2009-2010 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
    Mar 28, 2024  
2009-2010 Undergraduate Catalog [Archived Catalog]

Sociology [SOC]


Return to {$returnto_text} Return to: Arts and Sciences

The sociology major provides students with a broad degree of flexibility in choosing a career after graduation, the opportunity to explore careers in the human services, public administration and management, and a general background for graduate work in the social sciences, public policy, law and social work. In a rapidly changing world, students who major in sociology obtain a solid liberal arrts education that fosters versatility in the world of work and good citizenship.

Career Potential

  • Social work
  • Consulting
  • Health care
  • Government agencies
  • Human services
  • Counseling
  • International relations
  • Business
  • Public service 

Total Credit Hours Required for Major: 36


B. Category Courses: 12 credit hours


All sociology majors must have at least one course from each of the four categories (A, B, C, D) from the list that follows. Whether or not more than one course is taken from any single category will depend on the student’s personal preferences or declared concentration. Special courses not listed within a category are occasionally taught with a topics (TP) designation (SOC 129, 229, 329 or 429) and may fulfill one of these categories. Category designations for such courses are posted by the department each semester.

  • Three credit hours from Category A
  • Three credit hours from Category B
  • Three credit hours from Category C
  • Three credit hours from Category D

Category A: Social Institutions


Category D: Social Problems and Deviance


C. Sociology Electives: 12 credit hours


Options for fulfilling these credit hours include courses from any of the four categories (A, B, C, D), three credit hours of internship (CPV 400), and/or one anthropology course at the 300- or 400-level (excluding ANT 300).

Total Credit Hours Required for Graduation: 124


Example of the B.A. in Sociology over four years


Note: Based on freshman admission and 15 credits per semester. More than 15 credits will have to be taken in one or more semesters in order to reach the required 124 credits for graduation.

First Year


Fall Total credit hours: 16-17


  • Two GE courses
  • Foreign language or elective

Spring Total credit hours: 15-16


  • One sociology course (200 or 300 level)
  • Foreign language course
  • Two GE courses

Second Year


Fall Total credit hours: 15


  • Two sociology courses (200 or 300 level)
  • Foreign language course
  • GE course
  • Elective

Spring Total credit hours: 15


  • Two sociology courses (200 or 300 level)
  • Foreign language course
  • GE course
  • Elective

Third Year


Fall Total credit hours: 15


  • Two sociology courses (300 or 400 level)
  • GE course
  • Two electives or one elective and one foreign language

Spring Total credit hours: 15


  • Two sociology courses (300 or 400 level)
  • GE course
  • Two electives

Fourth Year


Fall Total credit hours: 15-18


  • Two sociology courses
  • Three or four electives

Spring Total credit hours: 15


  • One sociology course
  • Four electives

Return to {$returnto_text} Return to: Arts and Sciences