Sociology (BA)
Introduction
Sociology is the study of our behavior as social beings, covering everything from the analysis of small groups to the study of global social change. We hold that social forces external to the individual play an important role in shaping behavior and beliefs. Social forces are the economic and political make-up of society, and cultural influences, such as our beliefs, habits, and values. The sociology major prepares students for a wide variety of careers and graduate fields, including sociology, social work, planning, public administration, education, public health, business, and law.
Qualifications
Students must have a minimum grade of C in all required courses and maintain a 2.0 GPA in their major and a 2.0 overall average to graduate with a degree in sociology.
Advisement
All students should have an advisor in the major and should contact the department directly to have an advisor assigned if they do not already have one. Meetings with academic advisors are required prior to students receiving their PIN for course registration each semester. All majors should work closely with their advisor in discussing career expectations, choosing their major electives, developing their entire academic program and planning their co-curricular or supplemental academic experiences.
Double Majors
Students who wish to expand their educational opportunities may decide to declare a double major. This decision may be based on career goals, planned graduate studies, and/or other student interests. Before a student declares a double major, it is important to meet with the appropriate academic departments for advisement. In order to declare a double major, the student must complete the Major/Minor Declaration form. This form will be submitted electronically and reviewed and approved by each department chairperson as well as the appropriate associate dean.
Per university policy, each additional major requires a minimum of 15 credits that do not apply to the student's first or subsequent major. Some double major combinations can be completed within the minimum 120 credit hour degree requirement, but in other cases additional course work may be required. Please note that students will receive only one degree unless completing the dual degree requirement including at least 150 undergraduate credit hours, regardless of the number of majors they complete. Both (all) majors appear on a student’s transcript.
Minors in Other Disciplines
Minors provide students the opportunity to pursue additional interests but generally do not require as many courses as a major. Minors generally range from five to eight required courses. To receive a minor, the student must complete at least 9 credit hours of coursework distinct from their other credentials (i.e., majors, other minors). The complete list of minors is available on the Canisius website and in the catalog and provides links to each minor. Some majors and minors can be completed within the minimum 120 credit hour degree requirement, but in some cases additional coursework may be required. Students must complete the appropriate minor request form.
In addition to the Sociology minor the department also supports two interdisciplinary minors: Child, Family and Community Studies and Peace and Justice Studies.
Curriculum
An Ignatian Foundation
All undergraduate students must complete either the Canisius Core Curriculum or the All-College Honors Curriculum. Many schools refer to their college-wide undergraduate requirements as "general education" requirements. We believe that the core curriculum and the honors curriculum are more than a series of required classes; they provide the basis for a Jesuit education both with content and with required knowledge and skills attributes that are central to our mission.
Free Electives
Students may graduate with a bachelor's degree with more but not less than 120 credit hours. Free electives are courses in addition to the Canisius Core Curriculum or All-College Honors Curriculum and major requirements sufficient to reach the minimum number of credits required for graduation. The number of credits required to complete a bachelor's degree may vary depending on the student's major(s) and minor(s).
Major Requirements
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| SOC 110 | Introduction to Sociology | 3 |
| SOC 111 | Contemporary Social Problems | 3 |
| EDU 303 | Research Methods in the Social Sciences (formerly HSV303) | 3 |
| Focused Method Option: Choose 1 | 3 | |
| Ethnography and Culture | ||
| Statistics for Social Sciences | ||
| SOC 432 | Theories in Sociology | 3 |
| Six 3 credit sociology electives | 18 | |
| Total Credits | 33 | |
Major Electives
A student's electives must be 6 courses from any of the designated major tracks.
Society and Culture Track
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| SOC 220 | Identity and Society | 3 |
| SOC 234 | Environment and Society | 3 |
| SOC 273 | Social Movements and Social Change | 3 |
| SOC 324 | Visual Sociology | 3 |
| CRJ 351 | Police and the Community | 3 |
| CRJ 358 | Green and White Collar Crime | 3 |
Identity and Diversity Track
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| SOC 220 | Identity and Society | 3 |
| SOC 291 | Gender and Society | 3 |
| SOC 341 | Race and Ethnicity | 3 |
| SOC 390 | Life Course and Family | 3 |
| SOC 340 | Sociology of the City | 3 |
| SOC 385 | International Migration | 3 |
| PSC 241 | Human Rights and Globalization | 3 |
| CRJ 386 | Comparative Criminal Justice Systems | 3 |
Crime and Society Track
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| SOC 220 | Identity and Society | 3 |
| SOC 355 | Deviant Behavior | 3 |
| CRJ 325 | Corrections and Restorative Justice | 3 |
| CRJ 337 | Violence and the Family | 3 |
| CRJ 345 | Gangs in American Society | 3 |
| CRJ 351 | Police and the Community | 3 |
| CRJ 354 | Juvenile Delinquency | 3 |
| CRJ 455 | Senior Seminar in Criminal Justice | 3 |
| CRJ 358 | Green and White Collar Crime | 3 |
| CRJ 386 | Comparative Criminal Justice Systems | 3 |
Methods and Application Track
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| SOC 315 | Geographical Information Systems (GIS) for the Social Sciences | 3 |
| SOC 324 | Visual Sociology | 3 |
| SOC 375 | Ethnography and Culture (if not chosen as methods option) | 3 |
| MAT 131 | Statistics for Social Sciences (if not chosen as methods option) | 3 |
| SOC 498 | Internship | 3 |
| SOC 499 | Independent Study | 3 |
Additional Course Considerations
The department encourages sociology majors to study a foreign language of their choice and to participate in the college study abroad program. Students considering study abroad should consult with their advisor regarding course sequencing.
Roadmap
Recommended Semester Schedule for Major Course Requirements
| Freshman | |
|---|---|
| Fall | Spring |
| SOC 110 | SOC 111 |
| Sophomore | |
| Fall | Spring |
| EDU 303 | SOC elective |
| SOC elective | |
| Junior | |
| Fall | Spring |
| Take one of the following research methods courses: | SOC elective |
| SOC elective | |
| Senior | |
| Fall | Spring |
| SOC 432 | SOC elective |
| SOC elective | |
Learning Goals and Objectives
Student Learning Goal 1
Sociology majors will demonstrate that they are able to think critically about sociological concepts.
Students will:
- Objective A: apply scientific methodology to the study of sociology
- Objective B: evaluate the quality of quantitative and qualitative research in sociology
Student Learning Goal 2
Sociology majors will demonstrate that they have the knowledge necessary for careers or graduate school.
Students will:
- Objective A: become familiar with the major concepts, theories, and theorists in sociology.
- Objective B: apply sociological theories and methods to real world situations.
Student Learning Goal 3
Sociology majors will appreciate the diverse nature of society.
Students will:
- Objective A: conceptualize of diversity today and in the past.
- Objective B: recognize of the vastness of human diversity.
Courses
SOC 100 The Architecture of Identity Finding Your Purpose in Society 3 Credits
The theme of identity is central to any society and one we consistently consider along the pathways of our individual lives. It is a particular theme for those entering college and looking for a pathway to their future. This interdisciplinary course explores identity, passion, and purpose. Through a research-based approach, students will learn more about themselves and how they can utilize their gifts and talents to make an impact within our global society.
Offered: every fall.
SOC 110 Introduction to Sociology 3 Credits
Topics include theory, methods, culture, socialization, race and ethnicity, groups and organizations, and social inequality; analysis of everyday events, using sociological imagination.
Fulfills College Core: Field 5 (Social Sciences)
Offered: fall.
SOC 111 Contemporary Social Problems 3 Credits
Exploration of selected social problems from various sociological points of view, emphasizing some of the sociological concepts and methods employed in analyzing these problems.
Fulfills College Core: Diversity, Field 5 (Social Sciences)
Offered: spring.
SOC 220 Identity and Society 3 Credits
This course will encourage students to engage in critical dialogues about racial, ethnic, class, nation, gender, and sexual identities. The students will examine the ways in which social identities are socially reproduced, transformed and re-interpreted, both historically and contemporarily.
Offered: spring of even-numbered years.
SOC 234 Environment and Society 3 Credits
Explores connections between environmental issues and their social causes and consequences. Topics of analysis include environmental racism, environmental health, risk and uncertainty, political economy, globalization and sustainability.
Fulfills College Core: Field 5 (Social Sciences)
Offered: spring.
SOC 273 Social Movements and Social Change 3 Credits
Explores the development of social movements as a force of social change in society. Focus is on theoretical developments in movement theory, as well as explorations of social movements through history.
Fulfills College Core: Field 5 (Social Sciences), Justice
Offered: spring.
SOC 291 Gender and Society 3 Credits
Exploration of origin of gender roles; socialization into masculine and feminine roles; intersection of gender and social institutions such as family, work and education.
Fulfills College Core: Field 5 (Social Sciences)
SOC 300 Special Topics in Sociology 3 Credits
Critical examination of a selected topic in sociology. Subject matter determined by the instructor.
SOC 315 Geographical Information Systems (GIS) for the Social Sciences 3 Credits
This course will introduce students to basic mapmaking skills using the program ArcGIS, and the ways that those skills can be applied to the study of human society, relationships, and environments. By the end of this course, students will know how to find or create geographic data, build a spatial data base, and analyze that data to answer specific research or predictive questions. Students will also consider the principles of cartography, design, and storytelling which contribute to an effective map, and will produce a map project by the end of the course.
Prerequisites: none.
Offered: every spring.
SOC 324 Visual Sociology 3 Credits
Emphasizes a visual approach to analyzing social concepts. Analysis of visual media forms to explore core ideas in sociology such as gender, race, environment, social class, family and global diversity.
Offered: spring.
SOC 340 Sociology of the City 3 Credits
Exploration of how people experience and understand city life, how cities grow and develop, and various issues affecting cities today such as suburbanization and urban sprawl.
SOC 341 Race and Ethnicity 3 Credits
Focus is on issues surrounding race and ethnicity in the United States, including the social construction of race and ethnicity, prejudice and discrimination, unequal opportunity structures, and the racial/ethnic makeup of the U.S. and global population.
Fulfills College Core: Field 5 (Social Sciences)
Offered: fall of even-numbered years.
SOC 355 Deviant Behavior 3 Credits
Students will explore how societies define some behaviors and characteristics as deviant as well as explanations of social deviance, how societies and groups respond to social deviance. Alternative social science theories about such behavior are compared and contrasted. Research methodologies and findings in recent social-science literature are examined and interpreted.
SOC 375 Ethnography and Culture 3 Credits
Research designs from a qualitative perspective, including field research, participant observation, content analysis, ethnography, and focus groups. Analysis and reporting of qualitative data.
Offered: every fall.
SOC 385 International Migration 3 Credits
This course is an examination of the issues arising from the movement of peoples across national boundaries, including labor migration, illegal migration, forced migration, and trafficking.
Prerequisite: SOC 110. Restrictions: Junior or Senior standing.
Offered: every other fall.
SOC 390 Life Course and Family 3 Credits
Covers family development from relationship formation through the life course which may include marriage, divorce and remarriage. Includes sexuality, sexual orientation, cohabitation, parenting and the intersection between the family and major social institutions.
Offered: spring of even-numbered years.
SOC 432 Theories in Sociology 3 Credits
Course emphasizes theory development as a tool to understand society. Focuses on major social theorists and their contributions as well as classical and modern theoretical schools in sociology.
Restriction: must be a sociology major or minor with junior or senior standing.
Offered: every fall.
SOC 498 Internship 2-4 Credits
Opportunity for students to participate in the daily work of an agency or organization. Internships require an application and approval by the associate dean.
Prerequisite: minimum GPA of 2.75, signature of instructor, and approval by both the chair & associate dean.
Offered: fall & spring.
SOC 499 Independent Study 1-3 Credits
Independent studies allow in-depth study of a specific topic and are most often reserved for seniors who cannot otherwise fulfill a graduation requirement. Independent studies require an application and approval by the associate dean.
Prerequisite: permission of the instructor, department chair, & associate dean.
Offered: fall & spring.
