Overview
Prerequisites
Requirements for Major
Requirements in Related Areas
Requirements for Minor
The Sociology major offers students an in-depth look at contemporary human society, its culture and social institutions. The course work in the major brings together the disciplines of anthropology, with its cross-cultural perspectives; sociology, with its emphasis on American institutions and social issues; and social work and social policy, with its focus on intervention and social problems. A selection of diversified courses linked together by a number of important themes is offered.
The larger focus is on the relation between social forces and the individual. Sociology courses examine customs, norms, roles, and the overall organization of contemporary society. Within this context the following themes emerge:
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The social facts and problems associated with inequality, emphasizing age, gender, race, ethnicity, and social class
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Social groups and institutions from family to bureaucracy, emphasizing health care, education, and social policy
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Methods of social change for individuals and groups confronting social change, conflict, and differences in
wealth and power.
For the sociology course offerings, 1000-level courses provide a comprehensive descriptive overview at the introductory level, 2000-level courses provide an in-depth specialized study of a particular case, area, or social phenomenon and introduce theoretical perspectives, and 3000-level courses analyze case materials applying theory critically in specific cases and consider the consequences of various theories on social policy and strategies for social change.
A 1000-level sociology course is required as a prerequisite for any 2000-level sociology course and any 2000-level sociology course is a prerequisite for any 3000-level sociology course. Any student who has grounds to request a waiver of this requirement may do so by contacting the sociology area coordinator for a decision. This request must be made prior to enrolling in the upper-level sociology course.
Prerequisite:
| Course # |
Course Name |
Credits |
| SOC 1000 |
Perspectives on Society and Culture |
3 |
| |
or |
|
| SOC 1600 |
Social Problems |
|
| |
or |
|
| ANTH 1020 |
Introduction to Anthropology |
|
Requirements for Sociology Major:
| SOC 2600 |
Methods in Social Research |
3 |
| SOC 3900 |
Senior Seminar: Selected Topics in Sociological Theories |
3 |
Total credits: 6
Electives:
Twenty-one sociology credits at the 2000-, 3000-, or 4000- level from any of the SOC courses listed under Sociology (No more than three credits of SOC 3450 may be applied toward this twenty-one credit requirement.) Students must take at least six of these twenty-one credits at the 3000- or 4000-level. Total credits: 21
Requirement in Related Area: (must be taken before CJ/SOC 2600 Research Methods)
Students are encouraged to develop individualized courses in field work or independent study as part of their elective program:
| SOC 3450 |
Experiential Learning (Internships) |
3 |
| |
(1-9 crs., 3 of which may count as an elective in the major) |
|
| SOC 4000 |
Independent Research |
3 |
| SOC 4100 |
Independent Readings |
3 |
SOCIOLOGY CONCENTRATIONS*:
A. SERVICE AND THE COMMUNITY Concentration
This concentration focuses on strategies of society and social work practitioners to implement social policy and
effect social change. Experiential learning is a strongly recommended complement with this concentration.
| SOC 2310 |
Societal Responses to Human Needs Public and Private |
3 |
| SOC 2410 |
Working with Individuals |
3 |
| SOC 2420 |
Working with Groups and Communities |
3 |
| SOC 3390 |
Crisis Intervention |
3 |
B. ETHNIC AND GENDER STUDIES Concentration
This concentration focuses on how ethnicity and gender influence social organization and power relationships in
contemporary American society.
| SOC 2160 |
Urban Life: Culture and Change |
3 |
| SOC 2660 |
Sociology of Women |
3 |
| SOC 2670 |
Minorities and Majorities |
3 |
| SOC 3760 |
Wealth, Poverty, and Social Class in America |
3 |
*Alternatively, a student may design an individually initiated concentration, subject to review and approval of the
sociology faculty.
Requirements for Sociology Minor:
Students can earn a minor in Sociology by taking one of the prerequisites and four courses in the sociology curriculum at the 2000-level or above, with at least one course at the 3000-level.
Experiential Learning (Internships):
Sociology majors are encouraged to experiential learning in fieldwork settings to observe social life and institutions
and to participate in programs and projects designed to develop critical understandings of our society. Majors electing these internships may continue beyond the three- credit requirement.
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Completion of EXP 2340, Introduction to Experiential Learning, with a grade of C or better;
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A 2.75 cumulative average overall;
-
A 3.0 average in the major;
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No outstanding “Incomplete” in an earlier field placement
Additionally, Sociology students electing to do an internship are required to take the co-requisite: Exp 2340 SM Sociology Internship Seminar.