Marymount University
Undergraduate Catalog 2016-17
Sociology
Sociology (B.A.)
The sociology program at Marymount challenges students to consider global issues of diversity, inequality, and social justice by taking an analytical approach to understand social life. Through applied coursework, research, and community-based learning, students develop career skills as well as an appreciation for the value of community engagement.
Students address social injustice locally and globally by applying analytical skills developed throughout the program. Applied theory and research methods are woven throughout the coursework. The culminating senior experience provides students with the opportunity to gain practical experience in real-world settings.
The Bachelor of Arts degree in sociology at Marymount University provides students with a global perspective and cultural competence, preparing them for success in multiple career paths. Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to
- apply a sociological imagination to global issues through effective writing;
- apply a relevant quantitative, qualitative, or visual research method to analyze a sociological issue;
- demonstrate an understanding of the value of diverse perspectives for achieving social justice when working in community engagement settings such as the internship; and
- demonstrate effective presentation skills within the discipline.
Minimum Grade Requirement: A minimum grade of C- is required for all courses in the major.
Residency Requirement: Students must complete the internship and at least 18 credits in Marymount sociology courses, including SOC 251, SOC 350, SOC 351, SOC 352, SOC 495, and SOC 497.
Internship Prerequisites: In addition to SOC 497 Community Engagement Experience, students may elect to complete a 3-credit internship during their senior year once all other requirements are successfully completed. In these cases, the student is placed for 120 hours (3 credits) in their internship, which will be a community engagement project (SOC 400). Prerequisites for the internship are a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or higher, a grade of C- or higher in required courses for the major, a minimum of 18 credits earned at Marymount, and permission of the internship coordinator.
Degree Requirements — Sociology
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.
SOC 131 Principles of Sociology
SOC 203 The Global Village
SOC 251 Working for Justice, Working for Change
SOC 350 Social Justice
SOC 351 Addressing Injustice: Research Methods
SOC 495 Senior Practicum
SOC 497 Community Engagement Experience
Three (3) electives from the following: SOC 200 Law and Society in Global Perspective, SOC 204 Cultural Diversity, SOC 261 Through the Sociological Lens I, SOC 306 Social Inequality in Arlington, SOC 322 Racial and Ethnic Diversity, SOC 361 Through the Sociological Lens II, SOC 365 Gender Inequality in Global Perspective, SOC 375 Topics in Human Rights, SOC 385 Global Inequality and Community Development. The 3 credit Experiential Learning (EXP) requirement can be fulfilled by one of the following: a Global Classroom course, semester abroad, summer study abroad, SOC 400 Internship, SOC 421 Independent Study or SOC 433 Research (3 credits).
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*
One (1) elective (Global classroom recommended)
Year One — Spring
EN 102 Composition II (WR core course)*
Natural Science (NS) core course (biology recommended)*
Introductory Social Science (SS-1) core course in politics, psychology, or economics*
TRS 100 Theological Inquiry (TRS-1) core course*
One (1) elective § *
Year Two — Fall
SOC 203 The Global Village § **
Introductory Literature (LT-1) core course*
Mathematics (MT) core course (MA 132 Statistical Analysis recommended) *
PH 200 Introduction to Philosophy (PH-1 core course)*
One (1) elective
Year Two — Spring
SOC 251 Working for Justice, Working for Change § **
One (1) major elective § **
Fine Arts (FNA), Advanced History (HI-2), or Advanced Literature (LT-2) core course*
Introductory Social Science (SS-1) core course in politics, psychology or economics or a second Natural Science (NS) core course*
One (1) elective (Global classroom recommended)
Year Three — Fall
SOC 350 Social Justice§ **
One (1) major elective § **
Advanced Theology/Religious Studies (TRS-2) or Theological Ethics (TRS-E) core course*
Two (2) electives
Year Three — Spring
SOC 351 Addressing Injustice: Qualitative Research Methods §
Global experience course §
Advanced Philosophy (PH-2) or Philosophical Ethics (PH-E) core course*
Advanced Social Science (SS-2) core course*
One (1) elective
Year Four — Fall
SOC 495 Senior Practicum § *
One (1) major elective §
Three (3) electives (complete EXP requirement)
Year Four — Spring
SOC 497 Community Engagement Experience§ *
One (1) 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 (B.A.) 3+3 Partnership with Catholic University Law School
Marymount has a direct entry affiliation agreement with Catholic University’s Columbus School of Law. This enables qualified third-year Marymount students in designated majors to be admitted to the first year of law school during their senior year at Marymount. Sociology students who are interested in direct entry to the Columbus School of Law after their junior year at Marymount should discuss the 3+3 partnership with their major advisor as soon as they become interested. The advisor will guide students through the selection of Marymount courses and refer them to the Office of Admissions of the Columbus School of Law as potential applicants. Qualified students may receive credit from both Marymount and Catholic University for a maximum of 29 credits taken at the Columbus School of Law. For more information and details on eligibility, please see Pre-Law Studies and Advising.
Sample Degree Plan — Sociology 3+3 Partnership with Catholic University Law School
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-I core course) § *
EN 101 Composition I (WR core course)*
Introductory History (HI-1) core course*
DSC 101 DISCOVER First-Year Seminar*
One (1) elective
Year One — Spring
SOC 203 The Global Village § **
EN 102 Composition II (WR core course)*
Natural Science (NS) core course with lab (biology recommended)*
Introductory Social Science (SS-1) core course (politics, psychology, or economics)*
TRS 100 Theological Inquiry (TRS-1 core course)*
Year Two — Fall
SOC 251 Working for Justice, Working for Change § **
SOC 350 Social Justice § **
Introductory Literature (LT-1) core course*
Mathematics (MT) core course (MA 132 Statistical Analysis recommended)*
PH 200 Introduction to Philosophy (PH-1 core course)
Year Two — Spring
SOC 351 Addressing Injustice: Research Methods §
One (1) major elective (SOC 204 Cultural Diversity recommended) § **
Introductory Social Science (SS-1) core course (politics, psychology, or economics) or a second Natural Science (NS) core course*
Fine Arts (FNA), Advanced History (HI-2), or Advanced Literature (LT-2) core course*
Experiential Learning (EXP) course (Global classroom recommended)*
Year Three — Fall
SOC 495 Senior Practicum § *
One (1) major elective § **
Advanced Theology/Religious Studies (TRS-2) or Theological Ethics (TRS-E) core course*
Fine Arts (FNA), Advanced History (HI-2), or Advanced Literature (LT-2) core course*
One (1) elective
Year Three — Spring
SOC 497 Community Engagement Experience § *
One (1) major elective §
Advanced Philosophy (PH-2) or Philosophical Ethics (PH-E) core course*
Advanced Social Science (SS-2) core course*
One (1) elective (Global classroom recommended)
Year Four — Fall (classes to be completed at Columbus School of Law)
Criminal Law (substitute for elective)
Civil Procedure (yearlong course split over fall and spring -- substitute for elective)
Lawyering Skills (yearlong course split over fall and spring -- substitute for elective)
Contracts (yearlong course split over fall and spring -- substitute for elective)
Year Four — Spring (classes to be completed at Columbus School of Law)
Contracts (yearlong course split over fall and spring)
Lawyering Skills (yearlong course split over fall and spring)
Civil Procedure (yearlong course split over fall and spring)
Property (substitute for elective)
Torts (substitute for elective)
Constitutional Law (substitute for elective)
§ 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
SOC 251 Working for Justice, Working for Change
SOC 351 Addressing Injustice: Research Methods or SOC 350 Social Justice
Three (3) courses from the following: SOC 200 Law and Society in Global Perspective, SOC 204 Cultural Diversity, SOC 261 Through the Sociological Lens I, SOC 306 Social Inequality in Arlington, SOC 322 Racial and Ethnic Diversity, SOC 361 Through the Sociological Lens II, SOC 365 Gender Inequality in Global Perspective, SOC 375 Topics in Human Rights, SOC 385 Global Inequality and Community Development
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