Sociology (B.A.)

Faculty

Dr. E. Wairimu Mwangi, Assistant Professor of Sociology (program chair)
Sr. Mary Johnson, SND, PhD, Distinguished Professor of Sociology and Religious Studies
Dr. Hans Momplaisir, Assistant Professor of Sociology
Dr. Roxana Moayedi, Professor of Sociology *

*Sabbatical

Description

Sociology is the scientific study of human behavior in society.  The primary goal of the program is to enable students to develop a new way of thinking - the ability to see and understand the connection between larger social forces and individual private experiences, what C. Wright Mills referred to as the sociological imagination.  Students are also challenged to grasp the disciplines theoretical foundations that provide a framework for thinking about and explaining how society operates and or how society shapes human interactions and human interactions in turn shape society.

Sociology provides insight into how various social categories, such as social class, race, ethnicity, gender and age influences individual experiences and the operation of social institutions, including but not limited to, education, health, politics, law and order, and the economy. Sociology students, through research methods and design, are exposed to analytical skills that allow for the exploration of how various social categories influence individual and institutional behavior and how individual experiences in turn shape the existing societal social structure. Issues of interest include poverty, racial and gender inequalities, crime, health, education and economic inequalities and urban communities. At the global level, sociologists are interested in the study of migration, population growth, globalization and economic development.

Majoring in sociology prepares students for graduate school and a wide variety of careers, such as social psychology, criminology or criminal justice, social research, social work, public administration, organizational research, business, education, market research, health services 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.

Medical Sociology Minor (Concentration for Sociology Majors)

The Medical Sociology minor is based on the growing recognition that health cannot be understood simply as a biological phenomenon, but also a social phenomenon, which means considering how social, cultural, political and economic factors influence individual and group health outcomes. Medical Sociology challenges students to go beyond the biomedical model and take into account that social relations, such as class, gender, race, and other social categories shape health related behaviors and outcomes.  Students pursuing this minor are also challenged to explore the intricate relationship between social structure and health, including how the organization of various social institutions may differentially influence individual and group health outcomes.  This understanding is critical for the creation of an equitable healthcare system. Students pursuing the Medical Sociology minor should be well placed to pursue an interrogation of the social determinants of health and the broader structural factors that shape organizational structures used by health care providers; knowledge that is pertinent for the improvement of health care delivery and the development of community outreach programs.

Major Requirements

Required Courses (33 credits)

ALL of the following courses:

SOCY 100
SSC 350
SOCY 421
SOCY 499

ONE course in statistics:

MATH 110
SSC 255

SIX additional courses in sociology or other approved courses

Recommended Courses

SSC 207
SOCY 491

Social Justice Track

As part of the major, students may opt to take 5 of their 6 sociology elective courses in the Social Justice Track, which consists of specialized courses in this area.

ONE required course:

SOCY 321

FOUR additional courses from the following:

SOCY 231
SOCY 320
SOCY 323
SOCY 333
SOCY 335
SOCY 361

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. Students majoring in Human Relations may not declare a minor in sociology.

Medical Sociology Minor Requirements

Required Courses (15 credits)

SSC 255
SSC 350
SOCY 320
SOCY 321
SOCY 431

TWO Additional Courses in Sociology (6 credits)
SOCY 105
SOCY 131
SOCY 202
SOCY 231
SOCY 261
SOCY 323
SOCY 327
SOCY 333
SOCY 353
SOCY 381

Program Policies

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-” (1.7) or better in all courses counted to fulfill requirements for the major with the exception of SOCY 499 (Senior Seminar).  In that course, students must earn a grade of “C” (2.0) to fulfill the requirements for the major.

Pass/No Pass:
Courses fulfilling major requirements may not be taken pass/no pass.

Senior Assessment:
Students will fulfill their senior assessment through the senior seminar, which is to be taken within 2 semesters of graduation.

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.

Course Descriptions

MATH 110
SOCY 100
SOCY 103
SOCY 105
SOCY 131
SOCY 201
SOCY 202
SOCY 203
SOCY 221
SOCY 231
SOCY 241
SOCY 242
SOCY 261
SOCY 311
SOCY 320
SOCY 321
SOCY 323
SOCY 327
SOCY 331
SOCY 333
SOCY 335
SOCY 341
SOCY 353
SOCY 361
SOCY 381
SOCY 421
SOCY 431
SOCY 461
SOCY 491
SOCY 498
SOCY 499
SSC 207
SSC 350
SSC 255