Catholic Sociology

The Catholic University of America, the only college in the United States chartered by the Vatican, does a pretty good job of keeping the faith, at least in comparison to other Catholic colleges and universities of the same vintage. Nevertheless, when you get outside the Cathedral and even the Theology Department, you find a curriculum startlingly similar to that of many secular institutions of higher learning.

For example, here is a sampling of Sociology courses at CUA:

SOC  226 – Peace Studies & Conflict Resolution
3.0 Credit Hours, Arts & Sciences, Sociology

The sociological perspective on the interdisciplinary field of peace studies and conflict resolution, which has emerged in the last twenty years. The study of contemporary global and regional wars, local conflicts and violence, and the most recent theories pertaining to these phenomena. The study of nonviolent social movements and their strategies. A required introductory course in the Peace and World Order Studies concentration.

 

SOC  306 – Sociology of Masculinity
3.0 Credit Hours, Arts & Sciences, Sociology

This course will examine developments in the study of masculinity as a dynamic social process, exploring non-biological aspects of gender, and introduce students to gender theories and to empirical evidence of gender as a powerful social structure that pervades men’s lives. It will familiarize students with issues concerning men and masculinity from a global, historical, life-course perspective. Men’s activities and expectations in areas involving work, family, sport, religion and politics will be explored

 

SOC  312 – Minority Relations
3.0 Credit Hours, Arts & Sciences, Sociology

Introduction to minority-majority relations, especially in America. Nature of prejudice and discrimination. Social change in race relations. Emphasis on historical development of blacks, white ethnic groups, and religious groups. Faculty.

 

SOC  315 – Crimes in Urban America
3.0 Credit Hours, Arts & Sciences, Sociology

This course examines crime in pre-industrial, industrial and modern societies.  Criminal justice and social welfare responses to crime will be discussed as well as the role of the police courts, and prisons.

 

SOC  323 – Race Relations in Multicultural Societies
3.0 Credit Hours, Arts & Sciences, Sociology

This course will introduce students to various ways of thinking about race relations in contemporary society.  The course will pay special attention to the context in which race relations evolve; namely, how transnational economic relations reshape the socialization of multiple groups and the group tensions that arise out the competition for resources and cultural identity.

 

Spencer Irvine is a staff writer at Accuracy in Academia.
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