Sociology

Faculty

Associate Professor: Pamela Leong, Chairperson

Professors: Tiffany Chenault

Assistant Professors: Miguel A. Montalva Barba, Sara Moore

Faculty Emeriti

Professors: Gerdes Fleurant, Arthur Gould, Paul Green, Kenneth A. MacIver and G. Else Wiersma

Associate Professors: John Otieno

Programs Offered

Bachelor of Arts - Sociology with a Minor

Bachelor of Science - Sociology with a Minor

Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Sociology with a Minor

The B.A. in sociology is the traditional degree in the discipline. The B.A. provides students with both a strong training in sociology and foreign-language proficiency. In addition to the university’s general education course requirements, students will study a broad range of sociological topics, which include the core courses (statistics, sociological theory, and research methods) and a variety of sociology electives. Students also will gain foreign-language proficiency. The minor requirement allows students to select a second discipline that complements their professional interest. The B.A. option is appropriate for students interested in pursuing graduate school, which often has a foreign-language proficiency requirement. For the B.A., students must complete 36 credits in required sociology courses and electives. Students who double major are waived from the required minor.

Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Sociology with a Minor

The B.S. in sociology with a minor combines a solid liberal arts and science curriculum with courses that complement specific career goals. Students will study a broad range of sociological topics, including the core courses (statistics, sociological theory, and research methods) and an array of sociology electives, together with the university’s general education course requirements. The B.S. in sociology with a minor offers greater flexibility, as there is no foreign-language proficiency requirement. The B.S. option is appropriate for students considering the job market upon graduation. The B.S. option can be appropriate for those intending to further their education with graduate study, if they choose the elective courses to support that choice. For the B.S., students must complete 42 credits in required sociology courses and electives.

The Minor in Sociology

Studying sociology not only allows students to better understand the social world, but it provides good preparation for a broad array of careers in both the public and private sectors, including in education, social services, law enforcement, public administration, and other areas. The minor in sociology requires 18 hours in sociology, including SOC 110 (introduction to sociology) as the basic course and the prerequisite to the other 15 hours required.

Alpha Kappa Delta (AKD)

Alpha Kappa Delta (AKD) is an international sociology honor society that encourages the study of humanity for the purpose of service. The purpose of AKD is to acknowledge and promote excellence in the scholarship and study of sociology, the research of social problems, and such other social and intellectual activities that will lead to the improvement of the human condition.

Minimum Eligibility Requirements for Membership:

Must be an officially declared sociology major or demonstrate a serious interest in sociology within an official program of the institution.
Junior-level class standing minimum.
Minimum overall cumulative GPA of 3.3.
Minimum 3.0 GPA within the sociology major.
Completion of at least four (4) regular courses in sociology prior to initiation.

Sociology students who meet the eligibility requirements will receive an invitation to join AKD. The invitations will go out sometime in the spring semester, with the induction ceremony taking place in April.