Sociology

Contact

James Roche, J.D.
Assistant Academic Director, School of Social and Behavioral Science
jroche@une.edu

Degree name
Bachelor of Arts with a major in Sociology
Sections

Mission

The mission of the Social and Cultural Studies program is to offer a vigorous and exciting broad-based liberal arts education with an emphasis on cultural, global, and political dynamics. The program provides a combination of theoretical, scientific, practical, and experiential approaches to understanding and solving human problems. Issues of gender, race, class, and culture, as well as hands-on learning, are emphasized throughout the curriculum. Our goal is to graduate students with marketable skills that prepare them for careers in a variety of public and social services and/or for graduate study in related areas.

Major Description

The Bachelor of Arts with a major in Sociology provides students with a broad-base exposure to theories and methods, as well as a wide range of current social issues. Students receive extensive experiential learning opportunities as well. These academic and experiential foundations prepare the student for a wide range of academic and professional opportunities. Majors have chosen to continue their education in various fields including sociology, social work, law, economics, environmental studies, and public health. Graduates have also preferred to work directly with at-risk youth, family services, the criminal justice system, as well as many other areas of social and public service.

In addition to the traditional foundations of sociology, there are two (2) unique elements to this program. First, students complete a one-hundred and twenty (120)-hour internship. This helps students to: engage in experiential learning, apply sociology to the real world, undertake career explorations. Second, upper-level students participate in a semester-long applied sociological experience. One (1) option is an internship with a minimum of three-hundred and sixty (360) hours of engagement to be selected from a variety of area schools, agencies, and programs. A second option is for a student to study abroad. While studying in a foreign society and culture is important, the primary focus is for students to take courses and engage experientially in a way that helps students develop their areas of interest. There needs to be an integrated social science experience that drives the study abroad learning as well as the opportunity to explore a new society and culture for this to be a successful experience.

Overall, this program provides students with a strong foundation for understanding today's social issues and problems and the ability to seek solutions. Students will also have a wide range of skills, experiences, and references that will enhance their future educational and career opportunities as well as enable them to be more active and aware citizens.

Curricular Requirements

CAS Core RequirementsCredits
Total Credits42–43
Program Required CoursesCredits
SOC 150 – Introduction to Sociology3
SOC 268 – Practice of Social Research3
SOC 270 – Classical Social Theory3
SOC 280 – Contemporary Social Theory3
SOC 300 – Internship3
SOC 370 – Applied Field Methods3
One (1) 300- or 400-level elective3
One (1) Social Cultural Studies Course3
One (1) Social Global Studies Course3
One (1) Sociology, Anthropology, or Archeology course at any level3
Total Credits30
Select one (1) Applied Capstone Experience (see more details below)Credits
Option 1 - Internship9–16
Option 2 - Capstone Thesis9–16
Option 3 - Study Abroad9–16
Total Credits9–16
Open Elective Courses (as needed to reach 120 credits)Variable
Minimum Total Required Credits120

Applied Capstone Experiences (ACE)

Internship

Students may take between nine (9) and sixteen (16) credits to complete this ACE. Students may select from over seven hundred and fifty (750) sites in the Civic Engagement database. This learning opportunity should parallel the student’s area of interest and help them to gain experience, skills, and knowledge of how systems work and how to develop options in a given field.

Thesis

Students may take between nine (9) and sixteen (16) credits to complete this ACE. The thesis should build on the work the student has done in the Sociology major. This academic work should prepare them for graduate study in disciplines that have been incorporated into their study.

Study Abroad

Students typically take between fifteen (15) and sixteen (16) credits to complete a study abroad experience. While studying in a foreign society and culture is important, the primary focus is to take courses from the new institution that will help the student develop their areas of interest as they relate to the major. In short, there needs to be an integrated social science experience that drives the study abroad learning and the opportunity to explore a new society and culture for this to be a successful experience. All study abroad experiences should first be cleared with the Academic Director to see if they qualify to meet the requirements for the capstone.

Sociology majors may use a Social Global Awareness course to fulfill the major requirement and the CORE requirement.

Students in this major can participate in the pre-health graduate school preparation tracks.

Learning Outcomes

Students in all Social and Cultural Studies programs will explore the world and its diverse people, environments, social/cultural structure, and languages by employing sociological and anthropological theory, research design, analysis, experiential learning, and critical assessment methods.

As a result, at the completion of all Social and Cultural Studies programs you will be able to recognize and evaluate the nature of social evidence and in doing so, be able to articulate and apply appropriate terminology, theoretical and methodological procedures to the examination of society, culture, and languages across time and space.

Minor Description

A minor in Sociology provides students with a broad-base exposure to theories and methods, as well as a wide range of current social issues. Students receive extensive experiential learning opportunities as well. These academic and experiential foundations prepare the student for a wide range of academic and professional opportunities. This minor can help students pursue careers in a variety including sociology, social work, law, economics, environmental studies, and public health. Careers are also available in criminology as well as many other areas of social and public service.

Minor

A student with a major in another program may minor in Sociology with the permission of the Academic Director. Eighteen (18) hours of approved coursework is required for the Minor in Sociology. The requirements are as follows:

Program Required CoursesCredits
SOC 150 – Introduction to Sociology3
One (1) Soc. Anthropology, or Archeology course3
One (1) Sociology course at the 300-level or higher3
Three (3) Sociology courses at the 200-level or higher9
Minimum Total Required Credits18

Honors Program

We offer qualified students the option of graduating with Honors. This includes significant research, scholarship or creative activity under the direction of a faculty member. Interested students should consult with their advisor.

Transfer Credit

See Undergraduate Admissions for more information.

Admissions

See Undergraduate Admissions for more information.

Financial Information

Tuition and Fees

Tuition and fees for subsequent years may vary. Other expenses include books and housing. For more information regarding tuition and fees, please consult the Financial Information section of this catalog.