Sociology, Bachelor of Science

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. Sociology majors earning a BS degree can choose the community engagement concentration to build community connections and skills in advocacy and community organization while completing their degree. Core classes in the concentration include a required internship.

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 BS degree, SOC 335, is a required course. BA students can choose to take SOC 335 as an elective in their sociology major.

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 & Culture (3 c.h.)/ENG 106 Language, Thought & Culture (3 c.h.), or completion of the second level of American Sign Language.

Student Learning Outcomes

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

Program Overview¹

Program Overview
Requirement	Credits
General Education	35
Core Requirements	9
Major Requirements	27
Open Electives	25
Minor	24
Total Credits	120

¹: The 120 credits earned must be Inclusive of a minimum of 40 upper division credits.

Specific Core Requirements

Course List
Course	Title	Credits
SOC 101	Introduction to Sociology (GT-SS3)	3
SOC 205	Research Methods	3
SOC 310	Social & Cultural Theory	3
Total Credits		9

Specific Major Requirements

Course List
Course	Title	Credits
Additional Major Requirements
SOC 335	Advanced Research Methods	3
Major Electives ^{A minimum of 15 upper division credits required.}		24
SOC 105	Understanding Human Diversity	3
SOC 201	Social Problems (GT-SS1)	3
SOC 203	The Criminal Justice System	3
SOC 231	Marriage & Family Relationships	3
SOC 248	Environmental Sociology	3
SOC 252	Understanding Lived Experiences	3
SOC 261	Introduction to Cannabis Studies & Science	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 305	Women & Crime	3
SOC 306	Delinquency and Juvenile Justice	3
SOC 312	Soc on the Fringe Cults & Conspiracy Theories	3
SOC 314	Religion, Culture and Society	3
SOC 315	Health, Culture, and Society	3
SOC 316	Age, Culture and Society	3
SOC 321	Cross-Cultural Perspective on Crime	3
SOC 324	Race & Ethnic Relations	3
SOC 325	Gender And Society	3
SOC 326	Social Stratification	3
SOC 334	Sociology of the Military	3
SOC 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	Community Engagement	3
SOC 388L	Community Engagement Lab	1
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 428	Women & Work	3
SOC 432	Organizational Theory & Behavior	3
SOC 435	Interviewing for Research	3
SOC 450	Soc of Mental Health and Suicide	3
SOC 452	The Individual & Society	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
Total Credits		27

Planning Sheet

Disclaimer: The Planning Sheet is designed as a guide for students 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.

Plan of Study Grid
Course	Title	Credits
Year 1
Fall
ENG 101	Rhetoric & Writing I (GT-CO1)	3
General Education ^{Recommended: 6 credits Humanities, History, & Science 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: Humanities, Math, & Science w/lab}		10
	Credits	16
Year 2
Fall
SOC 205	Research Methods	3
Major Elective ^{SOC class}		3
General Education ^{Recommended: Social Sciences}		6
Open Elective		3
	Credits	15
Spring
Major Electives ^{SOC classes}		6
Open Electives ^{6 credits must be outside major}		9
	Credits	15
Year 3
Fall
SOC 310	Social & Cultural Theory	3
SOC 335	Advanced Research Methods	3
Major Elective ^{Upper division SOC class}		3
Open Electives ^{Must be outside major}		6
	Credits	15
Spring
Major Electives ^{Upper division SOC classes}		6
Open Electives ^{6 credits must be upper division and outside major}		9
	Credits	15
Year 4
Fall
Major Elective ^{Upper division SOC class}		3
Open Elective ^{9 credits must be upper division}		11
	Credits	14
Spring
Major Elective ^{Upper division SOC class}		3
Electives ^{4 credits must be upper division}		11
	Credits	14
	Total Credits	120

2025-2026 Catalog

Academic Catalog