Overview
The Major in Sociology provides scientific training for understanding the organization and fluid nature of contemporary society, patterns of social change, and the mutual influence between macro structures and processes (society and culture) on one hand, and the micro level (individuals and groups) on the other. Increasingly, sociologists are also focused on understanding the processes of globalization that are currently transforming contemporary societies.
Curriculum Requirements
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| SOC 101 | Introduction to Sociology | 3 |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Introduction to Social Research | ||
| Geographic Research Methods | ||
| Community Program Development and Evaluation for students who are also enrolled in the School of Education | ||
| Select one of the following options: | 3-4 | |
| Quantitative Methods for Sociologists and Quantitative Methods Lab (Or equivalent 3-credit statistics course with Dept approval) | ||
| Introduction to Statistics and Research Design EPS 351 for students who have a major or minor in the School of Education and Human Development | ||
| Introduction to Biobehavioral Statistics for students who are also Psychology majors or minors | ||
| Introduction to Biobehavioral Statistics Section B for students who are also Psychology majors or minors | ||
| SOC 401 | Sociological Theory | 3 |
| Select two of the following: | 6 | |
| Social Organization | ||
| Social Psychology: Sociological Perspective | ||
| Social Inequalities | ||
| Departmental Electives | 12 | |
| General Education Requirements | ||
| Written Communication Skills: | ||
| WRS 105 | First-Year Writing I | 3 |
| WRS 106 | First-Year Writing II | 3 |
| or ENG 106 | Writing About Literature and Culture | |
| Quantitative Skills: | ||
| MTH 113 | Finite Mathematics 3 | 3 |
| Areas of Knowledge: | ||
| Arts and Humanities Cognate | 9 | |
| People & Society Cognate (9 credits) (fulfilled through the major) | ||
| STEM Cognate | 9 | |
| Additional Required Courses | ||
| Additional Major/Minor | 15-30 | |
| Science Course | 3 | |
| Foreign Language | 3 | |
| Electives | 42 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 120 | |
- 1
GEG 306 can be substituted for SOC 210 and EPS 452 can be substituted for SOC 210 only by students who are also enrolled in the School of Education.
- 2
PSY 291, PSY 292 can be substituted for SOC 211 only by students who are Psychology majors or minors and also majoring in Sociology or Criminology. EPS 351 can be substituted for SOC 211 only by students who have a major or minor in the School of Education and Human Development.
- 3
3 credit hours in a Mathematics course numbered MTH 108 or higher is required for graduation; MTH 113 is recommended for Sociology students.
- *
A minimum final grade of C- in all courses offered by the Department
- **
A minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 in all courses offered by the Department
- ***
A minimum of 16 credit hours must be earned in residency in the Department; thus, only a maximum of 15 credit hours can be transferred from other institutions as eligible credit hours for the SOCIOLOGY major
Suggested Plan of Study
| Freshman Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credit Hours | |
| MTH 113 | Finite Mathematics | 3 |
| Language (first course) | 3 | |
| Arts and Humanities Cognate (first course) | 3 | |
| SOC 101 | Introduction to Sociology | 3 |
| WRS 105 | First-Year Writing I | 3 |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| Language (second course) | 3 | |
| STEM Cognate (first course) | 3 | |
| SOC 210 | Introduction to Social Research | 3 |
| WRS 106 or ENG 106 | First-Year Writing II or Writing About Literature and Culture | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Sophomore Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| SOC 211 & SOC 212 | Quantitative Methods for Sociologists and Quantitative Methods Lab | 4 |
| Arts and Humanities Cognate (second course) | 3 | |
| Minor (first course) | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| SOC 301, 302, or 303 | Social Organization or Social Psychology: Sociological Perspective or Social Inequalities | 3 |
| Minor (second course) | 3 | |
| STEM Cognate (second course) | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Junior Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| SOC 371 | Criminology | 3 |
| Minor (third course) | 3 | |
| STEM Cognate (third course) | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| Minor (fourth course) | 3 | |
| Natural Science Course | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Senior Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| SOC 401 | Sociological Theory | 3 |
| Minor (fifth course) | ||
| Arts and Humanities Cognate (third course) | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 121 | |
Mission
Course work in this major is designed to provide scientific training for understanding the organization and patterns of structure and change in contemporary society, in addition to the interrelations between social structures, processes, and culture, on the one hand, and between these macro-level phenomena and individuals and groups, on the other.
Goals
Sociology courses have several objectives, including: general education, preparation for pursuing careers in such fields as law, social gerontology, health, human resource management, and social planning, and preparation for graduate study in sociology.
Student Learning Outcomes
- Students will demonstrate a thorough understanding of sociology, and the basic sociological theoretical concepts and knowledge base.
- Students will develop and demonstrate critical thinking skills through the comprehension, analysis and critique of sociological theories.
- Students will demonstrate an ability to understand and critique sociological research methodology. Students will have the ability to design and critique valid research studies and to identify reliable findings from such studies.
