Department Chair
Dr. Kara Dellacioppa
SBS B324, Ext. 393

Bachelors of arts in Sociology

Use this worksheet to keep track of your Major Progress

Program Description
The study of Sociology offers students the opportunity to develop a critical understanding of social processes and structures, so as to be able to live and work in our diverse global society and to apply the tools of social analysis to a broad range of professional, academic and community situations. The methods and knowledge developed by sociologists reflect the complexity of human organization, social life, inequalities and social justice. The newly emerging patterns of social change continue to alter our life, making the effective applications of social analysis more important than ever before in solving problems of inequalities, human organization and justice at a local and global level.
The department of Sociology at CSUDH is committed to its mission of sociology in service to community. The department is composed of a diverse, innovative and stimulating faculty who teach and pursue research in a variety of areas that are important in today’s global societies. The sociology faculty offers undergraduate and graduate programs with several emphases that respond directly to the needs of today’s students. We offer a wide range of opportunities to engage in service learning, applied research and community studies and organizing.

Features
Undergraduate majors and minors may concentrate their studies in a variety of areas including applied research, community studies, criminology and justice studies, the helping professions and social change in global context. Sociology prepares students for careers in social work, law, criminal justice, government, non-profit and community, and international organizations, education, gerontology, medicine, community service, urban planning, politics, business, academia, human resources and applied research.
Undergraduates majoring in sociology may elect to concentrate their studies in any of the areas mentioned above or in an area designed in consultation with faculty to best fit their academic or professional goals.  Students majoring in other disciplines or professional programs may tailor a minor in sociology to complement their major field of study.  A minor in Sociology complements a wide range of majors, including psychology, political science, computer science, liberal studies, human services, public administration and many others. 

Course Offerings
Undergraduate course offerings may be found by consulting the online school catalog for Sociology here.

Degree Requirements
Total course requirements for Undergraduate Bachelors Degree may be found consulting the online school catalog for Sociology here.

Major Requirements (39 units)
The following courses, or their approved transfer equivalents, are required of all candidates for this degree.
A. Lower Division Required Courses (7 units)
SOC 101.        The Individual in Society (3) or
SOC 102.        Understanding Social Relations in Global Perspective (3)                                          
SOC 220.        Analytical Statistics for Soc. (4)

B. Upper Division Requirements (26 units)

1. Required Courses (14 units)
SOC 305.        Methods of Soc. Research (4)
SOC 311.        Global Organization & Soc. Processes (3)
SOC 340.        Soc. Psychology:  Soc. Perspectives (3)
SOC 355.        Modern Soc. Theories (4)

2. Electives  (18 units):  Select six additional upper division courses in Sociology with the assistance of an advisor.

Basic Areas of Study
The Sociology Department recommends that each student select an area for the major or minor.  At least four elective courses should be taken from that chosen area of study (Upon consultation with an advisor a student may elect to substitute another course for one in his/her specialty).

Recommended areas of study are as follows:

• Criminology and justice studies
• Community studies
• Social change in global context
• Sociology of the helping professions
• Social inequalities
• Applied research

Minor in Sociology (15units)
Five courses selected upon advisement (a maximum of three lower division units may apply toward the minor).  The department also provides advisors who pay particular attention to the professional needs of students working in the technical, administrative and business fields.  Minor areas may be “tailor-made” to meet the specific educational interests and career needs of students (see previous academic advisement section).