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Sociology

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Sociology (B.A.)

The field is concerned with the social location of people — their culture, social class, gender, age, and education; the relationships between groups; and external influences that are internalized, becoming part of an individual’s identity and behavior.

Increasingly, employers are looking for people with the analytical skills that a Sociology major provides. The investigative skills emphasized in the major, along with the focus on working with diverse groups prove valuable to students pursuing careers in journalism, public relations, business, and public administration. Sociology also provides a strong base for later professional training in law, education, and social work.

An undergraduate major in Sociology provides a strong liberal arts preparation for entry-level positions in business, social service, and government sectors.

Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to

develop skills in the use of sociological concepts as tools for understanding the interrelationships among self, society, and social change;
demonstrate skills in the use of research methods and statistics;
demonstrate proficiency in the use of computers and information technology;
demonstrate proficiency in written communication; and
demonstrate an understanding of ethical issues and exhibit their application to social phenomena.

Internship Prerequisite: When all other requirements are successfully completed, in the senior year the student is placed for 280 hours (6 credits) in an internship (SOC 400) that complements his/her selected focus. Prerequisites for the internship are a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or higher, a grade of C- or higher in all required courses for the major, a minimum of 18 credits earned at Marymount, and permission of the internship coordinator.

Minimum Grade Requirement: A minimum grade of C- is required for all courses in the major.

Residency Requirement: Transfer students must complete the internship and at least 18 credits in Marymount Sociology courses, including SOC 304 and SOC 495.

Degree Requirements

Liberal Arts Core and University Requirements

See University Requirements and the Liberal Arts Core for details.

Major Requirements

To fulfill the requirements of the major, all students in this program will take the following coursework in a sequence determined in collaboration with a faculty advisor. Some courses also satisfy Liberal Arts Core and/or University Requirements.

CJ 300 Writing for Criminal Justice, EN 301 The Writing Process, or PSY 300 Research and Writing for the Social Sciences

MA 132 Statistical Analysis

SOC 131 Principles of Sociology

SOC 202 Social Problems

SOC 203 The Global Village

SOC 303 Development of Social Thought

SOC 304 Applied Research Methods

SOC 306 Social Class in American Society

SOC 322 Race and Ethnic Relations

SOC 350 Social Justice: Ethical Dilemmas in Social Context

SOC 400 Internship

SOC 495 Senior Seminar

5 electives from the following: CJ 209 The Criminal Justice System; CJ 310 Policing in American Society; CJ 311 Correctional Institutions; CJ 320 Cybercrime and Digital Terrorism; IS 200 Approaches to Gender and Society; SOC 200 Law and Society; SOC 205 Crime, Media, and Culture; SOC 250 Deviant Behavior; SOC 305 Criminology; SOC 307 Juvenile Justice; SOC 351 Addressing Injustice; SOC 360 Britain Today: Myth and Reality

Sample Degree Plan — Sociology

Please note that this is a sample plan; all students must consult with an advisor in making course selections.

Year One — Fall

SOC 131 Principles of Sociology (SS-1 core course) § *

EN 101 Composition I (WR core course)*

Introductory History (HI-1) core course*

DSC 101 DISCOVER First-Year Seminar*

Elective

Year One — Spring

SOC 202 Social Problems § *

EN 102 Composition II (WR core course)*

Natural Science (NS) core course (Biology recommended)*

PSY 101 General Psychology or PSY 110 Human Growth and Development (SS-1 core course)*

TRS 100 Theological Inquiry (TRS-1) core course*

Year Two — Fall

SOC 203 The Global Village §

Introductory Literature (LT-1) core course*

MA 132 Statistical Analysis (MT core course) § *

PH 200 Introduction to Philosophy (PH-1 core course)*

Elective

Year Two — Spring

CJ 300 Writing for Criminal Justice, EN 301 The Writing Process, or PSY 300 Research and Writing for the Social Sciences §

SOC 303 Development of Social Thought §

Major elective § **

Fine Arts (FNA), Advanced History (HI-2), or Advanced Literature (LT-2) core course*

POL 104 American Government, ECO 210 Principles of Microeconomics, or ECO 211 Principles of Macroeconomics (SS-1 core course) or Natural Science (NS) core course*

Year Three — Fall

SOC 306 Social Class in American Society §

SOC 350 Social Justice: Ethical Dilemmas in a Social Context §

Major elective §

Advanced Theology/Religious Studies (TRS-2) or Theological Ethics (TRS-E) core course*

Elective

Year Three — Spring

SOC 304 Applied Research Methods § *

SOC 322 Race and Ethnic Relations §

Major elective §

Advanced Philosophy (PH-2) or Philosophical Ethics (PH-E) core course*

Advanced Social Science (SS-2) core course*

Year Four — Fall

SOC 400 Internship § *

Major elective §

Two (2) electives

Year Four — Spring

SOC 495 Senior Seminar § *

Major elective §

Fine Arts (FNA), Advanced History (HI-2), or Advanced Literature (LT-2) core course*

Two (2) electives

§ Requirement for the major

* Fulfills Liberal Arts Core/University Requirements. See University Requirements and the Liberal Arts Core and Course Descriptions for further information.

** See Major Requirements for course selections.

Sociology (Minor)

Minor Requirements

7 courses from the following: SOC 131 Principles of Sociology; SOC 200 Law and Society; SOC 202 Social Problems; SOC 205 Crime, Media, and Culture; SOC 250 Deviant Behavior; SOC 303 Development of Social Thought; SOC/CJ 304 Applied Research Methods; SOC 306 Social Class in American Society; SOC/CJ 307 Juvenile Justice; SOC 322 Race and Ethnic Relations; SOC 351 Addressing Injustice; SOC 495 Senior Seminar

Social Entrepreneurship (Minor)

See Social Entrepreneurship minor under Interdisciplinary Studies in the School of Business Administration.

Social Justice (Minor)

This minor is open to students in any major. It allows students to analyze those groups most in need of justice. By analyzing the consequences of inequality, these students examine ways of empowering the marginalized and voiceless to work effectively on their own behalf by developing community strategies that enable change.

This minor provides a strong liberal arts preparation for entry-level positions as a lobbyist, legislative advocate, fund-raiser, and nonprofit director and for work in government agencies. This minor encourages students to develop their own framework for addressing social justice issues that interest them. The Social Justice minor also provides a strong base for later professional training in law, education, and social work.

Minor Requirements

SOC 131 Principles of Sociology

SOC 200 Law and Society

SOC 202 Social Problems

SOC 304 Applied Research Methods

SOC 350 Social Justice: Ethical Dilemmas in Social Context

SOC 351 Addressing Injustice

Independent Study (SOC 421 Project or Service Learning or SOC 433 Research)

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