Jul 04, 2024
OHIO University Undergraduate Catalog 2023-2024

SOC 3340 - Veterans in Society


This course examines the unique role that veterans play in society. Using a sociological perspective, students learn about veteran identity, how military service impacts the lives of soldiers and families, how service members reintegrate into society after service, the development of law and public policy related to veterans’ needs, and how societies remember their veterans. Specific issues explored include official debates over the definition of veterans, military service and the life course, veteran service organizations, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and veterans’ health care, veterans’ law and veterans’ rights, Veterans Treatment Courts, the meaning of the veteran in U.S. society, and remembrance movements to memorialize veterans, as well as other relevant topics.

Credit Hours: 3
OHIO BRICKS Bridge: Diversity and Practice
Repeat/Retake Information: May be retaken two times excluding withdrawals, but only last course taken counts.
Lecture/Lab Hours: 3.0 lecture
Grades: Eligible Grades: A-F,WP,WF,WN,FN,AU,I
Learning Outcomes:
  • Students will be able to discuss and evaluate debates about what it means to be a veteran in American society.
  • Students will be able to recognize their own assumptions about veterans in society and to critically discuss how their own lived experience compares to that of other groups.
  • Students will be able to identify and describe fundamental sociological theories and concepts and discuss how they can be applied to the study of veterans.
  • Students will be able to identify and describe key theories, concepts, and findings of military sociology and discuss how they can be applied to the study of veterans.
  • Students will be able to identify and discuss challenges for veterans returning to civilian life after a period of active-duty service.
  • Students will be able to critically discuss and evaluate the role of transition service organizations in meeting the needs of veterans returning to civilian life.
  • Students will be able to discuss and critically evaluate the history of veterans benefits in relation to health care and education.
  • Students will be able to discuss the origins, history, and functioning of Veterans Treatment Courts.
  • Students will be able to discuss collective memory, remembrance movements, and the complexities of memorializing military service.
  • Students will be able to apply knowledge about veterans in society to their everyday interactions and in support of others.


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