Sociology Major

Goal 1: Sociology majors will demonstrate comprehension of the discipline of sociology and its role in contributing to our understanding of social reality.

Outcome 1.1 Students can apply the sociological imagination, sociological principles, and theoretical concepts.

Goal 2: Sociology majors will develop knowledge of sociological research methods.

Outcome 2.1 Students can design a research study in an area of choice and explain why various methodological decisions were made.

Outcome 2.2 Students can run basic statistical analyses to answer research questions.

Goal 3: Sociology majors will understand how to communicate within their discipline.

Outcome 3.1 Students can engage in social scientific technical writing that accurately conveys data findings.

Outcome 3.2 Students can orally present research or course material clearly and concisely.

Goal 4: Sociology majors will understand the operation of culture and social structure.

Outcome 4.1 Students can describe the significance of variations by race, class, gender, sexual orientation, and age, and thus critically assess societal systems.

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:

  1. Diversity, Globalization or Non-western Area Studies,
  2. Ethics Intensive
  3. Writing Intensive, and
  4. 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

Social/Behavioral Science
SOC 101Intro to Sociology3

General Education Overlays

See this page about Overlays.

General Education Integrative Learning Component

See this page about Integrative Learning Component. Three courses:

MAT 118Introduction to Statistics (This is necessary for use of SPSS)3
Social Science Select any CAS course outside of sociology with a "social science" attribute3
Arts & Sciences Any course outside of sociology within the College of Arts and Sciences3

GEP Electives

8 elective courses

Major Requirements

SOC 102Social Problems3
SOC 211Classical Sociological Theory3
SOC 312Research Methods3
SOC 313Data Analysis3
SOC 495Seminar I3
SOC 470Special Topics3
Experiential learning: Includes study abroad, internship, study tour, or service learning3
Major Electives: 18 credits worth of SOC courses numbered above 10218
Total Hours39
Plan of Study Grid
Freshman
FallHours
SOC 101 Intro to Sociology (Diversity overlay) 3
First-Year Seminar 3
ENG 101 Craft of Language 3
HIS 154 Forging the Modern World 3
Non-native Language 3
 Hours15
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
 Hours15
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
 Hours15
Spring
MAT 118 Introduction to Statistics 3
Faith and Reason 3
PSY 100 Introductory Psychology ( Social Science (ILC)) 3
SOC Major Elective 3
Free Elective 3
 Hours15
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
 Hours15
Spring
SOC 313 Data Analysis 3
Philosophical Anthropology 3
SOC 490 Internship (or SOC Major Elective) 3
Free-Elective 6
 Hours15
Senior
Fall
SOC 495 Seminar I 3
Fine Arts/Literature 3
Natural Science (with lab) 4
SOC Major Elective 3
Free-Elective 3
 Hours16
Spring
SOC 470 Special Topics 3
SOC Major Elective 3
Free-Elective 9
 Hours15
 Total Hours121