SociologySociologyProfessors—Cavan, Julian, Kahn-Hut, Seashore
Associate Professors—Barbosa, Dumont, Hossfeld
Assistant Professor—Bettinger
Lecturers—Carrington, Nussbaum, Rustigan
B.A. in Sociology
Minor in Sociology
Sociology is the study of the sources and consequences of social action. Courses cover a broad range of topics including: the study of individuals as social actors; the analysis of social processes such as social psychology and deviance and conformity; the study of institutions such as family, health care, and education; and the investigation of the social organization of entire societies in the global context. By addressing what we know, how we know (method of social research), and how we explain or interpret social data (theory and analysis), sociology provides information which students can use to better understand the complexity and multiplicity of social worlds, their own society and their place in it. The department offers a variety of courses of interest to non-majors as well as to majors.
Upon completion of a B.A. in Sociology, students can continue their education with graduate work in either sociology or in some related field such as social work, public administration, or law. For students who choose to pursue employment with their bachelor's degree, sociology provides an excellent liberal arts foundation for a range of career paths that utilize their sociological insights as well as the conceptual and methodological skills they have acquired. Training in sociology can open a variety of doors in the human services and in business. Those who enter human services may work with youths at risk, the elderly, or people experiencing problems related to poverty, substance abuse, or the justice system. Some find employment in agencies that work for social change including various organizations concerned with human rights issues or the environment. Sociology majors who enter the business world work in sales, marketing, customer relations, or human resources.
In addition, the sociology major has a competitive advantage in today's information society. The solid base received in research design, data analysis, statistics, and sociological concepts enables them to compete for support positions in research, social planning, policy analysis, program evaluation, and other social science endeavors.
All courses numbered 300 and above require upper division standing and completion of Segment I G.E. requirements. SOC 370 and 392 require passing of JEPET or concurrent enrollment in ENG 414. Online course descriptions are available.
| Program | Units | |
| SOC 300 | Sociological Analysis | 4 |
| SOC 370 | Theories of Society | 4 |
| SOC 392 | Sociological Research—Methods and Techniques I | 4 |
| SOC 393 | Sociological Research—Methods and Techniques II or | 4 |
| SOC 394 | Advanced Research Methods (SOC 392 and approved statistics course are prerequisites) | |
| SOC 500 | Senior Seminar or | 3 |
| SOC 501 | Internship: Applied Sociology | |
| Sociology Electives (to include one course from each of the following areas) | 23-24 | |
| Area 1: Interpersonal Perspectives | ||
| SOC 340 | Social Psychology (4) | |
| SOC 362 | The Social Construction of Deviance and Conformity (4) | |
| Area 2: Institutional Perspectives | ||
| SOC 457 | Sociology of Law (4) | |
| SOC 464 | Families and Society (4) | |
| SOC 466 | Society and Education (4) | |
| SOC 469 | Gender and Society (4) | |
| SOC 472 | Social Inequality: Poverty, Wealth, and Privilege (4) | |
| SOC 476 | Medical Sociology (4) | |
| SOC 477 | Environmental Sociology (4) | |
| Area 3: Global Perspectives | ||
| SOC 461 | Ethnic Relations: International Comparisons (4) | |
| SOC 480 | The City in a Global Society (4) | |
| SOC 483 | Global Sociology (4) | |
| SOC 484 | Population and Social Dynamics (4) | |
| The remaining units may include additional courses from these areas or any other courses offered with a sociology prefix, including SOC 105. | ||
| Total for major | 42-43 | |
Students who take SOC 394 but not SOC 393 must also complete a statistics course outside the department. Statistics courses other than SOC 393 must be approved in writing by the department and do not count toward the total number of units required in the sociology major.
| Program | Units | |
| SOC 300 | Sociological Analysis | 4 |
| SOC 370 | Theories of Society | 4 |
| SOC 392 | Sociological Research—Methods and Techniques I | 4 |
| Sociology Electives (to include at least one course from two of the three following areas): | 11-12 | |
| Area 1: Interpersonal Perspectives | ||
| SOC 340 | Social Psychology (4) | |
| SOC 362 | The Social Construction of Deviance and Conformity (4) | |
| Area 2: Institutional Perspectives | ||
| SOC 457 | Sociology of Law (4) | |
| SOC 464 | Families and Society (4) | |
| SOC 466 | Society and Education (4) | |
| SOC 469 | Gender and Society (4) | |
| SOC 472 | Social Inequality: Poverty, Wealth, and Privilege (4) | |
| SOC 476 | Medical Sociology (4) | |
| SOC 477 | Environmental Sociology (4) | |
| Area 3: Global Perspectives | ||
| SOC 461 | Ethnic Relations: International Comparisons (4) | |
| SOC 480 | The City in a Global Society (4) | |
| SOC 483 | Global Sociology (4) | |
| SOC 484 | Population Problems (4) | |
| The remaining units may include additional courses from these areas or any other course with a sociology prefix. | ||
| Total | 21 | |