Sociology, BA
Program Description
Sociology is the scientific study of human societies. At the macro-level, sociology studies societies as a whole and their social institutions such as the family, economy, religion, polity, and education. At the micro-level, sociology is concerned with everyday interactions within small social groups.
The purpose of the sociology curriculum is to:
- provide education in the theories, concepts, definitions and language of sociology;
- cultivate an understanding of the methods of research and interpretation of research findings;
- prepare students for graduate study in sociology;
- develop selected skills applicable to careers in the public or private sector.
Student Learning Outcomes
Students will:
- Demonstrate an understanding in the theories, concepts, definitions and language of sociology;
- Demonstrate the ability to apply professional standards of writing and research to sociological issues;
- Obtain advanced knowledge for use in the pursuit of graduate study in sociology;
- Complete a sociological research project and present it to a professional audience;
- Obtain advanced knowledge of research and writing skills applicable to careers in the public and private sector.
General Requirements
Areas covered in the curriculum include, but are not limited to, development of human societies, the nature of social interactions at the individual and group levels, structures and processes of social organizations, deviant behavior, and research methods and computer applications used in social analysis. Skills acquired from this curriculum are helpful for careers in human services, government, business, and or graduate studies.
The Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in sociology requires a minimum of 37 semester hours in sociology. At least 24 of these hours must be at the upper-division (3300 or 4300) level. The College of Liberal Arts also requires students in sociology to take at least 6 hours of a second language. Sociology majors are encouraged to take MATH 1442 Statistics for Life (4 sch) to satisfy the Mathematics Core Curriculum Program requirement. Students who do not take MATH 1442 Statistics for Life (4 sch) to satisfy the Mathematics Core Curriculum Program requirement will be required to do so in order to fulfill the statistics requirement for the major. Students are also encouraged to select a minor or elective work in a related field that is pertinent to the student’s career goals.
To earn a degree with a major in sociology, a student must complete a minimum of 37 semester hours of sociology courses exclusively applied to the major and beyond the requirement of the Core Curriculum Program. Within the College of Liberal Arts, only 6 semester hours that count towards a major may be applied to a minor.
The sociology degree requires knowledge of basic statistical theories and applications. This requirement is fulfilled by the successful completion of MATH 1442 or MATH 1342, or transfer courses such as PSYC 2317 or other courses with MATH, MAT, STAT, STA, PSY, AND PSYC prefixes AND the course title which includes Statistics, Quantitative Reasoning and/or Psychological Science Methods.
The sociology degree begins with an introduction to the basic concepts, methods, and theories used in Sociology. This requirement is fulfilled by the successful completion of SOCI 1301or SOCI 1301 transfer courses or other transfer courses with SOC or SOCI prefixes AND the course title which includes “Introductory Sociology” or “Introduction to Sociology” or “General Sociology” or “Principles of Sociology.”
| Requirements | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
| Core Curriculum Program | 42 |
| First-Year Seminars (when applicable)1 | 0-2 |
| Sociology Major Requirements | 37 |
| University Electives2 | 35 |
| Foreign Language Requirements | 6 |
| Total Credit Hours | 120-122 |
- 1
Full-time, first time in college students are required to take the first-year seminars.
- 2
University Electives: 33-35 hours.
Program Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time, First-year Students | ||
| First year seminars | 0-2 | |
| University Seminar I | ||
| University Seminar II | ||
| Core Curriculum Program | ||
| University Core Curriculum | 42 | |
| Sociology students must take the following: | ||
| Mathematics | ||
| Statistics for Life | ||
| Sociology Major Requirements | ||
| SOCI 1301 | Introduction to Sociology | 3 |
| SOCI 4301 | Social Theory 1 | 3 |
| SOCI 4445 | Social Research Methods 1 | 4 |
| SOCI 4385 | Senior Seminar in Sociology (to be taken during senior year only) 1 | 3 |
| Statistics Requirement | ||
| Fulfilled by MATH 1442 or approved transfer course. | 3-4 | |
| Sociology Electives | ||
| Select eight from the following: 2 | 24 | |
| Social Problems | ||
| Social Psychology | ||
| Sociology of Sexuality | ||
| Sociology through Film | ||
| Racial and Ethnic Relations | ||
| Sociology of Gender | ||
| Mexican American Women | ||
| Sociology of the Family | ||
| Sociology of Deviant Behavior | ||
| Sociology of Education | ||
| Sociology of Work and Occupations | ||
| Power, Privilege, and Poverty | ||
| Complex Organizations | ||
| Sociology of Sports | ||
| Medical Sociology | ||
| Criminology | ||
| Topics in Sociology | ||
| Directed Individual Study | ||
| Applied Experience | ||
| University Electives | ||
| Select 33-35 hours of university electives. | 33-35 | |
| Foreign Language Requirements | ||
| See the College of Liberal Arts for the college language requirement. | 6 | |
| Total Hours | 120-122 | |
- 1
SOCI 4301 Social Theory (3 sch) and SOCI 4445 Social Research Methods (4 sch) must be taken before SOCI 4385 Senior Seminar in Sociology (3 sch)
- 2
Elective coursework may include courses in Sociology as selected by the student in consultation with an advisor. Electives are designed to meet students’ needs and interests.
Required Sequences of Courses
Course Sequencing
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Hours | |
| UNIV 1101 | University Seminar I | 1 |
| SOCI 1301 | Introduction to Sociology | 3 |
| ENGL 1301 | Writing and Rhetoric I | 3 |
| HIST 1301 | U.S. History to 1865 | 3 |
| Creative Arts Core Requirement | 3 | |
| Hours | 13 | |
| Spring | ||
| UNIV 1102 | University Seminar II | 1 |
| PSYC 2301 | General Psychology | 3 |
| ENGL 1302 or COMM 1311 | Writing and Rhetoric II or Foundation of Communication | 3 |
| HIST 1302 | U.S. History Since 1865 | 3 |
| MATH 1442 | Statistics for Life | 4 |
| Hours | 14 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| Language, Philosophy & Culture Core Requirement | 3 | |
| POLS 2305 | U.S. Government and Politics | 3 |
| Foreign Language I | 3 | |
| Life & Physical Science Core Requirement | 4 | |
| Core Component I | 3 | |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| POLS 2306 | State and Local Government | 3 |
| SOCI 2301 | Social Problems | 3 |
| Life & Physical Science Core Requirement | 4 | |
| Foreign Language II | 3 | |
| Core Component II | 3 | |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Third Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| SOCI 3320 | Sociology of Gender | 3 |
| SOCI 3340 | Sociology of the Family | 3 |
| SOCI 4301 | Social Theory | 3 |
| Upper Divisional Elective | 3 | |
| Upper Divisional Elective | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| Upper Divisional Elective | 3 | |
| SOCI 3350 | Sociology of Education | 3 |
| Sociology Elective I | 3 | |
| Sociology Elective II | 3 | |
| Upper Divisional Elective | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| SOCI 4445 | Social Research Methods | 4 |
| Sociology Elective III | 3 | |
| Upper Divisional Elective | 3 | |
| Upper Divisional Elective | 3 | |
| Upper Divisional Elective | 3 | |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| Upper Divisional Elective | 3 | |
| SOCI 4385 | Senior Seminar in Sociology | 3 |
| Upper Divisional Elective | 3 | |
| Upper Divisional Elective | 3 | |
| Upper Divisional Elective | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Total Hours | 120 | |
Courses
An introduction to the basic concepts, methods, and theories used in Sociology. Topics illustrate the systematic understanding of social interaction, social organization, and social institutions. Reciprocal relationships between individuals and society are examined. Topics may include – but are not limited to – socialization, culture, social stratification, race and ethnicity, sex and gender, deviance, family, work, and social change.
A survey and exploration of the causes and consequences of major social problems in the U.S. society, including contemporary issues of poverty, unemployment, income inequality, health care, crime, climate change, and other issues of social class, racial, ethnic, and gender inequality.
The scientific study of how a person's thoughts and behavior are influenced by others. Topics will include social cognition, attitudes, persuasion, interpersonal relationships, and group behavior. (Credit may not be given for both this course and PSYC 2326.) Cross listed with PSYC 2319.
An examination of sexuality from a sociological perspective. This course will consider the historical evolution of sexuality, the social construction of sexual identities, sexual inequalities and power, how sexualities and sex acts are defined as normal or deviant, and applications of sociological, queer, and feminist theories.
The examination of film as a culture artifact to illustrate sociological concepts, theories, and perspectives. Specific attention will be given to narratives of film as they illustrate culture, aging, social class, gender, race/ethnicity, identity, and other sociological concepts.
The study of cultural, religious, ethnic and racial groups, and the treatment accorded them in society. Prejudice, discrimination and the outcomes of discrimination in relation to both dominant and subordinate groups are considered.
An examination of the roots, nature and social construction of gender roles including socialization of men and women, gender role relationships from the perspectives of sociology. Issues of family, education, work and the economy, religion, politics and law, feminist organizations, feminist theory, and men's and women's movements will be considered.
A study of the Chicanas and the trends in society and Mexican-American culture affecting their lives and behaviors.
The study of the family, relationships among its members, and the relationship of family to other social institutions.
A systematic and critical study of the nature, patterns, and processes of violations of significant social norms by members of society. Specific attention is given to violations such as drug abuse, violence in and outside the family, and white-collar offenses.
Employing a sociological lens to examine formal education in the United States and other countries, students will explore various schools of thought and controversies surrounding education in modern societies. They will examine important issues related to formal education, such as the expansion of schooling, equality of educational opportunity, unequal achievement of groups of students, the reproduction of inequality in education, schools' roles in the transmission of culture, and the social organization of schools.
Combines an analysis of the major ideas and theories in sociology and their relationship to social research with an understanding of social processes and structures.
Prerequisite: SOCI 1301.
The study of work as a social phenomenon, including the social organization of work, occupations, and professions in society. The labor force, work culture, workers mobility, career lines, and leisure in contrast to work are considered.
The study of social inequality in society, with emphasis on the social class structure of the United States, its origins, development, and consequences for individuals, groups, and society.
The development of a theoretical and applied understanding of those social institutions where most of us will be employed. Topics include organizational effectiveness, decision making, designs, politics, cultures, as well as gender and racial inequality.
This course critically examines the relationships between organized sports and the rest of society. It will undertake a sociological analysis of how organized sports affect, and are affected by, major social institutions such as the economy, racial and gender relations, mass media, and religion, to mention but a few.
Examination of the social contexts of physical and mental health, illness and medical care. Topics include the social, environmental, and occupational factors in health and disease; socialization of health care providers; doctor-patient relationships; the structure and processes of health care organizations; and health care and social change.
This is a capstone course required of all students graduating with a major in sociology. The course is designed to enable faculty to assess each student's expertise in applying sociological concepts and practices. Students demonstrate this expertise through the completion of a final project that combines a minimum of classroom hours with substantial research activity. The course is team taught by the entire sociology faculty. Students are allowed considerable flexibility in selecting either survey research or evaluation research for their project.(Offered Spring Only.)
A consideration of various topics on social behavior and social structure. May be repeated when topics vary.
See College description.
See College description.
A survey of the basic research techniques and methods used in sociology including content analysis, field research, sampling, surveys, polls, and computerized data analysis.
Prerequisite: SOCI 1301.