Sociology Major, BA (45 credits)

The Sociology major is an exciting discipline with expanding opportunities for a wide range of career paths. Sociology is a valuable liberal arts major for students planning careers in a wide variety of fields including social research, criminology, demography, social psychology, public administration, gerontology, education, social work and market research. It provides a useful background for those planning to enter law, business, medicine, community planning, and politics.

Students may choose either a 45-credit major or a 60-credit major.

Graduation Requirement
In order to graduate, a student who completes the 45-credit major must also have a minor or second major in another discipline.

(NOTE: Students admitted to the sociology major cannot also have a sociology minor; however, they may have a social services minor. Likewise, students admitted to the social services major cannot also have a social services minor, but they may have a sociology minor.)

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

• Demonstrate critical thinking skills:
  • Identify underlying assumptions in theoretical models and arguments
  • Distinguish between arguments based on empirical evidence and those based on opinion
  • Recognize alternative viewpoints on social issues
• Communicate effectively:
  • Express sociological ideas in a clear and coherent manner
  • Make oral presentations focused on course content in group settings
  • Read professional-level sociological reports with understanding
• Apply sociological perspective:
  • Describe similarities and differences between sociology and other social sciences
  • Explain contributions of sociology to understanding social reality
  • Define and apply key concepts such as culture, status, roles, norms, socialization, deviance, conformity, self, social structure, social institution, social inequality, stratification, race, gender, social change, cultural diversity, etc.
• Demonstrate competence in sociological theory:
  • Describe the role of theory in building sociological knowledge
  • Compare and contrast major theoretical orientations
  • Explain how theories reflect historical and cultural context of the times and cultures in which they were developed
• Recognize and use different methods of sociological inquiry and data analysis:
  • Identify, compare, and contrast major sociological research and techniques for analyzing data
  • Design and carry out a social research project
  • Be aware of ethical issues in research
  • Demonstrate basic computer skills necessary to find, create, apply, and communicate sociological information
• Show knowledge in substantive areas within sociology:
  • Summarize existing knowledge, current questions, and important issues in one substantive area within sociology
  • Suggest specific policy implications of research and theories in one area
• Integrate the knowledge and skills learned in the sociology program with life goals and career interests:
  • Participate in extra curriculum and service activities that elicit positive social change
  • Apply sociological perspective in real world, professional experience