Sociology

Q: What courses should be taken during the first year?

The gateway course in Sociology is Introduction to Sociology (SOC 10). Click here to check Sociology course availability.

After taking SOC 10: Introduction to Sociology, students who are interested in exploring the field may take a higher-level course, such as Sociology of Families, Sociology of Environment, or Race and American Society, Roots and Routes, or Deviance. Although Introduction to Sociology is not a prerequisite for most of these courses, it is strongly recommended that students take it first. If a student intends to major or minor in Sociology, SOC 10 is typically followed by SOC 107 (Classical Sociological Theory), or a methods course (SOC 202: Social Resarch Process; SOC 4: Doing Qualitative Research; SOC 206: Doing Quantitative Research). Any of these courses is a logical second step in the major or minor. If a student decides to major in Sociology, he or she must also complete a minor or concentration in a related field. Programs that qualify as a related field typically include any social science. In special circumstances, non-social science minors or concentrations are acceptable. In these cases, or whenever the student is uncertain, he or she should obtain permission from his or her advisor.

Q: How do I get an advisor in Sociology?

Students select their own major advisor based on their fields of interests and compatibility with the professor. The department is small and informal and with few, if any, exception, a student’s first choice of advisor is met.

Q: Where should students or faculty go for more information?

Questions regarding transfer credit, waivers of requirements, or other general information should be directed to the Chair, Shelly Tenenbaum, 415 Jefferson Academic Center, ext 7529.