Departmental Requirements for Major in Sociology

Six (6) core Sociology courses:

52.101 Introduction to Sociology

52.161 Introduction to Cultural Anthropology

52.234 Investigating Social Forces in American Society

52.301 Sociological Theory

52.302 Research Methods in Sociology I

52.303 Research Methods in Sociology II

Related Required Course:

43.117 Introductory Statistics (Gen. Ed. Goal 2)

CONCENTRATIONS IN SOCIOLOGY

Students majoring in Sociology must select one of the concentrations offered, which have requirements in addition to the six Sociology core courses. The General Sociology concentration offers the student an opportunity to explore the wide range of subdisciplines within the field. Other concentrations combine selected courses within Sociology with related courses from other specified departments to give greater depth and focus to the undergraduate degree program. A cohesive sequence of courses in important subfields enables students to strengthen their knowledge for either immediate employment opportunities upon graduation or for advanced post-graduate training.

Students majoring in Sociology choose from one of the six concentrations listed below: General Sociology Anthropology Business and Society Deviance and Social Control Human Services Social Justice

GENERAL SOCIOLOGY (SOG)

The General Sociology concentration is designed for students who wish to gain a broad overview of the discipline. In addition to the core requirements for the major, students select the following courses: eight sociology electives; a minimum of two (2) must be at the 300-level or higher.

ANTHROPOLOGY (SOA)

The Anthropology concentration focuses on the understanding of culture, the various adaptive styles human beings have devised and the ways in which they have become diversified. It is designed to prepare students for careers involving interaction and cooperation with people from diverse cultural, religious, and ethnic groups. Some examples are government; international development; foundation administration; business enterprises, especially those with overseas interests; non-profit organizations, especially non-governmental organizations (NGO’s) with global interests; human ecology and environmental consulting. In addition, this concentration prepares students for graduate study in anthropology, sociology, and international relations.

In addition to completing the core requirements for the major, students select the following courses:

Eight sociology electives, at least three of which are from the following list:

52.243 Unity and Diversity in Native American Cultures

52.253 Gender Across Cultures

52.360 Language and Culture

52.370 Psychological Anthropology

Four of the following related required courses from outside of the department: Students must select courses from at least two different departments.

21.202 Comparative Mythology

1                     Global Perspectives in Literature

2                     World Regional Geography

22.211 Cultural Geography

22.222 Geographic Perspectives on Globalization

22.225 Population, Food, and Global Development

22.255 Geography of Sub-Saharan Africa

22.256 Geography of the Middle East

22.257 Geography of Latin America

31.171 World Music Cultures

1                     Music, Dance, and Ritual in the Pacific

2                     The Comparative History of World Civilizations

32.336 Latin America from the Conquest to the Present

71.245 Cultural Aspects of Media Representation

BUSINESS AND SOCIETY (SOB)

This concentration is for students interested in professional and business careers. The focus is on various models of work systems in American enterprise, social regulation of business, the character of the global economy, and markets as systems of social exchange relating to families, work organizations, and the state. Fieldwork is encouraged for students through our field experience course.

In addition to completing the core requirements for the major, students select the following courses:

Eight sociology electives, at least four of which are from the following list:

52.230 Law and Society

52.282 Sociology of the Future: Post-Industrial Society

52.315 Social Class in American Society

52.340 Sociology of Work - Occupations and Professions

52.342 Sociology of Organizations

52.490 Independent Study

52.498 Field Experience in the Social Dynamics of Business

Related Required Courses (two):

12.100 Contemporary Economic Problems and Issues

and

12.105 An Introduction to the United States Economy

or

12.101 Principles of Macroeconomics

and

12.102 Principles of Microeconomics

Related Courses (choose two):

21.286 Professional Writing or

21.471 Business Writing

71.240 Leadership in Meetings

12.215 Legal Environment of Business

12.230 Urban Economics

12.260 Labor Economics

12.272 Management Principles

12.280 Applied Organizational Theory and Management

32.240 Industrial and Labor History of the U.S.

42.334 Organizational Behavior

62.325 Public Management Note: Substitutions may be made with permission of the Sociology Department Chair.

DEVIANCE AND SOCIAL CONTROL (SOD)

A focus on deviance and social control implies taking a careful look at how forms of social and personal behavior which violate mainstream norms arise, and at how mainstreamers and mainstream social institutions regard and respond to such behavior. We will be looking at behavioral styles called “crime”, “delinquency”, “immorality”, “non-conformity”, and so forth. How do such modes of behavior arise and how do they become labeled as deviant styles by the society and its mainstream enforcers? How do deviants assess their own behavior and how is it viewed by others? How does it affect their relationships with others? What do “insider- outsider” relations consist of? What does the society as a whole define as order? How do various social institutions and groupings (the legal and medical establishments, the upholders of public morality, etc.) respond to what they view to be disorder? How does society punish transgressors and enforce rules and impose sanctions? This concentration is particularly suitable for those interested in the practice of law and law enforcement, politics, public administration, mental health, and social work.

In addition to completing the core requirements for the major, students select the following courses:

Eight sociology electives, at least four of which are from the following list:

52.130 Social Problems

52.224 Juvenile Delinquency

52.225 Genocide and Violence: Sociological Perspectives

52.230 Law and Society

52.248 Social Structure and the Self

52.267 Sociology of Subcultures

52.270 Sociology of Deviance

52.271 Criminology
*52.490 Independent Study
*52.495 Internship-Community Social Services
*52.498 Field Experience in the Social Dynamics of Business

 

*Must be specific and relevant to the concentration and with approval of the department chairperson.

Related courses (choose four):

1                     Introduction to Political and Social Philosophy

2                     Adolescent Psychology

42.224 Social Psychology

42.271 Principles of Behavior Modification

42.273 Environmental Psychology

42.322 Abnormal Psychology

62.211 Political Theory: Justice, Law, and Order

62.250 American Legal Systems

62.315 Judicial Politics and Policy

62.316 U.S. Constitutional Law and Politics

84.420 Drug Addiction Note: Substitutions may be made with permission of the Sociology Department Chair.

HUMAN SERVICES (SOS)

This concentration is designed for students interested in careers in human services, such as non-profit agency administration, social work, counseling, community organizing, health care policy analysis, and health care administration. Additionally, this concentration offers preparation for graduate study in social work, health care administration, law, sociology, psychology, education, and human resource management. The Human Service concentration provides an in-depth examination of the impact of social forces on human behavior.

In addition to completing the core requirements for the major, students select the following courses:

Eight sociology electives, at least four of which are from the following list:

52.130 Social Problems

52.212 Sociology of the Family

52.245 Race and Ethnic Relations

52.248 Social Structure and the Self

52.280 Social Gerontology

52.315 Social Class in American Society

52.325 Medical Sociology

52.342 Sociology of Organizations

52.495 Internship - Community Social Services*

*Internship must be related to human services.

Related courses (choose four) (students must select at least one course from each
department listed below):

Psychology:

42.101 General Psychology

42.212 Adolescent Psychology

42.215 Psychology of Personality

42.258 Human Relations

42.271 Principles of Behavior Modification

42.322 Abnormal Psychology

Consumer Sciences:

34.111 Human Development

34.312 Family and Interpersonal Development

SOCIAL JUSTICE (SOJ)

A focus on the study of social inequalities and the struggle to achieve a more equitable society and world. The concentration examines class, race, ethnic, national, and gender divisions and their connections to major social and political problems. It also considers possible solutions and related strategies of social change. This concentration is suitable for students interested in political activism, government service, social work, teaching, law, and graduate work in the social sciences.

Eight sociology electives, at least four of which are from the following list:

52.130 Social Problems

52.225 Genocide and Violence

52.243 Unity and Diversity in Native American Cultures

52.245 Race and Ethnic Relations

52.253 Gender Across Culture

52.263 Social Stratification

52.308 Political Sociology

52.315 Social Class in American Society

Four of the following related courses, from a minimum of two departments:

English

21.260 American Ethnic Literature

21.273 Recent Narratives by American Women

Geography

22.180 Native Americans: A Geographical and Legal Perspective

22.206 Political Geography

22.222 Geographic Perspectives on Globalization

22.225 Population, Food, and Global Development

22.257     Geography of Latin America

History

32.312     America in Crisis

32.321     Immigrants, Ethnics, & Racial Minorities in United States History

32.326     Women in American History

32.336     Latin America from Conquest to the Present

32.340     Industrial and Labor History of the United States

32.384     India in the Age of Empire

32.387     History of South Africa

52.101 Introduction to Sociology and four (4) additional approved courses in sociology. The electives must be selected from a minimum of two major areas such as: anthropology, criminal justice, family, medical sociology, and urban sociology.

52.101 Introduction to Sociology (Gen. Ed. Goals 9, 12)

An exploration of relationships and processes in the social world. Emphasis is placed on similarities and divisions based on race, class, gender, and culture. Major concepts, theories, principles, and research methods used by sociologists are reviewed. An examination of the role of major institutions, such as family, work, religion, politics, and education is provided.

52.121 Criminology

An analysis of the types, causes, and consequences of criminal behavior including street crime, organized crime, and white-collar crime.  Emphasis is placed on the links among theory, research, and policy.  Note: Students cannot receive credit for both 52.121 Criminology and 52.271 Criminology.

52.130 Social Problems (Gen. Ed. Goals 9, 12)

An analysis of selected problems affecting society such as discrimination, family violence, inequality and poverty, addictions, population, and the environment. Note: Students may not receive credit for both 52.130 and 52.123 Contemporary Social Problems in Urban Society.

52.161 Introduction to Cultural Anthropology (Gen. Ed. Goals 9, 11)

A systematic study of cultural forms of thought and behavior as represented in Western and non-Western societies, with particular emphasis on the diversity present among human cultural systems.

52.172 Interpreting the Past: Archaeological Perspectives (Gen. Ed. Goals 9, 11)

An exploration of past social worlds through their material remains.  As a sub-field of anthropology, archaeology attempts to bring to life both western and non-western diversity in cultures of the past. This course examines past beliefs and practices involving such factors as the treatment of the dead, power and prestige, art, architecture, and gender.  Students learn how archaeologists study past behavior through the use of empirical techniques such as excavation, survey, and interpretation. An emphasis is also placed on the use and abuse of archaeology in the present.

52.212 Sociology of the Family (Gen. Ed. Goal 12)

A study of marriage and family institutions in terms of their development, contemporary structure, and relation to other institutions in American society. Various models for learning about family structures and face-to-face interaction of family members are considered. Prerequisite: 52.101 Introduction to Sociology.

52.220 Sport in Society (Gen. Ed. Goal 12)

An application of various sociological perspectives to the topic of amateur and professional sport in North America.  The dynamic relationship between sport as a social institution and hierarchies of race, ethnicity, social class, and gender is explored extensively.  The institution of sport is examined as a cultural phenomenon and a powerful socialization tool.

52.225 Genocide and Violence: Sociological Perspectives

An exploration of the perplexing and disturbing reality of widespread genocide throughout the world — particularly during the 20th Century. The course considers causes, what constitutes genocide, how genocide is rationalized and allowed to continue, and what ends genocide.

52.230 Law and Society (Gen. Ed. Goal 10)

A consideration of law as a tool used by governments and various constituencies in society.  The following topics are included: the nature and function of law in various social contexts; the relationship between law and individual freedom; and relations between law and social values.  Particular focus is on the U.S. legal system. Prerequisite: A course from the Sociology or Government Department, or permission of instructor.

52.234 Investigating Social Forces in American Society (Gen. Ed. Goal 9)

A hands-on approach to the investigation of social issues in the United States from both contemporary and historical perspectives. After a review of principles of scientific inquiry in the social sciences, students learn how to explore, organize, and present qualitative and quantitative data, using various software packages and the Internet. Students acquire computer skills applicable to many social science careers and/or graduate study. Note: This course is computer intensive. Competency in word processing and presentation software or completion of 63.120 Introduction to Information Technology or 63.151 Personal Computer Fundamentals and Applications is strongly recommended.