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:

  1. Immediate Career Orientation is for those expecting to seek employment immediately upon graduation. Several career paths are available: criminal justice with jobs in probation and parole, police and corrections, FBI, private investigations, 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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 courses

Sociology Major: 42 Total Credits

Content Core (12 cr.)

  • SOCI 100 Introduction to Sociology (counts 3 cr. in Gen. Ed.)
  • SOCI 201 Theories of Sociology 3 cr.
  • SOCI 210 Social Problems 3 cr.
  • SOCI 411 Seminar in Sociology 3 cr.

Research Core (15 cr.)

  • SOCI 150 / CRIM 150 Foundations for Success in Sociology and Criminology 3 cr.
  • SOCI 200 Sociological Inquiry 3 cr.
  • SOCI 250 Social Statistics 3 cr.
  • SOCI 300 Research Methods 3 cr.
  • SOCI 480 Research Capstone 3 cr.

Stratification Core (6 cr.) 

Electives (9 cr.)

Select from the following. Only 6 credits from SOCI 379.

Sociology Minor courses

Sociology Minor - Liberal Arts or Education - 24 Total Credits

Required Courses (9 cr.)
SOCI 100 Introduction to Sociology (counts 3 cr. in Gen. Ed.)
SOCI 200 Sociological Inquiry 3 cr.
SOCI 201 Theories of Sociology 3 cr.

General Electives in Sociology/Anthropology 15 cr. hrs.

Sociology 4 Year Plan

Major in Sociology 

Graduate with two majors, in four years, with only 121 credits! 
Suggested four year plan with a double major in sociology and criminology.

Year 1 = 31 Credits​

Semester 1 - 16 Credits​

  • SOCI 100 - SB1​

  • SOCI/CRIM 150 (FYS)​

  • CRIM 130 - EC​

  • ENGL 100 - CW​

  • Gen. Ed. - HF1​

  • Gen. Ed. - HW (1 credit)​

Semester 2 - 15 Credits​

  • CRIM 200​

  • Gen. Ed. - CS​

  • Gen. Ed. - M​

  • ENGL 200 - CA​

  • SOCI Elective​

Year 2 = 30 Credits​

Semester 1 - 15 Credits​

  • SOCI 200​

  • CRIM 201​

  • SOCI 231 - GP​

  • Gen. Ed. - HF2​

  • Gen. Ed. - SI​

Semester 2 - 15 Credits​

  • SOCI 250​

  • CRIM 241​

  • Gen. Ed. - S12​

  • CRIM Elective​

  • Gen. Ed. - SB2​

​

Year 3 = 30 Credits​

Semester 1 - 15 Credits​

  • CRIM 311​

  • CRIM Systems​

  • SOCI 201​

  • SOCI 220 - ACD​

  • CRIM Elective​

​

Semester 2 - 15 Credits​

  • SOCI 300​

  • SOCI Elective​

  • SOCI Elective​

  • CRIM Elective​

  • Free Elective​

​

Year 4 = 30 Credits​

Semester 1 - 15 Credits​

  • SOCI 480​

  • SOCI Elective​

  • CRIM Systems​

  • SOCI Elective​

  • Free Elective​

​

Semester 2 - 15 Credits​

  • SOCI 4xx Seminar​

  • SOCI Elective​

  • Free Elective​

  • Free Elective​

  • Free Elective​

  • At least 15 credits double count between the two programs - Courses highlighted in red.​

  • Courses highlighted in blue count towards one of your majors and General Education or University Requirements (GUER)​

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

Year 1 = 31 Credits​

Semester 1 - 16 Credits​

  • SOCI 100 - SB1​

  • SOCI/CRIM 150 (FYS)​

  • ENGL 100 - CW​

  • Gen. Ed. - EC​

  • Gen. Ed. - HF1​

  • Gen. Ed. - HW (1 credit)​

Semester 2 - 15 Credits​

  • SOCI Elective​

  • 2nd Major Elective​

  • ENGL 200 - CA​

  • Gen. Ed. - CS​

  • Gen. Ed. - M​

Year 2 = 30 Credits​

Semester 1 - 15 Credits​

  • SOCI 200​

  • SOCI 231 - GP​

  • 2nd Major Elective​

  • Gen. Ed. - HF2​

  • Gen. Ed. - SI​

Semester 2 - 15 Credits​

  • SOCI 250​

  • 2nd Major Elective​

  • 2nd Major Elective​

  • Gen. Ed. - SB2​

  • Gen. Ed. - S12​

​

Year 3 = 30 Credits​

Semester 1 - 15 Credits​

  • SOCI 220 – ACD​

  • SOCI Elective​

  • 2nd Major Elective​

  • 2nd Major Elective​

  • 2nd Major Elective​

​

Semester 2 - 15 Credits​

  • SOCI 300​

  • SOCI 201​

  • SOCI Elective​

  • 2nd Major Elective​

  • 2nd Major Elective​

​

Year 4 = 30 Credits​

Semester 1 - 15 Credits​

  • SOCI 480​

  • SOCI Elective​

  • 2nd Major Elective​

  • 2nd Major Elective​

  • Free Elective​

​

Semester 2 - 15 Credits​

  • SOCI 4xx Seminar​

  • 2nd Major Elective​

  • 2nd Major Elective​

  • 2nd Major Elective​

  • Free Elective​

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

  • Courses highlighted in blue count towards one of your majors and General Education or University Requirements (GUER)​

Related Links:

Sociology, Criminology and Anthropology

333 Kleinpell Fine Arts
River Falls, WI 54022

715-425-3777