Our undergraduate curriculum provides students with meaningful sociological experience. The theory and methods courses are designed to build competence in core areas, while advanced classes help students develop expertise in major fields of contemporary sociology, including race and ethnic relations, work and leisure, aging studies, gender research, crime and juvenile delinquency, urban ethnography, sociology of medicine, health, and mental illness.

Curriculum

The foundation of our undergraduate program is built around five required sociology courses:

  • A 100-level Introduction to Sociology or Social Problems course
  • Two 400-level research methods and statistical analysis courses
  • Two 400-level social theory courses (classical and modern social theory)

In addition to fulfilling these core requirements, you are also expected:

  • To complete an additional 19 credits in sociology, chosen from the broad range of classes offered
  • To maintain a GPA of 2.50 in all sociology courses taken after completion of your first 12 credits in sociology
  • To broaden your sociology curriculum with an additional 24 credits in related areas and selected in consultation with your advisor

You have the option of taking an internship or an independent study, although you must have written consent of the instructor and have earned nine credits in sociology courses.

The department offers a capstone course where you will synthesize your learning by using social theory, research methods, and substantive course materials to conduct an original project on the topic of your choice.

Some coursework requires you to complete library-based research projects and internet projects. In addition, a number of faculty now are providing students with course web sites designed as skill-driven pedagogical tools. We are committed to meeting community and regional needs, increasing diversity, and enhancing our national reputation. Sociology 101 and 102, introduction to sociology and social problems, can be used to satisfy the university's core requirement in the social sciences. Although these courses service both majors and non-majors, instructors offering this course maintain quality and rigor.