Sociology (BA in Sociology)
The Sociology Program
Sociology majors graduate with a wide range of knowledge and skills that serve them well in a variety of possible careers. All sociology majors gain valuable skills in our rigorous theory and research methods course sequence, which emphasizes both quantitative and qualitative approaches. This depth of training makes sociology majors outstanding candidates for careers in teaching, business, advocacy, public service and administration, law, medicine, journalism, international development and many other professions. In addition, sociology majors regularly pursue graduate study in social work, journalism, education, public health, public policy, law, business and urban/regional planning. Optional course concentrations within the major provide the opportunity for students to target careers related to global issues; medicine and public health; law and criminal justice; and social/policy change. Sociology minors and those who take sociology courses as part of their exploration of the liberal arts benefit from the wide range of topics covered in our courses. For additional information see our web site.
Course Requirements
Major Computing Requirement
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| SOCI 303 | Quant Research Methods | 3 |
Major Writing Requirement
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Select one of the following: | 3-6 | |
| Senior Capstone Seminar | ||
| Honors and Honors | ||
Concentrations
Within the Sociology major, students may choose to specialize their studies by declaring one of four possible ‘concentrations’: Globalization; Health, Medicine, and Well-Being; Crime, Law and Power; or Social Justice and Policy.
Major Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Core Requirements | ||
| Sociological Theory | ||
| Research Design | ||
| Quant Research Methods | ||
| Qualitative Sociology | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3-6 | |
| Senior Capstone Seminar | ||
| Additional Requirements | ||
| Honors and Honors | ||
| Select six additional courses, four must be numbered 300 and above (including one 400 other than the Capstone or Honors): 1 | 18 | |
| Readings in Sociology | ||
| Independent Research | ||
| Internship | ||
| Total Hours | 21-24 | |
- 1
A maximum of three credits of independent study from the courses listed below (exclusive of SOCI 495-SOCI 496) may count towards the Sociology major. If a student wishes to count additional independent study credits toward the Sociology major, he/she must obtain approval from the Chair of the Sociology Department. If pursuing one of the Concentrations listed below, please refer to those lists of electives.
Crime, Law and Power Concentration Requirements
For a Concentration in Crime, Law and PowerCriminology, Law and Society, take at least three of your six electives from the following (or other special topics or COLL courses in the concentration approved by the Department Chair, including special topics courses):
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Select three of your six electives from the following (or other special topics or COLL courses in the concentration approved by the Department Chair, including special topics courses): | 9 | |
| Criminology | ||
| Crime and the Life Course | ||
| Asian American Demography and Law | ||
| Gender, Sexuality and the State | ||
| Crime and Justice in America | ||
| Race and Crime | ||
| Deviance and Social Control | ||
| Total Hours | 9 | |
Globalization Concentration Requirements
For a Globalization Concentration, take at least three of your six electives from the following (or other special topics or COLL courses in the concentration approved by the Department Chair, including special topics courses):
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Select three of your six electives from the following (or other special topics or COLL courses in the concentration approved by the Department Chair, including special topics courses): | 9 | |
| Global Social Problems | ||
| Gender and Human Rights | ||
| Comparative Sociology | ||
| Globalization and International Development | ||
| The Politics of Global Health | ||
| Comparative Race Relations | ||
| Migration in a Global Context | ||
| Energy, Environment, and Development | ||
| Total Hours | 9 | |
Health, Medicine, and Well-being Concentration Requirements
For a Concentration in Health, Medicine, and Well-being, take at least three of your six electives from the following (or other special topics or COLL courses in the concentration approved by the Department Chair, including special topics courses):
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Select three of your six electives from the following (or other special topics or COLL courses in the concentration approved by the Department Chair, including special topics courses): | 9 | |
| Medical Sociology | ||
| Birth, Sex, Death: Population and Society | ||
| The Politics of Global Health | ||
| Families and Kinship | ||
| Sociology of Aging | ||
| Social Inequality and Health | ||
| Political Ecology of Health & Disease | ||
| Sociology of Mental Illness | ||
| Food and Society | ||
| Total Hours | 9 | |
Social Justice & Policy Concentration Requirements
For a Concentration in Social Justice and Policy Problems, Policy and Justice, take at least three of your six electives from the following (or other special topics or COLL courses in the concentration approved by the Department Chair, including special topics courses):
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Select three of your six electives from the following (or other special topics or COLL courses in the concentration approved by the Department Chair, including special topics courses): | 9 | |
| Gender in Society | ||
| Wealth, Power, and Inequality | ||
| Contemporary Social Problems In the US | ||
| Institutions and Inequality | ||
| Sociology of Education | ||
| Environmental Sociology | ||
| Economic Justice: VA Eviction Crisis | ||
| Urban Sociology | ||
| Immigration, Assimilation and Ethnicity | ||
| Social Movements and Social Change | ||
| Sociology of Work | ||
| Immigration, Citizenship, and Border Studies | ||
| Citizenship & Belonging | ||
| Total Hours | 9 | |
Recommended Course Sequence
Below are two suggested tracks for students to take to fulfill this curriculum. The first is for a student who begins Sociology courses in the freshman year. The second is for a student who does not begin Sociology courses until the sophomore year.
100-level courses fulfill the COLL 100 or 150 requirement
200-level courses are designed for students with no prior exposure to sociology or to the general subject area of the course.
300-level courses are designed for students who have had at least one course in sociology or prior academic exposure to the subject area of the course.
400-level courses are designed as advanced-level seminars suited for juniors or seniors who have had 2 or more courses in sociology or significant prior exposure to the subject area
Sample 1
| Freshman | Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| One 200 or 100 or 150 level Sociology course | 3-4 | |
| SOCI elective | 3 | |
| Hours | 6-7 | |
| Sophomore | ||
| SOCI 301 | Sociological Theory | 3 |
| SOCI 302 | Research Design | 3 |
| SOCI elective | 3 | |
| SOCI elective | 3 | |
| Hours | 12 | |
| Junior | ||
| SOCI 303 | Quant Research Methods | 3 |
| SOCI 304 | Qualitative Sociology | 3 |
| SOCI elective | 3 | |
| Hours | 9 | |
| Senior | ||
| SOCI 494W | Senior Capstone Seminar | 3 |
| SOCI elective | 3 | |
| Hours | 6 | |
| Total Hours | 33-34 | |
Sample 1 - Senior Year:
The department offers multiple sections of SOCI 494W (Senior Capstone Seminar) every academic year, each with its own topic and instructor. To enroll in SOCI 494W, rising seniors will receive a short survey from the department chair or other department representative for designation of their preferences for a section of the course. Students will be informed of their capstone assignment prior to Fall Registration of their senior year and will receive an override from the instructor. Prerequisites for SOCI 494W are SOCI 301, SOCI 302, SOCI 303, and SOCI 304. Exceptions to these prerequisites may be made on a case-by-case basis by the department chair. A student completing SOCI 495-6 (Honors) is not required to take SOCI 494W (Senior Capstone Seminar).
Sample 2
| Sophomore | Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| One 200 level Sociology course | 3 | |
| SOCI elective | 3 | |
| Hours | 6 | |
| Junior | ||
| SOCI 301 | Sociological Theory | 3 |
| SOCI 302 | Research Design | 3 |
| SOCI 303 | Quant Research Methods | 3 |
| SOCI 304 | Qualitative Sociology | 3 |
| SOCI elective | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Senior | ||
| (See Sample 1 - Senior Year above for information on the Senior Year Capstone course.) | ||
| SOCI 494W | Senior Capstone Seminar | 3 |
| SOCI elective | 3 | |
| SOCI elective | 3 | |
| SOCI elective | 3 | |
| Hours | 12 | |
| Total Hours | 33 | |