Sociology Major, BA (60 credits)

A sociology major provides many distinctive perspectives on the world, generating new ideas and critiquing the old.  Sociology addresses the most pressing issues of our time and is a rapidly expanding field whose potential is increasingly tapped by those who craft policies and create programs. Sociologists understand social inequality, patterns of behavior, forces for social change and resistance, and how social systems work.  Sociology is an exciting discipline with expanding opportunities for a wide range of career paths and is a valuable liberal arts major for many career paths.

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