Sociology (BA)

Location(s): Manhattan Campus

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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).

Kansas State University Core: 34-36 Credit Hours

K-State Core is the foundation for an impactful life and career after time at K-State.

The K-State Core framework covers six disciplinary areas: English, Communications, Mathematics & Statistics, Natural & Physical Sciences, Social & Behavioral Sciences, and Arts and Humanities. In addition, a seventh area is reserved for institutionally designated use, which K-State is keeping as free electives. In total, the framework takes up 34-35 credit hours of 100 and 200-level coursework. Students who complete their general education elsewhere cannot be required to take additional general education coursework in the disciplinary areas of the framework without permission from KBOR to continue requiring courses in the K-State Core.

General Education: K-State Core

Program Requirements

Orientation: 1 Credit Hour

DAS 101 - Discover, Create, and Thrive: Arts and Sciences Orientation Credits: 1

Outside Concentration: 9 Credit Hours

Outside credential of at least 9 credit hours (May be from any unit, except Sociology, Anthropology, and Social Work, OR from approved interdisciplinary credentials within the unit).

Any 9 credit hours in a single prefix (except for ADC, ANTH, CRIM, SOCIO, and SOCWK) (all must be 300 level or above OR at any level with a prereq in the same prefix; up to 5 credit hours may overlap with program).

Any 9 credit hours in a microcredential (up to 5 credit hours may overlap with program).

Overlays: [9] Credit Hours

May be fulfilled in K-State Core, Outside Concentration, electives, or the Program itself.

Ethical Reasoning Overlay Credits: [3]
Global Perspectives Overlay Credits: [3]
US Multicultural Overlay Credits: [3]

Sociology (Bachelor of Arts) (34 credit hours)

All sociology majors are required to take 10 credit hours of required core courses and 21 credit hours of electives, with 12 of these 21 credit hours at the 500 level or above. In order to graduate with a B.A. degree in Sociology, students are required to earn a 2.5 grade point average in courses taken within the major.

Required courses (13 credit hours)

SOCIO 211 - Introduction to Sociology Credits: 3
SOCIO 423 - Methods of Social Research I Credits: 4
SOCIO 431 - Comparative Social Theories Credits: 3
STAT 225 - Introduction to Statistics Credits: 3

Sociology electives (21 credit hours)

Choose 21 credit hours of sociology elective courses (with prefix SOCIO). 12 of these 21 credit hours must be at the 500 level or above. SOCIO 567, SOCIO 568, SOCIO 569 may not be used to count toward these required elective hours.

BA Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences Requirement: 6 Credit Hours

3 credit hours in each of the following, with at least 3 credit hours at 300 level or above OR at any level with a prerequisite in the same discipline.

One course in Humanities Credits: 3

Any course or combination of courses in Fine Arts Credits: 3

BA Natural and Quantitative Requirement: 3 Credit Hours

One course in the following

Natural Science or Quantitative course Credits: 3

BA Second Language Requirement: 3-16 Credit Hours

Choose one of the following:

Option 1: 3-14 Credit Hours

At least 3 credit hours of coursework culminating with level 4 or above (i.e., French 4, German 4, Spanish 4, etc.) or the equivalent of level 4 in a second language sequence.

Option 2: 16 Credit Hours

At least 16 credit hours of coursework in which student takes the first and second levels of two different languages, selected from any language offered within the department of Modern Languages, ASL, or from any other second language transferred in at an equivalent level.

Option 3: 3 Credit Hours

Students whose first language is not English may satisfy this requirement by meeting the English Proficiency Admission Standards for K-State or by completing the appropriate level of exit courses with the English Language Program.

Free Electives: 17-30

In addition to K-State Core Free Electives requirement, take any course so that the total credit hours completed equals 120.

Grand Total for Program of Study: 120

A&S Common Requirements are satisfied by upper level Sociology courses, Methods of Social Research I, and the BA Restricted Electives in Natural and Quantitative Sciences, Humanties, Fine Arts, and Second Language.