2017-2018 Undergraduate Course Catalog 
    
    Nov 21, 2024  
2017-2018 Undergraduate Course Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Sociology, BA


Chair:

Prema Kurien
302 Maxwell Hall
315-443-2346.

Gretchen Purser, Undergraduate Director
400 Eggers Hall
315-443-5848

Faculty

Edwin Ackerman, Cecilia A. Green, Madonna Harrington Meyer, Prema Kurien, Scott Landes, Andrew London, Amy Lutz, Yingyi Ma, Shannon Monnat, Jennifer Karas Montez, Jackie Orr, Arthur Paris, Gretchen Purser, Rebecca Schewe, Nazanin Shahrokni, Merril Silverstein, Janet Wilmoth, Terrell Winder

The undergraduate major in Sociology is designed to provide students with both a broad introduction to the field and an opportunity for concentration within the specialty areas of the department. In addition to required courses in sociological theory and qualitative and quantitative research methods, the department offers a variety of substantive courses in inequality studies (e.g., gender, class, race / ethnicity, sexuality, and disability); health; education; immigration; family, aging and the life course; population studies; criminology and criminal justice; and social policy.

In addition to substantive specialization in Sociology, the major emphasizes skill development in the areas of analytic reasoning, analytic writing, computer literacy, elementary qualitative and quantitative research, information retrieval, and report presentation. Opportunities for internship experiences and/or assisting in faculty research projects are available and encouraged. Majors are encouraged to participate in a senior research seminar culminating in a symposium where they present the results and interpretation of their own research project. The department has a Sociology Club and offers an annual undergraduate paper award that is supported by a generous gift from a donor.

Student Learning Outcomes


1. Make connections between social structure and individual experience

2. Distinguish various theoretical perspectives

3. Critically evaluate information

4. Think and write analytically

5. Can evaluate qualitative research

6. Can evaluate quantitative research

7. Be able to collect and analyze data

8. Be able to present information and write papers

9. Can explain social inequality

10. Can describe social issues

11. Can describe social policy

12. Can identify how societies operate

13. Can describe the functioning of social institutions

Additional Six Courses


The 30 credits include an additional six courses, five of which must be numbered above 299 (one of the additional courses may be taken at the 200 level). Students may choose to complete a senior thesis (SOC 495 ) to fulfill one of the substantive courses.

Recommended for those Planning Graduate Study in the Social Sciences


Before Enrolling in the Other Courses


Students are advised to take

Additional Information


The required research methods courses should be taken in the sophomore or junior year.