Majoring and Minoring in Sociology
Sociology, which is the science of society, examines social patterns and social change wherever found, in small groups; in a range of political, economic, and cultural organizations; in whole societies and in world systems. It liberates our thinking from a host of social myths. It reveals the social forces constraining our lives and discloses the critical play of economic, racial, and gender inequalities. The sociological imagination illuminates the roots of social problems and devises potential remedies. It probes the links between historical eras and personal biographies, between social structures and private lives. This modern mode of thought is useful in diverse walks of life, which benefit from an informed, critical view of the society's master, middle-range and minor institutions.
Sociology Major (44 credits)
The Sociology major consists of 44 credit hours including a 4-hour senior seminar and one additional course outside the major (see below for approved courses). A total of six courses consisting of 24 credits constitute the core. These courses include the following:
| SOCI 141 | Principles of Sociology |
| SOCI 324 | Logic of Sociological Inquiry |
| SOCI 302 | Sociological Research |
| SOCI 390 | Data Analysis |
| SOCI 401 | Social Theory Seminar |
| SOCI 499 | Senior Seminar |
An additional 16 hours of sociology electives are required for the major. Any course offered in Sociology with a 200 or higher designation that is not required for the core may be used to meet this requirement. Frequently offered courses include the following:
| SOCI 204 | Sociology of Religion |
| SOCI 253 | Racial and Cultural Minorities |
| SOCI 331 | Meditations on the Holocaust |
| SOCI 311 | Deviance |
| SOCI 344 | Sociology of Health and Illness |
| SOCI 312 | Elite Deviance |
| SOCI 345 | Global Stratification |
| SOCI 350 | Field Placement |
| SOCI 355 | Internship |
| SOCI 271/471 | Topics in Sociology |
Finally, students must take ONE of the following courses outside the Sociology department:
| CDM 210 | Communication and Community |
| CDM 340 | Communication and Technology |
| ECON 324 | Public Sector Economics |
| ECON 325 | Economics of Poverty and Income |
| ECON 322 | Regional and Urban Economics |
| GEOG 206 | The Human Landscape |
| GEOG 239 | Introduction to Geographical Information Systems |
| GEOG 373 | Urban Geography |
| POLS 240 | American Government |
| POLS 335 | Human Rights |
| PSYC 220 | Social Psychology |
| PSYC 285 | Child and Adolescent Development |
| PSYC 345 | Contemporary Issues in Sex and Gender |
| SOCW 240 | Human Behavior and Social Environment |
| SOCW 310 | Social Welfare Policy Analysis |
| SOCW 471 | Topics in Social Work: Family Violence |
| WOMG 110 | Introduction to Women's/Gender Studies |
| WOMG 311 | Women's and Gender Studies Theory |
Sociology Minor (24 credits)
It must include Principles of Sociology 141 and Sociological Research I 302.
Honors in the Major
Please see department chair for details. Basic requirements are listed under All-College Programs in the catalog.
