SOC S 101 is designed to provide students with a fundamental understanding of the American system of education, especially in urban multi-cultural schools. It deals with the psychology, sociology, politics and philosophy of urban education. The course covers current conditions of American schools and selected challenges of California’s diverse urban schools. The focus is on the issues facing teachers and students working in diverse, multiracial, multi-ethnic urban settings and on the efforts being made to respond to the needs of teachers and students.

SOC S 105 introduces students to the landscape of emerging media within the information society. Using an interdisciplinary approach, students develop a critical understanding of the psychology, history, politics, and economics of new information technologies and the sociocultural shifts from which they evolved. By focusing on cutting edge content and events, students study and apply theoretical concepts to real life issues, such as the impact of technology on society, the relationship between digital devices and identity, privacy and surveillance, intellectual property, hacktivism, cybercrime, and more. Through the use of multimedia materials, students explore the complex and interconnected relationship between emerging media, technology, and society.

SOC S 110 is an interdisciplinary course that examines how popular culture impacts everyday American life. Various forms of popular culture including music, film television, advertising, sports, fashion, design, toys, magazines, comic books and cyber culture are analyzed. Students assess how American popular culture reveals historical forces at work that influence the lives of people living in the United States. Via a contextualized discussion of American popular culture, this course introduces students to other academic fields such as History, Ethnic Studies, Political Science and Economics.

SOC S 120 is an introduction to the causes and immediate effects of poverty as it exists today. This course examines poverty within the context of cultural, economical, political, psychological and social forces. Consequences of poverty in other countries are also considered. Theories and practical means to address poverty will be considered and analyzed.

SOC S 127 examines one of the most culturally diverse places on Earth - Los Angeles County. The region is viewed in three contexts: its history, its portrayals in literature, and the issues it faces today. The historic underpinnings of the region are explored from the Gabrielino people of the Spanish, Mexican, and United States eras. This course includes the stories of ethnic and racial groups, including some not often associated with the area’s history. The last segment of the course examines contemporary issues, opportunities, and problems facing Los Angeles County.

SOC S 130 is an interdisciplinary course that introduces the field of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer studies (LGBTQ studies). This course traces the history of LGBTQ identities, communities, organizations, and resistance movements in the United States from the colonial era to the contemporary moment, with particular emphasis since World War II. Students interrogate the political, economic, and cultural inequalities related to sexuality and gender identity as well as examine the historical emergence of LGBTQ as an academic discipline. Through an interdisciplinary lens, this course further explores the diversity of sexuality and gender in relation to the intersections of race, ethnicity, and class.