Sociology Major

Department Chair: Debra Lemke, Ph.D.

Description

Sociology is the study of social life and the social structural causes and consequences of human behavior. Sociology takes a scientific, humanistic, and cross-cultural approach when investigating the structure of groups, organizations, and societies. It also analyzes the relationships that unite societies in the world system. Topics of interest include deviance, family patterns and relationships, social change, intergroup relations, race, gender, sexuality, social class, work, education and development.

Sociology is a liberal arts major for students seeking careers in social research, community and social services, business and industry, government, the criminal justice system, public administration, community and international development, education, and market research. The sociology major provides a foundation for students wishing to pursue professional degrees in social work, education, public health, business administration and community planning, in addition to graduate degrees in sociology, law, medicine, and divinity school.

Notes

Students wishing to double major in Criminal Justice and Sociology can only double count SOC 1104, 3105, and 4104.
Students wishing to major in Sociology and minor in Criminal Justice can only double count SOC 1104.
Students wishing to major in Criminal Justice and minor in Sociology can only double count SOC 1104.
Students wishing to minor in both Criminal Justice and Sociology can only double count SOC 1104.

Regarding SOC 1103 transfer credit. Students who receive transfer credit for SOC 1103 cannot receive credit for SOC 1104. SOC 1103 will serve as a prerequisite for all upper division SOC classes but does NOT equate to SOC 1104 due to the International Nonwestern tag that SOC 1104 carries. Should a student take SOC 1104 at McDaniel, the previously awarded transfer credit will be removed.

The numbering system for sociology classes indicates which area they fit into: x1xx is a required course; x2xx is a Society and the Individual course; x3xx is a Social Organization course and x4xx is a Social Inequality course. Internships and Independent Studies are exceptions to this system.

Requirements

Core (4 courses):

SOC 1104 - Introduction to Sociology: A Global Perspective (or SOC 1103 - Introductory Sociology as transfer course)
SOC 2104 - Sociological Theory
SOC 3105 - Research Methods in Sociology #
SOC 4104 - Capstone: Critical Inquiry in Sociology #

Content Areas (7 courses):

Society and the Individual: 2 courses numbered 22XX or 32XX (excluding internships and independent studies).
Social Organization: 2 courses numbered 23XX or 33XX (excluding internships and independent studies).
Social Inequality: 2 courses numbered 24XX or 34XX (excluding internships and independent studies).
Plus, one additional course from the above 3 lists (excluding internships and independent studies).

Total Program Hours: 44

Departmental Writing Requirement

After successfully completing both Sociology 3105 and 4104, notated by the # symbol, a Sociology major will fulfill the Departmental Writing requirement.

Requirements for Departmental Honors

To receive departmental honors, Sociology students must:

have at least a 3.50 GPA;
satisfy departmental requirements;
be recommended by the Department;

See the Department Chair for more specific requirements.

Secondary Teacher Certification

Please see Social Studies teacher certification requirements under Programs: Education minor (secondary) for Sociology major.