Sociology

Sociology

Sociology is the study of social life and social change, as well as the social causes, conditions and consequences of human behavior. 

Sociologists investigate distinctive perspectives on the world, generating new ideas and critiquing old ones. Almost everything we do, from our own private reflections to international conflict, is done either directly or indirectly, through and with others.
 

Sociology Major Summary
Students participate in a classroom activity with candy and a presentation on stratified sampling in the background.

Sociology Major

Sociologists understand social inequality, patterns of behavior, forces for social change and resistance and how social systems work. Since sociology examines human behavior - the field of research and theory is vast and applicable to virtually any aspect of social and professional life.
 

What do sociology majors and minors do? 

Students majoring in sociology generally follow one of three career orientations relating to their eventual career:

  • Immediate career orientation is for those expecting to seek employment immediately upon graduation. Several career paths are available including criminal justice with jobs in probation and parole, police and corrections, the FBI, private investigations, the IRS, security, etc. International/cross cultural with jobs in Peace Corps, international relations/foreign affairs, international assistance organizations/international business, etc. Sociological practice/human services with jobs in vocational counseling, rehabilitation, recreation, health services, etc. Business/industry with jobs in management, accounting, finance and investment, personnel, marketing, etc. Social action/social change with jobs in community organization, religious work, political advocacy, etc.
  • A professional orientation is for those seeking a sociology major as preparation for attending professional graduate schools in such fields as law, medicine, architecture, business, clergy or public administration.
  • The graduate sociology orientation is for students planning to pursue graduate study in sociology as preparation for a career in teaching, pure or applied research or clinical practice in sociology.

A student's orientation should guide his or her choice of electives in the major and the choice of a minor field, as well as consideration of an internship.

Sociology (Major) Degree Requirements
Sociology (Minor) Degree Requirements
Sociology 4 Year Plan

Major in Sociology 

Graduate with two majors, in four years, with only 120 credits! 
Suggested four year plan with a double major in sociology and criminology.

Year 1 = 30 Credits​

Semester 1 - 15 Credits​

  • SOCI 100 - SBS1​

  • SOCI/CRIM 150 (FYS)​

  • CRIM 130 - EC​

  • ENGL 100 - CW​

  • CGER - HF1​​

Semester 2 - 15 Credits​

  • SOCI 210

  • CRIM 200​

  • CGER - CS​

  • CGER - MQR​

  • ENGL 200 - CA​

Year 2 = 30 Credits​

Semester 1 - 15 Credits​

  • SOCI 200​

  • SOCI 231 - GP

  • CRIM 201​​

  • CGER - HF2​

  • CGER - NSW​

Semester 2 - 15 Credits​

  • SOCI 201 

  • SOCI 250​

  • CRIM 241​

  • CGER - NSWL​​

  • CGER - SBS2​

​

Year 3 = 30 Credits​

Semester 1 - 15 Credits​

  • CRIM 311​

  • CRIM Systems​

  • ​CRIM Elective

  • SOCI 220 - ACD​

  • SOCI Stratification​

​

Semester 2 - 15 Credits​

  • SOCI 300​

  • SOCI Elective​

  • CRIM Elective​​

  • CRIM Elective​

  • Free Elective​

​

Year 4 = 30 Credits​

Semester 1 - 15 Credits​

  • SOCI 480​

  • SOCI Stratification ​

  • SOCI Elective

  • CRIM Systems​​

  • Free Elective​

​

Semester 2 - 15 Credits​

  • SOCI 411 Seminar​

  • SOCI Elective​

  • Free Elective​

  • Free Elective​

  • Free Elective​

  • 15-18 credits double count between the two programs ​

  • 12 credits count towards one of your majors and Core General Education Requirements (CGER)​

Suggested four year plan with a double major in sociology and a major of your choosing.

Year 1 = 30 Credits​

Semester 1 - 15 Credits​

  • SOCI 100 - SBS1​

  • SOCI/CRIM 150 (FYS)​

  • ENGL 100 - CW​

  • CGER - EC​

  • CGER - HF1​​

Semester 2 - 15 Credits​

  • SOCI 210​

  • 2nd Major Elective​

  • ENGL 200 - CA​

  • CGER - CS​

  • CGER - MQR​

Year 2 = 30 Credits​

Semester 1 - 15 Credits​

  • SOCI 200​

  • SOCI 231 - GP​

  • 2nd Major Elective​

  • CGER - HF2​

  • CGER - NSW​

Semester 2 - 15 Credits​

  • SOCI 250​

  • SOCI 201​

  • 2nd Major Elective​

  • CGER - SBS2​

  • CGER - NSWL​

​

Year 3 = 30 Credits​

Semester 1 - 15 Credits​

  • SOCI 220 – ACD​

  • SOCI Stratification​

  • 2nd Major Elective​

  • 2nd Major Elective​

  • 2nd Major Elective​

​

Semester 2 - 15 Credits​

  • SOCI 300​

  • ​SOCI Elective

  • 2nd Major Elective​

  • 2nd Major Elective​

  • 2nd Major Elective​

​

Year 4 = 30 Credits​

Semester 1 - 15 Credits​

  • SOCI 480​

  • SOCI Stratification​

  • 2nd Major Elective​

  • 2nd Major Elective​

  • Free Elective​

​

Semester 2 - 15 Credits​

  • SOCI 411 Seminar​

  • 2nd Major Elective​

  • 2nd Major Elective​

  • 2nd Major Elective​

  • Free Elective​

  • The is based on a second major with 42 credits​

  • 12 credits count towards one of your majors and Core General Education Requirements (CGER)​

Related Links:

Sociology, Criminology and Anthropology

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River Falls, WI 54022

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