Sociology

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Faculty

Associate Professor , Tiffany G. Chenault, Chairperson

Professors: Arthur C. Gould, Paul A. Green, Patricia J. Ould, Yvonne Vissing

Associate Professors: Pamela Leong, John A. Otieno

Assistant Professors: Daniel Delgado, Sara Moore

Faculty Emeriti

Professors: Kenneth A. MacIver, Sister Eileen Matthews, Gerdes Fleurant, G. Else Wiersma

Associate Professor: Gerald Tatten

Programs Offered

Bachelor of Arts - Sociology   

Bachelor of Science - Sociology with a Minor   

Minor

Sociology  

Studying Sociology

Students in sociology study the structural sources and individual consequences of racism, sexism, economic exploitation and other forms of oppression. Students will explore the realities of justice and injustice, focus on disenfranchisement found in current policies, and the causes and consequences of various social systems and policies designed to address inequality.

Salem State University faculty members research, teach, and study various aspects of social inequality and social justice:

• Race and Ethnicity
• Social Class and Economic Inequality
• Intimate Relationship and Family Life
• Medicine, Health, and Well-Being
• Food Justice/Insecurity
• Gender and Sexuality
• Immigration
• Sociology of Sports
• Diversity and Global Inequality
• Social Movements and Involvement
• Education
• Neighborhood and Communities
• Social Demography
• Law and Social Policy
• Criminology and Crime

Academic Advising

Sociology majors are encouraged to keep in regular contact with their department advisors. A list of names of advisors and advisees is posted in the department office (MH335). Students are encouraged in consultation with their advisors, to be aware of degree requirements as specified on degree tracker, and to declare a minor or select a option by the end of their sophomore year (junior transfers by the end of their first semester).

Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)

This program offers students flexibility in the choice of courses and is particularly appropriate for students who wish to pursue graduate studies. Students wishing to obtain a B.A. in sociology are required to take thirty-six (36) hours in sociology.  This consists of 18 hours in sociology core courses plus 18 hours in sociology electives. Students also must complete the  foreign language requirement, and they must declare a minor (15 to 18 credits in the minor).  All minors should be developed in conjunction with advisors and with the permission of the departments involved.

Options within the B.A. Degree

Students who are interested in emphasizing a particular course theme within the B.A. degree should meet with their advisor and construct an educational profile that best meets their educational program and needs.

Bachelor of Science (B.S.)

This program is particularly appropriate for students who are considering the job market upon graduation; it combines a solid liberal arts and science curriculum with courses that compliment specific career goals. It also can be appropriate for students intending to further their education with graduate study if they choose the elective courses to support that choice.  A minor of 15 to 18 hours is required. All minors should be developed in conjunction with the advisors and with the permission of the departments involved.  Unlike the bachelor of arts program in sociology, the bachelor of science in sociology with a minor requires 45 credits in sociology, and there is no foreign language requirement. 

The Minor in Sociology

Students also may opt to minor in sociology. The minor in sociology consists of eighteen (18) credits. SOC 201 – Introduction to Sociology is required for the minor. The remaining fifteen (15) credits are chosen by the student, but it is recommended that students choosing to minor in sociology speak with the department chairperson or a faculty member in sociology to make decisions about which courses will best meet their career goals and interests.

Special Programs

Center for Childhood and Youth Studies (CCYS)

The Salem State University Center for Childhood and Youth Studies (CCYS) was created in 1999 as part of the Department of Sociology and is now located under Academic Affairs. The CCYS seeks to establish itself as the premiere academic child studies program in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The structure of CCYS will be interdisciplinary and incorporate all of the Colleges and Schools within the University. The Center for Childhood and Youth Studies activities include:

1. Undergraduate and Continuing Education Instructional Opportunities

2. A Certificate in Child Studies

3. Research Activities

4. Policy and Leadership Initiatives

5. Community Partnerships, Civic Engagement and Service Learning

6. A Child and Youth University and Community Consortium

Sociological Society

The Sociological Society at Salem State University is a student-organized body composed of sociology majors and those with a serious interest in sociology. It is designed to provide an informal atmosphere for discussion within the academic as well as social arenas. Guest speakers, career workshops, field trips, and pertinent social issues will be a most important area of interest for the organization.

The Sociological Society is governed and directed by sociology students with election of officers to be held in the spring of each year. A faculty advisor also will be selected at the time by the club membership.

It is hoped that ALL sociology students will take an active role, as the organization’s success and direction depends upon student participation.

Alpha Kappa Delta (AKD)

Salem State University’s Sociology Department hosts the Kappa of Massachusetts Chapter of AKD, the international sociology honor society. Alpha Kappa Delta derives its name from the first three letters of the three Greek words that together signify the Society’s goal: To study humankind for the purpose of service. The purpose of Alpha Kappa Delta is to promote human welfare through the association of a fellowship group interested in developing scientific knowledge that may be applied to the solution of social problems. Sociology majors or minors who are juniors, who have completed at least four sociology courses, who have a G.P.A. of 3.0 or higher in Sociology and who have an overall G.P.A. or 3.3 or higher are eligible for induction into AKD. The Sociology Department reviews student records to identify and notify eligible students each year. The department holds the AKD induction ceremony annually at the end of the spring semester. Additional information may be found at: sites.google.com/site/alphakappadeltainternational/.