Program Overview

School of Economic, Political and Policy Sciences

The School of Economic, Political and Policy Sciences offers a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology, providing undergraduate students with a broad knowledge of theoretical concepts, empirical research findings, and methodological approaches in the discipline of sociology.

Sociology (BA)

Sociology offers a scientific approach to examining social groups, human interactions, and social change. The mission of the BA in Sociology is to provide undergraduate students with a comprehensive understanding of the discipline, with an emphasis on theory and research related to social inequality.

Program Description

The program aims to equip students with mastery of concepts, findings, and approaches central to sociology, as well as develop basic skills in empirical analysis and professional communication. Sociology majors are encouraged to explore ways that sociology can be utilized in corporations, government agencies, or voluntary organizations.

Degree Requirements

The Bachelor of Arts in Sociology requires 120 semester credit hours, including:

• Core Curriculum Requirements: 42 semester credit hours
  • Communication: 6 semester credit hours
    • COMM 1311 Survey of Oral and Technology-based Communication
    • RHET 1302 Rhetoric
  • Mathematics: 3 semester credit hours
    • Choose one course from the following:
      • MATH 1306 College Algebra for the Non-Scientist
      • MATH 1314 College Algebra
  • Life and Physical Sciences: 6 semester credit hours
    • Select any 6 semester credit hours from Life and Physical Sciences core courses
  • Language, Philosophy and Culture: 3 semester credit hours
    • Choose one course from the following:
      • HUMA 1301 Exploration of the Humanities
      • LIT 2331 Masterpieces of World Literature
      • PHIL 1301 Introduction to Philosophy
      • PHIL 2316 History of Philosophy I
      • PHIL 2317 History of Philosophy II
  • Creative Arts: 3 semester credit hours
    • ARTS 1301 Exploration of the Arts
  • American History: 6 semester credit hours
    • HIST 1301 U.S. History Survey to Civil War
    • HIST 1302 U.S. History Survey from Civil War
  • Government / Political Science: 6 semester credit hours
    • GOVT 2305 American National Government
    • GOVT 2306 State and Local Government
  • Social and Behavioral Sciences: 3 semester credit hours
    • SOC 1301 Introduction to Sociology
  • Component Area Option: 6 semester credit hours
    • EPPS 2301 Research Design in the Social and Policy Sciences
    • And choose one course from the following:
      • EPPS 2302 Methods of Quantitative Analysis in the Social and Policy Sciences
      • EPPS 2303 Descriptive and Inferential Statistics for the Social and Policy Sciences
• Major Requirements: 48 semester credit hours
  • Major Preparatory Courses: 3 semester credit hours beyond Core Curriculum
    • ECON 2301 Principles of Macroeconomics
    • or ECON 2302 Principles of Microeconomics
    • EPPS 2301 Research Design in the Social and Policy Sciences
    • EPPS 2302 Methods of Quantitative Analysis in the Social and Policy Sciences
    • or EPPS 2303 Descriptive and Inferential Statistics for the Social and Policy Sciences
    • SOC 1301 Introduction to Sociology
  • Major Core Courses: 18 semester credit hours
    • SOC 3303 Classical Social Theory
    • SOC 3305 Applied Data Analysis
    • SOC 3381 Field Research Methods
    • SOC 4302 Class, Status, and Power
    • SOC 4306 Advanced Sociological Research
    • Choose one course from the following:
      • SOC 3333 Religion in Society
      • SOC 4385 Health and Illness in Global and Cross-national Perspective
      • SOC 4387 Religion in International Development
  • Major Related Courses: 27 semester credit hours
    • 18 semester credit hours of upper-division Sociology courses
    • 9 semester credit hours Major and Related electives
• Elective Requirements: 30 semester credit hours
  • This requirement may be satisfied with lower- and upper-division courses from any field of study.

Faculty

The faculty for the Bachelor of Arts in Sociology includes:

• Professor: Richard K. Scotch, Sheryl L. Skaggs
• Associate Professors: Bobby C. Alexander, Sarah Maxwell

Career Opportunities

Sociology graduates have pursued careers or graduate study in a variety of areas, including policy research, social services, business, law, education, law enforcement, and other social sciences.