Sociology Undergraduate Program

College of Liberal Arts and Sciences-Sociology
A major in sociology can serve as a liberal arts education; as preparation for various positions in social service and related occupations in business and industry; as background for professional education in such areas as law and theology or as a basis for graduate professional training as a sociologist in academic, government, business, and industrial settings.

Departmental requirements for sociology majors include the following supporting course: Philosophy including 230 and one upper level Philosophy course; English 302 or 309 or 314; One of the following courses: Statistics101 or 104; At least three additional credits with a Mathematics designator.

A program of study that meets the needs and interests of the student and department requirements will be developed in consultation with the major adviser. Programs of study will include 115; 130 or 134; 202; three credits from 310, 380 or 420; 302; 305; three credits from 327, 330, 331 or 332; 401; 9 credits of upper level electives. Majors must receive grades of C or better in Engl 150 and 250, and a grade of C or better in either Engl 302 or 309 or 314. Programs leading to a bachelor of arts degree will emphasize additional coursework in groups I, II and IV of the general education requirements. Programs leading to a bachelor of science degree will emphasize additional coursework in groups III and IV of the general education requirements. Some of the possible fields of concentration are criminal justice systems, community (urban and rural) sociology, family sociology, sociology of work, social science teaching, research methods and statistics, social change and development, complex organizations, human population and ecology, social inequality, social psychology, and sociological theory.

In consultation with their advisers, students may gain work experience and develop their skills in their field of concentration through the field observation and practice options of 460.

The department offers a minor in sociology which may be earned by completing 15 credits in sociology including: Sociology 130 or 134; 3 credits from 310, 380 or 420; 3 credits from 264, 305 or 381; an additional 6 credits in sociology courses. At least 9 of the 15 credits must be at the 300 level or higher, 6 of these credits must be taken at ISU with a minimal grade of C.

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