Earn your BA in Sociology
Sociology focuses on human societies, social interactions, and the processes that shape them. It studies principles of social psychology, stratification, and criminology in small groups, private and public organizations, neighborhoods, communities, entire societies, and worldwide.
This major will allow you to look at humans and the relationship with the world around them, while asking questions to help solve common problems and social issues. The sociology major will give you the experience and skills to be able to:
Conduct research and analyze data
Communicate skillfully
Think critically
Employ a global perspective
An undergraduate degree in sociology will prepare you for a very wide variety of careers, including social and government services, law, urban planning, marketing, business, human resources management, applied social research, and secondary education.
Requirements
To earn a BA in Sociology, students must complete a set of core requirements plus electives within the department. Electives are an opportunity to explore different areas within sociology.
Starting in Fall 2017, new majors will be required to earn 36 semester hours, including 7 electives in the major.
Core courses (15-16 sh)–required courses
- SOC:1010 Introduction to Sociology Principles (GE course – Social Sciences)
- SOC:2130 Sociological Theory (Prerequisite: SOC:1010)
- SOC:2160 Applied Statistics for Social Sciences OR Stats course (STAT:1020, STAT:1030, STAT:2010, STAT:3510, PSQF:4143)
- SOC:2170 Research Methods (Prerequisites: SOC:1010 and SOC:2160/stats sub)
- SOC:4910 Capstone Course in Sociology (Prerequisite: SOC:2130, SOC:2160/stats sub, and SOC:2170) OR SOC:4800 Research Practicum in Sociology OR SOC:4920 Social Services Organization Internship
- SOC:4909 Graduation Portfolio (taken in last semester)
Electives
BA students complete elective course work in sociology, chosen from SOC courses offered by the department. Students may include a maximum of 6 sh of criminology (CRIM:xxxx) classes.
Sociology B.A. General Catalog Course Listing
Sociology classes that do not count toward the major include:
- SOC:1000 - First year seminar
- SOC:4930 - Teaching Internship
- SOC:4990 - Directed Individual Study
Students are required to incorporate lower-level courses and upper-level courses (numbered SOC:3000 or higher) to get a good understanding of topics within the major. Two sociology electives, must be taken after (and not concurrent with) the completion of SOC:2130 Sociological Theory and SOC:2170 Research Methods.
Tracks
Students have the option to complete a track in the major, while fulfilling the requirements for the BA or BS degree. The courses that compose the track would count towards the 18 semester hours of required electives for the major (21 semester hours starting Fall 2017). Choosing to follow a track may help students identify a group of courses that are of substantive interest and prepare for opportunities outside of the classroom.
Family and Health Services
The Family and Health Services track is open to Sociology majors who are interested in understanding family structures and practices, differences between and within families, and those social institutions and forces that shape families or are shaped by them. Additionally, the track cultivates students’ understanding of the social context of health, illness, and health care. It is especially well suited for students who are interested in pursuing careers in the fields of social service, counseling, and health.
Human Relations and Business
The Human Relations and Business track is open to Sociology majors who are interested in understanding the macro- and micro-level processes that affect the knowledge and management of organizations, as well as the groups and individuals that compose them. The track provides intensive training in both theoretical and empirical approaches to organizations, and combines micro-level insights into work groups with macro-level perspectives on organizations’ environments. It is especially well suited for students who are interested in pursuing careers in various services-providing sectors such as business, educational services, social assistance, or government.
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