Sociology (BA/BS)

Sociology is the systematic study of human groups and societies -- how they develop, how they are structured, and how they function. Like human society itself, the field of sociology is extremely broad. Sociologists study the social world, from small groups of friends and families, to formal organizations, such as universities and corporations, to entire nations. We look at social relationships and interactions, at power and conflict, at structures that hold societies together, and at how societies change.

Hands-on learning and applied sociology are key aspects of our program. Options available to students include, but are not limited to participating in the Inside/Out Program partnered with a class at Oregon State Penitentiary, the Sociology Honors program where students produce their own research and write a thesis, presenting original research at the Undergraduate Research Symposium, a wide variety of community outreach and research internships, peer advising and mentoring, and more.

Program Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to:

  • Develop a sociological imagination allowing them to analyze and evaluate fundamental features of society, including social conflict, inequalities, institutions, group relations, the experiences of individuals, and human interactions with the earth's natural environment.
  • Recognize and understand major theoretical traditions and be able to use sociological theories to critically analyze systems of social power, institutions, human difference, or behavior.
  • Be proficient in basic research methods including interviews, direct observation, content analysis, and surveys. They will know how to collect and analyze data, and how to identify appropriate methods for answering different sociological questions.
  • Develop literacy with statistical methods for describing numerical data and for drawing inferences from samples to populations. They will be able to understand statistical models and evaluate quantitative research results.
  • Be able to apply their theoretical and empirical knowledge to complex social problems, and to assess the quality of evidence for competing claims regarding social issues.

 Courses used to satisfy major requirements must be taken for letter grades and passed with grades of C– or better; at least a 2.00 grade point average (GPA) must be achieved in these courses. Four credits from a course not numbered 401–409 may be taken pass/no pass (P/N); P grades must be earned to apply them to the major.

Courses numbered 401–406 may be taken pass/no pass (P/N); P grades must be earned to apply them to the major. No more than 8 credits from these courses may be applied to the major.

Concentrations

General Sociology

Work in sociology begins with Introduction to Sociology (SOC 204) or Social Inequality (SOC 207), both of which provide an introduction to the discipline. They emphasize how sociology can be applied to contemporary social issues. Students specializing in general sociology move on to courses that provide a more in-depth study of social institutions. Courses on social stratification, social psychology, social change, and sociological theory help to tie these diverse areas together by providing perspectives that are useful in the study of any institutional area. Finally, courses in methodology and statistics provide a tool kit of analytical and research skills that are useful both in sociology courses and in whatever activities the student pursues after graduation.

Sociology Major Requirements

Core Courses
SOC 204Introduction to Sociology (May be replaced by SOC 207 Social Inequality)4
SOC 310Social Theory4
SOC 311Research Methods4
SOC 312Statistical Analysis in Sociology 14
Upper-Division Courses
400-level lecture courses (407, 410–499) 212
300- or 400-level courses8
Additional Courses
Sociology courses (any level)12
Total Credits48

Concentration in Critical Thinking with Data

Core Courses
SOC 204Introduction to Sociology (May be replaced by SOC 207 Social Inequality)4
SOC 310Social Theory4
SOC 311Research Methods4
SOC 412Sociological Research Methods4
Upper-Division Courses
SOC 413Sociological Research Methods4
SOC 416Issues in Environmental Sociology [Topic]4
or SOC 442 Issues in Urban Sociology: [Topic]
or SOC 450
or SOC 456 Feminist Theory
or SOC 457 Sex and Society
or SOC 475 Marxist Sociological Theory
or SOC 484 Issues in Deviance, Control, and Crime: [Topic]
SOC 425Issues in Sociology of Family: [Topic]4
or SOC 445 Sociology of Race and Ethnicity: [Topic]
or SOC 446 Issues in Sociology of Work: [Topic]
or SOC 447 Issues in Sociology of Organizations: [Topic]
or SOC 451 Social Stratification
or SOC 452 Issues of Migration: [Topic]
or SOC 465 Political Sociology
or SOC 467 Economic Sociology
or SOC 491 Sociology of Education
300- or 400-level courses12
Additional Courses
Sociology courses (any level)8
Total Credits48

Concentration in Culture, Identities, and Institutions

Core Courses
SOC 204Introduction to Sociology (May be replaced by SOC 207 Social Inequality)4
SOC 310Social Theory4
SOC 311Research Methods4
SOC 312Statistical Analysis in Sociology4
Upper-Division Courses
SOC 328Self and Society4
SOC 317Sociology of the Mass Media4
or SOC 330 Sociology of the Family
or SOC 346 Work and Occupations
or SOC 370 Urban Sociology
or SOC 385 Medical Sociology
SOC 355Sociology of Gender4
or SOC 345 Race and Ethnicity
400 Level Sociology Coursework:12
SOC 458
Issues in Cultural Sociology: [Topic] (Cultural Sociology)
SOC 445
Sociology of Race and Ethnicity: [Topic]
SOC 455
Issues in Sociology of Gender: [Topic]
SOC 457
Sex and Society
SOC 452
Issues of Migration: [Topic]
SOC 451
Social Stratification
SOC 425
Issues in Sociology of Family: [Topic]
SOC 446
Issues in Sociology of Work: [Topic]
SOC 447
Issues in Sociology of Organizations: [Topic]
SOC 465
Political Sociology
SOC 467
Economic Sociology
SOC 491
Sociology of Education
Additional Courses
Sociology courses (any level)8
Total Credits48

Concentration in Environment, Health, and Community

Core Courses
SOC 204Introduction to Sociology4
or SOC 207 Social Inequality
SOC 310Social Theory4
SOC 311Research Methods4
SOC 312Statistical Analysis in Sociology4
Upper-Division Courses
SOC 304Community, Environment, and Society4
Choose Two Courses From The Following:8
SOC 346
Work and Occupations
SOC 370
Urban Sociology
SOC 385
Medical Sociology
400 Level Sociology Courses12
SOC 416
Issues in Environmental Sociology [Topic]
SOC 442
Issues in Urban Sociology: [Topic]
SOC 446
Issues in Sociology of Work: [Topic]
Additional Courses
Sociology courses (any level)8
Total Credits48

Concentration in Inequalities, Crime, and Social Justice

Core Courses
SOC 204Introduction to Sociology (May be replaced by SOC 207 Social Inequality)4
SOC 310Social Theory4
SOC 311Research Methods4
SOC 312Statistical Analysis in Sociology4
Upper-Division Courses
SOC 301American Society4
or SOC 304 Community, Environment, and Society
or SOC 313 Social Issues and Movements
or SOC 355 Sociology of Gender
or SOC 370 Urban Sociology
SOC 345Race and Ethnicity4
SOC 380Introduction: Deviance, Control, and Crime4
400 Level Sociology Courses8
Choose Two Courses from the Following:
SOC 442
Issues in Urban Sociology: [Topic]
SOC 445
Sociology of Race and Ethnicity: [Topic]
SOC 451
Social Stratification
SOC 465
Political Sociology
SOC 475
Marxist Sociological Theory
SOC 484Issues in Deviance, Control, and Crime: [Topic]4
Additional Courses
Sociology courses (any level)8
Total Credits48