“We’ve become a nation of drug and alcohol addicts, and it is destroying millions of lives and families, and harming countless communities and cities.” – Jeff Nesbit, U.S. News

The negative impact of drug and alcohol abuse is staggering, and it only seems to be getting worse. A 2016 report from the Surgeon General claims the country spends $442 billion a year in dealing with drug and alcohol abuse.

“Alcohol and drug misuse and related disorders are major public health challenges that are taking an enormous toll on individuals, families, and society,” according to the Surgeon General’s report. “Neighborhoods and communities as a whole are also suffering as a result of alcohol- and drug-related crime and violence, abuse and neglect of children, and the increased costs of health care associated with substance misuse.”

SOCY 374: Drugs and Alcohol in Society provides an overview of the causes and consequences of alcohol and drug abuse from the sociological perspective.  

Examine how society, family, peers, ethnicity and the media influences drug use, and discover the historical framework of certain individual drugs.

Explore theories of addiction, theories of use, use within subcultures, drug policy, and the relationship between substance abuse and crime, as well as discuss/debate a variety of controversial topics such as the effectiveness of the War on Drugs, harm reduction, and legalization.

SOCY 374 is a completely online course.

Register October 22 – January 2.

“I believe that we are here for each other, not against each other. Everything comes from an understanding that you are a gift in my life – whoever you are, whatever our differences.”

- John Denver

UMBC boasts one of the most inclusive and diverse college campuses around. In fact, we claim it as one of our hallmarks – Inclusive Excellence! It only makes sense for students to stay informed about the range of perspectives that exist on campus and in our ever-changing and adapting world. This knowledge not only makes students more aware of these concepts when entering the workforce, but it also gives students a more well-rounded view of the world, especially given the current political climate.

If you’re looking to expand your view on topics like race, class, gender, sexual orientation, look no further. In SOCY 204 – Diversity and Pluralism: An Interdisciplinary Perspective student analyze these complicated issues and their roles in how society as we know it functions. Learn how to better communicate despite differences between you and others.

“Here in America, we don’t let our differences tear us apart. Not here. Because we know that our greatness comes from when we appreciate each other’s strengths, when we learn from each other, when we lean on each other, because in this country, it’s never been each person for themselves. No, we’re all in this together. We always have been.”

- Michelle Obama

SOCY 204 fulfills the Culture and Social Sciences GEPs and takes place every Tuesday and Thursday from 1 – 4:10 p.m. during summer session I.

This class includes helpful small group discussions to help promote the deep analysis of these topics.

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SOCY 204 is taught by Professor Bryan Ellis, a visiting assistant professor. He attended University of Montana for his Bachelor’s in Sociology and Howard University for both his Master’s and Ph. D. in Sociology.

“The life of the dead is placed in the memory of the living.”

– Marcus Tullius Cicero

To understand the end is to be able to understand life. SOCY 359: Death and Dying (which is co-offered as EHS 345) will help you do this, as well as grasp the concept of death itself. SOCY 359/EHS 345 explores the way death has played a part in the past and how our view of the end of life affects the way we live.

Look into the life cycle and customs surrounding death all over the world including suicide, grief, and the way religions/cultures affect human perspectives.

“No one wants to die. Even people who want to go to heaven don’t want to die to get there. And yet death is the destination we all share. No one has ever escaped it. And that is as it should be, because death is very likely the single best invention of life.”

– Steve Jobs

SOCY 359 counts towards the Social Science GEP. It meets twice a week on Monday and Wednesday evenings and is taught by Adjunct Faculty Assistant Professor Kimberly DeMichele.

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“I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color.”

– Colin Kaepernick

 
Since the former San Francisco 49ers quarterback first refused to stand for the national anthem, dozens of current NFL players (as well as sympathetic athletes from Major League Baseball (MLB), National Basketball Association (NBA), Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA), and even one German soccer team) have joined in to protest racial oppression and inequality in the United States.

Although these protests have been extensively covered by the media, racial inequality is just one of many social problems facing our country today.

SOCY 201 – Social Problems in American Society provides a timely opportunity to explore, examine, and discuss such relevant topics as Racial Inequality, Crime, Poverty, Social Class, Education, and Health Care.

Why does hunger and poverty persist despite the nation’s wealth?

How does social class and race impact access to education?

Should the Affordable Care Act be “repealed and replaced”? Is universal coverage a realistic option?

Share your opinions, gain a better understanding, and learn key components to help mitigate these problems.

SOCY 201 is 4-week, fully online course offered during Winter Session 2018. It requires reliable internet access and the ability to self-manage independent learning assignments according to deadlines. In place of classroom activities, online work may include independent mastery assignments, discussion boards, videos with quizzes, writing assignments, and other active learning experiences.