Program Description

Majoring in Sociology allows you to do a systematic study of societies, groups, and human interaction. SPU sociology graduates have obtained graduate degrees in sociology, law, social work, public health, and public policy. Many of our graduates do applied research, work in social services and for non-profit organizations, as well as working in human resources. 

The Department of Sociology’s goals for students are to:

• Develop a sociological imagination to critically apply sociological perspectives to social institutions and problems.
• Learn the skills of research design, data collection, and data analysis.
• Explore the interrelationship between Christian faith and sociology to critically and faithfully apply sociological knowledge in their work, communities, and spiritual lives.

Entering and Completing the Major

In order to earn a degree, you must complete at least one academic major. SPU encourages students to explore various academic paths, so if you change your mind about a major, or want to include an additional program, you are able to do so, as outlined below.

Note that the University encourages you to enter your chosen major(s) as soon as you have determined it and are eligible to join it, especially by the start of your junior year. Students who transfer as juniors and seniors should enter a major within their first two quarters at SPU.

• If this is your first quarter at SPU and you identified a major in this department as your first choice on your application for admission to the University, you have gained entry to the major. To change or add a major, follow these instructions.
• If you are an SPU student with an SPU cumulative GPA of 2.0 or better, follow these instructions to enter a major in this department.
• The University requires a grade of C- or better in all classes that apply to a major; however, programs may require higher minimum grades in specific courses. You may repeat an SPU course only once for a higher grade.
• To advance in this program, meet with your faculty advisor regularly to discuss your grades, course progression, and other indicators of satisfactory academic progress. If your grades or other factors indicate that you may not be able to successfully complete the major or minor, your faculty advisor can work with you to explore options, which may include choosing a different major.
• You must complete the major requirements that are in effect in the SPU Undergraduate Catalog for the year you enter the major.

Sociology (BA)

53 Credits Minimum, Including 25 Upper Division (UD)

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
Requried Core Courses
SOC 1110	Introduction to Sociology	5
SOC 2360	Introduction to Statistics in Social and Behavioral Sciences	5
SOC 4702	Classical Sociological Theory	5
SOC 4751	Sociological Research Methods	5
SOC 4899	Sociology Capstone Seminar	3
Section Credits Required		23
Electives
Select 30 credits of the following, including 12 UD:		30
ANT 2250	Cultural Anthropology
SOC 2000	Sociology of Gender
SOC 2252	Marriage and the Family
SOC 2351	Living on the Margins: Cities in the Global South
SOC 2510	Criminology
SOC 3105	Introduction to Community Development
SOC 3215	Social Inequality: Power and Privilege
SOC 3370	Sociology of Deviance
SOC 3440	Small Group Dynamics
SOC 3650	Border Crossings: Immigrants, Refugees Dreamers
SOC 3750	Latin America
SOC 3862	Race and Ethnicity
SOC 4210	Gender in the Global Context
SOC 4252	Sociology of Family
SOC 4440	Social Psychology
SOC 4620	Sects, Cults, and Violence
SOC 4820	Sociology of Religion
SOC 4870	Advanced Research
SOC 4910	Seminar
Section Credits Required		30
Total Credits		53

Suggested Course Sequence

Four Year Plan

Plan of Study Grid

Freshman
Autumn		Credits
UCOL 1000	University Colloquium	1
WRI 1000	Academic Inquiry and Writing Seminar	5
Exploratory		5
SOC 1110	Introduction to Sociology	5
	Credits	16
Winter
WRI 1100	Disciplinary Research and Writing Seminar	5
WRI 1000	Academic Inquiry and Writing Seminar (if not taken in Autumn)	5
Exploratory		5+
SOC 1110	Introduction to Sociology (if not taken in Autumn)	5
	Credits	15-20
Spring
Common		5
WRI 1100	Disciplinary Research and Writing Seminar (if not taken in Autumn)	5
Exploratory		5+
	Credits	10-15
Any Quarter
SOC Elective
	Credits	0
Sophomore
Autumn
Select 15 credits		15
SOC 1110	Introduction to Sociology (if not taken freshman year)	5
	Credits	20
Winter
Select 10 credits
SOC 1110	Introduction to Sociology (if not yet taken)	5
SOC 2360	Introduction to Statistics in Social and Behavioral Sciences	5
	Credits	10
Spring
Select 15 credits		15
SOC 2360	Introduction to Statistics in Social and Behavioral Sciences (if not taken winter quarter)	5
	Credits	20
Any Quarter
UFDN 2000	Christian Scripture	5
UCOR 2000	The Emergence of the Modern Global Systems	5
15+ credits Exploratory		15
SOC Electives
	Credits	25
Junior
Autumn
SOC electives		5
Select 10 Credits		10
	Credits	15
Winter
SOC electives		5
Select 10 Credits		10
	Credits	15
Spring
SOC 4702	Classical Sociological Theory	5
SOC electives		5
Select 5 Credits		5
	Credits	15
Any Quarter
UFDN 3100	Christian Theology	5
UCOR 3000	Faith, Philosophy, and Science	5
any remaining Exploratory credits
	Credits	10
Senior
Autumn
SOC 4751	Sociological Research Methods	5
SOC Elective		5
Select 5 Credits
	Credits	10
Winter
SOC 4899	Sociology Capstone Seminar	3
SOC Elective		5
Select 10 credits		10
	Credits	18
Spring
SOC Elective		5
Select 10 Credits		10
SOC 4702	Classical Sociological Theory (if not taken junior year)	5
	Credits	20
Any Quarter
Any remaining SOC elective credits
	Credits	0
	Total Credits	219-229

Freshman Notes

• If you have not satisfied the Foreign Language Requirement, complete this for your Exploratory Coursework
• SOC 1110 Introduction to Sociology (5) should be taken freshman year.

Sophomore Notes

• SOC 1110 Introduction to Sociology (5) should be taken if not taken in freshman year.
• SOC 2360 Introduction to Statistics in Social and Behavioral Sciences (5) should be taken sophomore year.

Junior Notes

• Junior year should focus on SOC Electives

Senior Notes

• SOC 4751 Sociological Research Methods (5) should be taken autumn quarter of senior year.
• SOC 4899 Sociology Capstone Seminar (3) should be taken winter quarter of senior year.
• SOC 4702 Classical Sociological Theory (5) should be taken spring of senior year if not completed in the junior year.
• Any remaining elective credits should be taken to complete the 30 total elective and upper-division credits required for the major.