Mar 28, 2024  
2012-2014 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2012-2014 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Sociology


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Bachelor of Arts 

The primary objective of the major is to provide students with a better understanding of human behavior, particularly in the context of social groups, organizations, and society. The major offers a sound education in the discipline of sociology and, consistent with its location in a liberal arts curriculum, stresses the acquisition of skills that go beyond the confines of the discipline.

Courses in the major emphasize those skills important to students’ careers: critical thinking, the ability to read and write analytically, to problem-solve, and to communicate orally. More specifically, the major’s objectives are to encourage students to appreciate the unique contribution of the sociological perspective; learn about the history and/or content of the discipline; develop an awareness of sociology and its relationship to the other social sciences and the liberal arts; develop methodological skills necessary to gather and evaluate sociological information; learn how sociological questions and answers influence social policy; develop a level of academic training necessary to pursue advanced studies in graduate and professional school in a variety of fields such as public policy, public health, criminal justice, law, counseling, social service, marketing, public relations, and business; develop a better understanding of their social environments, with special regard to race, class, gender, and other bases of inclusion/exclusion in American society and in other societies; and consequently to provide heightened insight into one’s life, society, and the critical problems of the times.

In addition to traditional and innovative classroom experiences, sociology majors can avail themselves of opportunities for independent study, internships, service experiences in the community, research and senior thesis courses under the supervision of a faculty mentor, and invitations to join our sociology honor society.

Required Courses

Academic programs vary in their requirements. Students should consult with their faculty advisor and the Academic Guidebook to review the Academic Planning Form pertinent to their program of study. In addition, students should review course descriptions regarding any prerequisites for required courses. Graduation requirements include a minimum of 120 credit hours, although some academic programs may require additional credits. Please refer to the Academic Resources section of the catalog for more information. Information regarding the new Core Curriculum, which takes effect with the Class of 2016, is available at http://www.providence.edu/academic-affairs/core-curriculum.

Students who major in sociology complete a minimum of 10 courses, including four “core” courses:

  1. SOC 101 - Introductory Sociology 
  2. SOC 209 - Social Research Methods 
  3. SOC 403 - History of Social Thought 
    OR
    SOC 417 - Contemporary Sociological Theory 
  4. SOC 480 - Senior Capstone Seminar 
  5. Students also must complete six electives and are encouraged to spread their electives over the department’s six areas of concentration.
  6. Those students interested in research-related fields or in attending graduate or professional schools are strongly encouraged to take SOC 336 - Social Statistics .
  7. Ordinarily, the Research Methods and Theory courses must be completed by the end of the junior year.
  8. SOC 450 - Sociology Internship  and/or SOC 451 - Women and Family Issues Internship  are strongly recommended in the junior or senior year.

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