Sociology, Bachelor of Arts
Sociology examines human society with an emphasis on social structure, social interaction, and social change. From the analysis of passing encounters between strangers on the street to the investigation of broad-based global social movements, sociology examines the subtle, yet complex ways individual lives interact and intersect with the collective experience of others. One of the sociology program’s special emphases is understanding social inequalities and their implication for social justice. Comparative, cross-national, and cross-cultural perspectives are also offered in many courses.
The analytic frameworks sociologists employ encourage students to think about complex situations in a new way by showing how the social environment influences people’s life options, advantages and disadvantages. Sociologists are interested not only in understanding social issues and social organization, but also in resolving social problems and improving social conditions for human populations. With sociological knowledge we become more aware of ourselves, of other people, and of the world we all live in.
To study sociology, a student needs to acquire information (what we know), methodology (how we know), and theory (how we explain).
A major in sociology will require students to develop background and strength in each of these domains. The insights gained from a sociological perspective include the ability to perceive the structures and patterns upon which everyday life rests, to understand the interaction between individual agency and social forces, to interpret events from diverse perspectives, and to examine existing social arrangements critically.
The sociology major prepares students to work in education, research, government, business, human services, community organizing, program development, policy analysis, youth services, criminal justice, crime and violence prevention, and victim services. Sociology also prepares students for graduate studies in sociology or related social sciences, for applied research careers, or for professional degree programs in law, social work, public administration and other fields.
The major is organized to provide a firm foundation in theory and research methods while allowing students to tailor their major to their specific subject interests.
A sociology major leads to either a Bachelor of Arts (BA) or a Bachelor of Science (BS) degree.
For the BA degree, sociology majors must complete all the major degree requirements. In addition, students must complete the world language requirement as specified in the Academic Policies section of the University Catalog. This requirement includes completion of the second level of a world language or completion of WL 100 Intro to Comparative Linguistics (3 c.h.) and ANTH 106 Language, Thought and Culture (3 c.h.)/ENG 106 Language, Thought and Culture (3 c.h.), or completion of the second level of American Sign Language.
Student Learning Outcomes
The student learning outcomes apply for both the BS and BA degrees in Sociology.
Upon completion of the Sociology major, students should be able to:
- Understand the major theoretical perspectives in sociology through comparing, contrasting, and thinking critically about the roles of these theories in the study of society.
- Apply a variety of quantitative and qualitative research methods in the gathering and analysis of sociological data and recognize common methodologies used in sociological literature.
- Use sociological theories and methods to analyze substantive social issues and problems such as deviance, race, gender, sexuality, and class.
- Demonstrate critical thinking by evaluating arguments and evidence related to social issues and by connecting sociological insights to current events and personal experiences of the social world.
Specific Program Requirements
- Completion of 36 credit hours of sociology coursework is required for the major. All sociology majors will work with a faculty advisor who will assist in the selection of courses to complete academic requirements.
- A minimum grade of C is required in all sociology courses counting toward either the sociology major or the sociology minor.
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| CORE REQUIREMENTS | ||
| SOC 101 | Introduction to Sociology (GT-SS3) | 3 |
| SOC 205 | Research Methods | 3 |
| SOC 310 | Social & Cultural Theory | 3 |
| ELECTIVES | ||
| Select 27 credits of sociology electives | 27 | |
| Total Credits | 36 | |
Sociology Electives
A total of 27 credit hours of sociology electives are required for the major, including a minimum of 18 credit hours of upper-division (300 or 400-level courses) electives. Electives accepted toward the major can include a maximum of 6.0 credit hours of anthropology and/or criminology. These courses must be approved by a sociology faculty advisor.
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| SOC 101 | Introduction to Sociology (GT-SS3) | 3 |
| SOC 201 | Social Problems (GT-SS1) | 3 |
| SOC 203 | The Criminal Justice System | 3 |
| SOC/PSYC/WS 231 | Marriage & Family Relationships | 3 |
| SOC 248 | Environmental Sociology | 3 |
| SOC 252 | Understanding Lived Experiences | 3 |
| SOC 261 | Introduction to Cannabis Studies | 3 |
| SOC 291 | Special Topics | 1-3 |
| SOC 302 | Collective Behavior and Social Movements | 3 |
| SOC 303 | Deviance | 3 |
| SOC 304 | Race and Crime | 3 |
| SOC/WS 305 | Women & Crime | 3 |
| SOC 306 | Delinquency and Juvenile Justice | 3 |
| SOC 312 | Soc on the Fringe Cults & Conspiracy Theories | 3 |
| SOC/ANTH 314 | Religion, Culture and Society | 3 |
| SOC/ANTH 315 | Health, Culture, and Society | 3 |
| SOC/ANTH 316 | Age, Culture and Society | 3 |
| SOC 321 | Cross-Cultural Perspective on Crime | 3 |
| SOC 324 | Race & Ethnic Relation | 3 |
| SOC 325 | Gender And Society | 3 |
| SOC 326 | Social Stratification | 3 |
| SOC 334 | Sociology of the Military | 3 |
| SOC/PSYC 352 | Social Psychology | 3 |
| SOC 357 | Immigration | 3 |
| SOC 361 | Advanced Cannabis Studies | 3 |
| SOC 370 | Popular Culture | 3 |
| SOC 373 | Film & Society | 3 |
| SOC 374 | Crime in Film | 3 |
| SOC 376 | Crime & Society in Science Fiction | 3 |
| SOC 378 | Rock 'n' Roll and Rebellion | 3 |
| SOC 388 & 388L | Community Engagement and Community Engagement Lab | 4 |
| SOC 404 | Poverty and Inequality in the U.S. | 3 |
| SOC 405 | Law & Society | 3 |
| SOC 408 | Science, Technology, and The Future | 3 |
| SOC 418 | Crime, Drugs, & Social Policy | 3 |
| SOC 426 | Collective Violence and Rioting | 3 |
| SOC/HIST/WS 428 | Women & Work | 3 |
| SOC 432 | Organization Theory | 3 |
| SOC 435 | The Interviewer's Craft | 3 |
| SOC 450 | Soc of Mental Health and Suicide | 3 |
| SOC 452 | The Individual & Society | 3 |
| SOC 453 | 3 | |
| SOC 490 | Special Projects | 1-3 |
| SOC 491 | Special Topics | 1-3 |
| SOC 492 | Research | 1-3 |
| SOC 494 | Field Experience | 1-12 |
| SOC 495 | Independent Study | 1-3 |
Planning Sheet
Disclaimer: The Planning Sheet is designed as a guide for student's planning their course selections. The information on this page provides only a suggested schedule. Actual course selections should be made with the advice and consent of an academic advisor. While accurately portraying the information contained in the college catalog, this form is not considered a legal substitute for that document. Students should become familiar with the catalog in effect at the time in which they entered the institution.
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | ||
| Fall | ||
| ENG 101 | Rhetoric & Writing I (GT-CO1) | 3 |
| General Education recommended - WL100 or language 101, 3.0 Humanities, History, and Sci w/lab | 13 | |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| ENG 102 | Rhetoric & Writing II (GT-CO2) | 3 |
| SOC 101 | Introduction to Sociology (GT-SS3) | 3 |
| General Education recommended - ANTH106 or language 102, Math, & Sci w/lab | 10 | |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Year 2 | ||
| Fall | ||
| SOC 205 | Research Methods | 3 |
| General Education Social Sciences and/or Humanities | 6 | |
| Major elective sociology class | 3 | |
| Open elective | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| SOC 310 | Social & Cultural Theory | 3 |
| Major electives sociology classes | 6 | |
| Open electives 3.0 credits must be outside of the major | 6 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Year 3 | ||
| Fall | ||
| Major electives upper division sociology classes | 6 | |
| Open electives 3.0 credits must be outside the major and upper division | 9 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| Major electives upper division sociology classes | 6 | |
| Open electives 6.0 credits must be outside the major and upper division | 9 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Year 4 | ||
| Fall | ||
| Major elective upper division sociology class | 3 | |
| Open electives 9.0 credits must be upper division, including 3.0 credits outside the major | 11 | |
| Credits | 14 | |
| Spring | ||
| Major elective upper division sociology class | 3 | |
| Open electives 3.0 credits must be upper division; 3.0 credits must be outside the major | 11 | |
| Credits | 14 | |
| Total Credits | 120 | |