Program Faculty: Fogarty*, Heitzeg, Wilcox (*department chair)
Program Description:
Sociology is the study of human behavior through examination of interpersonal relationships and social structures.
It combines scientific and humanistic perspectives to understand culture, deviance, the family, gender roles, bureaucracy -- in fact, any facet of life that involves others. It is an empowering discipline, giving its students useful intellectual tools for their personal as well as public lives. Majors in sociology graduate with valuable skills in three important areas: communication (especially writing), data collection and analysis, and understanding social and organizational structure. This makes sociology a valuable liberal arts major for students planning careers in many settings, including public health, demography, law, human services, urban planning, criminal justice and government service.
Note: Students desiring to teach sociology in the secondary schools should consult the social studies major.
Major Requirements: Eight courses (32 credits) in sociology, including:
SOCI 100 Principles and Concepts of Sociology
SOCI 210 Research Methods in Sociology
SOCI 370W Social Theory
Required supporting courses:
An approved course in statistics, such as PSYC 205 Statistical Methods in Psychology, or ECON 220 Statistical Analysis for the Social Sciences, or ECON 225 Statistical Analysis for Economics and Business, or MATH 110 Statistical Analysis
Recommended supplementary course work:
Sociology international study, independent study, internship or research.
Courses in history, political science, psychology and women's studies.
The sociology department extends departmental honors to those graduating majors who earn a 3.67 grade point average in sociology courses.
Membership in Alpha Kappa Delta, the international sociology honor society, is offered to students who meet the following criteria:
completion of at least four courses in sociology
minimum 3.5 grade-point average in sociology
involvement in the discipline beyond the classroom
Minor Requirements: Five courses (20 semester credits) in sociology, including:
SOCI 100 Principles and Concepts of Sociology
At least one of the following:
SOCI 210 Research Methods in Sociology
SOCI 370W Social Theory
Sociology majors satisfy the Writing Requirement for Majors by completing SOCI 370W. They complete the Liberal Arts and Sciences Core Writing Requirement with three other writing-intensive courses (CORE 100W and CORE 399W and another writing-intensive course in another department).
