University of New England

The Department of Sociology currently offers two majors:

• A Bachelor of Arts in Sociology
• A Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Social Relations
• A minor in each of these areas is also available

In offering these majors and minors, the Department of Sociology provides students with a broad-based liberal arts education that emphasizes the importance of culture, globalization, and political life. In addition, issues of race, class, and gender are embedded throughout the curriculum.

Students in Introduction to Sociology work in small groups and take turns leading class discussions throughout the semester.

These subjects are approached through processes of critical thinking and experiential learning that integrate academic and applied sociological experiences. Students are thus exposed to a combination of theoretical, quantitative, qualitative, and practical approaches to understanding and solving human problems.

As a result of required course work and applied learning opportunities, majors graduate with marketable skills that prepare them for entry-level positions in social services or for graduate and professional study in related areas. Majors in sociology or psychology and social relations may choose to continue their education in a wide range of fields, including sociology, social work, law, economics, the media, and environmental studies. Sociology Curriculum

Upon acceptance to the University of New England, students are provisionally admitted as a major in either sociology or psychology and social relations. Upon completion of approximately 60 credit hours (typically at the end of the second year of full-time work), student progress is evaluated by department faculty.

All students in the Department of Sociology must also complete the University of New England College of Arts and Sciences Core Curriculum. The core is approximately 43 credit hours and is taken over the four years. In addition to the major and core requirements, students will take elective credits inside and outside the major field of study that fulfill the total requirement of 120 academic credits to complete a bachelor of arts in the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of New England.

Learning Outcomes for Department of Sociology Majors

In a Contemporary Sociological Theory class, students participate in a film discussion led by Dr. Sam McReynolds, Sociology Dept. Chair.

Majors in the Department of Sociology are encouraged to develop a knowledge base and areas of interest that appeal to them. At the same time, it is the department's expectation that all students graduating from our programs will achieve a series of learning outcomes that we believe are fundamental to the study of sociology and to the social sciences in general. Students will be assessed on this knowledge and these skills when they enter and when they complete a major in our Department. Each course throughout the curriculum is geared to address as many of these outcomes as possible. A graduate from the Department of Sociology at the University of New England will:

Possess a sociological knowledge base of culture, globalization, and political life.

• Have the ability to express an extended argument in writing.
• Have the ability to express an extended argument orally.
• Develop and be able to apply a basic understanding of quantitative techniques.
• Develop and be able to apply a basic understanding of qualitative techniques.
• Develop and be able to apply a basic understanding of survey design.
• Develop experiential learning skills.