Majoring in Sociology

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Major Requirements and Concentrations:

The Department of Sociology offers a B.A. in Sociology. Within the major, students take a series of required courses in sociological theory and research methods.  

Required Courses for the Major:

1. SOCL 351: Sociological Theory
2. SOCL 352: Research Design
3. SOCL 353: Quantitative Research Methods
4. SOCL 354: Qualitative Sociology

Students who wish to deepen their knowledge in a particular area of Sociology may choose to focus their electives by declaring one of 4 possible concentrations.

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Globalization In this concentration, student master core theoretical approaches to understanding the political-economic, social, and cultural dimensions of globalization.  Courses prepare students to work in globally-oriented careers in government agencies, non-governmental organizations, and private firms.  Course requirements include:  Global Social Problems (SOCL 205), Comparative Sociology (SOCL 312), Globalization and International Development (SOCL 313), The Politics of Global Health (SOCL 314), Gender and Global Human Rights (SOCL 318), Migration in a Global Context (SOCL 408), Energy, Environment, and Development (SOCL 427), and Comparative Race Relations (SOCL 431).

Health, Medicine, and Well-Being This concentration focuses on connections between health, illness, well-being, health care, and society.  Drawing on qualitative and quantitative approaches, it is ideal for students interested in careers in public health, heath care, health policy, social work, and health care administration.  Course requirements include:  Birth, Sex, Death:  Population and Society (SOCL 311). The Politics of Global Health (SOCL 314), Families and Health (SOCL 332), Medical Sociology (362), Sociology of Aging (SOCL 405), Food and Society (SOCL 410), Social Inequality and Health (SOCL 412), Political Ecology of Health & Disease (SOCL 420), and Sociology of Mental Illness (SOCL 426).

Crime, Law, and Power This concentration provides majors with an in-depth study of the social theories and research methodologies that build understanding of law, crime, and criminal justice.  The concentration prepares students for careers in law, criminal justice, social policy analysis and research.  Course requirements include:  Self Help and Therapeutic Culture (COLL 100), Criminology (SOCL 302), Gender, Sexuality and the State (SOCL 315), Asian American Demography and Law (SOCL 366), Deviance and Social  Control (SOCL 429), Crime and Justice in America (SOCL 433), Race and Crime (SOCL 424), and Crime and the Life Course (SOCL 435).

Social Justice and Policy Courses in this concentration investigate pressing social problems and diverse approaches to enacting social change.  This is ideal for students interested in careers in public policy, education, journalism, business and legal advocacy.  Course requirements include;  Institutions and Inequality (SOCL 203), Gender in Society (SOCL 304), Urban Sociology (SOCL 306), Sociology of Education Credits (SOCL 307), Environmental Sociology (SOCL 308), Wealth, Power, and Inequality (SOCL 310), Immigration, Assimilation and Ethnicity (SOCL 337),  Social Movements and Social Change (SOCL 361), Sociology of Work (SOCL 364), Environmental Justice  (SOCL 370), and Immigration, Citizenship, and Border Studies (SOCL 409).

Also, remember that you are responsible for fulfilling the requirements described in the Catalog published for the year you declared. If you have questions, please see your advisor.