Sociology Minor

Sociology Overview

The American sociologist C. Wright Mills described the perspective of sociology as the “sociological imagination.” This point of view enables us to see the ways in which individual lives are shaped by larger social forces. Mills argues that we cannot fully understand ourselves without understanding the society in which we live.

At Clark, the sociology faculty are committed to developing such an analytical capacity in students. We are committed to developing your capacity to understand the relations between local situations and larger structures. 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 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 and graduate schools. Sociology majors have gone to law school, medical school, social work programs, and business school. Others have become marketing analysts, city planners, government policy analysts, university administrators, and political consultants.

For more information, please visit the Sociology Department’s website.

Minor Requirements

The sociology minor consists of six courses, which must include three of the following:

• SOC 010 - Introduction to Sociology   or SOC 012 - Introduction to Sociology in a Global World  
• SOC 201 - Classical Sociological Theory  (Formerly SOC 107)
• SOC 202 - Social Research Process  
• SOC 208 - Class, Status and Power  (Formerly SOC 200)

Students are encouraged to begin with Introduction to Sociology.  Introduction to Sociology (SOC 010) is a prerequisite for Classical Sociological Theory (SOC 201), and Classical Sociological Theory is a prerequisite for Class, Status and Power (SOC 208). 

Students may substitute  PSCI 107 - Research Methods  or  GEOG 141 - Research Design and Methods in Geography  for SOC 202 - Social Research Process  

All minors must also complete three additional sociology courses, at least two of which must be at the 200 level.  One internship credit may count toward the minor.  Four of the six courses required for the minor must be taken on campus.  SPS courses are not counted for sociology credit. To receive credit toward the sociology minor, students must earn a course grade of C- or better.

Sociology Faculty

Sociology Courses

Courses offered within the last 2 Academic Years

• SOC 010 - Introduction to Sociology
• SOC 012 - Introduction to Sociology in a Global World
• SOC 110 - Sociology of Gender
• SOC 130 - Genocide
• SOC 137 - Race and Ethnicity Across Borders: Comparing the Local and Global
• SOC 160 - Global Cultures and Identities
• SOC 175 - The Sociology of Families
• SOC 180 - Aging and Society
• SOC 201 - Classical Sociological Theory
• SOC 202 - Social Research Process
• SOC 203 - American Jewish Life
• SOC 204 - Doing Qualitative Research
• SOC 208 - Class, Status and Power
• SOC 220 - Special Topics in Sociology
• SOC 225 - Religion and Society
• SOC 226 - Sport and Society
• SOC 241 - Sociology of Medicine
• SOC 250 - Community and Health: Non-Profit Grant Writing
• SOC 252 - Race and American Society
• SOC 255 - The Creation of Nationalism, Nationalist Cultures and Symbols
• SOC 258 - Women in Jewish Culture
• SOC 260 - Immigrants and Immigration in the 21st Century
• SOC 262 - Law and Society
• SOC 263 - Deviance
• SOC 265 - Activism, Protest, and Social Movements
• SOC 272 - Punishment, Politics and Culture
• SOC 277 - What Makes People Sick? Social Determinants of Health
• SOC 281 - Cities and Social Change
• SOC 290 - Living in a Digital Age: Technology, Economy, and Culture
• SOC 294 - Global Ethnographies in the 21st Century
• SOC 297 - Honors
• SOC 298 - Internship
• SOC 299 - Directed Study