Chair: Alessandro Bonanno, Ph.D. (936) 294-1488; soc_aab@shsu.edu
Faculty: Caron Cates, Jin Young Choi, Douglas Constance, Mary Ann Davis, Furjen Deng, Karen Manges Douglas, Maki Hatanaka, Jason Konefal, Olena Leipnik, Lee Miller, Gene Theodori, Sujey Vega
Information: Mr. Ryan Johnson (936) 294-1512; CHSS 270X
Website: www.shsu.edu/~soc_www/
Sociology is the study of social life, social change, and the social causes and consequences of human behavior. Sociologists investigate the structure of groups, organizations, and societies, and how people interact within these contexts. The subject matter of sociology ranges from the intimate family to the hostile mob, from organized crime to religious cults, from the divisions of race, gender and social class to the shared beliefs of a common culture, and from the sociology of the environment to the sociology of sports. Because sociology addresses the most challenging issues of our time, it is a rapidly expanding field whose potential is tapped by those who craft policies and create programs.
Mission
The Department of Sociology’s mission is to acquire and disseminate knowledge on social life, social change and the social causes and consequences of human behavior. SHSU Sociologists investigate the structure of groups, organizations, and societies and how people interact within these contexts. The primary objective of the curriculum is to provide students with the scientific tools to understand the functioning of society and study and understand social phenomena. The Department focuses on the study of the globalization, community and health.
Academic Programs
Highlights
- The Sociology Department is considered one of the prominent departments for the study of Globalization in the nation
- Members of the Sociology Department regularly publish in important scientific journals
- Members of the Sociology Department occupy leadership positions in professional organizations domestically and internationally
Suggested Minors
- Psychology
- Political Science
- Criminal Justice
- English
- History
- Communication Studies
- Health Education
- Middle Eastern Studies (Please note that this minor is in part offered by the Sociology Department and its description is available under the Department of Foreign Languages.)
Career Opportunities
Sociology graduates find successful employment in the private sector (management, human resources, public relations), public sectors (Federal, State and Local Government agencies) and in non-profit organizations (NGOs) particularly in the areas of social services and analysis of social trends.
Student Organizations and Activities
Students in the Sociology Club are introduced to the profession of Sociology through activities including: research opportunities, volunteer work, organization of special events, participation in professional meetings, and programs highlighting speakers of note in the many interest areas of Sociology. The Sociology Club also actively supports the Sociology Scholarship fund.
Internships and Study Abroad
Students with an interest in Sociology may take courses abroad through the SHSU Field School in Italy. Further information is available at the website: www.shsu.edu/~soc_www/italy/. Internship possibilities include work with the City of Huntsville and social services organizations throughout the area.
Scholarships
The department offers the Sociology Scholarship. For information contact the department or visit the departmental website.
Program Specific Requirements
Students must successfully complete SOC 131 <SOCI 1301> before taking additional sociology courses with the exception of SOC 168 <SOCI 2319>, SOC 264 <SOCI 1306>, SOC 266 <SOCI 2366>, SOC 381 <SOCI 3381>, and SOC 462 <SOCI 3341>. In order to graduate with a major or minor in Sociology, students must successfully complete all the Sociology requirements with a 2.5 GPA. Additionally, students must successfully complete Sociology required core courses (SOC 131 <SOCI 1301>, SOC 343 <SOCI 3443>, SOC 366 <SOCI 4340>, SOC 386 <SOCI 4344> and SOC 499 <SOCI 4399>) with a grade of C or better.
Curriculum
Students receive instruction in classical and contemporary sociological theory, qualitative and quantitative techniques of sociological investigation, and major substantive areas in the field. The primary objective of the curriculum is to provide students with the scientific tools to understand the functioning of society, study social phenomena, and acquire the necessary skills to enter the global labor market. The department focuses on the study of Globalization, Community and Health. Students are encouraged to participate in research projects and extra-curricular activities designed to foster critical sociological thinking and knowledge of today’s world.
Instruction in general sociology is complemented by specialization in three substantive areas. Students can select to concentrate their undergraduate curriculum in Change, Economy and Society; Culture and Social Institutions; or Inequality and Society. Change, Economy and Society explores the relationships between society and the economy, patterns of change in the global society, the environment, social movements, and the organization of urban and rural societies. Culture and Social Institutions focuses on culture, social institutions such as the family and religion, and courses which analyze the most relevant social problems in today’s society. Inequality and Society examines social inequality, gender and inequality, age and inequality, race and ethnic inequality, and complex organizations.
Core Courses
| SOC 131 <SOCI 1301> |
| SOC 343 <SOCI 3443> |
| SOC 366 <SOCI 4340> |
| SOC 386 <SOCI 4344> |
| SOC 499 <SOCI 4399> |
Areas of Specialization
Change, Economy and Society:
| SOC 336 <SOCI 3336> |
| SOC 337 <SOCI 4337> |
| SOC 376 <SOCI 3376> |
| SOC 384 <SOCI 3384> |
| SOC 392 <SOCI 3392> |
| SOC 438 <SOCI 4334> |
| SOC 476 <SOCI 4332> |
Culture and Social Institutions:
| SOC 264 <SOCI 1306> |
| SOC 266 <SOCI 2366> |
| SOC 365 <SOCI 3365> |
| SOC 378 <SOCI 3338> |
| SOC 381 <SOCI 3381> |
| SOC 462 <SOCI 3341> |
| SOC 468 <SOCI 3342> |
Inequality and Society:
| SOC 168 <SOCI 2319> |
| SOC 333 <SOCI 3354> |
| SOC 335 <SOCI 3325> |
| SOC 364 <SOCI 3324> |
| SOC 465 <SOCI 3355> |
| SOC 477 <SOCI 4336> |
Major in Sociology
The Bachelor of Arts in Sociology requires a minimum of 31 hours in Sociology and should be distributed as follows:
Required Courses: (16 hours)
SOC 131 <SOCI 1301>
SOC 343 <SOCI 3443>
SOC 366 <SOCI 4340>
SOC 386 <SOCI 4344>
SOC 499 <SOCI 4399>Two courses each of two of the three areas of specialization. (12 hours)
One course from the remaining area of specialization. (3 hours)
Bachelor of Arts in Sociology
|
SHSU Course Number
|
Hours
|
Recommended Sequence
|
| Core Curriculum1 | ||
| Component Area I (Communication)1 ENG 164 <ENGL 1301> and ENG 165 <ENGL 1302> |
6 |
|
| Component Area II (Mathematics)1 MTH 164 <MATH 1332> or MTH 170 <MATH 1314> |
3 |
|
| Component Area III (Natural Sciences)1 Choose from two departments. |
8 |
|
| Component Area IV (Humanities/Visual/Performing Arts)2 | 9 |
|
| Component Area V (Social/Behavioral Sciences) HIS 163 <HIST 1301>, HIS 164 <HIST 1302>, POL 261 <POLS 2301>, 200-level POL <2000-level POLS>, and an elective3 |
15 |
|
| Component Area VI (Institutionally Designated Option) KIN 215 <KINE 2115> |
1 |
|
| Degree Specific Requirements | ||
| Foreign Language | 8 |
Freshman |
| Foreign Language | 6 |
Sophomore |
| Major Core | ||
| SOC 131 <SOCI 1301>3 | 3 |
|
| SOC 343 <SOCI 3443> | 4 |
|
| SOC 366 <SOCI 4340> | 3 |
|
| SOC 386 <SOCI 4344> | 3 |
|
| SOC 499 <SOCI 4399> | 3 |
|
| Major Electives | ||
| 6 hours in each of two areas of specialization; 3 hours from the third area of specialization | 15 |
|
| Minor (Required) | 18 |
|
| General/Advanced Electives | 15 |
|
| Total Hours: | 1204 |
Notes: |
| 1 | ENG 164 <ENGL 1301>, ENG 165 <ENGL 1302>, MTH 164 <MATH 1332> or MTH 170 <MATH 1314>, and one lab science course must be completed before enrolling in any advanced course. |
| 2 | If SOC 168 <SOCI 2319> is used to partially satisfy Component Area IV, elective hours must be increased to reach 120 hours. |
| 3 | If SOC 131 <SOCI 1301> is used to satisfy the Elective in Component Area V, elective hours must be increased to reach 120 hours. |
| 4 | A minimum of 42 advanced hours is required. |
The Bachelor of Science in Sociology requires a minimum of 37 hours in Sociology and should be distributed as follows:
Required Courses: (16 hours)
SOC 131 <SOCI 1301>
SOC 343 <SOCI 3443>
SOC 366 <SOCI 4340>
SOC 386 <SOCI 4344>
SOC 499 <SOCI 4399>
Two courses each from all three areas of specialization. (18 hours)
One course from the student's chosen area of specialization. (3 hours)
Bachelor of Science in Sociology
SHSU Course Number |
Hours |
Recommended Sequence |
| Core Curriculum1 | ||
| Component Area I (Communication)1 ENG 164 <ENGL 1301> and ENG 165 <ENGL 1302> |
6 |
|
| Component Area II (Mathematics)1 MTH 164 <MATH 1332> or MTH 170 <MATH 1314> |
3 |
|
| Component Area III (Natural Sciences)1 Choose from two departments. |
8 |
|
| Component Area IV (Humanities/Visual/Performing Arts)2 | 9 |
|
| Component Area V (Social/Behavioral Sciences) HIS 163 <HIST 1301>, HIS 164 <HIST 1302>, POL 261 <POLS 2301>, 200-level POL <2000-level POLS>, and an elective3 |
15 |
|
| Component Area VI (Institutionally Designated Option) KIN 215 <KINE 2115> |
1 |
|
| Degree Specific Requirements | ||
| Natural Sciences | 8 |
Sophomore |
| MTH <MATH> and ENG <ENGL> or COM <COMS> | 6 |
Sophomore |
| Major Core | ||
| SOC 131 <SOCI 1301>3 | 3 |
|
| SOC 343 <SOCI 3443> | 4 |
|
| SOC 366 <SOCI 4340> | 3 |
|
| SOC 386 <SOCI 4344> | 3 |
|
| SOC 499 <SOCI 4399> | 3 |
|
| Major Electives | ||
| 6 hours in each of two areas of specialization; 3 hours from the third area of specialization | 15 |
|
| Minor (Required) | 18 |
|
| General/Advanced Electives | 15 |
|
| Total Hours: | 1204 |
Notes: |
| 1 | ENG 164 <ENGL 1301>, ENG 165 <ENGL 1302>, MTH 164 <MATH 1332> or MTH 170 <MATH 1314>, and one lab science course must be completed before enrolling in any advanced course. |
| 2 | If SOC 168 <SOCI 2319> is used to partially satisfy Component Area IV, elective hours must be increased to reach 120 hours. |
| 3 | If SOC 131 <SOCI 1301> is used to satisfy the Elective in Component Area V, elective hours must be increased to reach 120 hours. |
| 4 | A minimum of 42 advanced hours is required. |
Minor in Sociology
The Sociology Minor requires a total of 19 hours in Sociology and should be distributed as follows:
Required Courses: (13 hours)
SOC 131 <SOCI 1301>
SOC 343 <SOCI 3443>
SOC 366 <SOCI 4340>
SOC 386 <SOCI 4344>
Two courses from among the three areas of specialization. (6 hours)