Sociology Major
Goal 1: Sociology majors will gain foundational knowledge of the core concepts and theoretical perspectives that define the discipline of sociology.
Outcome 1: Students will be able to define, classify, and compare the core concepts and theoretical perspectives that explain society.
Goal 2: Sociology majors will analyze social problems with appropriate sociological research methods.
Outcome 2: Students will be able to design a research study and apply appropriate designs and analytic methods to answer research questions.
Goal 3: Sociology majors will effectively communicate about their discipline.
Outcome 3: Students will be able to interpret and explain course content and empirical findings in oral and written communications.
Goal 4: Sociology majors will examine the impacts of culture and social structure on individuals.
Outcome 4: Students will be able to explain and critically assess the significance of race, class, gender identity, sexual identity, and age in society.
The traditional undergraduate programs includes a minimum of 120 credits distributed across three components: A General Education component divided into Signature Courses, Variable Courses, and an Integrative Learning requirement; a Major and Divisional component; and Free Electives. In addition to course requirements as specified in each area, students must complete one certified course in each of the following overlay areas1:
- Diversity, Globalization or Non-western Area Studies,
- Ethics Intensive
- Writing Intensive, and
- Diversity
- 1
Overlay requirements are part of the 120 credit requirements
General Education Signature Courses
See this page about Signature courses.
General Education Variable Courses
See this page about Variable courses. Six to Nine courses
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Social/Behavioral Science | ||
| SOC 101 | Intro to Sociology | 3 |
General Education Overlays
General Education Integrative Learning Component
See this page about Integrative Learning Component. Three courses:
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| SOC 118 | Intro Statistics Social Sci | 3 |
| or MAT 118 | Introduction to Statistics | |
| Social Science Select any College of Arts and Sciences course outside of sociology with a "social science" attribute | 3 | |
| Arts & Sciences Any course outside of sociology within the College of Arts and Sciences | 3 | |
Major Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| SOC 102 | Social Problems | 3 |
| SOC 190 | Strategies for Success | 1 |
| SOC 211 | Classical Sociological Theory | 3 |
| SOC 290 | Professional Prep Seminar | 1 |
| SOC 312 | Research Methods | 3 |
| SOC 313 | Data Analysis | 3 |
| SOC 495 | Senior Thesis | 3 |
| SOC 470 | Special Topics | 3 |
| Experiential learning: Includes study abroad, internship, study tour, or service learning | 3 | |
| Major Electives: 18 credits worth of SOC courses numbered above 102 | 18 | |
| Total Hours | 41 | |
Free Electives
Eight elective courses.
| Freshman | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Hours | |
| SOC 101 | Intro to Sociology (Diversity overlay) | 3 |
| SOC 190 | Strategies for Success | 1 |
| First-Year Seminar | 3 | |
| ENG 101 | Craft of Language | 3 |
| HIS 154 | Forging the Modern World | 3 |
| Non-native Language | 3 | |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| SOC 102 | Social Problems (Diversity Overlay) | 3 |
| PHL 154 | Moral Foundations | 3 |
| ENG 102 | Texts & Contexts | 3 |
| Social Science (ILC) | 3 | |
| Non-native Language | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Sophomore | ||
| Fall | ||
| SOC 211 | Classical Sociological Theory | 3 |
| SOC Major Elective | 3 | |
| THE 154 |
Catholic Theological Tradition or Encountering the New Testament or Catholic Social Tradition |
3 |
| Math Beauty | 3 | |
| Arts and Sciences (ILC) | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| SOC 118 or MAT 118 |
Intro Statistics Social Sci or Introduction to Statistics |
3 |
| Faith and Reason | 3 | |
| PSY 100 | Introductory Psychology ( Social Science (ILC)) | 3 |
| SOC Major Elective | 3 | |
| Free Elective | 3 | |
| SOC 290 | Professional Prep Seminar | 1 |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Junior | ||
| Fall | ||
| SOC 312 | Research Methods | 3 |
| SOC Major Elective | 3 | |
| Religious Difference | 3 | |
| Free-Elective (Ethics-Intensive Overlay, if needed) | 3 | |
| Free-Elective | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| SOC 313 | Data Analysis | 3 |
| Philosophical Anthropology | 3 | |
| SOC 490 | Internship (or SOC Major Elective) | 2-3 |
| Free-Elective | 6 | |
| Hours | 14-15 | |
| Senior | ||
| Fall | ||
| SOC 495 | Senior Thesis | 3 |
| Fine Arts/Literature | 3 | |
| Natural Science (with lab) | 4 | |
| SOC Major Elective | 3 | |
| Free-Elective | 3 | |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| SOC 470 | Special Topics | 3 |
| SOC Major Elective | 3 | |
| Free-Elective | 9 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Total Hours | 122-123 | |