Sociology, B.A. Program (120 units)
Program Description
The mission of the B.A. program in Sociology is to provide a stimulating and cooperative learning atmosphere for a highly diverse group of students. The program seeks to foster a lifelong love of learning about the social, cultural, political, and economic institutions humans have created and the directions they are changing. The program’s goal is for students to think deeply about ways social structures and processes influence individuals’ lives and opportunities, and how individuals can contribute to building more inclusive and satisfying communities and organizations. The program’s faculty members are dedicated to providing students with tools that will empower and prepare them to be active citizens in their families, communities, organizations, and workplaces, and to expand their understanding of community engagement to include national and global projects aimed at addressing larger social problems. The wide range of courses and flexible program structure prepare successful students to enter master’s and doctoral programs in several fields including Sociology, Social Work, Anthropology, Law, Political Science, Counseling, Education, and Public Administration.
Students will increase their appreciation of the value of all human beings and a commitment to an inclusive and just society that addresses the needs of all groups of people. In acquiring a deep understanding of the structure of groups, organizations, and societies, and human interaction within these contexts, students develop their capacity for more personally rewarding and socially responsible participation and leadership in their families, their work, their communities, and society as a whole.
The Department of Sociology offers a wide range of courses that allow students to pursue different pathways depending on their interests and future plans. Students have a great deal of flexibility to take courses that fit their needs as there are groups of interrelated courses in these areas: 1. Preparation for Social Work and Counseling; 2. Culture and Society; 3. Social Inequality; 4. Sex, Gender, Family; 5. Global and Urban; 6. Institutions and Organizations; 7. Politics, Civic Engagement, Social Control.
Additional Programs: Minor in Sociology
Program Learning Outcomes:
- Students will demonstrate an ability to evaluate “knowledge” claims of sociological analyses by critically assessing their
- 1) analytical framework,
- 2) data collection techniques,
- 3) sampling techniques, and
- 4) data analyses used in empirical research projects.
- Students will demonstrate oral and written abilities to effectively communicate and engage in educated, open-minded discussions of diverse sociocultural beliefs, perspectives, and norms.
- Students will possess knowledge of cultural differences and an understanding of how power, privilege, and culture produce social inequalities and stigmatization, and how structures of domination are effectively challenged.
- Students will work collaboratively in diverse groups, learn to value civic engagement, and, when appropriate to their educational path, successfully engage in community service.
- Students will demonstrate knowledge of local, national, and global policies and practices that contribute to environmental degradation; the unequal distribution of the consequences of environmental degradation; and strategies for developing sustainable alternatives.
- Students will demonstrate an ability to critically read, interpret and synthesize abstract sociological arguments and theories, and use sociological theories and models to develop research questions.
Career Opportunities
Social Services • Counselors • Administrative Support • Management • Human Resources • Teachers • Librarians • Sales • Marketing • Social Science Research • Public Relations • Information Technology • Various other professions and preparation for admission to graduate programs in a variety of fields including, but not limited to Law, Sociology, Social Work, Public Administration.
Degree Requirements Unit-Outline
- A baccalaureate of arts degree requires a total of 120 units:
- The Sociology major requirements consists of 42 units;
- General Education (GE) & Graduation Requirements (GR) consists of 57 units;
- Free Electives may consist of 21 units (actual number of free elective units may depend on GE/GR units).
Note: It may be possible to double-count units within the graduation requirements or that a course may satisfy both a graduation requirement and a major requirement. Students should contact their program and AACE advisors for information.
