Sociology
Navigate the art and science of sociological theories and methods
Our sociology degree program will help you develop the critical thinking skills needed to effectively observe sociological topics and become equipped to conduct sociological research.
As you work toward your Sociology degree, you’ll take advantage of exploring Chicago—a laboratory for research and observation with its ethnic communities, economic development and urban issues, giving you the opportunity to access Chicago’s rich and diverse culture through service opportunities, field experience and internships.
We offer combined bachelor’s + master’s degree programs including a combined bachelor’s in Sociology and a master’s in Secondary Education Social Sciences degree. These programs allow you to complete a bachelor’s degree and a graduate degree in as few as five years.
We also offer the 3+3 BA/JD program, which allows high-achieving first-year undergraduate sociology degree students to be admitted simultaneously to the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences (LAS) and the College of Law (LAW). You’ll complete your first three years in LAS and your final three years in LAW.
Classes
Coursework
- Social Problems
- Statistics
- Sociological Theory
- Research Methods
- Work in a Globalized World
- Social Work and Social Welfare
- Social Deviance
- Police and the Urban Community
- Mass Media and Culture
Resources
Career Options
Common Career Areas
- Public policy
- Criminal justice
- Governmental work
- Education
- Social services
- Law
- Human rights
- Conflict resolution and strategy
87%
of Sociology graduates were employed, continuing their education or not seeking employment after graduation.
Major Requirements
Sociology majors must complete required core sociology courses, sociology electives, and open electives. The core courses (24 credit hours) give students a foundation in theory, methods, and career development; sociology electives are selected in consultation with student's academic advisor to identify an area of specialization; and open electives are selected in consultation with student's academic advisor to meet the minimum graduation requirement of 192 hours.
Core Requirements
| Course | Title | Quarter Hours |
|---|---|---|
| SOC 101 | INTRODUCTION TO SOCIOLOGY | 4 |
| or SOC 105 | SOCIAL PROBLEMS | |
| SOC 115 | ORIENTATION TO CAREERS IN SOCIOLOGY | 2 |
| SOC 215 | WORKPLACE ENVIRONMENTS AND CAREER DEVELOPMENT IN SOCIOLOGY | 2 |
| SOC 279 | INTRO STATS FOR THE SOCIAL SCIENCES 1 | 4 |
| SOC 331 | SOCIOLOGICAL THEORY | 4 |
| SOC 380 | RESEARCH METHODS IN SOCIOLOGY I | 4 |
| SOC 381 | RESEARCH METHODS IN SOCIOLOGY II | 4 |
1
The statistics requirement may also be fulfilled by PSY 240, MAT 137, or MAT 242.
Sociology Elective Requirements
Students must complete eight additional courses from sociology 200-level and 300-level courses (32 credit hours). The courses are to be selected in consultation with the student's academic advisor and the courses can be used to make up the student's area of specialization. Students develop a self-defined area of specialization, which reflects the common themes connecting their academic coursework, research and career interests. Previous areas of specializations have included: Health and Human Services; Law, Crime, and Criminology; Urban - Cities, Action, Power, Practice; and Sociology of Culture.
NOTE: A minimum of three courses or twelve credits can be counted toward a student's area of specialization. A maximum of eight credits of SOC 398 INTERNSHIP can be counted toward major field credit. Additional SOC 398 credit may be earned but it will count for open elective credit or Experiential Learning (EL) credit, if applicable.????
Course Listings by Category
Theory and Methodology
| Course | Title | Quarter Hours |
|---|---|---|
| SOC 202 | PHILOSOPHY AND SOCIAL THOUGHT | 4 |
| SOC 346 | URBAN ETHNOGRAPHY | 4 |
| SOC 383 | VISUAL SOCIOLOGY | 4 |
| SOC 384 | ETHNOGRAPHIC DOCUMENTARY FILM PRODUCTION | 4 |
Health and Human Services
| Course | Title | Quarter Hours |
|---|---|---|
| SOC 200 | SOCIAL WORK AND SOCIAL WELFARE | 4 |
| SOC 221 | INTRODUCTION TO THE U.S HEALTH CARE SYSTEM | 4 |
| SOC 307 | SOCIOLOGY OF DRUGS | 4 |
| SOC 321 | HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS | 4 |
| SOC 322 | HOW SCHOOLS ARE FAILING AND CRIMINALIZING YOUTH | 4 |
| SOC 351 | HEALTH DISPARITIES | 4 |
| SOC 353 | SOCIOLOGY OF MENTAL ILLNESS | 4 |
| SOC 370 | SOCIOLOGY OF FOOD | 4 |
| SOC 373 | PUBLIC HEALTH AND HIGH RISK BEHAVIOR | 4 |
Law, Crime and Criminology
| Course | Title | Quarter Hours |
|---|---|---|
| SOC 214 | POLICING THE MARGINS | 4 |
| SOC 220 | THEORIES OF CRIME AND DELINQUENCY | 4 |
| SOC 248 | RESISTING WHITE SUPREMACY | 4 |
| SOC 305 | POWER, DEVIANCE AND SOCIAL CONTROL | 4 |
| SOC 310 | CRIMINALIZATION, PUNISHMENT, & RESISTANCE | 4 |
| SOC 315 | LAW, POWER AND RESISTANCE | 4 |
| SOC 317 | GENDER, CRIME AND JUSTICE | 4 |
Urban - Cities, Action, Power, Practice
| Course | Title | Quarter Hours |
|---|---|---|
| SOC 212 | COMMUNITY AND SOCIETY | 4 |
| SOC 214 | POLICING THE MARGINS | 4 |
| SOC 217 | WORK IN A GLOBALIZED WORLD | 4 |
| SOC 220 | THEORIES OF CRIME AND DELINQUENCY | 4 |
| SOC 231 | RACE AND ETHNICITY IN THE CITY | 4 |
| SOC 232 | GLOBAL CITIES | 4 |
| SOC 245 | URBAN SOCIOLOGY | 4 |
| SOC 246 | HOMELESS IN THE CITY | 4 |
| SOC 307 | SOCIOLOGY OF DRUGS | 4 |
| SOC 313 | SOCIOLOGY OF EDUCATION | 4 |
| SOC 340 | SOCIAL INEQUALITY | 4 |
| SOC 346 | URBAN ETHNOGRAPHY | 4 |
| SOC 347 | CLASS, POWER AND DECISION MAKING IN THE CITY | 4 |
| SOC 348 | THE CITY IN THE FUTURE | 4 |
| SOC 370 | SOCIOLOGY OF FOOD | 4 |
| SOC 383 | VISUAL SOCIOLOGY | 4 |
| SOC 384 | ETHNOGRAPHIC DOCUMENTARY FILM PRODUCTION | 4 |
Social Inequality: Class, Gender, and Race
| Course | Title | Quarter Hours |
|---|---|---|
| SOC 207 | YOUTH AND SOCIETY | 4 |
| SOC 209 | SOCIOLOGY OF GENDER | 4 |
| SOC 248 | RESISTING WHITE SUPREMACY | 4 |
| SOC 306 | SOCIOLOGY OF FAMILIES | 4 |
| SOC 313 | SOCIOLOGY OF EDUCATION | 4 |
| SOC 340 | SOCIAL INEQUALITY | 4 |
Sociology of Culture
| Course | Title | Quarter Hours |
|---|---|---|
| SOC 207 | YOUTH AND SOCIETY | 4 |
| SOC 209 | SOCIOLOGY OF GENDER | 4 |
| SOC 233 | SOCIOLOGY OF SPORT | 4 |
| SOC 280 | MASS MEDIA AND CULTURE | 4 |
| SOC 281 | SOCIOLOGY OF ROCK MUSIC | 4 |
| SOC 383 | VISUAL SOCIOLOGY | 4 |
| SOC 384 | ETHNOGRAPHIC DOCUMENTARY FILM PRODUCTION | 4 |
| SOC 386 | POPULAR CULTURE AND THE ARTS | 4 |
| SOC 283 | ART & SOCIETY | 4-4.5 |
Political and Economic Sociology
| Course | Title | Quarter Hours |
|---|---|---|
| SOC 217 | WORK IN A GLOBALIZED WORLD | 4 |
| SOC 256 | SOCIAL CHANGE | 4 |
| SOC 292 | COLLECTIVE ACTION | 4 |
| SOC 344 | POLITICAL SOCIOLOGY | 4 |
| SOC 358 | REVOLUTIONS AND PEASANT REBELLIONS | 4 |
| SOC 366 | CAPITALISM AND GLOBALIZATION | |
| SOC 388 | SOCIOLOGY OF CONSUMPTION | 4 |
Advanced Study
| Course | Title | Quarter Hours |
|---|---|---|
| SOC 290 | SPECIAL TOPICS IN SOCIOLOGY | 4 |
| SOC 291 | SPECIAL TOPICS IN SOCIOLOGY | 2 |
| SOC 390 | SEMINAR IN SOCIOLOGY | 4 |
| SOC 395 | CAPSTONE IN SOCIOLOGY | 4 |
| SOC 397 | TRAVEL/STUDY | 1-8 |
| SOC 398 | INTERNSHIP | 1-4 |
| SOC 399 | INDEPENDENT STUDY | 1-6 |
Open Electives Requirement
Open elective credits are required in order to meet the minimum graduation requirement of 192 hours. These courses are to be selected in consultation with the student's academic advisor and may include courses in fields such as psychology, criminology, marketing, health sciences, or other areas of student interest. Students may choose to use their open electives as part of a minor or to complete a double major.
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