The Major in Sociology engages students in critical analyses of social structures, social interactions, and the linkages between the two. Through courses and extracurricular activities, department faculty provide students with ways to think critically about their world, their society, and themselves. Students acquire new and different ways of looking at the human community, including: an appreciation of the social patterning of behavior; an understanding of the development of communities; an awareness of the functions and dysfunctions of societal institutions; and a deeper comprehension of the diverse ways of being human. Building off of the foundations of the discipline, the Major emphasizes what is known as “public sociology,” the use of sociological analysis to contribute to the greater public good. The emphasis of public sociology links sociological analysis to change agents in society, whether that be in social policy, social service organizations, or work in the nonprofit world and private enterprise. Public sociology demonstrates how sociology leads to meaningful careers and active participation in our social order.
The emphasis on public sociology seeks to contribute to the liberal arts experience by encouraging the discovery of one’s self and one’s relationship to others. The program is designed to allow students to explore sociological contributions to understanding social change and to solving social problems. A wide variety of internships opportunities are available to students. Through these internship placements and the department’s course offerings, students may discover a variety of options for future careers. A major in Sociology prepares students for graduate study in the field of Sociology, as well as for graduate study in related fields such as social work, urban planning and policy analysis, gerontology, education, law, journalism, and criminal justice. The Sociology major also provides an important background for a wide range of occupations in which knowledge of human behavior, social relationships, and institutional practices is important.
In acquiring competencies in the methodological and theoretical approaches of Sociology, students have the opportunity to explore human relations in their most fundamental as well as their broadest scope, from the dynamic intimacy of small groups to the structures of entire societies.
- Students are strongly encouraged to switch to an advisor in the department upon declaring the major.
- Students may begin to explore the Sociology major through SOC 121, SOC 122, or any SOC elective course.
- At least one structural and cultural factors elective and at least one deviance/law and society elective is offered every semester.
- Other than SOC 121, SOC 122, CRM 130, and CRM 160, all other courses in the department are offered at most once per year (some electives are not offered in a given year).
- The major is designed for students to take SOC 350 Sociological Theory junior fall, SOC 390 Sociological Research Methods junior spring, and SOC 300 Statistics senior fall. This is the preferred order of the courses and allows for cohorts of majors to bond as a group.
- Many majors take advantage of the accelerated double major with Criminology, which requires only 18 courses to complete both majors.
- Few, if any, sociology courses are offered in the summer through Assumption, so Sociology majors should not plan to take courses in the major during the summer.
- To maintain the academic integrity of the major, it is expected that courses for the major will be completed through the Assumption University day school. Transfer courses will be reviewed under strict conditions and should be submitted to the department for review before registering for the course.
To What Careers Does a Major in Sociology Lead?
The website of the American Sociological Association offers a wealth of information about what is going on in the field of Sociology, including career resources for undergraduates in the Career Center section.
American Sociological Association main web page http://www.asanet.org/
American Sociological Association Careers Page for Undergraduates http://www.asanet.org/career-center/careers-sociology
Recent Sociology alums from Assumption are pursuing active careers in business, counseling, education, finance, higher education student affairs, law, sales, school counseling, social services; some own their own businesses. Others have or are still pursuing additional education, including degrees in business, education, law, public health, public policy, social work, and sociology. To keep up with the latest department happenings, follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AssumptionSociology/
Required Courses (6 Courses)
Elective Courses (6 Courses)
Six elective courses in Sociology. These six courses must include three courses from the Structural and Cultural Factors area, two from the Deviance/Law and Society area, and one elective of the student’s choosing from either content area. CRM 485 Internship Seminar I may count as one elective toward the Sociology major.