Overview & Mission
The goals of the Sociology Program are:
- to facilitate student learning of sociological theory, sociological research methods, and substantive areas of the discipline appropriate to baccalaureate-level education;
- to enable students to develop skills needed for conducting, evaluating, analyzing, and presenting research;
- to promote in students scholarly integrity and compliance with professional codes of ethics; and
- to graduate women prepared for further study, for career-track employment, and for life in a changing society.
The Program also introduces students interested in the social work profession to that field of study through a four-course concentration in social work.
To provide for the realization of these goals, course offerings acquaint students with major concepts, significant findings and diverse theoretical perspectives of sociology; facilitate students’ understanding of the process of social research, their acquisition of research skills, and their use of appropriate computer resources; and prepare students for related graduate study and/or for varied careers utilizing their knowledge of sociology and their analytical skills. Service learning, field work, and internship opportunities are available.
Sociology works excellently as double major, enabling students to place the understandings that they gain in another discipline within the larger context of society and to study the impact of this other discipline on, and within, society. Recently, sociology students have most often double majored with education, psychology, justice studies, communication, business, or a foreign language, though double majors with many other fields are possible.
As an academic program of the College of Saint Elizabeth, the Sociology Program participates in, and contributes to, the College’s mission to be a community of learning in the Catholic liberal arts tradition for students of diverse ages, backgrounds, and cultures. The Sociology Program’s singular mission is to engage in the empirical study of society and social behavior with a view to enabling students to understand their social world, to recognize the forces of change operative within it, and to critique conditions affecting social life.
Student Outcomes
- Understand the major concepts, methodologies, and theoretical perspectives of sociology;
- Analyze literature on topics of sociological importance;
- Conduct research consistent with scientific and ethical guidelines; and
- Create and present academic work (papers, posters, oral and technologically-enhanced presentations) that represents one’s sociological knowledge and values.
In addition, students who participate in sociology and social work internships will employ their study of sociology and social work in a field work setting, preparing them for work and/or further study in those fields.
Graduates
Sociology is a very a useful degree, as most employers realize the importance of hiring people who are skilled in understanding and working with diverse multicultural populations and who possess keen analytical reasoning, research, and communication skills. It complements the study of education, business (especially marketing and economics), justice studies, psychology, communication, history, political science, and American Studies especially well, as it overlaps with and has much in common with each of these disciplines, and provides a solid basis for future study in any of these fields. It also prepares students for the study and practice of law, public health and policy, and graduate study in a wide variety of disciplines.
Sociologists work in such areas as:
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- Corporations and various businesses
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- Personnel and human resources
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- Governments and policy analysis
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- Social activism (consumer, environmental, etc.)
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Recent graduates of the College of Saint Elizabeth Sociology Program have also gone on to pursue advanced graduate education in the fields of sociology, social work, psychology, law, and business.
Sociology Program
Requirements for the Bachelor of Arts in Sociology
Required Courses
- SOC101 Introduction to Sociology (4)
- SOC371 Sociological Theory (4)
- SOC301 Social Research Methods (4)
- SOC331 Race, Class, and Gender (4)
- SOC365 Data Analysis (4)
- SOC431 Senior Seminar (2)
Total required course credits: 22
Elective Courses
Two 200-level (or higher), 4-credit courses, selected from among:
- SOC201 Social Problems (4)
- SOC207 Introduction to Social Welfare and Social Work (4)
- SOC251 Sociology of the Family (4)
- SOC281 Sociology of Aging (4)
- SOC221 Cultural Diversity (4)
One 300-level (or higher), 4-credit course, or combination of courses to equal 4 credits, selected from among:
- SOC303 Social Psychology (4)
- SOC311 Criminology (4)
- SOC319 Community Service and Involvement (2)
- SOC321 Urban Sociology (4)
- SOC351 Sociology of Organizations (4)
- SOC361 Social Change (4)
- SOC399 Special Topics in Sociology (4)
- SOC491 Independent Study in Sociology (2-6)
- SOC495 Internship in Sociology (2-4)
Total elective course credits: 12
Total for major: 34 credits
Optional Social Work Concentration for Sociology Majors (12 credits)
- SOC207 Introduction to Social Welfare and Social Work (4) (can double-count for the Sociology Major)
- SOC307 Methods in Social Work (4)
- SOC305 Social Work Programs, Policies and Issues (2)
- SOC495 Internship in Sociology (2)
Total for Sociology Major with Social Work concentration – 8 additional credits beyond sociology major – 42 credits
Capstone Experience
The Sociology capstone experience encompasses (a) the production, and presentation to members of the CSE community (and, when possible, to a professional conference), of a paper and poster representing a comprehensive literature review; and (b) the production of a project representing empirical research.
Sufficient Progress in the Major
Students must achieve C's or better in all sociology courses for them to count for the major. If a student receives a grade lower than a C in a course she must re-take the course in order to attain a C or higher. If a student receives grades lower than C in two or more sociology courses she may be dropped from the major. Students must also pass comprehensive objective exams given in SOC 371 and SOC 301 with a grade of 70 or better to remain in the major.
Requirements for a Minor in Sociology
- SOC101 Introduction to Sociology (4)
- SOC301 Social Research Methods (4)
- SOC331 Race, Class and Gender (4)
- SOC200- or 300-level elective (4)
- SOC300-level elective (2-4 credits)
Electives cannot be social work courses
Total credits for Sociology minor: 18
Professor and Program Chairperson
Office: Santa Maria Hall
Phone: 4120
Email: mchayko@cse.edu
Assistant Professor
Office: Santa Maria Hall
Phone: 4155
Email: alangan@cse.edu
Professor, Human and Social Development Area Chair
Office: Santa Maria
Phone: 4102
Email: pheindel@cse.edu
Course Listing
Course level:
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SOC-101
Introduction to Sociology*
Credit Hours: 4
- Sociology as a discipline and a way of understanding the world and one's self. An examination of society and social behavior. Topics may include culture, socialization, gender roles, dating, family life, and suicide.
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SOC-201
Social Problems*
Credit Hours: 4
- 4cr. Selected social problems, issues and debates facing society. Topics include deviant behavior, violence, alcohol and drug abuse, crime, and war.
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SOC-207
Intro to Social Welfare & Social Work
Credit Hours: 4
- The social work profession, roles of contemporary social workers, and challenges facing social workers. 4crs.
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SOC-221
Cultural Diversity*
Credit Hours: 4
- Sociological and anthropological examination of many forms of cultural diversity across time and place: race, class, gender, age, political affiliation, religion, education, able-bodiness.
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SOC-251
Sociology of the Family*
Credit Hours: 4
- Analysis of different kinds of families (single-parent families, same-sex partnerships, commuter marriages, adoption) and family interactions. Roles, responsibilities, and conflicts faced by women in their families. Satisfies Cluster 2 General Education requirement.
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SOC-281
Sociology of Aging*
Credit Hours: 4
- An examination of the social and demographic characteristics of the elderly population; sociological theories and methods for studying the elderly; prejudice and discrimination against the elderly. Topics include caregiving, family and living arrangements, work, leisure, life satisfaction, retirement, death, widowhood, and health in old age. Satisfies Cluster 2 General Education requirement.
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SOC-301
Social Research Methods
Credit Hours: 4
- An exploration of the sociological research process and various types of research methodologies. Introduction to social statistics. Completion of an analytical literature review and project related to a topic of current interest in sociology. Required for junior sociology majors. Prerequisites: SOC 101 (Fall)
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SOC-305
Social Welfare Programs, Policies, & Iss
Credit Hours: 2
- The history of social welfare and gerontological programs. Current social issues and relevant policies in social work. 2crs.
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SOC-307
Methods in Social Work
Credit Hours: 4
- Direct practice techniques in social work with emphasis on developing skills to help people cope with or overcome obstacles. An examination of networks of community resources. Community projects related to the student's area of interest within social work. Prerequisite: SOC 207.
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SOC-311
Criminology
Credit Hours: 4
- Crime and criminal behavior. Social reactions to crime and criminals. Practical applications of criminology in real-world settings, including prisons, social service agencies, and the courts.
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SOC-319
Community Service and Involvement
Credit Hours: 2
- Analysis of the social conditions in a nearby community and the opportunity to make a difference in that community. Course requires 60 hours of field experience. Prerequisite: SOC 101, 201, 221, or 251.
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GERO-321
The Aging Network:Policies, Prog, & Proc
Credit Hours: 3
- This course provides an in-depth examination of programs and services for the aged. It focuses on those programs and funds which emanate from the Older Americans Act as well as those stemming from other federal and state legislation. Attention is given to both private and public income maintenance programs including Social Security, Supplemental Security Income, Medicare, and Medicaid. This course investigates the existing service delivery system for older adults including senior centers, in-home services, adult health care centers and assisted living and nursing home programs. (Fall)
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SOC-321
Urban Sociology
Credit Hours: 4
- Historical and contemporary trends in urbanization. Study of the social organization of urban life and the impact of the family, religion, political and educational systems. Projects will be related to urban life in actual urban settings. Prerequisite: SOC 101, 201, 221, or 251. 4crs.
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SOC-331
Race, Class, and Gender
Credit Hours: 4
- Systems of social stratification as society as hierarchically ranked by race and ethnicity, socioeconomic class, and gender. Causes and consequences of prejudice, discrimination, and inequality. Required for sociology majors. Prerequisite: SOC 101. 4crs.
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GERO-341
Intervention with the Elderly
Credit Hours: 3
- This course is designed to provide the student with basic techniques and approaches to conducting assessments and interventions with older adults to meet their biological, psychological and social needs. The course reviews the service continuum from home/community-based services to long-term care, financing, eligibility, and accessibility issues. Students are introduced to Case Management using case studies and the application of various models of intervention that are specific to gerontological settings. (Spring)
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SOC-351
Sociology of Organizations/Bureaucracy
Credit Hours: 4
- How organizations work most effectively and how people can work most effectively within them. The impact and possibilities of a multicultural workforce. Projects will relate to actual community organizations. Prerequisite: SOC 101, 201, 221, or 251. 4crs.
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SOC-361
Social Change
Credit Hours: 4
- Processes, theories, and dynamics of social change. Historical and anthropological approaches to change in societies. Topics may include globalization, McDonaldization, innovation, and technological shifts in society. Prerequisite: SOC 101, 201, 221, or 251. 4crs.
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SOC-365
Data Analysis
Credit Hours: 4
- Quantifying and analyzing sociological data using the newest version of SPSS for data analysis. The logic of univariate, bivariate, and multivariate analysis including data display and interpretation and social statistics. Presentation of analytical literature review and professional poster, possibly at professional conferences. Required for junior sociology majors. Prerequisites: SOC 301. (Spring) 4crs.
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SOC-371
Sociological Theory
Credit Hours: 4
- An in-depth look at the major theories and theorists in sociology. From Emile Durkheim, Karl Marx, and Max Weber to Erving Goffman, C. Wright Mills and Patricia Hill Collins. Required for junior sociology majors. Prerequisite: SOC 101. (Fall) 4crs.
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SOC-399
Special Topics
Credit Hours: 4
- An exploration of an area or special topic of current interest in sociology. The topic for any given semester will be determined by the department. Prerequisite: SOC 101, 201, 221, or 251. 4crs.
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SOC-403
Seminar Social Psych
Credit Hours: 4
- The focus of this course is on Human behavior and experience in a social context. Topics include social thinking, social influences, social relations, and collective behavior. Recent applications of social psychology will also be addressed with special attention to social justice and socio-cultural issues. Students will also consider the practical applications of this area of psychology to their own personal and professional development. This course is open only to Psychology and Sociology Majors and Minors. Prerequisite: Psy 100
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GERO-411
Field Placement
Credit Hours: 3
- This course is designed for each student to complete a field placement in an agency, institution, or program utilizing the student's preparation in gerontology and in her/his major field. The class meets on a regular basis to analyze, integrate, and evaluate the field experience. Pre or corequisite: four gerontology program courses. Variable credit, students can register 3 or 6 credits.
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SOC-411
Social Work Field Experience
Credit Hours: 2
- 60 hours of individual field placement in a social work setting related to student's career interest. Regular seminar meetings. Prerequisites: SOC 207, 305, and 307 (one 300-level course may be taken as a co-requisite). Open only to sociology majors taking the social work concentration. 2crs.
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SOC-431
Senior Seminar
Credit Hours: 2
- Capstone experience in sociology. Preparation and presentation of empirical research projects. Required for senior sociology majors. Prerequisites: SOC 365 and 371. (Fall) 2crs.
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SOC-491
Independent Study
Credit Hours: 3
- Open to senior sociology majors. Registration requires prior departmental approval. Maximum of eight credits may be earned in independent study. Prerequisites: SOC 301, 371. 2.8crs.
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SOC-495
Internship
Credit Hours: 3
- A non-traditional academic experience enabling the student to apply sociological knowledge and skills to a career interest in a workplace under professional staff members. Coordinated by a faculty member who provides supervision along with an on-site supervisor. Includes weekly reports and a final report. Open to junior and senior sociology majors. Registration requires departmental approval and good academic standing. Prerequisite: SOC 101. Variable Credit, students can register 2-4 credits.
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Social research is a primary activity of sociology majors. Each year, sociology majors qualify for and present their research at local and regional professional sociological meetings and conferences at which their work has been recognized and awarded. Sociology majors also have the option to participate in off-campus internships and service learning opportunities. Students in the social work sequence complete a field experience in social work at a site that corresponds to their interests and career aspirations.
Qualified sociology majors may be accepted into Alpha Kappa Delta, the International Honor Society of Sociology. The Program also presents special guest speakers, trips, and a variety of opportunities for students to plan and become involved in departmental events.
