Sociology, B.A.

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.

Sociology Major Requirements (42 units)

Other Undergraduate Degree Requirements

In addition to major requirements, every student must also complete the University’s baccalaureate requirements for graduation, which are described in the Requirements, Exams & Testing  chapter of this catalog. 

Department Courses Listed by Course Type

Sociology and Social Services Courses

Department of Sociology

Courses

Sociology

• •  SOC 100 - Introduction to Sociology Units: 3 ; G.E./G.R. Area: D1-3
• •  SOC 300 - Sociological Theory Units: 4
• •  SOC 320 - Social Inequalities Units: 4 ; G.E./G.R. Area: Social Justice
• •  SOC 325 - Race and Ethnic Relations Units: 4 ; G.E./G.R. Area: Diversity
• •  SOC 330 - Environmental Sociology Units: 4
• •  SOC 340 - Sociology of Gender Units: 4 ; G.E./G.R. Area: Diversity
• •  SOC 345 - American Society Units: 3 ; G.E./G.R. Area: D4
• •  SOC 350 - Sociology of Immigration Units: 4 ; G.E./G.R. Area: Diversity
• •  SOC 355 - Global Society Units: 4 ; G.E./G.R. Area: Sustainability
• •  SOC 360 - Sociology of Sexualities Units: 4
• •  SOC 365 - Deviance and Social Control Units: 4
• •  SOC 370 - Sociology of Education Units: 4 ; G.E./G.R. Area: Diversity
• •  SOC 375 - Urban Sociology Units: 4
• •  SOC 380 - Sociology of Race, Crime and Justice Units: 4
• •  SOC 385 - Childhood and Society Units: 4
• •  SOC 390 - Sociological Research Methods Units: 4
• •  SOC 398 - Internship Units: 1-3
• •  SOC 400 - Economy and Society Units: 4 ; G.E./G.R. Area: Social Justice
• •  SOC 403 - Sociology of the Family Units: 4
• •  SOC 405 - Sociology of Organizations Units: 4
• •  SOC 408 - Animals and Society Units: 4
• •  SOC 410 - Child Welfare Policy Units: 4
• •  SOC 413 - Medical Sociology Units: 4 ; G.E./G.R. Area: Social Justice
• •  SOC 415 - Popular Culture Units: 4
• •  SOC 418 - Sociology of Music Units: 4
• •  SOC 420 - Political Sociology Units: 4 ; G.E./G.R. Area: Social Justice
• •  SOC 423 - Social Movements and Social Change Units: 4
• •  SOC 425 - Work and Professions Units: 4
• •  SOC 430 - Social Policy Units: 4
• •  SOC 433 - Community Engagement Units: 4 ; G.E./G.R. Area: Social Justice
• •  SOC 435 - Social Psychology Units: 4
• •  SOC 440 - Alcohol and Drug Use Units: 4
• •  SOC 443 - Death and Dying Units: 4
• •  SOC 445 - Sociology of Emotions Units: 4
• •  SOC 450 - Sociology of Food Units: 4
• •  SOC 455 - Juvenile Delinquency Units: 4
• •  SOC 460 - Marriage and Sex Units: 4 ; G.E./G.R. Area: Diversity
• •  SOC 465 - Mediation and Conflict Resolution Units: 4
• •  SOC 470 - Sociology of Travel and Tourism Units: 4
• •  SOC 475 - Sociology of Sport Units: 4
• •  SOC 478 - Sociology of Mega-Events Units: 4
• •  SOC 480 - Global Brazil Units: 4 ; G.E./G.R. Area: Social Justice
• •  SOC 481 - Contemporary Brazil-Study Abroad Units: 4
• •  SOC 482 - Global Race and Ethnic Relations Units: 4
• •  SOC 485 - Policing and Society Units: 4
• •  SOC 490 - Independent Study Units: 1-4
• •  SOC 491 - Professional Development Units: 1
• •  SOC 492 - Capstone Project Support Units: 1
• •  SOC 496 - Topics Seminar Units: 4
• •  SOC 497 - Issues in Sociology Units: 4
• •  SOC 499 - Sociology Capstone Project Units: 4