Catalog Description
Sociology is the systematic study of social relations at different levels. Sociologists analyze small groups, complex organizations such as bureaucracies or factories, race/ethnic relations, gender relations, communities, nations, and even global social formations. The processes and behaviors sociologists examine include social interaction among individuals, institutional change, social policy formation, criminal and deviant behavior (and responses to such behavior), population growth and distribution, and social change and development.
The sociology program offers major and minor sociology. Sociology provides a desirable background, as either a sole or combined major, for further professional training in law, city planning, public administration, hospital administration, and medicine, as well as for advanced graduate work in sociology or other social sciences. It also prepares students for a wide variety of careers that involve problem-solving and gathering, organizing, and analyzing information (i.e., data). Such careers may involve jobs ranging from sales and management to community services and government work.
Students who major in sociology should refer to the general requirements for the BA or BS degree earlier in the College of Arts and Sciences section of this catalog. Sociology students who desire to teach in secondary schools should prepare for teacher licensure with a major in sociology (see the College of Education section of this catalog).