Sociology, BA (SOCIOL-BA)

Program Description

Sociology focuses on 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 outcomes, 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 directly with people. Graduates work for large businesses and organizations, perform community service, and work in public relations. Sociologists teach and conduct research.

Program Admission Requirements

This academic program does not have admission requirements beyond regular admission to Wright State University. Any student is eligible to declare this academic program.

Program Learning Objectives

Students enrolled in this program will learn to:

Analyze personal experience and the social world utilizing sociological theories and research methodologies.
Identify the forms, consequences, and impacts of social inequality in modern society.
Articulate the agents, mechanisms, and dynamics of social change.
Analyze information and data, interpret them, and communicate the findings in oral and/or written form in preparation for post-graduate careers and/or graduate study.
Shepherd discussions of social innovation and social change through application of theories, methods, and knowledge to real world settings.

Program Learning Outcomes

As a result of their learning experience, graduates of this program can:

Analyze personal experience and the social world utilizing sociological theories and research methodologies.
Identify the dimensions (or forms), causes, and consequences of social inequality in modern society.
Articulate the agents, mechanisms, and dynamics of social change.
Analyze information and data, interpret them, and communicate the findings in oral and/or written form.
Participate in applied learning opportunities that inspire positive social engagement, innovation, or change.

Honors Program

Sociology encourages qualified students to conduct independent research through the program’s honors program. Students are eligible for the program if they have a minimum GPA of 3.00 overall and 3.50 in sociology. Departmental honors are awarded at graduation. Through SOC 4080 , students must complete an honors project under the guidance of an honors advisor.

For More Information

Program Requirements:

I. Wright State Core: 36 Credit Hours

As a part of the requirements for a bachelor’s degree at Wright State University, all students must complete the Wright State Core, a general education curriculum. Most programs require 36 hours in the Core, some programs may require additional hours.

Specific Core classes in some of the Elements may be required by some majors. When this occurs, the specific Core courses required will be listed below. In Elements where a specific course is not required, students can choose any course from the Wright State Core Program Requirements.

Element A - English Composition: 3 Credit Hours

All students must successfully complete ENG 1100. Based on Writing Placement level, some students may be required to enroll in a corequisite course.

Element B - Mathematics, Statistics, and Logic: 3 Credit Hours

Additional Core Requirements

Within the 36 credit hours of the Wright State Core students must successfully complete the following:

One Global Inquiry (GI) course

Two Inclusive Excellence (IE) courses

One to two Integrated Writing (IW) courses. To meet degree requirements all students must complete a minimum of 3 IW courses by choosing either (a) 1 in the Core and 2 in the major or (b) 2 in the Core and 1 in the major. Students should check their major program requirements for courses that fulfill Integrated Writing.

Students who do not make choices within the 36 required hours of the Core to fulfill the GI, IE, and IW requirements will take additional Core hours beyond the minimum of 36.

Element C - Arts and Humanities: 6 Credit Hours

Element D - Social Sciences: 6 Credit Hours

Required

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

Element E - Natural Sciences: 7 Credit Hours

Elective Courses: 6 Credit Hours

Required - LA 1020 - First Year Seminar

LA 1020 - First-Year Seminar: College of Liberal Arts Credit Hour(s): 3

II. Program Requirements: 33 Credit Hours

Required Sociology Core Courses: 9 Credit Hours

SOC 3500 - Sociological Theory Credit Hour(s): 3
SOC 3410 - Introduction to Research Methods Credit Hour(s): 3
(Choose 1 course below) Credits / Units: 3 hours
SOC 3400 - Sociological Analysis Credit Hour(s): 3
PLS 3100 - Quantitative Methods in Political Science Credit Hour(s): 3

Inequality Electives: 9 Credit Hours

(Choose 3 courses)

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
SOC 4650 - Global Sexualities and Human Rights Credit Hour(s): 3
SOC 4670 - Disability: Power, Politics, Privilege Credit Hour(s): 3
SOC 4710 - Victimology Credit Hour(s): 3

Sociology Electives: 15 Credit Hours

III. Related Requirements: 12 Credit Hours

Related Social Science Courses
Four 3000+ level courses in a discipline (or disciplines) other than Sociology.

IV. College Requirements: 18-22 Credit Hours

Foreign Language: 12-16 Credit Hours

Through 2020 level (1010, 1020, 2010, 2020) of one language: Spanish, French, German, Greek, Latin, Chinese, American Sign Language or other. Students taking American Sign Language should be advised that ASL 1010, 1020, 2010, and 2020 meet for (4) rather than (3) credit hours each.

Methods of Inquiry: 6 Credit Hours

PHL 3000 - Critical Thinking Credit Hour(s): 3
Research Methods - One course from approved list Credit Hour(s): 3
PLS 3100 - Quantitative Methods in Political Science Credit Hour(s): 3
SOC 3410 - Introduction to Research Methods Credit Hour(s): 3
SOC 3400 - Sociological Analysis Credit Hour(s): 3
COM 3490 - Survey of Communication Research Credit Hour(s): 3
WGS 3700 - Research Methods in Liberal Arts Credit Hour(s): 3

V. Electives: 15-19 Credit Hours

Total: 120 Credit 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.