Sociology, BA

Program Description:

Sociology is concerned with social relations: how people relate to each other as individuals, in families, or in groups; how they communicate in business and governmental situations; and how their behavior is judged as socially acceptable, deviant, illegal, or immoral. The Bachelor of Arts program in sociology trains students to observe and measure these interactions, predict likely outcomes from certain situations, and determine how we can develop programs to change behavior for the good of individuals and society.

Sociology graduates typically find careers that involve dealing with people, often working for large businesses or organizations, or in community service, public relations, teaching, or research. Sociology majors are required to take five or more upper-level courses designed to develop their writing skills and thinking capacity.

Faculty:

Professors Ballantine (Emerita), Bellisari (Emerita), Cargan (Emeritus), Durr, Riordan (chair)

Associate Professors Bergdahl, Kim, Koebernick (Emeritus), Lahm, Norris, Orenstein, Owens, Shepelak, Small, Steele

Assistant Professors Hubbard, Weinzimmer

Visiting Assistant Professors Adamitis

Lecturers Equaroje, Guzzo, Jahanbegloo

Instructors Flowers-Taylor, Monnig, Varhola

Sociology Honors Program

The department encourages qualified students to conduct independent research through the department’s honors program. Students are eligible for the program if they have a minimum GPA of 3.0 overall and 3.5 in sociology. Departmental honors are awarded at graduation. Through SOC 4080 , students must complete an honors project under the guidance of an honors advisor. Interested students should contact the departmental office for further information.

Program Requirements:

I. Wright State Core: 38 Hours

Element 1: Communication: 6 Hours

Element 2: Mathematics: 3 Hours

Element 3: Global Traditions: 6 Hours

Element 4: Arts and Humanities: 3 Hours

Element 5: Social Sciences: 6 Hours

Required

SOC 2000 - Introduction to Sociology Credit Hour(s): 3

Element 6: Natural Sciences: 8 Hours

Elective Courses: 6 Hours

II. Departmental Requirements: 36 Hours

Required Sociology Courses:

SOC 3400 - Sociological Analysis Credit Hour(s): 3
SOC 3500 - Sociological Theory Credit Hour(s): 3
SOC 3410 - Introduction to Research Methods Credit Hour(s): 3

Area 1: 3 Hours

(Choose 1 course)

SOC 3200 - Exploring Social Problems Credit Hour(s): 3
SOC 3210 - Sociology of Deviance Credit Hour(s): 3
SOC 3220 - Juvenile Delinquency Credit Hour(s): 3
SOC 3510 - Individual and Society Credit Hour(s): 3

Area 2: 3 Hours

(Choose 1 course)

SOC 3100 - Sociology of the Family Credit Hour(s): 3
SOC 3300 - Social Organization Credit Hour(s): 3
SOC 3310 - Social Change Credit Hour(s): 3
SOC 3320 - Sociology of Work Credit Hour(s): 3
SOC 3800 - Demography Credit Hour(s): 3
SOC 4300 - Sociology of Immigration Credit Hour(s): 3
SOC 4310 - Urban Sociology Credit Hour(s): 3

Area 3: 3 Hours

(Choose 1 course)

SOC 3600 - Social Inequality Credit Hour(s): 3
SOC 3610 - Sociology of Gender Credit Hour(s): 3
SOC 3620 - Race and Ethnicity Credit Hour(s): 3
SOC 4600 - Sociology of Sexuality Credit Hour(s): 3

Sociology Electives: 18 Hours

III. Related Requirements: 9 Hours

Related Social Science Courses
3 3000+ level courses in a single social science discipline other than Sociology

IV. College Requirements: 15 Hours

Foreign Language: 12 Hours

Through 2020 level (1010, 1020, 2010, 2020) of one language:
Spanish, French, German, Greek, Latin, Chinese, Russian, Italian, Japanese, American Sign Language or other.

Methods of Inquiry

Quantitative Methods

(Taken as part of major)

Qualitative Methods: 3 Hours

One Course from:

PHL 2150 - Inductive Logic Credit Hour(s): 3
PHL 2230 - Symbolic Logic I Credit Hour(s): 3
PHL 3230 - Symbolic Logic II Credit Hour(s): 3
PHL 4710 - Philosophy of Physical Science Credit Hour(s): 3
PHL 4720 - Philosophy of Social Science Credit Hour(s): 3

V. Electives: 26 Hours

Total: 124 Hours

Graduation Planning Strategy

The Graduation Planning Strategy (GPS) has been created to illustrate one option to complete degree requirements within a particular time frame. Students are encouraged to meet with their academic advisor to adjust this plan based on credit already earned, individual needs or curricular changes that may not be reflected in this year’s catalog.