Sociology Program

Sociology - Curriculum

Sociological imagination involves several sub-skills, including awareness and historical knowledge of social issues, understanding of sociological theories, and the research skills needed to apply those theories to investigate social issues.

We offer courses that develop sociological imagination. Our required courses focus on culture, theory, and methods, teaching students how to connect the often subtle dynamics of everyday life to historical forces.

Our electives provide opportunities for specialization in specific topics, such as the digitalization of society, social movements, urbanization, healthcare systems, social diversity, research methods, comparative cultural studies, sports, environmental sociology, and global development.

As a sociology major, you will learn how societies function and how to evaluate claims using evidence.

Core topics include:

  • Social inequality
  • Social movements and social change
  • Culture, identity, and social interaction
  • The influence of institutions on everyday life

Practical skills:

  • Qualitative and quantitative research methods
  • Reading and writing with evidence
  • Data interpretation
  • Critical analysis and argumentation

Electives allow you to specialize in areas such as crime and justice, health, family, race and ethnicity, gender, or global issues.

B.A. Sociology

Freshman Year

First Semester

  • ENGL 101 - English Composition or ENGL 115 - Rhetoric
  • Second Language
  • History I Elective (3)
  • PHIL 100 - Ethics as Intro to Philosophy
  • CORE 100
  • CORE 101
  • SOCI 101 - Introduction to Sociology

Second Semester

  • Second Language
  • Historical Perspectives
  • Mathematical Perspectives
  • CORE 102
  • THEO 111 - Theological Foundations
  • SOCI 180 - Culture & Society

Sophomore Year

First Semester

  • ENGL 205 - Literature & Moral Imagination
  • Philosophical Perspectives
  • Scientific Persepctives
  • Humanities Elective
  • SOCI 200 - Foundational Social Theory

Second Semester

  • MATH 116 - Elementary Statistics or SOCI 365 - Contemporary Social Theory
  • Theological Perspectives
  • Natural Science Elective
  • Social Science Elective
  • MATH 156 - General Statistics

Junior Year

First Semester

  • SOCI 352 - Investigating Social Life I
  • Creative Perspectives
  • Sociology Elective
  • General Elective
  • General Elective

Second Semester

  • SOCI 353 - Investigating Social Life II
  • Sociology Elective
  • General Elective
  • General Elective
  • General Elective

Senior Year

First Semester

  • Sociology elective
  • General elective
  • General elective
  • General elective
  • General elective

Second Semester

  • Sociology elective
  • General elective
  • General elective
  • General elective
  • General elective
  • CORE 499