Sociology Degree

Sociology major (36 credit hours)

• SOC 480 Social Theory

  Credits: 3

  Description: A survey of the major theorists and modern theoretical perspectives in sociology.

  Prerequisite: SOC 101 Introduction to Sociology or SOC 220 Social Problems, or instructor permission

• SOC 490 Assessment Seminar

  Credits: 0

  Description: For the purpose of sociology assessment, students will complete a comprehensive sociology exam to measure knowledge gained in the field of sociology. Students will also complete a survey assessing their viewpoints on their experiences in the major and submit their senior portfolios during the examination period. This class will meet every semester on the Friday preceding Finals Week. Graduation requirement. Graded S/NC.

  Prerequisite: 100 credit hours

• SSC 300 Social Sciences Research Methods

  Credits: 3

  Description: This course introduces students to basic quantitative and qualitative research methods. The course covers methodological concepts, the steps in the research process, measurement, research design, elementary data analysis, and report writing. Students are introduced to analysis of research reported in professional literature. This class includes computer applications in research methods.

  Prerequisite: 9 hours of coursework in the social sciences

• SSC 319 Statistics for the Social Sciences

  Credits: 3

  Description: Introduction to the statistical measures commonly used in social sciences research and their application to research problems in the various social sciences disciplines. Includes use of computer statistical packages for social sciences.

  Prerequisite: 3 hours math

• Sociology electives

  Choose one course from the following:

  • SOC 101 Introduction to Sociology (3 credits) – An introduction to the study of human social behavior, society and its values, social organization, institutions, and processes. Some topics included are socialization, minorities, deviance, gender roles, the family, social stratification, and social change.
  • SOC 220 Social Problems (3 credits) – Study and discussion of selected social issues including racism, ageism, sexism, poverty, welfare, and environment.

  Choose one course from the following:

  • SOC 245 Race and Ethnic Relations (3 credits) – Study of the history, place, and role of ethnic and racial groups in American society. The course examines the social construction and consequences of majority-minority group relations to understand the differences and similarities in the adjustment processes of race and ethnic groups in American society.
  • SOC 444 Topics in Sociology (3 credits) – Current or special issues in sociology will be examined. The course offers students the opportunity to discuss relevant issues facing society. Topics may include community, social change, and the sociology of women. This course may be repeated, by advisement, with different topics. Prerequisite: SOC 101 Introduction to Sociology or SOC 220 Social Problems, or instructor permission.
  • SOC 460 Social Inequalities (3 credits) – The course explores the development and maintenance of systems social stratification historically and in contemporary global society. It focuses on the effects of social class inequality and relationship to social change. In doing so, it also includes the intersection of inequalities based on race/ethnicity, gender, and age. Prerequisite: SOC 101 Introduction to Sociology or SOC 220 Social Problems, or instructor permission.

  Choose one course from the following:

  • SOC 305 Sociology of Deviance (3 credits) – Theory-guided study and discussion of selected topics regarding areas of deviance including alcoholism, drug abuse, mental illness, crime, and domestic violence. Prerequisite: SOC 101 Introduction to Sociology or SOC 220 Social Problems, or instructor permission.
  • SOC 320 Social Welfare (3 credits) – Designed for those interested in understanding social welfare systems, public assistance processes and policies, social services programs, client/patron relations, current issues associated with welfare programming, and the influences of politics of social welfare. Prerequisite: SOC 101 Introduction to Sociology or SOC 220 Social Problems, or instructor permission.
  • SOC 355 Health and Human Populations (3 credits) – A study of the major qualitative and quantitative problems and trends in health and populations and consideration of those social factors that influence their composition. This course addresses the interrelationships between demographic variables and health and how these apply to a variety of disciplines. Prerequisite: SOC 101 Introduction to Sociology or SOC 220 Social Problems, or instructor permission.
• Additional electives

  Choose an additional 18 credit hours of courses not previously taken from the list below. Up to 6 credit hours may be taken for cross-listed courses (asterisked below):

  • *CJA 405 Family Violence (3 credits) – The course examines child abuse, dating violence, domestic violence, sexual assault, and elder abuse. Particular topics include theories of abuse, societal responses to abuse, and assistance to victims. Prerequisite: Majoring in Criminal Justice or CJA 105 Introduction to Criminal Justice.
  • *POS 430 Public Policy (3 credits) – The study of domestic policymaking processes and institutions at all levels, taught from an intergovernmental relations perspective.
  • *PSY 316 Social Psychology (3 credits) – The scientific discipline that investigates social influences that appear to produce similarities and differences in human behavior.  Prerequisite: PSY 101 General Psychology or SOC 101 Introduction to Sociology.
  • SOC 110 Introduction to Anthropology (3 credits) - This course introduces the student to the four major subdivisions of anthropology: physical anthropology, archeology, linguistic anthropology, and cultural anthropology. It lays the foundations for an understanding of human biological and cultural diversity.
  • SOC 220 Social Problems (3 credits) – Study and discussion of selected social issues including racism, ageism, sexism, poverty, welfare, and environment.
  • SOC 245 Race and Ethnic Relations (3 credits) – Study of the history, place, and role of ethnic and racial groups in American society. The course examines the social construction and consequences of majority-minority group relations to understand the differences and similarities in the adjustment processes of race and ethnic groups in American society.
  • SOC 320 Social Welfare (3 credits) – Designed for those interested in understanding social welfare systems, public assistance processes and policies, social services programs, client/patron relations, current issues associated with welfare programming, and the influences of politics of social welfare. Prerequisite: SOC 101 Introduction to Sociology or SOC 220 Social Problems, or instructor permission.
  • SOC 320 Social Welfare (3 credits) – Designed for those interested in understanding social welfare systems, public assistance processes and policies, social services programs, client/patron relations, current issues associated with welfare programming, and the influences of politics of social welfare. Prerequisite: SOC 101 Introduction to Sociology or SOC 220 Social Problems, or instructor permission.
  • SOC 355 Health and Human Populations (3 credits) – A study of the major qualitative and quantitative problems and trends in health and populations and consideration of those social factors that influence their composition. This course addresses the interrelationships between demographic variables and health and how these apply to a variety of disciplines. Prerequisite: SOC 101 Introduction to Sociology or SOC 220 Social Problems, or instructor permission.
  • SOC 395 Independent Study (1-6 credits) - Advanced reading and research in special problems, resulting in written evidence of quality work completed. Limit of 1-3 hours per semester, with 6 credit hours maximum. Approval of Institutional Review Board may be required. Prerequisite: Must be in the Honors Program with a minimum 3.3 cumulative GPA.
  • SOC 408 Sociology of Mental Health (3 credits) - This course examines numerous topics, viewpoints, and findings related to mental illness and mental health from a multi-disciplinary perspective. Prerequisite: SOC 101 Introduction to Sociology or SOC 220 Social Problems, or instructor permission.
  • SOC 415/515 The Family (3 credits) - Study of the basic social unit: socialization processes, love, marriage, parental roles, conflict, and divorce, within a historical and cultural perspective. Prerequisite: SOC 101 Introduction to Sociology or SOC 220 Social Problems, or instructor permission.
  • SOC 420 Environmental Sociology (3 credits) - This course will analyze the relationship between the logic of social system development and resource development. The reciprocal relationship between human society and ecosystems will be examined as a wide range of environmental problems are addressed. Prerequisite: SOC 101 Introduction to Sociology or SOC 220 Social Problems, or instructor permission.
  • SOC 444 Topics in Sociology (3 credits) - Current or special issues in Sociology will be examined. The course offers students the opportunity to discuss relevant issues facing society. Topics may include community, social change, and the sociology of women. This course may be repeated, by advisement, with different topics. Prerequisite: SOC 101 Introduction to Sociology or SOC 220 Social Problems, or instructor permission.
  • SOC 460/560 Social Inequalities (3 credits) - The course explores the development and maintenance of systems social stratification historically and in contemporary global society. It focuses on the effects of social class inequality and relationship to social change. In doing so, it also includes the intersection of inequalities based on race/ethnicity, gender, and age. Prerequisite: SOC 101 Introduction to Sociology or SOC 220 Social Problems, or instructor permission.
  • SOC 497 Internship (1-3 credits) - Placement in a professional capacity in an agency for a supervised period. Fifty intern hours translates into 1 credit hour. Periodic meetings with Sociology faculty, a journal, and a final essay are required. This internship option is only available for Sociology majors. Prerequisites: Instructor permission and junior level or above.
  • SOC 499 Senior Honors Colloquium (3 credits) - Students present senior project during honors colloquium presentations on campus either in spring or fall term. Prerequisites: Must be in the Honors Program with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.3 and minimum GPA of 3.3 in the major. Must also have completed at least 3 hours of SOC 395 Independent Study.