Sociology, BA

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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 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 Learning Outcomes

Demonstrate knowledge of the major social institutions (family, education, moral order, political and economic orders)

Demonstrate knowledge of the socialization process (social psychology)

Demonstrate knowledge of the role individuals play within organizations such as work, community, political and urban areas and change within these organizations (social organizations)

Demonstrate knowledge of the theoretical formulations that serve as the foundation of the major (classical and contemporary theory)

Demonstrate knowledge of basic fundamentals of social statistics and methodology

Demonstrate knowledge of elective courses in substantive areas, such as social inequality and criminal justice

Demonstrate competence in human relations skills, including working with others in groups, making decisions for organizations, and supervising others

Demonstrate competence in analytical skills, including the ability to evaluate solutions for urban social problems

Demonstrate competence in communication skills, including writing formal reports and speaking in front of groups

Demonstrate competence in ethical and moral awareness skills, including the honest portrayal of data

Demonstrate critical understanding of a theoretical model

Demonstrate critical evaluation and testing of a theoretical model

Demonstrate development of social policy to provide solutions to a unique problem (e.g., poverty in urban cities)

Sociology Honors Program

Sociology encourages qualified students to conduct independent research through the programs’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. 

For more detailed information, contact the School of Social Sciences and International Studies, 937-775-2667 or email us at soc_ath@wright.edu.

For More Information

• Sociology, BA
• School of Social Sciences and International Studies
• College of Liberal Arts

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. Program Requirements: 36 Hours

REQUIRED SOCIOLOGY COURSES: 9 HOURS

• 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: 6 HOURS

(Choose 2 courses)

• SOC 3100 - Marriage and Family Credit Hour(s): 3
• SOC 3300 - Social Organization Credit Hour(s): 3
• SOC 3310 - Globalization and Social Change Credit Hour(s): 3
• SOC 3320 - Sociology of Work Credit Hour(s): 3
• SOC 3800 - Population and Society Credit Hour(s): 3
• SOC 4300 - International Migration and Integration 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: 15 HOURS

III. Related Requirements: 9 Hours

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

IV. College Requirements: 18-22 Hours

FOREIGN LANGUAGE: 12-16 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

• PHL 3000 - Critical Thinking Credit Hour(s): 3

• Research Methods - One course from approved list Credit Hour(s): 3

V. Electives: 15-19 Hours

Total: 120 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.

• Sociology (GPS)

• Sociology (3 yr) (GPS)