Sociology

Distribution Requirements

Any course in sociology numbered under 370, other than Sociology 260, may be counted toward fulfillment of the distribution requirements for the social sciences. However, first-year students are encouraged to take 100- and 200-level courses rather than more advanced courses.

Cultural Diversity Requirement

Sociology 205, 261, 300, and 430 satisfy the cultural diversity requirement.

Major Requirements

Ten courses, including: 
1.Statistics (Soc 260)
2. Theory (Soc 370 or another new methods course)
3. Research Methods (Soc 399 or another new methods course)
4. Second theory or methods course, one from among approved new courses (e.g., Soc 271 - Urban Ethnography would count as a methods course)
5. At least one 400-level course*
6. 5 other courses, 2 of which must be 300+ level. 

No more than two independent research courses may count toward the major. Class of 2011 fall under old requirements but have the choice to take a senior seminar or complete a thesis. Class of 2012 may choose the old requirements or the new requirements. Class of 2013 fall under the new requirements.

*A student may choose to write a thesis but must receive department approval. Thesis will be done by independent study (495). To earn honors, a student must write a thesis.

Honors Requirements

A major desiring to become a candidate for honors in sociology must apply in writing to the department at the beginning of the fall semester of the senior year. Applicants must have an overall GPA of 3.2 and a GPA of 3.5 in all course work taken in the major. In order to receive honors, a student must, in addition to maintaining this level of performance, receive a grade of at least A- on the Senior Thesis (499) as well as departmental recommendation.

Rationale for Course Numbering

Sociology 101 provides an introduction to the discipline and is required for some upper level coursework. This course is limited to first year students, sophomores, and juniors. 

200-level courses, with the exception of 260 (Statistics), provide an introduction to substantive topics within the field. These courses are open to students at all levels. 

300-level courses focus on theory, methods, and more advanced topics. While open to students at all levels, a previous course in sociology is often helpful.

400-level courses are advanced seminars that often require the permission of the instructor to enroll. 499 is limited to senior sociology majors.

Sociology Courses

• SOC 101 - Introductory Sociology
• SOC 105 - Topics in Race and Religion
• SOC 204 - Self & Society
• SOC 205 - Racial and Ethnic Relations
• SOC 212 - Deviance and Social Control
• SOC 217 - Gender and Society
• SOC 219 - Sociological Criminology
• SOC 221 - Schools and Societies
• SOC 225 - Sociology of Religion
• SOC 230 - Sociology of Work
• SOC 231 - Leadership & Organizations
• SOC 233 - Sociology of Childhood
• SOC 240 - Social Movements
• SOC 242 - Globalization & Social Change
• SOC 246 - American Families
• SOC 250 - Inequality in America
• SOC 260 - Social Statistics
• SOC 261 - Social Diversity & Inequality in Education (=EDU 260)
• SOC 265 - Population & Society
• SOC 271 - Urban Ethnography
• SOC 310 - Gender, Race, and Sports
• SOC 312 - Gender, Race and Class in Media
• SOC 317 - Gender and Globalization
• SOC 319 - Penology and Criminal Justice
• SOC 329 - White Collar Crime
• SOC 330 - Sociology of Education (=EDU 330
• SOC 347 - Sociology of Development
• SOC 360 - Medical Sociology
• SOC 370 - Theory in Sociology
• SOC 380 - Sociology of Hollywood
• SOC 381 - Gender and Globalization
• SOC 382 - Men and Masculinity
• SOC 384 - Poverty and Policy
• SOC 385 - Youth Cultures and Subcultures
• SOC 388 - Fatherhood
• SOC 395 or 495 - Independent Research in Sociology
• SOC 399 - Methods in Social Research
• SOC 410-419 - Advanced Seminars in Sociology
• SOC 420 - Issues in Contemporary Terrorism
• SOC 430 - Race and Religious Faith
• SOC 499 - Senior Thesis