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 study of social inequality is central to the sociology major.  The sociological lens acknowledges that race, gender, sexuality, and social class - as well as social dimensions such as time period and geographic location - shape our destinies as much as our own personal efforts.  As a sociology major, you will study broad social processes - global dynamics, stratification, immigration, social movements, and more - and explore diverse institutions, from the law and medicine to family and religion.  Through the study of sociology, students will 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  or Both PSYC 105 Statistics  and PSYC 109 Qualitative Methods in Psychology  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.  If students take courses with a Pass/Fail option, then a maximum of one course that receives a Pass grade will count towards the minor.

Attendance Policy

The Sociology Department requires students to miss no more than one-third of the semester to successfully complete the course.  This is in addition to an individual faculty members’ attendance expectations.

Sociology Faculty

Sociology Courses

Courses offered within the last 2 Academic Years

• SOC 010 - Introduction to Sociology
• SOC 080 - Religion in U.S. Politics
• SOC 110 - Sociology of Gender
• SOC 125 - Cities and Suburbs
• SOC 130 - Genocide
• SOC 137 - Race and Ethnicity Across Borders: Comparing the Local and Global
• SOC 141 - The Sociology of Mental Illness
• 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 205 - Sociology of the Environment
• SOC 208 - Class, Status and Power
• SOC 209 - Sociology of Disaster
• SOC 215 - Sociology of Education
• SOC 220 - Special Topics in Sociology
• SOC 225 - Religion and Society
• SOC 241 - Sociology of Medicine
• SOC 251 - Media and Society
• SOC 252 - Race and Autobiography
• SOC 254 - Class and Status in Black American Life
• 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 283 - Black Organizational Life in the United States
• SOC 284 - Community and Health: Non-Profit Grant Writing
• 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