Behavioral and Social Sciences
Sociology involves understanding human behavior in groups. The program prepares students for employment in various occupations as well as equips them to enter graduate or law school. Specific focuses include criminology, family studies, human services (social work), or cross-cultural studies.
Degree Checklist
For a check list of all the courses required for this degree program and a suggested four-year sequence of study, please click on the link below.
General Education Requirements - Total Hours: 53-59
Click here for the General Education Core requirements
This program requires 6 hours of foreign language at the intermediate level.
This major requires MTHS-135 Introduction to Statistics in the general core.
| SOCI 200 - Understanding Contemporary Society | Credit Hours: 3 | |
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A study of sociological concepts and social institutions with an emphasis on social problems and social and cultural change. The course is taught within the context of Christian responsibility and social action. |
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Religion Requirements - Total Hours: 15
Three hours of the Biblical Faith and Lifestyle requirement are fulfilled through the following course:
| SOCI 495 - A Seminar in the Integration Of Sociology and Christian Faith | Credit Hours: 3 | |
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This course explores the potentials for, and problems of, a distinctively Christian social science, emphasizing the need for individual integration of one's social science perspective into his/her own experience of Christian discipleship. This course also examines the unique nature of anthropology, as both a calling and a profession, which equips it to effectively serve the mission of the Church and to improve human social conditions. PrerequisitesTHEO 231 |
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Specialty Area Requirements
| SOCI 212 - Social Problems | Credit Hours: 3 | |
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A study of major contemporary social problems, their nature, bases, consequences, and alternative solutions. Required of all students majoring in sociology or social science. PrerequisitesSOCI 200 |
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| SOCI 325 - Research Methods and Statistics I | Credit Hours: 3 | |
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The first of a two-course sequence covering research methods and statistics in the behavioral and social sciences. This first section covers primary statistical and research methods, how and when statistics are used and helps the student to better understand and evaluate research studies. PrerequisitesSOCI-200 and MTHS-135 |
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| SOCI 326 - Research Methods and Statistics II | Credit Hours: 3 | |
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The second course in the research sequence covering how research is done, pitfalls in research, how to design research studies, collecting and analyzing data, and writing research reports. PrerequisitesSOCI- 325 |
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| SOCI 461 - History of Sociological Theory | Credit Hours: 4 | |
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A review of the works of major social theorists and the impact of their ideas on current sociological thought. Emphasis is placed on the contributions of various schools of sociological theory in the nineteenth and the twentieth-century period. PrerequisitesSOCI 200 |
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| SOCI 495 - A Seminar in the Integration Of Sociology and Christian Faith | Credit Hours: 3 | |
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This course explores the potentials for, and problems of, a distinctively Christian social science, emphasizing the need for individual integration of one's social science perspective into his/her own experience of Christian discipleship. This course also examines the unique nature of anthropology, as both a calling and a profession, which equips it to effectively serve the mission of the Church and to improve human social conditions. PrerequisitesTHEO 231 |
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Microsociology - Total Hours: 3
| SOCI 330 - Social Psychology | Credit Hours: 3 | |
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Social basis of human behavior and interaction, and factors which underlie the processes of socialization. Special emphasis is placed on personality development and adjustment. PrerequisitesSOCI 200 |
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Macrosociology (choose one course) - Total Hours: 3
| SOCI 364 - Political Sociology | Credit Hours: 3 | |
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Study of the social bases of political phenomena, including electoral processes, institution of government, power structures, and political ideologies. PrerequisitesSOCI 200 |
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| SOCI 360 - Demography | Credit Hours: 3 | |
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This course provides a systematic introduction to the study of human populations. Designed for students interested in the subject regardless of their major discipline. Examines social, economic, and biological factors associated with fertility, morality, and migration. PrerequisitesSOCI 200 |
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| SOCI 370 - Social and Cultural Change | Credit Hours: 3 | |
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Study of the past, present and future changes in social structures and cultural patterns. A cross-cultural/comparative approach will be used to examine such topics as modernization, industrialization, cultural ecology, world systems, revolutions, economic development, information society and robotics. PrerequisitesSOCI 200 |
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Major Electives - Credit Hours: 14
(Select fourteen hours from the courses listed below)
| SOCI 220 - Marriage and the Family | Credit Hours: 3 | |
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An introductory study of dating, courtship, marriage, preparation for marriage, the selection of a marriage partner, the roles of members of the family, family rituals, and patterns of interaction. |
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| SOCI 225 - Introduction to Social Work | Credit Hours: 3 | |
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A study designed to promote understanding of and to stimulate students' interest in human services by exploring the nature, roles, values and responsibilities of "people helpers." PrerequisitesSOCI 200 |
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| SOCI 226 - Social Work Methods | Credit Hours: 3 | |
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A study of techniques, methods, and procedures of social work. |
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| SOCI 310 - Cultural Anthropology | Credit Hours: 3 | |
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An introduction to various aspects of culture including material, social, economic, aesthetics, political, religious and linguistic factors. |
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| SOCI 320 - Sociology of the Family | Credit Hours: 3 | |
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A study of the origin of the family, background of the modern American family, social changes and the family roles of members of the family, and problems of family life. PrerequisitesSOCI 200 |
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| SOCI 340 - Gerontology | Credit Hours: 3 | |
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An analysis of aging as a social process in modern society. Areas included are theories of aging; the social problems of being old, (i.e., economics crime, victimization, medical care, housing, and the experience of death and dying). PrerequisitesSOCI 200 |
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| SOCI 360 - Demography | Credit Hours: 3 | |
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This course provides a systematic introduction to the study of human populations. Designed for students interested in the subject regardless of their major discipline. Examines social, economic, and biological factors associated with fertility, morality, and migration. PrerequisitesSOCI 200 |
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| SOCI 370 - Social and Cultural Change | Credit Hours: 3 | |
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Study of the past, present and future changes in social structures and cultural patterns. A cross-cultural/comparative approach will be used to examine such topics as modernization, industrialization, cultural ecology, world systems, revolutions, economic development, information society and robotics. PrerequisitesSOCI 200 |
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| SOCI 364 - Political Sociology | Credit Hours: 3 | |
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Study of the social bases of political phenomena, including electoral processes, institution of government, power structures, and political ideologies. PrerequisitesSOCI 200 |
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| SOCI 375 - Law and Society | Credit Hours: 3 | |
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A study of the relationship between law and society with particular emphasis on the major classical and contemporary theories of law and society, the organization of law, law and social control, and law and social change. PrerequisitesSOCI 200 |
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| SOCI 380 - Juvenile Delinquency | Credit Hours: 3 | |
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An examination of delinquent behavior and the general operation of the juvenile control system. PrerequisitesSOCI 200 |
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| SOCI 399 - Honors Independent Study | Credit Hours: 1 to 3 | |
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An independent study supervised by three faculty members that provides the student who qualifies under the honor guidelines the opportunity to pursue a special topic of his/her choice. PrerequisitesSOCI 200 |
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| SOCI 410 - Race and Ethnic Relations in the U.S. | Credit Hours: 3 | |
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The significance of ethnic minorities in American society and the world with an introduction to sociological and anthropological theory as well as an interpretation of dominant-minority relations. PrerequisitesSOCI 212 |
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| SOCI 412 - Social Work Practicum I | Credit Hours: 3 | |
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Supervised field work involving placement of the student in a social welfare agency for practical experience. PrerequisitesSOCI 225 and SOCI 312 |
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| SOCI 413 - Social Work Practicum II | Credit Hours: 3 | |
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Supervised field work involving placement of student in a human services setting for practical experience. PrerequisitesSOCI 412 |
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| SOCI 420 - The Urban Community | Credit Hours: 3 | |
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The form and development of the urban community; the growth, development and problems of cities, the metropolitan region and social characteristics of fringe and suburban areas; sustenance organization, demographic, geographic and technological variables. PrerequisitesSOCI 200 |
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| SOCI 425 - Ethnographic Writing and Research | Credit Hours: 3 | |
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Advanced study of ethnographic research and writing techniques. The course will cover interview methods, interdisciplinary research, application of qualitative and quantitative methods to research data, and keeping field notes. Reading and writing ethnography will be emphasized. PrerequisitesSOCI 310 |
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| SOCI 431, 432, 433 - Practicum in Teaching Sociology | Credit Hours: 1 to 3 | |
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A practicum which gives students the opportunity to gain teaching experience, enhance their knowledge of sociology and acquire skills that make them more attractive to prospective graduate schools. PrerequisitesSuccessful completion of 12 hours of sociology major courses. Registration requires approval of application and permission of instructor. |
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| SOCI 432 - Practicum in Sociology Teaching and Research | Credit Hours: 1 to 3 | |
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A practicum which gives students the opportunity to gain teaching experience, enhance their knowledge of anthropology and acquire skills that make them more attractive to prospective graduate schools. PrerequisitesSuccessful completion of 12 hours of sociology major courses. Registration requires approval of application and permission of instructor. |
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| SOCI 433 - Practicum in Sociology Teaching and Research | Credit Hours: 1 to 3 | |
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A practicum which gives students the opportunity to gain teaching experience, enhance their knowledge of anthropology and acquire skills that make them more attractive to prospective graduate schools. PrerequisitesSuccessful completion of 12 hours of sociology major courses. Registration requires approval of application and permission of instructor. |
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| SOCI 440 - Criminology | Credit Hours: 3 | |
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A study of the problems, theory, cause, control, statistics, prevention and treatment of criminal behavior. PrerequisitesSOCI 200 |
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| SOCI 442 - Advanced Independent Research in Sociology | ||
| SOCI 443 - Internship in Sociology | ||
| SOCI 450 - Medical Sociology | Credit Hours: 3 | |
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An analysis of health, illness and the health professions and institutions from a socio-cultural perspective. Topics will include social epidemiology, health attitudes and behavior, mental health, the socialization of health professionals, the organization of health care, and patient-professional relationships. PrerequisitesSOCI 200 |
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| SOCI 480 - Seminar in Sociology | Credit Hours: 3 | |
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An intensive study of selective topics, including research in the materials of sociology and the writing of analytical reports. PrerequisitesSOCI 200 |
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| SOCI 490 - Seminar in Sociology | Credit Hours: 3 | |
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An intensive study of selective topics, including research in the materials of sociology and the writing of analytical reports. PrerequisitesSOCI 200 |
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