Socio: Demographic Studies (SYD)

An interdisciplinary analysis of South Florida, focusing upon social, economic, political and cultural factors which impact the socio-cultural systems. Knowledge and tools for analysis are drawn from demography, cultural ecology, inter-group relations, and conflict resolution.

An overview of Latin American social structures and factors which support or impede social change, collaboration and cultural maintenance.

An overview of Caribbean social structures and factors which support or impede social change, collaboration and cultural maintenance.

Historical and contemporary study of the relationship between race and culture among various minority groups in the US and other selected societies. The course is cross cultural and global in content and includes such issues as the evolution of racial beliefs and attitudes, the dynamics of prejudice and discrimination, social policies applied to ethics and reinforced by legal sanctions, and sociological which attempt to explain such phenomena.

In this course, we will interrogate the concept of race; examine the racist ideologies, laws, policies, and practices that have operated for hundreds of years to maintain white racial domination over those racialized as non-white; and discuss ways to challenge and disrupt white racism and dethrone white supremacy in the service of engendering an anti-racist society where whiteness is not tied to greater life chances.

This course is a sociological examination of the ways in which race, racism, and white supremacy relate to U.S. law enforcement policies and practices historically and contemporarily.

Historical and/or contemporary global and cross-cultural analysis of gender in society. Special attention is paid to social construction and development of gender and sexual identities, relations to social institutions, and impacts of social change.

Topics of current or special interest in the area of socio-demographic studies.

The sociological determinants of fertility, mortality and migration; theories of population change are also discussed.

The course explores the reciprocal relationships among environmental, health, and social issues. It provides students with an overview of the history and current structure of environmental issues, and how they are intricately intertwined with concerns related to health and society.

Community Based Entrepreneurs invites students to utilize sociological concepts, methods, and content to identify, create, and manage entrepreneurial opportunities in order to successfully launch and manage a public project.

Examination of the theories, principles and techniques of analysis of major contemporary strategies of community development including the evaluations of the applicability of the theories and strategies in rural and urban areas and strategies for sustainable development.

Research projects are carried out by one or more students under the supervision of a faculty mentor. Students acquire skills in applying research principles and obtaining practice in rigorous data collection and reporting.