Sociology, B.A.

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University General Education Requirements

Department Chairperson: Daniel Block

The Department of Geography, Sociology, History and Africana Studies, and Anthropology offers a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology. Sociology is the social scientific study of society, social groups, and human interaction. There are many sub-areas in the field, and these are reflected in the department’s course offerings. At its core, sociology analyzes human interaction, social inequality, social institutions, and social change. The discipline promotes social justice and solutions to social problems through community outreach and engagement. Sociology provides excellent training in social science research and analysis for application in a broad array of careers, including law, social work, human resource management, gerontology, marketing and market research, urban planning, industrial relations, community organizing, and policy research and analysis. In summary, sociology provides an excellent educational background for any field in which individuals must work with people and critically assess social influences and phenomena on human interactions.

The department also offers undergraduate courses in social work. The array of courses prepares individuals for careers in the social services, in both the public and private sectors. The program prepares graduates to work with disadvantaged and vulnerable populations by developing and applying skills and strategies to effectively confront systemic problems faced by these groups.

Cultural awareness, personal growth, and inter-relational sensitivities are integral components of social work education. In addition to the major in sociology, the department offers undergraduate minors in sociology, social work, and gerontology. See the graduate catalog for a description of the Master of Social Work Program.

General Requirements

Admission to the program is contingent upon good academic standing and acceptance by the department. The department will not accept D transfer credits in the major. Achievement of a grade of C or better is required in all major courses at Chicago State University.

General Education

Core Requirements (12 credit hours)

(6) credit hours in English Composition
(3) credit hours in Oral Communication
(3) credit hours Mathematics

General Requirements (24 credit hours)

(9) credit hours in Humanities and Fine Arts, at least one course in each
(9) credit hours in Social Sciences (in at least two disciplines)
(6) credit hours in Natural Sciences (physical science and biology; one must include a lab)

College of Arts and Sciences Requirements (3 credit hours)

(3) credit hours in a Foreign Language

One general education or major course carrying the diversity designation (embedded)

Sociology Major

Core Course (18-19 credit hours)

SOC 1010 - Introduction to Sociology Credit Hours: 3
SOC 1099 - Freshman Sem Soc Credit Hours: 1 (if applicable); **
SOC 3800 - Soc Theory Credit Hours: 3
SOC 4200 - Soc Class & Strat Credit Hours: 3
SOC 4810 - Social Research Meth Credit Hours: 3
SOC 4830 - Quant Methods Soc Credit Hours: 3
SOC 4980 - Senior Seminar Credit Hours: 3

Required Courses (12 credit hours)

Students must take a total of 12 credits, with at least one course from each of the following four areas:

Sociology Electives (12 credit hours)

Any four additional courses in sociology. At least two courses at the 2000/3000 level or higher and at least two courses must be at the 4000 level.

General Electives (39 credit hours)

The Honors Program in Sociology

Requirements for Admissions

Students must

have a 3.25 GPA or higher in the major (after 12 credit hours in the major);
have a 3.0 GPA or higher overall;
have junior level status;
be a declared sociology major. Students in other majors or the Board of Governors Program will be considered and offered admission to the honors option contingent on their declaration of a sociology major;
identify a faculty member who will serve as a program mentor, both in assessing student progress at the end of each semester and the completion of the honors thesis;
complete an application for admission that is signed by the faculty mentor and approved by the department chair.

Program Requirements

Honors students must:

complete 12 credit hours designated as “honors” in sociology major classes;
within the 12 credits of honors courses, complete at least two, but not more than three, designated honors classes at the 3000-4000 level (6-9 credit hours);
within the 12 credits of honors courses, complete at least one, but not more than two semesters of Senior Honors Thesis (SOC 4990) with a faculty mentor (3-6 credit hours);
earn a B or above in each honors course;
maintain a major GPA of 3.25 or higher (students whose GPAs fall below the minimums will be granted one semester grace period to regain the minimum GPA level;
participate with other honors students in department-initiated honors student activities.
Honors sections will require a level of intellectual engagement over and above that of the traditional course. Honors sections will require additional reading and one or more additional projects, papers, or assignments.

The Honors Thesis Project Requirements

In order to complete the honors thesis requirement, students must:

enroll with a faculty mentor for one or two semesters (3-6 credit hours) in a section of Senior Honors Thesis;
develop a project (in conjunction with the faculty mentor) that contributes intellectually to the field of sociology;
defend the honors thesis before a committee consisting of the faculty mentor and 1 or 2 additional faculty readers;
submit a publishable manuscript of the thesis project or submit an archive copy and written description of a nontraditional thesis project, such as a documentary film.