The curriculum in the Department of Sociology provides strong academic training in the field, as well as an exposure to varied pre-professional training. The three-fold mission of the department is: (1) to provide course offerings in the liberal arts curriculum of the College, in order to introduce students to the sociological perspective, thereby adding that dimension to their critical thinking processes; (2) to provide an academically strong major which affords an approach to the study of social systems and social change; (3) to provide a major within the discipline of sociology which can reflect a student’s vocational interest, for example, criminal justice, social gerontology, or social work and social welfare.

Students majoring in sociology or criminal justice may plan to continue their work in graduate and professional schools. Others study sociology in preparation for careers in social work, teaching, law, business, criminal justice, or governmental service. Graduates in sociology may look toward careers in teaching, administration, or research. Within the Department of Sociology, a student may choose the general sociology major, the criminal justice major, or a major in sociology with a concentration in criminal justice, social gerontology (Continuing Education only), urban studies, or social work and social welfare. Students finding an interest in sociology, but committed to majoring in other fields, may choose to minor in the department. The analytical skills and critical ability developed in this program are complementary to numerous other disciplines.

The possibility exists for the applied sociology-oriented student to design, in consultation with the department, an off-campus practicum/internship (CJ/SO 280, 380) for which college credit is given. Internships are required of students majoring in Criminal Justice, Social Gerontology, Urban Studies, and Social Work, and are optional for those choosing the General Sociology major. Many sociology courses may be used toward interdisciplinary majors as well as electives or General Education requirements.

The educational objectives which emerge from the mission and purpose of the department are:

1. Students will develop a solid understanding of the discipline of Sociology and demonstrate the ability to use the sociological perspective in analyzing society. This includes learning to use the knowledge, methods and theories of the discipline in various courses.
2. Students will follow a sequence of courses from SO111 Introduction to Sociology, through the various concentrations, including methods and statistics, and finally culminating in Senior Seminar, a capstone course which builds upon previous knowledge and skills.
3. Students will participate in the Internship Program in the various concentrations and will be evaluated by supervisors on their performance.
4. Students will be prepared to secure employment in their fields of concentration or related fields or will go on to graduate school.