Sociology, Social Services Option, B.A.

Cal State East Bay offers a major in Sociology that leads to the Bachelor of Arts degree. The major contains two options: (1) Sociology, Sociology Option, B.A. and (2) Sociology, Social Services Option, B.A. 

The Sociology, Sociology Option, B.A. is designed for students with career interests in the public sector or business or entry into law school, public administration, or graduate work in a number of fields. Sociology, Sociology Option, B.A. students must take three of five courses in the area of social diversity. Any of the upper division courses offered by the department may be used to complete the additional 28 required units.

The Sociology, Social Services Option, B.A. is designed to prepare students for beginning practice in a social services agency or going on to graduate study in social work, counseling or public administration. In the Sociology, Social Services Option, B.A., students take a variety of courses including two quarters of field placement, where they work for credit in a social services agency.

The core requirements for all majors include courses in social theory and research methods. The research methods sequence includes training in applied social research and computer applications for the social sciences.

Student Learning Outcomes

Students graduating with a B.A. in Sociology from Cal State East Bay will be able to:

1. read and analyze sociological data and, thus, be able to critically examine “knowledge” veracity by mastering appropriate research methods, including: 1) data collection, 2) sampling, and 3) data analysis.
2. engage (orally and in writing) in educated, open-minded discussions of diverse sociocultural beliefs, perspectives, and norms.
3. understand and embrace social diversity, and critically analyze cultural representations of oppressed populations, while working toward equity and empowerment.
4. work collaboratively in diverse groups, and when appropriate to their educational path, successfully complete service in community social service practicum.
5. promote sustainability by acquiring knowledge of local, national and global socioeconomic policies and practices that contribute to poverty, resource scarcity, violence, exploitation, and environmental degradation, as well as explore ethical, responsible alternatives to those policies.
6. critically read, interpret, integrate and synthesize abstract sociological arguments and theories.

Career Opportunities

• Correctional Officer
• Criminologist
• Employee Relations Representative
• Employment Counselor
• Human Resource Representative
• Industrial Sociologist
• Market Research Analyst
• Migration Specialist
• Occupational Analyst
• Parole Officer
• Public Health Statistician
• Public Relations Representative
• Research Assistant
• Social Ecologist
• Social Worker
• Teacher
• Urban Planner
• Urban Sociologist
• Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor

Features

The department faculty includes both sociologists and social workers who have expertise in the areas of family and interpersonal relationships, social theory, drug and alcohol abuse, applied social research, demography, aging, urban sociology, sports and leisure, sexuality, social conflict and violence, crime, international development, culture, social psychology, emotions, medical sociology, and minority and immigrant groups.

Please consult an advisor in your major department for clarification and interpretation of your major requirements. The major consists of 61 units; the B.A. degree requires a total of 180 units.

In addition to major requirements, every student must also complete the University requirements for graduation which are described in the Baccalaureate Degree Requirements chapter in the front of this catalog. These include the General Education-Breadth requirements; the second composition (ENGL 1002) requirement; the cultural groups/women requirement; the performing arts/activities requirement; the U.S. history, U.S. Constitution, and California state and local government requirement; the University Writing Skills Requirement; and the residence, unit, and grade point average requirements.