Major & Minor in Sociology
Though many differences can be identified among individuals, each of us lives with others in a society. In fact, it is through our daily social interactions that we create, sustain, and change the very essence of society. Sociology studies all aspects of life in a society, how it both shapes and is shaped by people. Using the scientific process, sociologists answer questions such as:
- Why do jobs vanish from one area and appear somewhere else?
- What social influences enable prejudice?
- What alternatives to the nuclear family exist, and how prevalent are they?
- How has an increased number of elderly people impacted life in the U. S.?
- Is this still a country where hardworking people can get ahead?
- How are intimate relationships around the world different?
- Why does a person join a social movement and advocate for social change?
Students studying Sociology develop the ability to answer these questions, and understand the limitations of their conclusions. The skills you need to succeed in a 21st century career include creativity, innovation, critical thinking, analytic problem-solving, communication, collaboration, multicultural and global understandings, and expressive and persuasive writing skills.
Career advancement in an increasingly diverse, global society requires the ability to work cooperatively and effectively with people from different cultures, ethnicities and nationalities, sociological coursework is uniquely suited to help you develop such skills. With a degree in Sociology, students have a foundation for both understanding and working in a globalizing world.
Core Required Coursework (17 hours)
SOCL 100: Introductory Sociology*
SOCL 199: College & Careers in Sociology
SOCL 250: Systems of Social Inequaity*
SOCL 300: Social Statistics*
SOCL 301: Social Statistics lab (1 hour)
SOCL 302: Social Research Methods*
SOCL 304: Sociological Theory: Perspectives on Society*
Elective Coursework (15 hours)
SOCL 210 Interaction Self and Society*
SOCL 220 Marriage & Family*
SOCL 240 Global Social Problems*
SOCL 245 Sociology of Popular Culture
SOCL 270 Introduction to Community, Environment, and Development
SOCL 310 Behavior in Small Groups
SOCL 312 Collective Behavior & Social Movements
SOCL 322 Religion in Society*
SOCL 324 Sociology of Sport*
SOCL 342 Aging in Society*
SOCL 345 Sociology of Popular Music
SOCL 346 Special Topics
SOCL 350 Systems of Social Inequality
SOCL 352 Technology, Work & Society*
SOCL 355 Sociology of Gender
SOCL 360 The Community in Rural & Urban Settings*
SOCL 362 Social Institutions: Race, Class & Gender*
SOCL 363 Population, Society, & Development;
SOCL 372 Human Wildlife Conflict
SOCL 375 Diversity in American Society*
SOCL 376 Sociology of Globalization
SOCL 389 Stigma and Society
SOCL 402 Evaluation Research Tech.
SOCL 404 Qualitative Research Methods
SOCL 408 Survey Applications
SOCL 410 Socialization
SOCL 435 Family Violence
SOCL 440 Sociology of Health and Illness
SOCL 442 Sociology Research Project
SOCL 450 Occupations & Professions
SOCL 452 Social Change
SOCL 455 Theory & Practice of Comm. Development
SOCL 466 Gender, Family & Society
SOCL 470 Environmental Sociology
SOCL 480 Sociology of Agri-Foods Systems
SOCL 489 Sociology Study Abroad
SOCL 494 Internship in Sociology
SOCL 495 Directed Study
*NO MORE THAN TWO OF THE FOLLOWING ELECTIVE COURSES CAN BE USED FOR THE SOCIOLOGY MAJOR:
SOCL 309 Social Deviance*;
CRIM 330 Criminology*;
CRIM 332 Juvenile Delinquency*;
SOCL 359 Sexuality and Society;
CRIM 361 Race, Class, & Crime;
CRIM 380 Penology*;
CRIM 432 Sociology of Criminal Law;
CRIM 434 Organized Crime;
SOCL 435 Family Violence;
CRIM 438 Victimology*;
CRIM 446 Gender, Crime & Justice;
CRIM 447 Life-Course Criminology;
CRIM 448 International Justice and Crime;
CRIM 451 White Collar Crime
Core Required Coursework (17 hours)
SOCL 100: Introductory Sociology*
SOCL 199: College & Careers in Sociology
SOCL 250: Systems of Social Inequaity*
SOCL 300: Social Statistics*
SOCL 301: Social Statistics lab (1 hour)
SOCL 302: Social Research Methods*
SOCL 304: Sociological Theory: Perspectives on Society*
Concentration Required Courses (6 hours)
CSJ 200: Introduction to Social Justice
SOCL 315: Public Problem Solving
Elective Coursework (15 Hours)
SOCL 240 Global Social Problems*
SOCL 312 Collective Behavior & Social Movements
SOCL 355 Sociology of Gender;
CRIM 361 Race, Class, & Crime
SOCL 362: Social Institutions: Race, Class, and Gender
SOCL 375 Diversity in American Society*
SOCL 376 Sociology of Globalization
SOCL 440 Medical Sociology
CRIM 446 Gender, Crime, & Justice
SOCL 452 Social Change
SOCL 466 Gender, Family, & Society
SOCL 494 Internship in Sociology (1-6 hrs)
Core Required Coursework (17 hours)
SOCL 100: Introductory Sociology*
SOCL 199: College & Careers in Sociology
SOCL 250: Systems of Social Inequaity*
SOCL 300: Social Statistics*
SOCL 301: Social Statistics lab (1 hour)
SOCL 302: Social Research Methods*
SOCL 304: Sociological Theory: Perspectives on Society*
Concentration Required Concentration Courses (6 hours)
CSJ 200: Introduction to Social Justice
SOCL 315: Public Problem Solving
Elective Coursework (15 Hours)
ENV/GEO 280 Environmental Sustainability
SOCL 312 Collective Behavior & Social Movements;
SOCL 360 The Community in Rural & Urban Settings*
SOCL 363 Population, Society, & Development;
SOCL 372 Human-Wildlife Conflict
SOCL 452 Social Change
SOCL 455 Theory & Practice of Community Development
SOCL 470 Environmental Sociology
SOCL 480 Sociology of Agri-Food Systems or ANTH 338 Foodways or GEOG 378 Food Culture & Environment
SOCL 494 Internship in Sociology (1-6 hrs)
Core Required Coursework (17 hours)
SOCL 100: Introductory Sociology*
SOCL 199: College & Careers in Sociology
SOCL 250: Systems of Social Inequaity*
SOCL 300: Using Statistics in Sociology*
SOCL 301: Social Statistics lab (1 hour)
SOCL 302: Social Research Methods*
SOCL 304: Sociological Theory: Perspectives on Society*
Concentration Required Course (3 hours)
SOCL 220 Marriage & Family*
Elective Coursework (12Hours)
CSJ 200 Introduction to Social Justice
SOCL 315 Public Problem Solving
SOCL 342 Aging in Society *
SOCL 355 Sociology of Gender
SOCL 359 Sexuality and Society
SOCL 362 Race, Class, & Gender*
SOCL 410 Socialization
SOCL 435 Family Violence*
CRIM 446 Gender, Crime, & Justice
SOCL 466 Gender, Family, & Society
SOCL 494 Internship in Sociology (1-6 hrs)
The program is designed to further awareness and understanding of social life including the social causes and consequences of human behavior in groups, organizations, societies, and various cultures. Completion provides a broad background for students pursuing a variety of careers by helping them develop valuable skills. The minor requires 21 semester hours. All courses are three semester hours unless otherwise noted.
*A major in Sociology only requires 3 more classes than a minor
Core Required Coursework (13hours)
SOCL 100: Introductory Sociology*
SOCL 300: Using Statistics in Sociology*
SOCL 301: Social Statistics Lab (1 hour)
SOCL 302: Social Research Methods*
SOCL 304: Sociological Theory: Perspectives on Society*
Elective Coursework
SOCL 210 Interaction Self and Society**;
SOCL 220 Marriage and Family**;
SOCL 240 Global Social Problems**;
SOCL 245 Sociology of Popular Culture;
SOCL 260 Race and Ethnic Relations;
SOCL 270 Introduction to Community, Environment, and Development ;
SOCL 309 Social Deviance**;
SOCL 310 Behavior in Small Groups;
SOCL 312 Collective Behavior and Social Movements;
SOCL 322 Religion in Society**;
SOCL 324 Sociology of Sport**;
CRIM 330 Criminology**;
CRIM 332 Juvenile Delinquency**;
SOCL 342 Aging in Society**;
SOCL 345 Sociology of Popular Music;
SOCL 346 Special Topics;
SOCL 350 Systems of Social Inequality;
SOCL 352 Technology, Work and Society**;
SOCL 355 Sociology of Gender;
SOCL 359 Sexuality and Society;
SOCL 360 The Community in Rural and Urban Settings**;
CRIM 361 Race, Class, and Crime;
SOCL 362 Social Institutions: Race, Class and Gender;
SOCL 363 Population, Society, and Development;
SOCL 372 Human-Wildlife Conflict;
SOCL 375 Diversity in American Society**;
SOCL 376 Sociology of Globalization;
CRIM 380 Penology**; SOCL 389 Stigma and Society;
SOCL 402 Evaluation Research Tech.;
SOCL 404 Qualitative Research Methods;
SOCL 408 Survey Applications;
SOCL 410 Socialization;
CRIM 432 Sociology of Criminal Law;
CRIM 434 Organized Crime;
SOCL 435 Family Violence;
CRIM 438 Victimology**;
SOCL 440 Sociology of Health and Illness;
SOCL 442 Sociology Research Project;
CRIM 446 Gender, Crime and Justice;
CRIM 447 Life-Course Criminology;
CRIM 448 International Justice and Crime;
SOCL 450 Occupations and Professions**;
CRIM 451 White Collar Crime;
SOCL 452 Social Change;
SOCL 455 Theory and Practice of Community Development
SOCL 466 Gender, Family and Society
SOCL 470 Environmental Sociology
SOCL 480 Sociology of Agri-Foods Systems
SOCL 489 Sociology Study Abroad
SOCL 494 Internship in Sociology**
SOCL 495 Directed Study
SOCL 496 Directed Study
For more information contact: Dr. Holli Drummond, Department Head
270.745.2259 holli.drummond@wku.edu
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