Sociology is the analytical study of the development, structure, and function of human groups and societies. It is concerned with the scientific understanding of human behavior as it relates to, and as a consequence of, interaction within groups. The undergraduate program in the Department of Sociology provides a broad understanding of human society for students in every field and integrated programs for majors in sociology.
Preparation
High school students planning to major in sociology should take courses in history and social studies; in addition, a course in statistics should be considered. Substantial work in English composition, mathematics, and second languages is also desirable. Two-year transfer students are advised to come with a year’s work in introductory sociology courses as well as courses that fulfill university group requirements.
Careers
Recent graduates with bachelor’s degrees in sociology are found in all the pursuits traditionally open to liberal-arts graduates—especially social service, management, marketing, teaching, library, and research-statistics occupations in industries related to health, education, business, government, and the environment. Some graduates seek additional training in graduate professional schools of social work, business administration, and law. A bachelor’s degree alone is seldom sufficient to allow a person to enter a professional career as a sociologist. Students who seek careers as social scientists enter graduate programs in sociology or related fields.
Curriculum
Undergraduate courses in sociology are offered at four levels.
- Topical courses at the 100 level provide an introduction to a specific facet of sociology.
- Courses at the 200 level provide a broad introduction to the field. Basic courses are Introduction to Sociology (SOC 204) and Social Inequality (SOC 207). Completion of one 200-level course is a major requirement. One must also be taken to advance to some 300-level courses.
- Courses at the 300 level extend the student’s knowledge of subjects covered in the 200-level courses and provide an introduction to social research methods and social theory.
- Courses at the 400 level are advanced and specialized. Most build on background obtained in the 100-, 200- and 300-level courses. As prerequisites for enrollment in some 400-level courses, students must successfully complete one or more of the core courses: Social Theory (SOC 310), Research Methods (SOC 311), Statistical Analysis in Sociology (SOC 312). Upper-division (300- and 400-level) classes are usually smaller in size than the lower-division classes and provide more opportunity for faculty-student interaction.
Courses used to satisfy major requirements must be taken for letter grades and passed with grades of C– or better; at least a 2.00 grade point average (GPA) must be achieved in these courses. Four credits from a course not numbered 401–409 may be taken pass/no pass (P/N); P grades must be earned to apply them to the major.
Courses numbered 401–406 may be taken pass/no pass (P/N); P grades must be earned to apply them to the major. No more than 8 credits from these courses may be applied to the major.
Bachelor of Arts Degree Requirements
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Core Courses | ||
| SOC 204 | Introduction to Sociology (May be replaced by SOC 207 Social Inequality) | 4 |
| SOC 310 | Social Theory | 4 |
| SOC 311 | Research Methods | 4 |
| SOC 312 | Statistical Analysis in Sociology | 4 |
| Upper-Division Courses | ||
| 400-level lecture courses (407, 410–499) 1 | 12 | |
| 300- or 400-level courses | 8 | |
| Additional Courses | ||
| Sociology courses (any level) | 12 | |
| Total Credits | 48 | |
| 1 | These credits must be earned at the University of Oregon. |
Bachelor of Science Degree Requirements
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Core Courses | ||
| SOC 204 | Introduction to Sociology (May be replaced by SOC 207 Social Inequality) | 4 |
| SOC 310 | Social Theory | 4 |
| SOC 311 | Research Methods | 4 |
| SOC 312 | Statistical Analysis in Sociology | 4 |
| Upper-Division Courses | ||
| 400-level lecture courses (407, 410–499) 1 | 12 | |
| 300- or 400-level courses | 8 | |
| Additional Courses | ||
| Sociology courses (any level) | 12 | |
| Total Credits | 48 | |
| 1 | These credits must be earned at the University of Oregon. |
General Sociology
Work in sociology begins with Introduction to Sociology (SOC 204) or Social Inequality (SOC 207), both of which provide an introduction to the discipline. They emphasize how sociology can be applied to contemporary social issues. Students specializing in general sociology move on to courses that provide a more in-depth study of social institutions. Courses on social stratification, social psychology, social change, and sociological theory help to tie these diverse areas together by providing perspectives that are useful in the study of any institutional area. Finally, courses in methodology and statistics provide a tool kit of analytical and research skills that are useful both in sociology courses and in whatever activities the student pursues after graduation.
Minor Requirements
The minor in sociology complements a major in another discipline. Courses used to satisfy requirements for the minor must be taken for letter grades and passed with grades of C– or better.
- Of the 24 credits required in sociology courses, 12 must be upper division
- 12 credits must be taken in residence at the University of Oregon; 8 of those credits must be upper division
- No more than 8 credits from the sociology minor may be used to complete the requirements of another major or minor
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select one from the following: | 4 | |
| Introduction to Sociology | ||
| Social Inequality | ||
| Select one of the following: 1 | 4 | |
| Social Theory | ||
| Research Methods | ||
| Statistical Analysis in Sociology | ||
| Other sociology courses 2 | 16 | |
| Total Credits | 24 | |
| 1 | Students in the minor may take 400-level courses only after completing this requirement. Exceptions may be made by instructor permission. |
| 2 | No more than 4 credits in courses numbered 401–406 may be applied to the minor. |
Advising
Academic advising in sociology is provided by Elizabeth Milner, a full-time professional advisor. The advising office is in 707 Prince Lucien Campbell Hall; Elizabeth may be reached at info@uoregon.College or 541-346-1181. Students are encouraged to make appointments via the Navigate system and to come for advising at least once a year, preferably each term.
Internship advising is available through Amy Luebbers; her office is in 631 Prince Lucien Campbell Hall.
The department also maintains an active peer advising program for undergraduate students. Peer advisors keep regular office hours in the peer advising office, 706 Prince Lucien Campbell Hall.
Career Planning
With the help of advisors, each student should select courses that emphasize experiences most useful for the student’s educational and career objectives. Career advising is available through Bill Sherman; his office is in 475 Prince Lucien Campbell Hall. Students with specific career plans may also go to the University Career Center for advice about suitable course programs.
When planning a program, students should keep in mind the ways in which major requirements fit with career objectives.
Social Service Professions
Social service professions include social work, work in nonprofit organizations, counseling, community relations, housing, labor relations, and human resources. Sociology majors who want to enter a helping profession should take at least one course each in sociological methodology and social psychology and several courses dealing with social issues and problems.
Students may supplement their programs with courses in the psychology and political science departments and in the College of Education. Many of these occupations require graduate or field training. Students can get more detailed information from the University Career Center.
Business or Government Service
Business or government organizations typically require general human-relations skills, some awareness of organizations and the surrounding social environment, and an ability to analyze and understand basic social data.
Students interested in business should include in their programs courses in methodology, social psychology, and organizations and occupations. Programs may be supplemented with courses in the Lundquist College of Business and in the Department of Economics.
Students with career goals in governmental service should include courses in community, urban affairs, population, and resources; social psychology; organizations and occupations; and methodology. Related courses in the economics, political science, and planning, public policy and management departments also are useful.
Honors in Sociology
Motivated students may participate in the honors program in sociology. Qualified senior year students work closely with faculty members and fellow honors students on a yearlong project of their own design, and write an honors thesis. The thesis may be based on existing data or data collected by the student.
Students who successfully complete the honors program are awarded departmental honors. The honors distinction is noted on the student’s official transcript and diploma.
Applicants to the honors program must demonstrate a high level of competence and motivation for advanced studies in sociology. A GPA of no less than 3.40 in sociology courses or a nomination by two faculty members is required for admittance, but does not guarantee acceptance. Students selected for the program are notified during spring term of their junior year. Application forms are available in the sociology department office or the department’s web page. Students also receive an e-mail describing the application process in the spring term.
During fall and winter terms of the senior year, honors students take part in the two-credit honors thesis seminar, Seminar: [Topic] (SOC 407), and also enroll in Thesis (SOC 403). In fall term, they work closely with the course instructor and other students to refine research questions and design. By the end of the term, each student submits a thesis proposal for approval. During winter term, students work with the course instructor and classmates to collect data and begin their analysis. In the spring term, students complete, publicly present, and submit their theses.
Twelve credits of sociology degree requirements are earned through the honors program: 8 credits of SOC 403 and 4 credits of SOC 407. The SOC 407 credits count toward the 400-level requirement for the major.
Preparing for Graduate Study
Students planning graduate work in sociology should have a strong background in sociological theory and social research methods well beyond courses required for the major. Besides taking advanced courses in areas of special interest to them, students should take a substantial number of upper-division courses in other social sciences.
Applications to graduate school should be made in fall or winter the year before the student plans to enter a graduate program. Students considering graduate school should talk to their faculty advisors before their final year of school about programs at various schools, experiences that increase chances for admission, and requirements for students in graduate programs in sociology.
Kindergarten through Secondary Teaching Careers
Students who complete a degree with a major in sociology are eligible to apply to the College of Education’s fifth-year program for a license in middle-secondary teaching or the fifth-year program for a license in elementary teaching. Refer early to information in the College of Education section of this catalog.
