Sociology
Faculty
Dr. Roxana Moayedi, Associate Professor of Sociology (program chair)
Dr. Roberta Goldberg, Professor of Sociology
Dr. Mary Johnson, SND, Distinguished Professor of Religious Studies and Sociology
Dr. Konia Kollehlon, Associate Professor of Sociology
Description
Sociology is the scientific study and interpretation of group life. It provides a human perspective on the study of urban life, family patterns and relationships, work, and organizational structures. Gender, race, social class, social change, and current social issues are the focus of research and analysis.
The primary goal of this program is to enable students to develop a "sociological imagination," giving them the ability to connect individual private experience with social structure through concrete experiences and a strong theoretical perspective. Teaching this deceptively simple insight, that people are affected by social forces and that social institutions are affected by their members, is the major focus of the discipline.
Majoring in sociology prepares students for graduate school and a wide variety of careers, such as social psychology, social research, social work, public administration, business, education, market research, law, and community planning.
A sociology major and minor are offered to students in the College of Arts and Sciences. The Sociology Program also supports the criminal justice and human relations majors.
Major Requirements
Required Courses (33 credits)
ALL of the following courses:
SOCY 100
SOCY 311
SOCY 421
SOCY 499
ONE course in statistics:
MATH 110
SIX additional courses in sociology or other approved courses
Recommended Courses
SSC 107
SOCY 491
Minor Requirements
Required Courses (18 credits)
ONE introductory course:
SOCY 100
ONE course chosen from between:
SOCY 321
SOCY 421
FOUR additional courses in sociology or other approved courses, excluding field work
Program Policies
Students may declare a major in Sociology and a minor in Criminal Justice (or vice versa) by satisfying the requirements for the major and minor. Students who double major in Sociology and Criminal Justice must satisfy the requirements in both disciplines. Students who decide to double major in Sociology and Criminal Justice (or minor in Sociology or Criminal Justice) should remember that except for SOCY 100, SOCY 311, and MATH 110, they cannot double count other Sociology or Criminal Justice courses in satisfying the requirements of both majors. Stated otherwise, as a double major in Sociology and Criminal Justice, you can not use a Criminal Justice course (that is required for the Criminal Justice major) as one of the six additional courses needed to satisfy the requirements for Sociology. However, Sociology majors who do not declare a double major may use up to two Criminal Justice courses as part of their six additional Sociology course requirements, if no other courses outside of Sociology are used. These courses must be approved by the Chair of the Sociology Program. Also, students who double major in Sociology and Criminal Justice will select either SOCY 499 or CJUS 499 as the senior seminar requirement for both majors.
Advanced Placement:
Credits earned through AP examinations do not fulfill requirements of the sociology major.
CLEP Policy:
Credits earned through CLEP examinations do not fulfill requirements of the sociology major.
Grades in Major Courses:
Students are required to earn a grade of "C" or better in all courses counted to fulfill requirements for the major. In addition, students must achieve a passing grade on the senior comprehensive portfolio.
Pass/No Pass:
Courses fulfilling major requirements may not be taken pass/no pass.
Senior Assessment:
Students are required to submit a Senior Comprehensive Portfolio Assessment Project prior to graduation. Specific requirements and due dates are distributed to seniors the fall semester of their graduation year.
TELL Policy:
Students applying for credit in experiential learning should consult with the program faculty.
Transfer Credits:
Credits in courses equivalent to those required for the major from a similar institution may be accepted toward a major. Students majoring in sociology must take a minimum of four sociology courses at Trinity in addition to the Senior Seminar.