Sociology, B.A. or B.S.

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A major in sociology provides the student with an understanding of the social causes of human behavior, as well as a familiarity with the basic processes of social life, emphasizing effects of social stratification and social global issues. Toward this end, course work focuses on both theoretical, analytical and practical approaches (performance learning) to the study of human behavior, including survey research and statistical analysis. Students may choose to pursue a Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor of Science degree. The sociology curriculum serves students who wish to 1) pursue social services in various fields as a career; 2) continue graduate study in sociology; 3) develop skills for careers in social service agencies such as law and law enforcement, counseling, administration, management, teaching, diversity training, and social, political or market research and; 4) complement academic specialization in other fields (such as criminal justice, law, politics, communication, and nursing) with the group-level perspective on social behavior which is increasingly being demanded of professionals in these fields. The sociology major pairs well with majors/minors in criminal justice, psychology, human services, communications, political science, history and other fields, as several of the courses in each other of these disciplines are cross-listed in sociology, so that students are exposed to a variety of disciplines while studying sociology. Sociology majors will also engage in performance learning activities in several courses designed to foster an experiential, hands-on understanding of human behavior and social organization in action.

Students anticipating graduate study in sociology and social research are encouraged to elect additional course work in criminal justice, psychology, history, political science, philosophy, or communication. Students may choose to pursue a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree.

The learning goals for the Sociology major are:

Students will demonstrate the ability to analyze personal and social experiences by applying the sociological imagination.
Students will demonstrate the ability to use sociological analysis to explain the structural inequalities of race, class, gender and sexual orientation.
Students will examine certain facets of globalization and the value of living in a diverse and multicultural global environment.
Students will demonstrate the ability to design a sociological research project, and communicate its findings in accordance with the professional standards of the discipline

Required Courses

SO 100 - Introduction to Sociology Credit(s): 3
SO 200 - Social Solutions Credit(s): 3

Basic Skills

SO 201 - Statistical Methods in the Behavioral Sciences Credit(s): 3
PS 201 - Statistical Methods in the Behavioral Sciences Credit(s): 3
(SO 201 may not satisfy the University QR requirement for SO/CJ double majors, see department or advisor)
SO 221 - Methods of Social Research Credit(s): 3 (prerequisite SO 201 /PS 201 or equivalent with approval of School Director)
SO 351 - Sociological Theory Credit(s): 3 (prerequisite SO 100 or SO 200 )

Fundamentals

SO 320 - Social Stratification Credit(s): 3

And one of the following:

SO 330 - Sociology of Gender Credit(s): 3
SO 313 - Multiculturalism and Diversity Credit(s): 3
SO 326 - Economy and Society Credit(s): 3

Capstone Course

SO 450 - Sociological Analysis Credit(s): 3

Students must choose three additional courses from Sociology (9 credits) or the following approved courses from Criminal Justice, Human Services, Psychology, and Communication:

CJ 211 - Juvenile Delinquency Credit(s): 3
SO 211 - Juvenile Delinquency Credit(s): 3
CJ 233 - Deviance Credit(s): 3
SO 232 - Deviance Credit(s): 3
CJ 311 - Restorative Justice Credit(s): 3
SO 312 - Restorative Justice Credit(s): 3
CJ 361 - Criminology Credit(s): 3
SO 361 - Criminology Credit(s): 3
HM 316 - Social Issues in Healthcare Credit(s): 3
HM 317 - Practice with Diverse Populations Credit(s): 3
HM 318 - Social Gerontology Credit(s): 3
HM 321 - Mental Health Services Credit(s): 3
PS 360 - Special Topics in Psychology Credit(s): 3
MM 225 - Media History Credit(s): 3
CO 332 - Gender Communication Credit(s): 3 or other courses approved by the department chair.

Interdisciplinary Majors/Minors in Criminal Justice, Environmental Studies, and Gender Studies

Students majoring in sociology may also wish to pursue a double major in Criminal Justice, or a minor in Criminal Justice, Environmental Studies, or Gender Studies. The interdisciplinary Criminal Justice major/minor was developed in collaboration with Sociology, Political Science, History, Philosophy, and Communication departments.

Teaching Sociology in Secondary Schools

Students interested in teaching sociology in high schools should see the program in social sciences described in the History section of this bulletin.

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