BA in Sociology

Sociology is the study of groups, societies, social processes, and institutions. To study these, the department provides a program that focuses on sociological methods (how we know) and sociological theory (how we explain). The curriculum provides students with a basis for understanding and participation in their own communities and enables them to pursue careers and occupations in professions related to sociological knowledge and training. Program Concentrations/Tracks: Standard, Cities, Action, Power and Practice, Health and Human Services, Law, Crime and Criminology, Sociology of Culture. Learning Outcomes - Students will be able to: Explain the sociological perspective and analyze societies, institutions, groups, organizations, cultures, and social issues and policies, through its lens. Describe the history of sociology as a discipline and identify major classical, 20th century, and contemporary theorists and theoretical perspectives. Recognize and use basic concepts and procedures of introductory statistics for the social sciences (sampling, descriptive statistics, statistical inference, data analysis techniques such as cross-tabs and regression, and presentation of quantitative information). Design research and apply major types of research methods and techniques to data. Use theories and concepts to identify research questions and analyze empirical situations. Critically evaluate the role of class, race-ethnicity, gender, and sexual orientation in society. Describe and explain key concepts of sociology such as social structure, inequality and disparities, deviance and social control, power and authority, complex organization, interaction, and culture. Recognize how the social context affects individual goals, ideas, values and behaviors. Apply sociological perspectives at different levels of analysis, such as: individuals in social contexts; interacting groups; social networks; communities, cities, and metropolitan regions; organizations; societies at the national level; and the global system. Career Options: Public policy, Criminal justice, Governmental work, Education, Social services, Law, Human rights, Conflict resolution and strategy.