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Sociology

Program Director: Dr. Chiung-Fang Chang

Location: 53 Maes Building

Phone: (409) 880-7621

The mission of the Sociology program is to provide undergraduates with scientific knowledge of the structures, forms, and dynamics of human interaction within a broadly based liberal arts education. The program emphasizes the research methods used to acquire data, test hypotheses, conduct analyses, and evaluate information. In addition students are prepared to critically consider social problems such as crime, unemployment, violence, urban decay, poverty, discrimination, and social inequality. In our complex, technical and multicultural world, sociology equips students to understand the importance of empirical research from which to evaluate societal needs and inform public policy.

Sociology is the study of social life, social change, and the causes and consequences of human behavior. Sociology’s subject matter ranges from the intimate family to the hostile mob, from crime to religion, from the division of race and social class to the shared beliefs of a common culture, from the sociology of religion to the sociology of education.  Students majoring in sociology have established careers in such areas as law, business administration, health, politics, urban planning, city government, counseling and human resources, advertising and marketing, public relations and the media, criminal justice, education, and the nonprofit sector.  Our program offers majors a solid foundation in sociological theory, research methods, data analysis skills, and sufficient knowledge in the fields of criminology, gender, culture, social movement, social psychology, marriage and family, and education, amongst others, that will provide students with training and skills for the workforce or advanced studies upon graduation. We also offer a minor in Sociology which allow students to take the courses that are most appropriate to coordinate with their major and career aspirations.

The program is committed to baccalaureate study which creates liberating educational experiences for each major. Under the personal and concerned guidance of faculty, students matriculate in one of two baccalaureate programs – the Bachelor of Science (B.S.) or the Bachelor of Arts (B.A.).  The Bachelor of Science degree is designed for students whose interests are more quantitative, while the Bachelor of Arts offers a traditional liberal arts education.

Bachelor of Science – Sociology Major

1. General Core Requirements: 42 credit hours.
   • Math requirements: MATH 1314 or higher, plus a statistics course (PSYC 2317 or MATH 1342).
   • Physical science requirements: 8 credit hours in lab sciences (4 credit each).
2. Sociology Core Requirements: 36 credit hours to include:
   • Three required core courses: SOCI 4380, 4385, and 4390 (9 hours)
   • Two required sociology electives from SOCI 3306, 3310, 3365, and 4310 (6 hours)
   • Seven sociology electives from SOCI 1306, 2301, 3311, 3315, 3326, 3330, 3340, 3355, 3375, 3380, 3390, 4300, 4301, 4320, 4330, 4340, 4345, 4350, and 4365 (21 hours)
3. Departmental Requirements: 9 credit hours from ANTH, CRIJ, or SOWK.
4. Minor Requirements: 18 credit hours, choose either:
   • An approved minor of 18 credit hours, 9 of which must be at 3000- or 4000-level.
   • 18 credit hours of electives from other fields combined, 9 of which must be at 3000- or 4000-level
5. Other Electives: 13 credit hours.
   • Sufficient approved electives of 13 credit hours to satisfy university minimum hour requirements for graduation, 6 of which must be at 3000- or 4000-level.

Suggested Program of Study – Total Min. Hours: 120

Bachelor of Arts – Sociology Major

The degree of Bachelor of Arts in Sociology will be awarded upon completion of the following requirements:

1. General Core Requirements: 42 credit hours.
   • Math requirement: MATH 1314 or higher, plus a statistic course (PSYC 2317 or MATH 1342).
   • English Literature requirements: 3 credit hours.
2. Sociology Core Requirements: 36 credit hours to include:
   • Three required core courses: SOCI 4380, 4385, and 4390 (9 hours).
   • Two required sociology electives from SOCI 3306, 3310, 3365, and 4310 (6 hours).
   • Seven sociology electives from SOCI 1306, 2301, 3311, 3315, 3326, 3330, 3340, 3355, 3375, 3380, 3390, 4300, 4301, 4320, 4330, 4340, 4345, 4350, and 4365 (21 hours).
3. Modern Language Requirements: completion of 12 credit hours in foreign language courses, including 2312 course.
4. Minor Requirements: 18 credit hours. An approved minor of 18 credit hours, 9 f which must be at 3000- or 4000-level.
5. Other Electives: 9 credit hours.
   • Sufficient approved electives of 9 credit hours to satisfy university minimum hour requirements for graduation, 6 of which must be at 3000- or 4000-level.

Suggested Program of Study – Total Min. Hours: 120

Minor in Sociology

Total of 18 hours required for the minor. Grade of “C” or higher required in all Sociology courses.

A minor in Sociology will be awarded upon completion of the following requirements:

1. Two required core courses:
   • Research Methods - SOCI 4380, PSYC 3420, CRIJ 4380, or SOWK 4380
   • Social Theory - SOCI 4390
2. Two lower level courses from SOCI 1301, 1306, and 2301
3. Two upper level electives from SOCI 3306, 3310, 3311, 3315, 3326, 3330, 3355, 3365, 3375, 3380, 3390, 4300, 4310, 4330, 4340, 4345, 4350, and 4365.

Social Work

Program Director: Dr. Ralph Woehle (Interim).

Location: 56A Maes Building</