Degree Programs
Bachelor of Arts in Sociology
The Program
Sociology students find an active and supportive departmental culture that surrounds course work in sociological theory, methods and current social issues. Department faculty members have a strong commitment to social justice that shapes course offerings and content. Students prepare themselves for sociology-related careers as well as graduate studies. Service learning is integrated into the curriculum through the social problems course that includes volunteering with local community-based organizations.
The Sociology Student Association creates additional opportunities for students to connect with each other, faculty and local community organizations. Because of the breadth, adaptability and practical applications of Sociology, students with a BA in Sociology choose to work in many different sectors: non-profit, private business, social services, education, health services, public relations, criminal justice and government.
Preparation
In high school take math, writing and social science courses (history, psychology, sociology).
Requirements for the Bachelor's Degree—Pre-Major Requirements
- SOC 104 Introductory Sociology
- SOC 282 Sociological Statistics, or
- SOC 282L Sociological Statistics Lab
Students who have elsewhere completed a statistics course approved by the department may enroll in the lab only portion of SOC 282.
Core Requirements
- SOC 201 Social Problems
- SOC 310 Sociological Theory
- SOC 382 Introduction to Social Research
- SOC 410 Contemporary Theory
- SOC 303 Race & Ethnic Relations or
- SOC 316 Gender & Society
Knowledge Based Requirements
Choose four courses with at least one from each category.
Inequality:
- SOC 305 Sociology of the Modern World-System*
- SOC 350 Social Movements
- SOC 420 Social Change
- SOC 430 Criminology
- SOC 431 Juvenile Delinquency
- SOC 480 Special Topics
Environment:
- SOC 302 Forests & Culture*
- SOC 320 Social Ecology
- SOC 363 Environmental Crime
- SOC 370 Environmental Inequality and Globalization
- SOC 480 Special Topics
Communities:
- SOC 306 Changing Family*
- SOC 308 Sociology of Altruism & Compassion*
- SOC 330 Social Deviance
- SOC 345 Cybersociety: Race, Class, & Gender
- SOC 411 Popular Culture
- SOC 475 Community Organizing
- SOC 480 Special Topics
* Courses with General Education designation.
Capstone:
- soc 492 senior project
Undergraduate sociology students must earn a “C” or better in all courses taken to satisfy the requirements of the degree. Total major unit requirement: 40.
No more than 8 units of SOC courses that have GE designations (*) can be counted toward your major. Students may request that a Sociology course not listed above be approved to count in one of the above knowledge areas.
The Department of Sociology offers 1-2 unit weekend workshops around pressing social issues and popular topics. We encourage our students to enroll in these workshops, but the units may not be counted as part of the required 40-unit major requirement.