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Associate Professor: Marjorie Donovan, Harry L. Humphries
Assistant Professor: Browyn Conrad
Instructor: Gary Wilson
Sociology is the scientific study of human social behavior, as well as the structure, organization, and processes that define contemporary society. As the foundation of many fields of study, including social work, gerontology, demography, and criminal justice, sociology serves as a valuable liberal arts major for students planning careers in a wide variety of fields, including law, law enforcement, criminology, social services, public administration, community planning, international relations, and market research. Sociology's concentration on such social factors as race, ethnicity, gender, age, education, and social class also make it an excellent foundation for working in today's multiethnic, multinational business world. Because of the breadth and utility of the discipline, the undergraduate major in sociology is divided into two options: a Bachelor of Arts degree, which is designed for those who intend to pursue careers in academic or research settings and/or pursue additional study at the graduate level, and a Bachelor of Science degree, which is designed for those who intend to pursue careers directly after the completion of their undergraduate degrees. Both major options are organized to reflect the rationale and recommendations of the American Sociological Association and require the completion of a minimum of 38 semester hours in sociology. Majors in sociology must complete 45 upper-division credit hours to graduate and must take at least one minor or second major with a minimum of 16 upper-division semester credit hours. Suggested minors and/or second majors include: history, geography, psychology, multicultural studies, international studies, or women's studies. Majors may also choose to pursue a recognized emphasis in one of the following two specializations: 1) Criminology or 2) Diversity Studies.
The Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in sociology should be selected by students planning careers in traditional academic settings or requiring graduate study in sociology or areas closely related to the discipline, such as college teaching or full-time research. Although not all such careers are exclusive to academic settings, the particular application of the B.A. option would typically involve activities that have more in common with those settings than those involving the provision of social services of various kinds. Collecting, analyzing, and processing data should be vital areas of interest to students selecting this option. Graduate study must be considered a likely expectation for advancement in one's career in any setting related to this option.
The requirements for the Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in sociology are:
| |
Hours |
I. Required courses |
20 |
| SOC 100 Introduction to Sociology |
3 |
| SOSCI 387 Social Research Design |
4 |
| SOSCI 388 Social Research Analysis |
4 |
| SOC 570 History of Sociological Thought |
3 |
| SOC 675 Contemporary Sociological Theory |
3 |
| SOC 691 Senior Seminar in Sociology |
3 |
II. Complete one 3-hour course from each of the following groups for a total of 12 hours: |
12 |
A. Crime/Deviance |
|
| SOC 527 Correctional Systems |
3 |
| SOC 547 Criminology |
3 |
| SOC 548 Juvenile Delinquency |
3 |
| SOC 549 Social Deviance |
3 |
B. Social Institutions |
|
| SOC 410 Sociology of Sport |
3 |
| SOC 534 Political Sociology |
3 |
| SOC 536 The Family and Society |
3 |
| SOC 584 Medical Sociology |
3 |
C. Social Organization |
|
| SOC 360 Community Sociology |
3 |
| SOC 370 Urban Sociology |
3 |
| SOC 440 Personality and Social Structure |
3 |
| SOC 537 Sociology of Work and Occupations |
3 |
D. Social Inequality |
|
| SOC 443 Race and Ethnic Relations |
3 |
| SOC 512 Social Stratification |
3 |
| SOC 569 Society and Sexuality |
3 |
| SOC 663 Women, Men and Society |
3 |
| SOC 676 Global Sociology |
3 |
III. Complete 6 hours of electives in sociology |
6 |
IV. Total required for Bachelor of Arts degree with a sociology major |
38 |
Sociology (Criminology Emphasis)
In addition to the other requirements for the Bachelor of Arts degree, sociology majors pursuing an emphasis in Criminology must complete the six hours of electives in sociology from among the courses listed under group A (Crime and Deviance).
Sociology (Diversity Studies Emphasis)
In addition to the other requirements for the Bachelor of Arts degree, sociology majors pursuing an emphasis in Diversity Studies must complete the six hours of electives in sociology from among the courses listed under group D (Social Inequality). |
