SOC-BA - Sociology

Sociology is concerned with understanding human societies. As a discipline, sociology goes beyond common sense and popular wisdom to expose our biases and to develop a less simplistic view of the world we usually take for granted. As a major, sociology provides a foundation for careers in a variety of public and private areas, especially in the fields of community and service organization. The sociology program provides a balance between theoretical and applied interests of students and provides a number of opportunities for individualized independent work and advanced research courses. The curriculum is designed to meet not only the needs of students electing to major in the discipline, but also those of students in career oriented programs such as education, social work, business administration, and the health professions. Students who wish to major or minor in Sociology should speak with a member of the Sociology faculty for advisement.

Upon successfully completing their B.A. sociology graduates can apply directly to graduate school in disciplines such as the social sciences, social work, education, law and health. Students with a baccalaureate can find employment opportunities in federal, state and local governmental agencies, educational and social services, private sector businesses and international organizations. The most common occupational choices for sociology majors nationally include, social services, counselors, psychologists, administrators, managers, teachers, librarians, marketing researchers, technology consultants and social science researchers.*

*American Sociological Association (2010) Launching Majors into Satisfying Careers, pp. 16 and 46.

Sociology Program Mission Statement

The Sociology Program's aim is to foster students' cultural and social awareness, intellectual and personal growth and respect for diverse communities. The Program is therefore designed to prepare students to read, think, argue and write critically about social issues, relationships and institutions, recognize trends and patterns of social behavior and to analyze factors which shape human societies. Students also develop quantitative literacy skills and the ability to conduct research. These program objectives play a larger role, as they are also part of the York College mission statement. The sociology program objectives are accomplished by offering a broad based curriculum based on theory, concepts, critical thinking and analysis and research methods.

Sociology Major Program Goals

By offering a broad based curriculum on social theories and concepts, educating students to thinking critically and effectively to analyze social research, students will be:

• Prepared to critically read, write, speak and think about social issues, social change and relationships and institutions.

• Recognize trends and patterns of social behavior and be able to analyze factors which shape human societies.

• Develop quantitative literacy skills and the ability to interpret and conduct research.

Goal 1: Describe sociological theories, concepts and arguments.

Goal 2: Analyze social problems or social phenomena by applying (using) relevant theories, concepts and arguments.

Goal 3: Interpret scholarly/academic research

Goal 4: Construct logical (written) arguments using academic scholarship

Goal 5: Achieve Quantitative Literacy