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. SOCI 301: Sociological Theory
2. SOCI 302: Research Design
3. SOCI 303: Quantitative Research Methods
4. SOCI 304: 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 (SOCI 230), Comparative Sociology (SOCI 332), Globalization and International Development (SOCI 333), The Politics of Global Health (SOCI 341), Gender and Global Human Rights (SOCI 331), Migration in a Global Context (SOCI 431), Energy, Environment, and Development (SOCI 433), and Comparative Race Relations (SOCI 414).

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 (SOCI 311). The Politics of Global Health (SOCI 341), Families and Health (SOCI 342), Medical Sociology (SOCI 240), Sociology of Aging (SOCI 412), Food and Society (SOCI 452), Social Inequality and Health (SOCI 441), Political Ecology of Health & Disease (SOCI 442), and Sociology of Mental Illness (SOCI 443).

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 (SOCI 220), Gender, Sexuality and the State (SOCI 323), Asian American Demography and Law (SOCI 322), Deviance and Social  Control (SOCI 423), Crime and Justice in America (SOCI 421), Race and Crime (SOCI 422), and Crime and the Life Course (SOCI 321).

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 (SOCI 251), Gender in Society (SOCI 210), Urban Sociology (SOCI 357), Sociology of Education Credits (SOCI 352), Environmental Sociology (SOCI 353), Wealth, Power, and Inequality (SOCI 212), Immigration, Assimilation and Ethnicity (SOCI 351),  Social Movements and Social Change (SOCI 351), Sociology of Work (SOCI 356), Environmental Sociology  (SOCI 353), and Immigration, Citizenship, and Border Studies (SOCI 432).

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.