2010-2011 Academic Catalog

Apr 18, 2024

2010-2011 Academic Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Sociology Major

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Overview

Undergraduate Program

The American sociologist C. Wright Mills described the perspective of sociology as the “sociological imagination.” This point of view enables us to see how individual lives are shaped by larger social forces. Mills argued that we cannot fully understand ourselves without understanding the society in which we live. At Clark, the sociology faculty is committed to developing such an analytic capacity in students.

Through the examination of social processes, such as social stratification, social movements and social change, and through an investigation of diverse social institutions, such as the law, family, medicine and religion, students acquire the conceptual and analytical tools to enhance both their understanding of their own lives and the world in which they live.

One of the questions most frequently asked by students is, “What can I do with a degree in sociology?” Because of the emphasis placed on critical thinking, analytical and communicative skills, and methodological training, students majoring in sociology are well equipped to enter a variety of occupations, as well as professional careers and graduate schools. Sociology majors have gone to law school, medical school, social-work and business school. Others have become marketing analysts, government policy analysts, university administrators and political consultants.

Program Faculty

Parminder Bhachu, Ph.D.
Patricia Ewick, Ph.D.
Bruce London, Ph.D.
Deborah Merrill, Ph.D.
Robert Ross, Ph.D.
Shelly Tenenbaum, Ph.D.

Courses

Program Requirements

The sociology major consists of 10 courses within the department and a minor, concentration, or a program in the social sciences or closely related field. The 10 departmental courses are to be distributed as follows:

All majors must complete:

SOC 105 - Social Research Process and SOC 107 - Classical Sociological Theory prior to their senior year. SOC 107 - Classical Sociological Theory is a prerequisite for SOC 200 - Class, Status and Power . Students who complete an equivalent methods course in Psychology, Geography or Government may waive the SOC 105 requirement and count this methods course toward their sociology major (i.e., one of 10 courses required for major.)
Six additional sociology credits, one of which must be a capstone. At least three of these six courses must be at the 200 level. These credits may be fulfilled through the completion of six regular courses or through a combination of course work, internships (maximum of two credits) or directed research. Of the four required courses for a major, three must be taken on campus. Of the 10 total courses for the major, six must be taken on campus. COPACE courses are not counted for Sociology credit. To receive sociology major credit, students must earn a grade of C– or better.

The Capstone Requirement

Sociology majors must take a capstone seminar. To enroll in a capstone seminar, students must have already completed SOC010 Introduction to Sociology, SOC105 Social Research Process, SOC107 Classical Sociological Theory and all course prerequisites in the subject area of your capstone seminar. The capstone seminar will build upon knowledge gained in previous courses and will include a serious research component. All courses between 270 and 296 are capstone seminars. SOC297 Senior Honors Thesis also fulfills the capstone requirement.