Bachelor of Science (B.S.)
Sociology
Mission
The Bachelor of Science degree in sociology prepares students to understand and deal with diversity, modernization, and social change ranging from the local to the global. The core competencies of its graduates prepares students to enter careers requiring technological facility, communication skills, data gathering and analysis, community awareness and involvement, problem-solving, critical thinking, an understanding of the structure and functioning of groups and organizations, greater awareness of their environment, critical self- reflection, and interpersonal and intercultural skills.
With the applied focus of the Sociology major, students who graduate with a degree in sociology that is complemented by a knowledge of other social sciences would be prepared to work as urban planners, demographers and data analysts, public survey workers, social research assistants, affirmative action officers, employee specialists, cultural diversity trainers, criminologists in law enforcement an corrections, and numerous other occupations. Post-graduate studies for which sociology majors would be especially well-prepared include anthropology, geography, criminal justice, urban planning, law, social work, political science, public administration, family studies, and communications.
Student Learning Outcomes
Students who complete the Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Sociology will be able to:
- Demonstrate knowledge of professional ethics.
- Demonstrate competencies by producing written work indicating knowledge of scientific and professional writing.
- Demonstrate the ability to explain and analyze diversity.
- Demonstrate competency of social psychology and social organizations.
- Demonstrate the ability to explain and analyze deviance, social problems, and social control.
- Demonstrate the ability to work with others collaboratively and in leadership roles.
Special Features and Activities
Sociology students are offered the opportunity to participate in the following:
- Internships are available
- Respected guest speakers
- Students are invited to attend conferences
- SBS club
- Service learning projects
- Social events with other majors and faculty
Degrees and Certificates
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Criminal Justice - Sociology, -
Sociology, Bachelor of Science (B.S.) -
Criminal Justice, Minor -
Social Science Research, Minor -
Sociology, Minor
Courses
SOC 105: INTRODUCTION TO SOCIOLOGY
Credits 3This course surveys modern social organization and the factors that influence the social order. Students begin with the formation of groups and the creation of culture and proceed to an examination of the impact of group association through theoretical and experiential approaches. Topics include the family; group membership; social interaction; stratification; racial, ethnic and minority relations; sex-role differences; social control and deviance from social norms; and social institutions.
SOC 298: SPECIAL TOPICS IN SOCIOLOGY
Credits 3This course, which explores a topic of contemporary interest to the study of sociology, is offered as needed to students with sophomore standing.
SOC 299: INDEPENDENT STUDY IN SOCIOLOGY
Credits 3This course, which involves supervised research on a selected topic, is offered as needed to students with sophomore standing. Prerequisite: Permission of instructor
SOC 300: GLOBAL SOCIAL PROBLEMS
Credits 3This course examines the distinction between individual problems and social problems such as crime, health, drugs, family problems, race and ethnic relations, sexuality, employment and work, urbanization, science and technology and environmental and population issues in a global context.
SOC 305: ADULTING
Credits 3Transitioning to life after college is going to take more than a degree and job. This course will cover some of the basic survival skills for life after college like cooking, budgeting, finding and holding a job. But we will primarily dive into the complex idea of adulthood and how to enter it, confident in how to develop relationships, to solve and make decisions, and how to understand one's life purpose.
SOC 310: SOCL INEQUALITY: CLASS,RACE,GENDER
Credits 3This course explores the interconnection of inequality and oppression examining classical and contemporary theories of inequality throughout society and within institutions. Included in the course are accounts of inequality from various social positions.
SOC 315: GEAR & GLORY: SPORTS IN OUR LIVES
Credits 3This course examines sports as a significant component of human culture and social life. Students will explore the interrelationships between sports and society through a sociological lens. Key topics include the social functions and meanings attached to sports, the organization and development of sports, issues of race, gender, class, and equity in sports participation and representation, the role of media and commercialization, sports and identity formation, sports deviance and violence, and the reciprocal impacts between sports and greater social structures and cultural ideologies. Through readings, discussions, and analytical projects, students will critically examine sports as a reflector and transmitter of societal values while also considering sports' potential as an instrument for social transformation.
SOC 320: RACE AND ETHNIC RELATIONS
Credits 3This course examines the construction and transformation of race and ethnicity and the conflicts based upon them specifically in the United States with additional applications to various ethnic relations in a global context.
SOC 330: GENDER AND SOCIETY
Credits 3This course examines the construction, transformation, socialization and maintenance of gender and its use as a means of defining roles and power.
SOC 340: MARRIAGES AND FAMILIES
Credits 3This course examines the institution of family including issues such as marriage, birth, child rearing, divorce, love, mate-selection, family violence and its relation to other institutions.
SOC 345: PARENTING ROLES: MOTHERING & FATHER
Credits 3This course offers an in-depth examination of mothering and fathering roles and their effects on children. Examination of family forms, social change and theoretical and methodological debates surrounding mothering and fathering are also covered.
SOC 350: DEVIANT BEHAVIOR AND SOCIAL CONTROL
Credits 3This course examines social definitions of deviance, deviant behavior and contemporary explanations for such behavior. Various methods of social control ranging from internal control to criminal justice systems will be examined.
SOC 360: INTR TO CRIMINAL JUSTICE/CRIMINOLOG
Credits 3This introductory course focuses on the scientific study of crime and its measures. The criminal justice system, from policing, public policy, organizational behavior and the judicial systems are examined as they relate to criminal behavior.
SOC 370: CLASSICAL SOCIOLOGICAL THEORY
Credits 3This course examines the development of social theory from Durkheim, Marx, Spencer, Weber and Parsons among others. Emphasis is placed upon social theories prior to the 1930’s.
SOC 371: CONTEMPORARY SOC THEORY
Credits 3This course deals with social theories of the 20th century including Symbolic Interaction, Phenomenology, Post-modernism, Post-structuralism, Critical Theory, Feminists Theory and Rational Choice Theory. Recommended: SOC 370
SOC 372: SOCIOLOGICAL THEORY
Credits 3This course examines the foundations and early development of sociological theory from Durkheim, Marx, Weber, and Simmel as well as contemporary theories such as symbolic interactionism, phenomenology, postmodernism, and rational choice theory.
SOC 380: FAMILY VIOLENCE
Credits 3This is an in-depth examination of violence, such as child abuse, domestic violence and elder violence, surrounding the institution of family. Explored in this course are theories of family violence, prevention programs and the interaction of various institutions with family violence such as the justice system and education.
SOC 450: LEADERSHIP
Credits 3SOC 498: SPECIAL TOPICS IN SOCIOLOGY
Credits 3This course, which explores a topic of contemporary interest to the study of sociology, is offered periodically to students with junior or senior standing.
SOC 499: INDEPENDENT STUDY IN SOCIOLOGY
Credits 3This course involves supervised research on a selected topic and is offered as needed to students. Prerequisite: Permission of instructor
SSC 319: HUMAN SEXUALITIES
Credits 3This course provides a comprehensive overview of human sexual behaviors, orientations, and identities from psychological, biological, and socio-cultural perspectives. Topics include the history of sexuality research, sexual anatomy, sexual orientations, sexual behaviors across the lifespan, sexuality and relationships, sexuality education, and contemporary issues. The course takes an interdisciplinary, sex-positive approach to examining the diversity of human sexual expression and experiences. Through readings, lectures, discussions, and assignments, students will develop a deeper understanding of sexuality as a core component of our lives.