Sociology (BA)
The sociology major provides a rigorous and well-rounded understanding of the ways in which human beings create various social institutions and structures, and how those same institutions and structures in turn shape human behavior and the diverse people who create them. Students learn how societies and groups function, how social forces influence individuals and groups, and how sociological skills can be applied to everyday life and work.
Many courses are interdisciplinary, linking sociology with history, psychology, and political science. Courses are designed to expand students’ understanding of the complex social forces, issues, and trends within the United States and globally, students learn to think objectively and analytically about many aspects of contemporary and past societies, including current issues concerning race, class and gender differences. The coursework emphasizes critical thinking and writing, ethical reasoning, and research skills. Moreover, majors are required to learn through service-learning projects and internships.
Program Learning Outcomes
- Identify and evaluate different social theories and their social-historical context to understand and analyze social structures and dynamics.
- Critically analyze sociological questions employing social science research methods and identifying implications for research and policy.
- Examine how culture and social structure operate and assess how the intersectionality of race/ethnicity, gender, class, or other bases of inequality impact society.
Required Courses
| SOC 1101 | Introduction to Sociology | 4.00 units |
| HCS 1102 | Cultural Anthropology | 4.00 units |
| CASC 3400 | Theory and Practice for Community Action and Social Change | 4.00 units |
| SOC 3001 | Racial and Ethnic Issues | 4.00 units |
| SOC 3101 | Research Methods in Social Science | 4.00 units |
| SOC 4901 | Senior Capstone | 4.00 units |
| Total Credit Hours: | 24 |
Electives:
Select two courses from the following:
| HIST 1001 | The Making of Today: Contemporary World History | 4.00 units |
| POL 1100 | American Politics, Policy & Society | 4.00 units |
| PSY 1100 | Introduction to Psychology | 4.00 units |
| Total Credit Hours: | 8 |
Focus
Select one course from each focus:
Gender Issues Focus:
| HIST 3207 | Special Topics in Women's History | 4.00 units |
| PHIL 3038 | Feminist Disability Ethics in Literature | 4.00 units |
| POL 3220/PHIL 3220 | Gender: Ethics & Politics | 4.00 units |
| POL 3565 | Women in Politics | 4.00 units |
| RLGN 3132 | Women, Religion and Sexuality | 4.00 units |
| SOC 3002 | Gender Issues | 4.00 units |
| Total Credit Hours: | 12 |
Ethnic and Migrant Studies Focus:
| HIST 3003 | The Globe Part 2: Imperialism, Colonization, and Post-Colonialism | 4.00 units |
| HIST 3016 | Latin America: Past and Present | 4.00 units |
| HIST 3018/HIST 1018 | East Asia: Past and Present | 4.00 units |
| HIST 3723 | U.S. Immigration, 1776 - Present | 4.00 units |
| HIST 3791 | Southwest Borderlands | 4.00 units |
| LALS 3000 | SL: Latino Studies & US Community Contexts | 4.00 units |
| PHIL 2106 | Ethics of Citizenship and Immigration | 4.00 units |
| Total Credit Hours: | 12 |
Institutions and Systems Focus:
| PHIL 2104 | Ethics from the Margins | 4.00 units |
| PHIL 2105 | Ethics of Housing and Homelessness | 4.00 units |
| PHIL 2109 | Healthcare Ethics and Equity | 4.00 units |
| PHIL 2121 | Education for Democracy | 4.00 units |
| PHIL 2200 | Just Learning: Education as the Practice of Freedom | 1.00 unit |
| SOC 3003 | Theoretical Images of Crime, Deviance and Social Control | 4.00 units |
| SOC 3004 | Contemporary Families | 4.00 units |
| Total Credit Hours: | 12 |
Total Credit Hours: 44