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Sociology Degree Requirements

Major Requirements for a BA or BS in Sociology

Both the Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees in Sociology requires 120 credits.

General Education Requirements (57-58 credits)

In addition to meeting the course requirements for each respective major, all students must also fulfill the General Education requirements for the Undergraduate College. Students may apply 9 credits in their major toward these requirements.

Click the tabs below to view degree requirements for a Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, or a Bachelor of Science, Clinical Track.

Bachelor of Arts in Sociology

Required Courses (45 credits)

SOC 0100: Principles of Sociology: A study of the interaction in the major social institutions: the family, military, economy, religion, education, government / legal, leisure, mass media, peer group, community, and social stratification. How everyday life is influenced by culture, status, and role constructs. Sociology as an applied /problem solving discipline is emphasized. Offered fall semester. (3 credits)

SOC 0110: Social Problems: Appreciation of how “social problems” are defined by culture. Areas studied: (1) the city (urban change); (2) healthcare; (3) family disorganization; (4) labeling of sexual behavior; (5) individual and organized crime; (6) juvenile delinquency; (7) lifecycle problems; (8) substance use – drugs, alcohol, smoking; (9) war and terrorism; (10) secrecy and privacy; (11) poverty; (12) environmental issues. Offered spring semester. (3 credits)

Selected classical theorists. Comte, Spencer, Durkheim, Simmel, Weber, and others will be studied with an interest in their social concepts as they are employed today. Prerequisite: SOC-0100. Offered in spring. (3 credits)
Selected modern theorists read in the original with emphasis on how a theory is constructed. Freud, Parsons, Merton, Goffman, Park, Homans, Feminist Sociologists (K. Millet, D.E. Smith, de Beauvoir, J. Mitchell, B. Hooks), and others. The application of concepts to empirical research and sociological practice. Offered fall semester. Prerequisite: SOC 0100 or SOC 0110 (3 credits)
A study of power relationships in society. Socioeconomic status variables and everyday life. Ruling class, elite, and pluralistic theories. Social mobility patterns of religion-ethnic groups. Changes in American class structure due to globalization. U.S. social class impact on third world countries. “Rags to riches” and other belief patterns. Prerequisite: SOC0200 or SOC-0205 or POI. Offered spring semester. (3 credits)
The sociologist’s activities and functions related to the legal system. The roles of researcher, expert witness, mediator, liaison, advocate, evaluator, and consultant (to Guardian Ad Litem and others) will be explored. Court visits, guest speaker (lawyers, Guardian Ad Litem, judges, mental health professionals etc.), and role-playing will round out the academic experience. The interplay between social theory, research, and application will be emphasized. Offered spring semester. (3 credits)
Theories and practices of dispute resolution. Social problems amenable to mediation include domestic issues; cohabitation; divorce; child custody; employer-employee conflicts; educational services; and other areas. Topics covered: theories of social conflict / mediation; identifying the social context; ethical knowledge; techniques for building collaborations; identifying impasses; updating professional training; integration of other professionals (lawyers, religious professional, therapists, and human resources); drafting a mediation document. Guest speakers will share their knowledge and experiences. No prerequisite. This course fulfills the Critical Thinking requirement in the Undergraduate College’s General Education program. (3 credits)
Topics: universality of the family; trends in marriage; class differentials; spousal selection; conflict resolution; alternative family styles; intimacy patterns; cohabitation; communication models; modification of husband-wife roles; social interventions with families; the effects of separation/divorce on children; new custodial arrangements; and decision making in intimate relationships. No prerequisite. Offered every other year. This course fulfills the Multiculturalism and Gender requirement in the Undergraduate College’s General Education program. (3 credits
An introduction to research methods in the social sciences which includes descriptive and inferential statistics, qualitative methods, survey methods, research design, document analysis, special interviewing skills, experimental and quasiexperimental approaches to research, and analytical tools. Students complete a research proposal or research project in their major discipline. Prerequisites: SOC 0100 or SOC 0110 or POI. (3 credits)
Evaluation of current research, theory, and practice in sociology. Format is student presentations and discussion with faculty guidance. Topics vary by semester. Open to senior sociology majors, others by permission. Offered as needed. (3 credits)
Sociological concepts and theories are applied to clinical practice, research, and consultation; public and private practice; interrelationships between sociology and other disciplines dealing with mental health and social problems; social class, role structures, ethnicity, and other social variables employed in professional settings to assist individual, organizational, business, and communal social change. Social diagnostics and other intervention models. Guest speakers. Offered fall semester. Prerequisites: SOC 0100 or SOC 0110 or POI. (3 credits)

Additional Requirements

  • Five Sociology Elective courses (15 credits)
  • At least 9 credits, or three courses, must be at or above the 300 level.
  • Students are encouraged to include SOC 0390, Sociology of Substance Abuse, as one of their elective courses within the discipline.

Electives

The remaining credit hours are electives and can consist of Sociology courses, but should not be limited to this particular discipline. Electives credits make up the remaining hours in order to graduate with 120 credits.

Bachelor of Science in Sociology

Required Courses (48 credits)

SOC 0100: Principles of Sociology: A study of the interaction in the major social institutions: the family, military, economy, religion, education, government / legal, leisure, mass media, peer group, community, and social stratification. How everyday life is influenced by culture, status, and role constructs. Sociology as an applied /problem solving discipline is emphasized. Offered fall semester. (3 credits)

SOC 0110: Social Problems: Appreciation of how “social problems” are defined by culture. Areas studied: (1) the city (urban change); (2) healthcare; (3) family disorganization; (4) labeling of sexual behavior; (5) individual and organized crime; (6) juvenile delinquency; (7) lifecycle problems; (8) substance use – drugs, alcohol, smoking; (9) war and terrorism; (10) secrecy and privacy; (11) poverty; (12) environmental issues. Offered spring semester. (3 credits)

Selected classical theorists. Comte, Spencer, Durkheim, Simmel, Weber, and others will be studied with an interest in their social concepts as they are employed today. Prerequisite: SOC-0100. Offered in spring. (3 credits)
Selected modern theorists read in the original with emphasis on how a theory is constructed. Freud, Parsons, Merton, Goffman, Park, Homans, Feminist Sociologists (K. Millet, D.E. Smith, de Beauvoir, J. Mitchell, B. Hooks), and others. The application of concepts to empirical research and sociological practice. Offered fall semester. Prerequisite: SOC 0100 or SOC 0110 (3 credits)
A study of power relationships in society. Socioeconomic status variables and everyday life. Ruling class, elite, and pluralistic theories. Social mobility patterns of religion-ethnic groups. Changes in American class structure due to globalization. U.S. social class impact on third world countries. “Rags to riches” and other belief patterns. Prerequisite: SOC0200 or SOC-0205 or POI. Offered spring semester. (3 credits)

SOC 0260: Criminology: An analysis of contemporary views of criminal behavior, social theories of causation /perpetration of crime. Areas of studies will be deviance; penal reform; crime detection; changing definition of crime; and agencies of social control. Special emphasis on criminal law procedure and the elements of crimes. Field trips. Prerequisite: SOC0100. Offered fall semester. (3 credits)

SOC 0265: Juvenile Delinquency: Origin of reformatory system, the social values of the middle- class reformers, the juvenile system, gang behavior, types of J.D. treatment of youthful offenders, and new patterns of offenses. Field trips to facilities for juveniles and to juvenile court. Prerequisite: SOC-0100. Offered spring semester. (3 credits)

The sociologist’s activities and functions related to the legal system. The roles of researcher, expert witness, mediator, liaison, advocate, evaluator, and consultant (to Guardian Ad Litem and others) will be explored. Court visits, guest speaker (lawyers, Guardian Ad Litem, judges, mental health professionals etc.), and role-playing will round out the academic experience. The interplay between social theory, research, and application will be emphasized. Offered spring semester. (3 credits)
Topics: universality of the family; trends in marriage; class differentials; spousal selection; conflict resolution; alternative family styles; intimacy patterns; cohabitation; communication models; modification of husband-wife roles; social interventions with families; the effects of separation/divorce on children; new custodial arrangements; and decision making in intimate relationships. No prerequisite. Offered every other year. This course fulfills the Multiculturalism and Gender requirement in the Undergraduate College’s General Education program. (3 credits
An introduction to research methods in the social sciences which includes descriptive and inferential statistics, qualitative methods, survey methods, research design, document analysis, special interviewing skills, experimental and quasiexperimental approaches to research, and analytical tools. Students complete a research proposal or research project in their major discipline. Prerequisites: SOC 0100 or SOC 0110 or POI. (3 credits)
Evaluation of current research, theory, and practice in sociology. Format is student presentations and discussion with faculty guidance. Topics vary by semester. Open to senior sociology majors, others by permission. Offered as needed. (3 credits)
Sociological concepts and theories are applied to clinical practice, research, and consultation; public and private practice; interrelationships between sociology and other disciplines dealing with mental health and social problems; social class, role structures, ethnicity, and other social variables employed in professional settings to assist individual, organizational, business, and communal social change. Social diagnostics and other intervention models. Guest speakers. Offered fall semester. Prerequisites: SOC 0100 or SOC 0110 or POI. (3 credits)
Bio-socio-psycho foundations, social systems and stress, situational crisis theories, techniques for stress reduction, crisis intervention, burnout, PTSD, violence, life cycle issues, legal/ethical issues in intervention, religion, animal companions. Selfmonitoring stress reduction techniques taught and practiced. Offered as needed. (3 credits)
Supervised experience in an outside practice / agency or institution. Faculty-student conferences and evaluation sessions will be held periodically. An on-campus supervisory class will be held based on the professor’s discretion and student need. Open to juniors and seniors in the Sociology B.S. degree. (9 credits)

Additional Requirements

  • Two Sociology electives (6 credits)
  • *Students are encouraged to take SOC 0285, Sociology of Sex Roles and Human Sexuality or SOC 0390, Sociology of Substance Abuse, as one of their elective courses.

Recommended Supporting Courses

  • ASL 0150: American Sign Language OR LNG 0320 :Linguistics of Communication (3 credits)
  • A course in Business (3 credits)
  • A course in Economics (3-4 credits)

Electives

The remaining credit hours are electives and can consist of Sociology courses, but should not be limited to this particular discipline. Electives credits make up the remaining hours in order to graduate with 120 credits.

Bachelor of Science in Sociology, Clinical Track

Required Courses (51 credits)

SOC 0100: Principles of Sociology: A study of the interaction in the major social institutions: the family, military, economy, religion, education, government / legal, leisure, mass media, peer group, community, and social stratification. How everyday life is influenced by culture, status, and role constructs. Sociology as an applied /problem solving discipline is emphasized. Offered fall semester. (3 credits)

SOC 0110: Social Problems: Appreciation of how “social problems” are defined by culture. Areas studied: (1) the city (urban change); (2) healthcare; (3) family disorganization; (4) labeling of sexual behavior; (5) individual and organized crime; (6) juvenile delinquency; (7) lifecycle problems; (8) substance use – drugs, alcohol, smoking; (9) war and terrorism; (10) secrecy and privacy; (11) poverty; (12) environmental issues. Offered spring semester. (3 credits)

Selected classical theorists. Comte, Spencer, Durkheim, Simmel, Weber, and others will be studied with an interest in their social concepts as they are employed today. Prerequisite: SOC-0100. Offered in spring. (3 credits)
Selected modern theorists read in the original with emphasis on how a theory is constructed. Freud, Parsons, Merton, Goffman, Park, Homans, Feminist Sociologists (K. Millet, D.E. Smith, de Beauvoir, J. Mitchell, B. Hooks), and others. The application of concepts to empirical research and sociological practice. Offered fall semester. Prerequisite: SOC 0100 or SOC 0110 (3 credits)
A study of power relationships in society. Socioeconomic status variables and everyday life. Ruling class, elite, and pluralistic theories. Social mobility patterns of religion-ethnic groups. Changes in American class structure due to globalization. U.S. social class impact on third world countries. “Rags to riches” and other belief patterns. Prerequisite: SOC0200 or SOC-0205 or POI. Offered spring semester. (3 credits)

Theories, concepts, and research in human sexuality. Topics include socio-historical perspectives; life cycle changes; sexual communication; love/attitudes/intimacy patterns in American culture; gender roles and sexual dysfunction; religiosity; sex and the legal system; sex education; and trends in sexual attitudes and behavior. Prerequisite: SOC 0100 (3 credits)

Topics: universality of the family; trends in marriage; class differentials; spousal selection; conflict resolution; alternative family styles; intimacy patterns; cohabitation; communication models; modification of husband-wife roles; social interventions with families; the effects of separation/divorce on children; new custodial arrangements; and decision making in intimate relationships. No prerequisite. Offered every other year. This course fulfills the Multiculturalism and Gender requirement in the Undergraduate College’s General Education program. (3 credits
An introduction to research methods in the social sciences which includes descriptive and inferential statistics, qualitative methods, survey methods, research design, document analysis, special interviewing skills, experimental and quasiexperimental approaches to research, and analytical tools. Students complete a research proposal or research project in their major discipline. Prerequisites: SOC 0100 or SOC 0110 or POI. (3 credits)
Evaluation of current research, theory, and practice in sociology. Format is student presentations and discussion with faculty guidance. Topics vary by semester. Open to senior sociology majors, others by permission. Offered as needed. (3 credits)
Sociological concepts and theories are applied to clinical practice, research, and consultation; public and private practice; interrelationships between sociology and other disciplines dealing with mental health and social problems; social class, role structures, ethnicity, and other social variables employed in professional settings to assist individual, organizational, business, and communal social change. Social diagnostics and other intervention models. Guest speakers. Offered fall semester. Prerequisites: SOC 0100 or SOC 0110 or POI. (3 credits)
Bio-socio-psycho foundations, social systems and stress, situational crisis theories, techniques for stress reduction, crisis intervention, burnout, PTSD, violence, life cycle issues, legal/ethical issues in intervention, religion, animal companions. Selfmonitoring stress reduction techniques taught and practiced. Offered as needed. (3 credits)

Supervised experience in an outside practice / agency or institution. Faculty-student conferences and evaluation sessions will be held periodically. An on-campus supervisory class will be held based on the professor’s discretion and student need. Open to juniors and seniors in the Sociology B.S. degree. (9 credits)

Additional Requirements

  • Two Sociology electives (6 credits) at or above the 300 level.

Recommended Supporting Courses

  • PSC 0260: Constitutional Law (3 credits)
  • BUS 0100: Legal Environment of Business (3 credits) OR an alternate approved course in Business
  • A course in Biology or Chemistry

Electives

The remaining credit hours are electives and can consist of Sociology courses, but should not be limited to this particular discipline. Electives credits make up the remaining hours in order to graduate with 120 credits.

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