Purpose

The B.A. Major in Sociology acquaints students with basic principles, methods, and findings in sociology—the scientific study of society and human social interaction as organized in systems of social relationships, organizations, and institutions. It seeks to explain the order, disorder, and change that characterize social life as well as their implications for individuals. Major subfields offered by the Department of Sociology include social psychology; deviance; social inequality; medical sociology; and the study of the family, schools, gender roles, ethnic and racial groups, and social classes. Provision is made for students who wish to acquire a general background as well as for those who wish to develop particular interests in a subfield of sociology. The major provides a foundation for careers in many professional fields, such as law, social service administration, and business, as well as for graduate training as professional sociologists in government, business, community agencies, research organizations, or universities.

Requirements

Students must complete a minimum of 30 credit hours of coursework as follows:

1. S100.
2. One additional course from S101, S105, S110, S122, S201, S210, S215, S217, S220, S230.
3. S340, S370, and S371.
4. Nine credit hours at the 300 or 400 level (excluding S340, S370, S371, and the 400-level capstone course).
5. One 3 credit 400-level Capstone Seminar. (The following courses do not qualify as Capstone Seminars: X477, X490, S493, X498, and X499.) With approval of the honors thesis director, S498 or S499 may be counted toward this requirement.

Students must complete the degree requirements of the College of Arts and Sciences.