Mar 29, 2024  
2015-2017 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2015-2017 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Sociology, B.S.


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General Statement: Sociology is the study of group life. As a social science, it combines scientific and humanistic perspectives and research methods to identify, describe, explain, and understand the connections between the social forces that help shape who we are, what we believe, how we behave, and how we choose to live our lives. It examines how we shape our world through our interactions with others and by the choices we make, and how and why groups form, organize, achieve goals, and evolve. Key areas of inquiry include culture, identity, urban and rural life, socialization, family patterns and relationships, social change, racism, sexism, stratification and social class, economic systems, political power, law and social control, conflict, education, population, environment, technology and communications, health care and illness, social movements, community responses to disasters, life in organizations, and contemporary social issues. The knowledge and skills that are cultivated in the sociology curriculum are in high demand by business, industry, and government. Sociology majors should choose electives both in the field and outside the field to further enhance these skills.

Mission: The Sociology Program’s mission is to prepare students for entry level professional employment in government, education, and business, industry, and community organizations- with emphasis on the acquisition of basic research skills. The program also prepares students for graduate and professional study in Sociology and other social science disciplines, and in law and business.

Objectives: students who successfully complete this degree will be able to: 1) understand the connections between the social forces that help shape society; 2) understand sociological concepts and theoretical perspectives on human social behavior; 3) use research and statistical methodology to better understand the social world and provide important information to public and private sector organizations and groups; 4) display leadership and critical thinking skills; and 5) ability to engage in a lifetime of learning.

Career Opportunities: Career opportunities include, but are not limited to, employment in local, state, and federal government, and social and community service agencies in the areas of housing, juvenile courts and juvenile and adult corrections, urban and community planning/development, mental health and drug counseling, youth guidance, human services, and social research; and in business and industrial management and management trainee programs in retail, manufacturing, insurance, banking, utilities, journalism, and personnel.

Requirements for the Bachelor of Science Sociology - 30 Semester Hours


General Education Core:


Communications (9 hours)


Humanities and/or Fine Arts (9 hours)


  • ENGL 2010-ENGL 2230  - Sophomore Literature I (3)
  • Elective - From approved list. (3)
  • Elective - From approved list. (3)

Social and Behavioral Science (6 hours)


  • Elective - From approved list. (3)
  • Elective - From approved list. (3)

Natural Science (8 hours)


  • Lecture and lab from approved list. (4)
  • Lecture and lab from approved list. (4)

Mathematics (3 hours)


  • One course from approved list. (3)

Total General Education Hours 42


Upper-division Admission


For admission into the upper-division program of the Sociology major, students must complete all of the requirements listed above under the General Education Core and Other Requirements; in addition, they must have earned at least a C in SOCI 2010 . They must have removed all high school deficiencies, passed all required remedial/developmental courses, and earned a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 on college-level coursework.

Major Core


Sociology majors must earn at least a C in all of the following courses. If they earn a D or an F in any of these courses, majors must repeat them until they earn at least a C.

Minor Requirements:


SOCI 2010  and 15 hours of upper-division Sociology courses.

Suggested Four-Year Plan:


Freshman Year


Total: 13 Hours

Spring Semester


Total: 16 Hours

Sophomore Year


Junior Year


Fall Semester


Total: 15 Hours

Spring Semester


Total: 15 Hours

Senior Year


Fall Semester


Total: 15 Hours

Spring Semester


  • SOCI, 3000/4000 Level (3)
  • Electives (Any Level) (12)
Total: 15 Hours

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