Sociology

What You Will Learn

1. Identify and articulate the interplay of macro and micro level structural forces and the influence of culture in shaping behavior.
2. Understand the power dynamics in the social construction of society and its intersectionality with race, class, gender, sexuality, and nationality.
3. Recognize and communicate effectively about institutional challenges to and opportunities for freedom and democracy.
4. Understand the stratified nature of globalization and the importance of intercultural differences within and between local and global communities.
5. Identify, describe, and apply core sociological theories/perspectives to sociological phenomena.
6. Understand and describe the connection between sociological theory and methods in a cogent manner.
7. Understand and distinguish quantitative and qualitative research methods and identify their strengths and weaknesses.
8. Incorporate ethical considerations into research and other scholarly practices.

The Sociology Field Group is a dynamic, diverse, and distinctive group of faculty, students, and alumni.

We take pride in our teaching, devoting attention to students’ learning, developing ways of integrating students in community programs and research experiences.

Our courses are organized into the following categories:

1. Core courses: Introduction to Sociology, Theory, Qualitative Research Methods, Quantitative Research Methods
2. Elective courses:
   1. Foundations. Courses that are fundamental to the discipline of sociology.
   2. Special Topics. Courses that focus on particular social issues and social policies.
3. Capstone courses. Open only to senior majors, these courses are designed to allow students to practice the craft of sociology. Sociology majors can satisfy the capstone requirement by taking either Senior Thesis (SOC 199B) or Senior Seminar (SOC 199C). Those who elect to do Senior Thesis (SOC 199B) are required to take the Research Design course (SOC 199A) in the fall of their senior year. Interested students should begin thinking about a thesis at the end of their junior year.  Those who elect to do Senior Seminar (SOC 199C) may take the Research Design course (SOC 199A) as one of the Foundations electives.  

Honors: Students who wish to be considered for Honors in Sociology must take Senior Thesis (SOC 199B). Honors in Sociology requires 3.5 GPA in sociology coursework and a grade of A- or higher on the Senior Thesis. Two faculty members (at least one of which must be in the sociology field group) must evaluate the thesis and make a recommendation to the Sociology Field Group. In the case of combined majors, one faculty member from each field group must evaluate the thesis.

Please use the figure below to visualize requirements for sociology major, sociology combined major, and sociology minor: