This concentration in the Sociology/Anthropology Department  introduces majors to the theoretical, research, policy and practical issues relevant to careers that involve working with the aged, developing or administering government programs aimed at older people, creating social policy on aging, and acting as a gerontological consultant in the business and public sectors.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to:

1. Understand and apply the basic sociological concepts. These include the sociological imagination, social structure, institutions, social stratification, culture, and power.
2. Understand the role of social structure, culture, and social processes in the causation and amelioration of social problems.
3. Develop a thorough knowledge of the major sociological theories and theorists.  Important theoretical perspectives include functionalism, the conflict perspective, and symbolic interactionism.  Important social theorists include C. Wright Mills, Karl Marx, Emile Durkheim, Max Weber, and George Herbert Mead.
4. Collect information necessary to address a research topic or hypothesis through library research, analysis of electronic data sources, and both quantitative and qualitative analytical techniques.
5. Conduct basic quantitative data analysis employing computers.
6. Communicate their ideas and the ideas of others clearly and effectively, both verbally and in writing.

Career Potential

• Gerontological research
• Gerontological specialist and consultant
• Geriatric social work
• Public administration
• Geriatric nutrition and recreation