Sociology, BS
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The sociology major is concerned with the scientific study of culture, social structure, social processes, social interaction, and social change, from the largest to the smallest scale. Many courses focus on important social issues, including public health, environmental degradation, gender, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, social class, and inequality.
A degree in sociology prepares students for a wide range of careers in educational institutions, private industry, NGO’s (non-governmental organizations) and government agencies, as well as graduate study in the discipline. For students with more specific career goals in mind, appropriate programs to meet their particular needs may be designed in consultation with the sociology faculty.
The sociological perspective can provide clarification to troubles and issues in social life and improve the quality of everyday life.
Learning Outcomes
- Students will be able to explain major sociological theories.
- Students will be able to explain major sociological research methods.
- Students will be able to apply statistics to analyze sociological data.
- Students will be able to evaluate published research in sociology.
- Students will be able to design a sociological plan to investigate a social issue.
- Students will be able to collect and analyze sociological data to investigate a social issue.
- Students will be able to demonstrate effective written articulation of ideas in sociology.
- Students will be able to demonstrate effective oral articulation of ideas in sociology.
Degree Requirements
General College Requirements
General College Requirements (see “Curriculum” section), including the following requirements to satisfy the major:
Required Courses
Thirty-six credit hours of coursework carrying sociology credit and distributed as follows:
Required Courses (16 credit hours):
Additionally
Capstone Experience
In their senior year, majors may elect to complete eight credit hours of a St. Mary’s Project (SOCI 493 and SOCI 494), or complete the Sociology Senior Seminar (SOCI 490) and one additional four-credit hour course in sociology at the 300 or 400 level.
Credit Requirements
- The 44 credit hours of major requirements may include field experience and independent study as approved by the department chair.
- All courses counting toward a major in sociology must have a grade of C-.
Sequence of Study
All students majoring in sociology shall plan an individual program with their adviser to arrive at a combination of courses that will meet the requirements for the major as well as satisfying their goals and interests. The sociology faculty strongly recommends that students choose an adviser from among the sociology faculty by the beginning of their junior year.
The following schedule is suggested as a model for satisfying the requirements of the sociology major:
First Year:
Second Year:
Junior Year:
Senior Year:
OR
Requirements for Teacher Certification
Students interested in Maryland state certification in social studies should study the description of the College’s Teacher Education Program in the catalog. In addition, they should, by the end of the first semester of their sophomore year, consult with the chair of the Department of Educational Studies, and the education advisers in their major fields.