"The task for sociology is to come to the help of the individual. We have to be in service of freedom." - Zygmunt Bauman
| Degrees Available in Sociology | Catalog Details | Advisor |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor of Arts (also available 100% online) | Catalog | see advising information |
| Bachelor of Science (also available 100% online) | Catalog | see advising information |
| Minor in Sociology | Catalog | see advising information |
| Minor in Anthropology | Catalog | Dr. Beth Ritter |
| Concentrations Available | Coursework | Contact Advisor |
|---|---|---|
| Anthropology Concentration | Catalog | Dr. Beth Ritter |
| Inequality & Social Justice Concentration | Catalog | Dr. Jay Irwin |
| Work & Organizations Concentration | Catalog | Dr. Kelly MacArthur |
| Health & Society Concentration (available online) | Catalog | Dr. Kelly MacArthur |
| Families & Inequality Concentration | Catalog | Dr. Jay Irwin |
Why Study Sociology?
There are many reasons to major in sociology. The primary reasons are intellectual (intriguing course content and skill development) and practical (many diverse potential career options). A major in sociology should appeal to both the careerist and the idealist.
Intellectual reasons to study Sociology:
On the intellectual side, and most importantly, sociology is about understanding "the big picture." Sociologists try to understand both broad and narrow social phenomena, issues and problems, and in doing so, they integrate the findings of other social science disciplines.
Sociology integrates the findings of economics, political science, psychology and history. Rather than viewing our world only through one lens, sociologists view the world though lenses that combine these diverse perspectives.
In addition, in sociology one can study many of the substantive topics that the others social sciences examine. Thus, the fields of ethnic studies, gender and cultural studies build on important sociological traditions and findings.
In sociology, you can:
- Learn how business works through the study of organizations, economic processes, human relations and institutions
- Learn how politics and law work through the study of sociology of law, politics, social movements and revolutions
- Learn how science and medicine create truths and change the world sociology of science, sociology of knowledge, and technological change
- Learn how societies create opportunities and perpetuate inequalities poverty, education, gender, ethnicity and race relations
- Learn how communities of belief and kin are created sociology of culture, religion and family
Practical reasons to study Sociology
Sociology provides a broad liberal arts base from which to explore a world of job opportunities. Depending on what kinds of courses you concentrate on, you can use sociology to develop some expertise, or a taste for, some kinds of occupations or the social world where they are located.
- Sociology provides knowledge and analytical skills needed to pursue a professional degree in law, business, education, health & medicine, social work, or counseling
- It offers preparation for fields that involve investigative skills and working with diverse people, such as journalism, politics, public relations/marketing, business, human resources or public administration
- It provides the strong liberal arts preparation needed for positions in the criminal justice system, business, social service and government
- It is a first step for future graduate work in sociology in order to become a professor or researcher
What Can I Do With My Sociology Degree?
While graduates with advanced degrees in the field of sociology tend to accept positions with “sociologist" in the title, graduates at the bachelor’s level secure positions in fields both within and outside the discipline.
Sociology graduates work in many areas as well as in many other professional arenas, including positions of political and national leadership. For example, civil rights leaders Rev. Martin Luther King and Rev. Jesse Jackson earned B.A.'s in sociology.
In the end, it will be your special interests, course choices, experiences, and work-setting preferences that will help you decide what exactly you wish to pursue.
Concentrations Available in Sociology
Anthropology
Anthropology is the holistic study of humans: Anthropologists examine all aspects, both physical and mental, of all humans, both living and dead. Traditionally, the discipline encompasses four sub-disciplines: Archaeology, Biological anthropology, Linguistic anthropology and Socio-cultural anthropology.
Anthropological training is useful in any employment situation where one has to interact with individuals from other cultures. Anthropologists also act as advisors and counselors to businesses seeking information on client behavior and product use and design.
| Coursework | Advisor: Dr. Beth Ritter |
Families & Inequality
Families are the basic building block of most societies. This concentration allows students to analyze contemporary families from a sociological perspective, including topics such as family structure, the functions of the family as an institution, family comparisons across culture and time, and difficulties faced by families in contemporary society will also be explored.
Courses also explore the problems and issues faced by contemporary American families, such as racism and sexism; the challenges of childhood and adolescence; divorce and remarriage; work and family conflict; and family violence.
| Coursework | Advisor: Dr. Julie Pelton |
Health & Society
The Health & Society Concentration allows students to focus their degree in Sociology on contemporary issues in health and illness, health care organizations, public health policies, and health inequalities.
The courses offered in this area may be of interest to students who seek careers in the medical and health related fields as they provide students with a broader understanding of health care policy, interactions in the health care setting, the experience of illness, the provision of care, health disparities, and particular patient populations.
| Coursework | Advisor: Dr. Kelly MacArthur |
Inequality & Social Justice
Inequality is the core of most sociological inquiries. The concentration in Inequality & Social Justice examines the causes and consequences of inequalities primarily based on class, gender, race/ethnicity, nationality/ immigration status, disability, age, and sexual orientation.
This concentration allows students to achieve a fuller understanding of issues surrounding inequality and prepares students for employment in a variety of government or nongovernmental (NGO) organizations as well as private-sector agencies, especially in social services or for graduate school in sociology.
It also provides valuable preparation for related fields such as law, social work, education, counseling, politics, public policy and public administration.
| Coursework | Advisor: Dr. Julie Pelton |
Work and Organizations
The Work and Organizations curriculum is designed to allow students to study occupations, work, and organizational structures in greater depth. Students will learn about the important role that organizations play in society and the lives of individuals and families.
Coursework focuses on a number of types of organizations, including government, community, business, and not-for-profit organizations.
Students are exposed to a variety of issues, including diversity in organizations, major changes in the quality of working life and the labor force, the power and influence of professions, bureaucracies and unions, and organizational leadership and change.
Students also examine contemporary problems that individuals, families and communities in the U.S. have in integrating work and family/personal life.
| Coursework | Advisor: Dr. Kelly MacArthur |