Sociology (SOC) - BA Major

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48 credits

Minor (or additional major if non-dual degree seeking) required.

2.5 GPA required.

C grade or better required in all major courses. Letter grade required in all major courses unless otherwise noted.

Sociology Major Map

Overview

Sociology examines how social experiences and social structure shape beliefs and behavior. As one of the social sciences, sociology stresses the use of scientific research methods and theories to study human social behavior in a variety of settings. The required courses are also designed to provide experience in building and testing theory as well as collecting and evaluating data. A degree in sociology provides well-developed communication and research skills, assets that prove essential in many professions.

The BA Sociology program not only contributes to the overall liberal arts education of students, but it also teaches valuable analytical skills that include understanding and appreciating the experiences of diverse groups in society, identifying the various causes of social problems, and the application of quantitative and qualitative reasoning. At the completion of the BA Sociology program, students will be able to (1) understand sociological research, (2) understand sociological perspectives, (3) communicate effectively, and (4) understand social equality and social inequality. These skills prepare students for a wide variety of careers including business, government, human services, and public and private research as well as graduate programs. The program emphasizes developing these skills through the integration of classroom study with supervised field instruction.

Students are encouraged to meet frequently with their advisor to design the most effective program for their future career and educational plans. For example, students who are interested in a future career with families should consider taking SOC 212 - Sociology of Families for their sociology foundation course, SOC 412 - Sociology of Gender and Sexuality and SOC 439 - Sociology of Disabilities as their social inequalities courses, and SOC 435 - Advanced Topics in Family Sociology and SOC 450 - Sociology of Aging as part of their sociology elective courses; students who are interested in a future career in a human service organization should consider taking SOC 423 - Sociology of Race and Ethnicity as part of their social inequalities courses, SOC 334 - Sociology of Education and SOC 438 - Health and Human Services Organizations as part of their sociology elective courses.

Note: Sociology (SOC) majors minoring in Gerontology (SGER) may not count more than nine credits from the major toward the minor. Students may not major in Sociology (SOC) and minor in Sociology (SOCG).

Program Requirements (7 credits)

These courses are usually completed for the General Education Program or the Minnesota Transfer Curriculum. C grade or better required.

English (4 credits)

ENG 111 - College Reading and Writing (4 credits)

Public Speaking (3 credits)

Choose one:

CMST 191 - Introduction to Public Speaking (3 credits)
CMST 192 - Introduction to Speech Communication (3 credits)
CMST 266 - Professional Communication Skills (3 credits)
CMST 296 - Fundamentals of Interviewing (3 credits)

Sociology Foundations Courses (6 credits)

SOC 150 - Introduction to Sociology (3 credits)

Choose one

SOC 205 - Social Interaction (3 credits)
SOC 212 - Sociology of Families (3 credits)
SOC 216 - Social Problems (3 credits)
SOC 250 - Introduction to Gerontology (3 credits)

Sociology Core Curriculum (30 credits)

Statistics (3 credits)

Choose one:

◆ PSY 231 - Statistics (3 credits)
STAT 110 - Fundamentals of Statistics (3 credits)

Social Research (6 credits)

◆ SOC 376 - Introduction to Social Research (3 credits)
◎✪ SOC 378 - Intermediate Social Research (3 credits)

Sociological Theory (3 credits)

△ SOC 377 - Social Theory (3 credits)

Social Inequality (6 credits)

Choose two:

SOC 412 - Sociology of Gender and Sexuality (3 credits)
SOC 423 - Sociology of Race and Ethnicity (3 credits)
SOC 431 - Social Class and Power (3 credits)
SOC 439 - Sociology of Disabilities (3 credits)
SOC 472 - Poverty and Policy (3 credits)

Sociology Electives (12 credits)

Choose four:

SOC 334 - Sociology of Education (3 credits)
SOC 340 - Social-Cultural Anthropology (3 credits)
SOC 350 - Population Analysis (3 credits)
SOC 412 - Sociology of Gender and Sexuality (3 credits)
SOC 421 - Urban Sociology (3 credits)
SOC 423 - Sociology of Race and Ethnicity (3 credits)
SOC 430 - Political Sociology (3 credits)
SOC 431 - Social Class and Power (3 credits)
SOC 434 - Sociology of Health and Illness (3 credits)
SOC 435 - Advanced Topics in Family Sociology (3 credits)
SOC 438 - Health and Human Services Organizations (3 credits)
SOC 439 - Sociology of Disabilities (3 credits)
SOC 440 - Sociology of Dying and Death (3 credits)
SOC 450 - Sociology of Aging (3 credits)
SOC 455 - Family Violence (3 credits)
SOC 472 - Poverty and Policy (3 credits)
SOC 474 - Family Policy (3 credits)
SOC 480 - Variable Topics in Sociology (1-3 credits) (with advisor approval)
or any SOC courses listed in Social Inequality above or courses approved by sociology advisor

Internship (12 credits)

SOC 460 - Internship: Sociology (1-12 credits) (min. 9 credits required)
△ SOC 463 - Sociology Internship Seminar (3 credits)

Dual Degrees

Students wishing to complete two degrees concurrently, (example: Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science) must complete a minimum of an additional 30 credits above the required 120-128 credit hours. Students must complete all major requirements under both degrees, including separate minors if required.

Legend

◎ = Oral Intensive

◆ = Math/Critical Analysis Intensive

△ = Writing Intensive

✽ = Physical Development and Wellness Graduation Requirement

✪ = Civic Engagement and Service Learning