Department of Sociology

BA in Sociology | BS in Sociology | Course Descriptions

Interim Chair: Furjen Deng (936) 294-1515

Faculty: Alessandro Bonanno, Caron Cates, Jin Young Choi, Douglas Constance, Mary Ann Davis, Furjen Deng, Karen Manges Douglas, Colter Ellis, Maki Hatanaka, Cheryl Hudec, Jason Konefal, Olena Leipnik, Lee Miller, Gene Theodori

Information: Mr. Ryan Johnson (936) 294-1512; CHSS 270X

Website: www.shsu.edu/~soc_www/

Sociology is the study of social life, social change, and the social causes and consequences of human behavior. Sociologists investigate the structure of groups, organizations, and societies, and how people interact within these contexts. The subject matter of sociology ranges from the intimate family to the hostile mob, from organized crime to religious cults, from the divisions of race, gender and social class to the shared beliefs of a common culture, and from the sociology of the environment to the sociology of sports. Because sociology addresses the most challenging issues of our time, it is a rapidly expanding field whose potential is tapped by those who craft policies and create programs.

Mission

The Department of Sociology’s mission is to acquire and disseminate knowledge on social life, social change and the social causes and consequences of human behavior. SHSU Sociologists investigate the structure of groups, organizations, and societies and how people interact within these contexts. The primary objective of the curriculum is to provide students with the scientific tools to understand the functioning of society and study and understand social phenomena. The Department focuses on the study of the globalization, community and health.

Highlights

The Sociology Department is considered one of the prominent departments for the study of Globalization in the nation
Members of the Sociology Department regularly publish in important scientific journals
Members of the Sociology Department occupy leadership positions in professional organizations domestically and internationally

Suggested Minors

Communication Studies
Criminal Justice
English
Health Education
History
Middle Eastern Studies
Political Science
Psychology

Career Opportunities

Sociology graduates find successful employment in the private sector (management, human resources, public relations), public sectors (Federal, State and Local Government agencies) and in non-profit organizations (NGOs) particularly in the areas of social services and analysis of social trends.

Research Centers

The Center for Rural Studies: Research and Outreach assists in the building, strengthening, and maintaining of Texas rural communities. The Center’s purpose is to address timely and salient issues relating to community and socioeconomic development in rural Texas.

Student Organizations and Activities

Students in the Sociology Club and Alpha Kappa Delta, the Sociology professional honor society, are introduced to the profession of Sociology through activities including: research opportunities, volunteer work, organization of special events, participation in professional meetings, and programs highlighting speakers of note in the many interest areas of Sociology.

Internships

Students with an interest in Sociology may take courses abroad through the SHSU Field School in Italy. Further information is available at the website: www.shsu.edu/~soc_www/italy/. Internship possibilities include work with the City of Huntsville and social services organizations throughout the area and summer placements in rural Texas through a partnership with Texas Department of Agriculture.

Scholarships

The department offers several scholarships. For information contact the department or visit Sociology Department.

Program Specific Requirements

Students must successfully complete SOCI 1301 before taking additional sociology courses with the exception of SOCI 2319, SOCI 1306, SOCI 2366, SOCI 3381, and SOCI 3341. In order to graduate with a major or minor in Sociology, students must successfully complete all the Sociology requirements with a 2.5 GPA. Additionally, students must successfully complete Sociology required core courses (SOCI 1301, SOCI 2399, SOCI 3443, SOCI 4340, SOCI 4344 and SOCI 4399) with a grade of C or better.

In order to graduate with a Sociology major or minor students must maintain a 2.5 GPA in Sociology. The only substitution permitted is Psychology Statistics (PSYC3101, PSYC 3301) for Social Statistics (SOCI 3443). Only Principles of Sociology (SOCI 1301) may be taken by correspondence to satisfy the degree requirements for a Sociology major or minor. After the degree requirements are satisfied, Sociology correspondence courses may be taken to satisfy advanced hours requirements.

Curriculum

Students receive instruction in classical and contemporary sociological theory, qualitative and quantitative techniques of sociological investigation, and major substantive areas in the field. The primary objective of the curriculum is to provide students with the scientific tools to understand the functioning of society, study social phenomena, and acquire the necessary skills to enter the global labor market. The department focuses on the study of Globalization, Community and Health. Students are encouraged to participate in research projects and extra-curricular activities designed to foster critical sociological thinking and knowledge of today’s world.

Instruction in general sociology is complemented by specialization in three substantive areas. Students can select to concentrate their undergraduate curriculum in Change, Economy and Society; Culture and Social Institutions; or Inequality and Society. Change, Economy and Society explores the relationships between society and the economy, patterns of change in the global society, the environment, social movements, and the organization of urban and rural societies. Culture and Social Institutions focuses on culture, social institutions such as the family and religion, and courses which analyze the most relevant social problems in today’s society. Inequality and Society examines social inequality, gender and inequality, age and inequality, race and ethnic inequality, and complex organizations.

Core Courses
SOCI 1301
SOCI 2399
SOCI 3443
SOC 4340
SOC 4344
SOC 4399

Areas of Specialization

Change, Economy and Society
SOCI 3336
SOCI 4337
SOCI 3376
SOCI 3384
SOCI 3392
SOCI 4320
SOCI 4334
SOCI 4332

Culture and Social Institutions
SOCI 1306
SOCI 2366
SOCI 3335
SOCI 3365
SOCI 3338
SOCI 3381
SOCI 3341
SOCI 3342

Inequality and Society
SOCI 2319
SOCI 3354
SOCI 3325
SOCI 3324
SOCI 3355
SOCI 4336

Arranged Courses
SOCI 4375
SOCI 4379

Bachelor of Arts, Major in Sociology

The Bachelor of Arts in Sociology requires a minimum of 34 hours in Sociology and should be distributed as follows:

Required Courses: (19 hours)
SOCI 1301
SOCI 2399
SOCI 3443
SOCI 4340
SOCI 4344
SOCI 4399

Two courses each of two of the three areas of specialization. (12 hours)

One course from the remaining area of specialization. (3 hours)

3 Digit to 4 Digit Crosswalk

Bachelor of Arts - Major in Sociology
Notes
¹ ENGL 1301, ENGL 1302, MATH 1332 or MATH 1314, and one lab science course must be completed before enrolling in any advanced course.
² If SOCI 2319 is used to partially satisfy Component Area IV, elective hours must be increased to reach 120 hours.
³ If SOCI 1301 is used to satisfy the Elective in Component Area V, elective hours must be increased to reach 120 hours.
⁴ A minimum of 42 advanced hours is required.
SHSU Course Number	Hours	Recommended Sequence
Core Curriculum
Component Area I (Communication)	6	1st year
Component Area II (Mathematics)	3	1st or 2nd year
Component Area III (Life and Physical Science)	8	1st or 2nd year
Component Area IV (Language, Philosophy, and Culture)	3	1st or 2nd year
Component Area V (Creative Arts)	3	1st or 2nd year
Component Area VI (U.S. History)	6	1st or 2nd year
Component Area VII (Political Science/Government)	6	1st or 2nd year
Component Area VIII (Social and Behavioral Sciences)	3	1st or 2nd year
Component Area IX (Component Area Option)	4	1st or 2nd year
Degree Specific Requirements
Foreign Language	8	Freshman
Foreign Language	6	Sophomore
Communication Studies	3
Major Core
SOCI 1301³	3
SOCI 2399	3
SOCI 3443	4
SOCI 4340	3
SOCI 4344	3
SOCI 4399	3
Major Electives
6 hours in each of two areas of specialization; 3 hours from the third area of specialization	15
Minor (Required)	18
General/Advanced Electives	12
Total Hours	120⁴

Bachelor of Science, Major in Sociology

The Bachelor of Science in Sociology requires a minimum of 40 hours in Sociology and should be distributed as follows:

Required Courses: (16 hours)
SOCI 1301
SOCI 2399
SOCI 3443
SOCI 4340
SOCI 4344
SOCI 4399

Two courses each from all three areas of specialization. (18 hours)

One more course from any area of specialization. (3 hours)