  INSTRUCTOR: DUNCAN, ARMANTHIA

Distribution Requirement: Meets Social Sciences Requirement

This course offers a sociological perspective on the law, as well as the causes and consequences of the legal system. Topics covered include a comparison of scientific and legal modes of inquiry, the uses and importance of social science findings in judicial and policy decision-making, social factors affecting jury selection and jury decisions, racial and class inequalities and the law, law as a form of social control, legal organizations and professions, and law as an instrument of social change.