Sociology

The mission of the Department of Society, Culture, and Languages is to offer a vigorous and exciting broad-based liberal arts education with an emphasis on cultural, global, and political dynamics. The department provides a combination of theoretical, scientific, practical and experiential approaches to understanding and solving human problems. Issues of gender, race, class, and culture, as well as hands-on learning, are emphasized throughout the curriculum. Our goal is to graduate students with marketable skills that prepare them for careers in a variety of public and social services and/or for graduate study in related areas.

The Bachelor of Arts in Sociology provides students with a broad-base exposure to theories and methods, as well as a wide range of current social issues. Students receive extensive experiential learning opportunities as well. These academic and experiential foundations prepare the student for a wide range of academic and professional opportunities. Majors have chosen to continue their education in various fields including sociology, social work, law, economics, environmental studies, and public health. Graduates have also preferred to work directly with at-risk youth, family services, the criminal justice system, as well as many other areas of social and public service.

In addition to the traditional foundations of sociology, there are two unique elements to this program. First, students complete a 120-hour internship. This helps students to: engage in experiential learning, apply sociology to the real world, undertake career explorations. Second, upper-level students participate in a semester-long applied sociological experience. One option is an internship with a minimum of 360 hours of engagement to be selected from a variety of area schools, agencies, and programs. A second option is for a student to study abroad. While studying in a foreign society and culture is important, the primary focus is for students to take courses and engage experientially in a way that helps students develop their areas of interest. There needs to be an integrated social science experience that drives the study abroad learning as well as the opportunity to explore a new society and culture for this to be a successful experience.

Overall, this program provides students with a strong foundation for understanding today's social issues and problems and the ability to seek solutions. Students will also have a wide range of skills, experiences, and references that will enhance their future educational and career opportunities as well as enable them to be more active and aware citizens.

Applied Capstone Experiences

1. Internship: Students may take between 9 and 16 credits to complete this ACE. Students may select from over 750 sites in the Civic Engagement database. This learning opportunity should parallel the student’s area of interest and help him/her to gain experience, skills, and knowledge of how systems work and how to develop options in a given field.
2. Thesis: Students may take between 9 and 16 credits to complete this ACE. The thesis should build on the work the student has done in the Sociology major. This academic work should prepare them for graduate study in disciplines that have been incorporated into their study.
3. Study Abroad: Students will typically take 15-16 credits to complete a study abroad experience. While studying in a foreign society and culture is important, the primary focus is to take courses from the new institution that will help the student to develop his/her areas of interest as it relates to the major. In short, there needs to be an integrated social science experience that drives the study abroad learning as well as the opportunity to explore a new society and culture for this to be a successful experience. All study abroad experiences should first be cleared with the department chair to see if they qualify to meet the requirement for the Capstone.

**SOC majors may use an SGA course to fulfill both the major requirement and the CORE requirement.

Students in this major can participate in the pre-health graduate school preparation tracks.

1. Expand the awareness and application of the sociological imagination and how it is applied in the anthropology field.
   ​Students will be able to:
   • Describe how sociology and anthropology are distinct from other social sciences
   • Apply the sociological imagination to social phenomena
   • Apply anthropology to social phenomena
2. Emphasize the role of sociological and anthropological theory in social perspectives.
   ​Students will be able to:
   • Describe the role of theory in building sociological and anthropological knowledge
   • Compare and contrast different theoretical perspectives
   • Apply these theories to social conditions
3.  Examine, apply, and critically assess the nature of evidence in sociology and anthropology.
   ​Students will be able to:
   • Identify the basic methodological approaches in building sociological and anthropological knowledge
   • Compare and contrast various research methodologies
   • Design and complete a written research project
   • Critically assess published research
4.  Apply and assess a wide range of data analysis.
   ​Students will be able to:
   • Recognize the role of data analysis in building sociological and anthropological knowledge and testing sociological theory
   • Use computer software for statistical analysis
   • Understand appropriate statistical techniques
   • Draw valid conclusions from the data analysis
5.  Examine how cultural and social structures operate.
   ​Students will be able to:
   • Describe different social institutions and their various influences on the individual
   • Explain how the aforementioned institutions are interrelated
   • Evaluate them using sociological theory
   • Explain the concept of culture and its influences on human condition
6.  Examine the diversity of human societies.
   ​Students will be able to:
   • Describe the significance of variation by race, class, gender, religion, and age
   • Explain patterns and variations using sociological and anthropological perspectives
   • Justify policy recommendations to address social inequalities
7.  Communicate sociology and anthropology effectively.
   ​Students will be able to:
   • Produce well-written papers that clearly express sociological and anthropological knowledge
   • Clearly express sociological and anthropological knowledge in verbal presentations
   • Demonstrate critical thinking

A student with a major in another program may minor in Sociology with the permission of the academic director. Eighteen hours of approved course work is required for the Minor in Sociology. The requirements are as follows:

A minor in Sociology provides students with a broad-base exposure to theories and methods, as well as a wide range of current social issues. Students receive extensive experiential learning opportunities as well. These academic and experiential foundations prepare the student for a wide range of academic and professional opportunities. This minor can help students pursue careers in a variety including sociology, social work, law, economics, environmental studies, and public health. Careers are also available in criminology as well as many other areas of social and public service.

We offer qualified students the option of graduating with Honors. This includes significant research, scholarship or creative activity under the direction of a faculty member. Interested students should consult with their advisor. 

See Undergraduate Admissions.

See Undergraduate Admissions.

Tuition and Fees

Tuition and fees for subsequent years may vary. Other expenses include books and housing. For more information regarding tuition and fees, please consult the Financial Information section of this catalog.