Sociology

Programs Offered

• Bachelor of Arts in Sociology
• Minor in Sociology

Sociology is the systematic study of the organization, dynamics and consequences of social life. The scope of the discipline is as broad and diverse as social life itself. The subject matter of sociology ranges from the intimate family to the hostile mob, from crime to cults, from the divisions of inequities of race, ethnicity, nationality, gender, and class to the beliefs of a common culture, and from work to leisure and sport. The Sociology major at CSUCI is designed to give students the ability to analyze the world around them, its people and institutions, from local and particular issues that affect people in Ventura County and the region to national and international questions. The program stresses the mission of CSUCI: we value interdisciplinarity and we emphasize the multicultural, global perspective which is the hallmark of Channel Islands programs. Graduates of the Sociology Program will be welltrained in the empirical methodology of the discipline to engage in the systematic study of human social interaction and institutions. The Sociology major will prepare students for further study and for entry into a variety of professional paths.

Careers

A B.A. degree in sociology can lead to career opportunities in law, management, marketing, public relations, journalism, social work, urban and environmental planning, public services, teaching, corrections, counseling, human resources, state and federal employment, and other professions. Sociology graduates are employed in both the for-profit and non-profit sectors. Many business, political science, pre-law and other students take sociology as a minor or a second major because of the applicability of sociology to their chosen professions. Graduate study can also lead to careers within the academy doing teaching and research, as well as careers in applied research in social service, public planning, education, mental health, business, and various governmental settings.

Programs Learning Outcomes

The Sociology Program at CSUCI has stated goals and learning objectives (see http://sociology.csuci.edu/redesign/learningobjectives.htm).

Students will demonstrate:

• Understanding the role of evidence in the social sciences and how to conduct both quantitative and qualitative sociological research;
• Effective communication, written and oral, about the field of sociology;
• Substantive knowledge of core areas and controversies in sociology and the ability to think critically about them;
• Understanding the history and evolution of the discipline of sociology; and
• Preparedness for professional or graduate study beyond the B.A. degree, or for entry into a career in the social sciences.

Faculty 

Elizabeth Hartung
Professor and Chair, Sociology Program
Sage Hall, Room 2043
(805) 437-3274
elizabeth.hartung@csuci.edu

Dennis Downey
Assistant Professor
Sage Hall, Room 2127
(805) 437-3315
dennis.downey@csuci.edu

Daniel Lee
Associate Professor
Sage Hall, Room 2045
(805) 437-3310
daniel.lee@csuci.edu

William Wagner III
Associate Professor
Sage Hall, Room 2021
(805) 437-3314
william.wagner@csuci.edu

Requirements For The Bachelor of Arts Degree In Sociology (120 units) 

The Sociology Major is a 43 Unit major. Students are encouraged to declare a second major or minor in a related discipline, depending on their interests.

Lower Division Requirements (9 units)

SOC 100 Introduction to Sociology (3)
SOC 201 Social Problems in a Service Learning Context (3)
SOC 202 Introduction to Research Methods (3)

Upper Division Requirements (19 units)

SOC 303 Statistical Applications In The Social Sciences (POLS/PSY) (4)
SOC 310 Research Methods in Sociology (3)
SOC 350 Stratification and Social Class (3)
SOC 420 Classical Sociological Theory (3)
SOC 421 Contemporary Sociological Theory (3)
SOC 499 Capstone (3)

Emphasis Requirements (12 units)

Select a minimum of 12 units in areas (1), (2) or (3). SOC 490, 492 and 494 must be cleared by instructor.

1. Institutions
   SOC 322 Sociology of Popular Culture (ENGL/COMM) (3)
   SOC 330 Political Sociology (POLS) (3)
   SOC 370 Crime and Society (3)
   SOC 374 Sociology of Organizations (3)
   SOC 412 Sex, Love and Money: The Family (3)
   SOC 415 Sociology of Religion (3)
   SOC 418 Sociology of Education (3)
   SOC 336 Social Entrepreneurship (BUS) (3)
   SOC 490 Topics in Sociology (3)
   SOC 492 Field Experience in Sociology (3)
   SOC 494 Independent Research (3)
   
   
2. Inequalities
   SOC 331 Narratives of the Working Class (ECON/ENGL/HIST/POLS) (3)
   SOC 336 Social Entrepreneurship (BUS) (3)
   SOC 360 Race and Ethnicity (3)
   SOC 372 Urban Sociology (3)
   SOC 410 Sociology of Gender and Sexuality (3)
   SOC 418 Sociology of Education (3)
   SOC 433 Topics in Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Studies (1)
   SOC 448 Sociology of Globalization and Development (BUS/ECON) (3)
   SOC 490 Topics in Sociology (3)
   SOC 492 Field Experience in Sociology (3)
   SOC 494 Independent Research (3)
   
   
3. Social Processes
   SOC 330 Political Sociology (POLS) (3)
   SOC 348 Healthy Aging (PSY/NURS) (3)
   SOC 352 Social Movements (3)
   SOC 372 Urban Sociology (3)
   SOC 374 Sociology of Organizations (3)
   SOC 429 Social Change in Spain (SPAN) (3)
   SOC 440 Population Studies (ESRM) (3)
   SOC 448 Sociology of Globalization and Development (BUS/ECON) (3)
   SOC 490 Topics in Sociology (3)
   SOC 492 Field Experience in Sociology (3)
   SOC 494 Independent Research (3)
   

Electives (3 units)

Three upper division elective units in sociology outside the student’s emphasis area (see above).

Required Supporting, General Education Elective Courses (77 units)

American Institutions Requirement (6)
Other GE Courses (45)
Electives (26)

Requirements For The Minor In Sociology (21 units)

Lower-Division Requirements (6 units)

(including pre-/co-requisites)

SOC 100 Introduction to Sociology (3)
SOC 202 Introduction to Research Methods (3)

Upper-Division Requirements (15 units)

15 units of upper division sociology courses in the core or across the area emphasis.

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