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Select your academic program:
- BA in Sociology
- BS in Sociology
- Minor in Sociology
- MA in Sociology (current students)
- MA in Sociology (students coming in Spring 2011)
Undergraduate Program Specific Requirements
Curriculum
Students receive instruction in classical and contemporary sociological theory, qualitative and quantitative techniques of sociological investigation, and major substantive areas in the field. The primary objective of the curriculum is to provide students with the scientific tools to understand the functioning of society, study social phenomena, and acquire the necessary skills to enter the global labor market. The department focuses on the study of Globalization, Community and Health. Students are encouraged to participate in research projects and extra-curricular activities designed to foster critical sociological thinking and knowledge of today’s world.
Instruction in general sociology is complemented by specialization in three substantive areas. Students can select to concentrate their undergraduate curriculum in Change, Economy and Society; Culture and Social Institutions; or Inequality and Society. Change, Economy and Society explores the relationships between society and the economy, patterns of change in the global society, the environment, social movements, and the organization of urban and rural societies. Culture and Social Institutions focuses on culture, social institutions such as the family and religion, and courses which analyze the most relevant social problems in today’s society. Inequality and Society examines social inequality, gender and inequality, age and inequality, race and ethnic inequality, and complex organizations.
Students must successfully complete SOC 131 [SOCI 1301] before taking additional sociological courses with the exception of SOC 168 [SOCI 2319]; SOC 264 [SOCI 1306]; SOC 266 [SOCI 2366]; SOC 381 [SOCI 3381] and SOC 462 [SOCI 3341]. In order to graduate with a Sociology major or minor, students must successfully complete all the Sociology requirements with a 2.5 GPA.
Core Courses
Additionally, students must successfully complete Sociology required core courses: (SOC 131 [SOCI 1301] SOC 343 [SOCI 3443]; SOC 366 [SOCI 4340]; SOC 386 [SOCI 4344]: SOC 499 [SOCI 4399]) with a grade of C or better.
Areas Of Specialization
Students are expected to select from the following three areas of specialization.
Change, Economy and Society: SOC 336 [SOCI 3336], 337 [SOCI 4337], 376 [SOCI 3376] , 384[SOCI 3384], 392 [SOCI 3392], 438 [SOCI 4334], 476 [SOCI 4332]
Culture and Social Institutions: SOC 264 [SOCI 1306], 266 [SOCI 2366], 365 [SOCI 3365], 378 [SOCI 3338], 381 [SOCI 3381], 462 [SOCI 3341] , 468 [SOCI 3342]
Inequality and Society: SOC 168 [SOCI 2319], 333 [SOCI 3354] , 335 [SOCI 3325] , SOC 364 [SOCI 3324] , 465 [SOCI 3355] , 477 [SOCI 4336]
Required Courses for Major
The Sociology Bachelor of Arts major requires a total of 31 hours in Sociology and should be distributed as follows:
Required- SOC 131 [SOCI 1301], 343 [SOCI 3443], 366 [SOCI 4340] , 386 [SOCI 4344], 499 [SOCI 4399] 16 hrs.
Students are expected to select the following from the three areas of specialization (Change, Economy and Society; Culture and Social Institutions; and Inequality and Society):
Two courses in each of two of these areas of specialization 12 hrs.
One course from the third area of specialization. 3 hrs.
The Sociology Bachelor of Science major requires a total of 37 hours in Sociology and should be distributed as follows:
Required- SOC 131 [SOCI 1301] 343 [SOCI 3443], 366 [SOCI 4340] , 386 [SOCI 4344, 499 [SOCI 4399] 16hrs.
Students are expected to select the following from the three areas of specialization (Change, Economy and Society; Culture and Social Institutions; and Inequality and Society):
Two courses in each of these areas of specialization 18 hrs.
One course from the student’s choice of specialization 3 hrs.
Required Sociology Courses for Minors
The Sociology Minor requires a total of 19 hours in Sociology and should be distributed as follows:
Required- SOC 131[SOCI 1301], 343 [SOCI 3443], 366 [SOCI 4340], 386 [SOCI 4344] 13 hrs.
Students are expected to select the following from the three areas of specialization (Change, Economy and Society; Culture and Social Institutions; and Inequality and Society):
Two courses from the areas of specialization. 6 hrs.
Bachelor of Arts |
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Major in Sociology |
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SHSU Course Number |
Hours |
Recommended Sequence |
Core Curriculum |
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Component Area I (Communication |
6 |
ENG 164, 165 |
Component Area II (Mathematics) |
3 |
MTH 164 or 170 |
Component Area III (Natural Sciences) |
8 |
(from 2 departments) |
Component Area IV (Humanities/Visual/Performing Arts ) |
9 |
|
Component Area V (Social/Behavioral Sciences) |
15 |
HIS 163, HIS 164, POL 261, POL 200 level, Elective |
Component Area VI (Institutionally Designated Option) |
1 |
KIN 215 |
Degree Specific Requirements |
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Foreign Language |
8 |
Freshman |
Foreign Language |
6 |
Sophomore |
Major Core |
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3 |
|
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4 |
|
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3 |
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3 |
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3 |
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Major Electives |
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6 hours in each of two areas of specialization; 3 hours from the third area of specialization ... |
15 |
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Minor (required) |
18 |
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General/Advanced Electives |
15 |
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Total Hours: 120 Hours |
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Notes: SOC 168 can be used to partially satisfy Component Area IV; SOC 131 can be used to satisfy the Elective in Component Area V; if so elective hours would be increased to reach 120 hours.
*A minimum of 42 advanced hours is required.
** ENG 164, 165, MTH 164 or 170, and one lab science course must be completed before enrolling in any advanced course.
Bachelor of Science |
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Major in Sociology |
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SHSU Course Number |
Hours |
Recommended Sequence |
Core Curriculum |
||
Component Area I (Communication) |
6 |
ENG 164, 165 |
Component Area II (Mathematics) |
3 |
MTH 164 or 170 |
Component Area III (Natural Sciences) |
8 |
(from 2 departments) |
Component Area IV (Humanities/Visual/Performing Arts) |
9 |
|
Component Area V (Social/Behavioral Sciences) |
15 |
HIS 163, HIS 164, POL 261, POL 200 level, Elective |
Component Area VI (Institutionally Designated Option) |
1 |
KIN 215 |
Degree Specific Requirements |
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Natural Sciences |
8 |
Sophomore |
MTH and ENG or COM |
6 |
Sophomore |
Major Core |
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3 |
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4 |
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3 |
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3 |
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3 |
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Major Electives |
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6 hours in each of three areas of specialization; 3 hours from any area of specialization |
21 |
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Minor (required) |
18 |
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General/Advanced Electives |
9 |
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Total Hours: 120 Hours |
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Notes: SOC 168 can be used to partially satisfy Component Area IV; SOC 131 can be used to satisfy the Elective in Component Area V; is so elective hours would be increased to reach 120 total hours.
*A minimum of 42 advanced hours is required for the B.A and B.S. Sociology Degrees.
**ENG 164, 165, MTH 164 or 170, and one lab science course must be completed before enrolling in any advanced course.
Graduate Program Specific Requirements
Curriculum
The Department of Sociology is committed to high quality instruction and research in sociology. Students who enter the graduate program will receive advanced and updated instruction in quantitative and qualitative techniques of sociological research, social statistics, classical and contemporary sociological theory, and major substantive areas in the field. The primary objective of the Department is to provide students with the advanced professional skills to analyze social issues in applied settings.
Degree Requirements for Current Students
Plans
A student majoring in Sociology may choose from the following plans: Master of Arts, Plan I or Master of Arts, Plan II.
Master of Arts, Plan I. Plan I requires 30 hours of graduate credit, 24 of which must be in Sociology and must be in courses numbered 500 or above with the exception of SOC 698 and SOC 699. A thesis of 6 semester hours (SOC 698 and SOC 699) in Sociology is also required. This program is designed for students who wish to continue graduate education or whose professional interests require the enhancement of analytical skills.
Students majoring in Sociology who select the Master of Arts, Plan I are required to write a master’s thesis. The thesis is an original research work which is designed to demonstrate the candidate’s theoretical, methodological and substantive skills in the discipline.
Master of Arts, Plan II. Plan II requires a minimum of 36 hours of graduate credit, 24 of which must be in Sociology and must be numbered 500 or above. This plan does not require a thesis and is designed for students who wish to concentrate on the development of their applied professional skills.
Core Courses
Students pursuing a Master’s Degree in Sociology must successfully complete the following core courses:
SOC 585 Seminar in Sociological Theory (Credit 3)
SOC 567 Seminar in Sociological Research (Credit 3)
SOC 543 Social Statistics (Credit 3)
Students must also successfully complete at least one of the remaining core courses:
SOC 532 Applied Research Methods (Credit 3)
SOC 568 Techniques of Research Proposal Writing in the Social Sciences (Credit 3)
SOC 577 Social Impact Assessment and Program Evaluation (Credit 3)
Areas of Specialization
Students must also select at least one of the following specializations:
Specialization #1 – Sociology of Community and Natural Resources
Students must successfully complete Sociology of Community (SOC 576) and at least one of the following courses: Environmental Sociology (SOC 564) or Social Change and Development (SOC 589).
Specialization #2 – Health and Aging
Students must successfully complete Medical Sociology (SOC 537) and at least one of the following courses: Seminar in Race and Ethnic Studies (SOC 565); Social Inequality (SOC 582); Gender and Society (SOC 587); or, Social Change and Development (SOC 589).
Specialization #3 – Social Change and Development
Students must successfully complete Social Change and Development (SOC 589) and at least one of the following courses: Seminar in Race and Ethnic Studies (SOC 565); Sociology of the Family (SOC 572); Sociology of Community (SOC 576) or Gender and Society (SOC 587).
Courses listed under two different specializations may be simultaneously employed to satisfy the requirements of each of these specializations.
Comprehensive Examination
After completing course work and before completing the master’s thesis, students are required to take the comprehensive examinations. The comprehensive exams for the Master’s Degree in Sociology are divided into three parts.
Examination One
Consists of a written examination in theory and method. This is a test of concepts in sociological theory and methodology. It is administered in an eight-hour session twice a year.
Examination Two
Consists of a written examination in the specialty area selected by the student. Students must specialize in at least one of the specialties offered in the Sociology program. If the student elects to have more than one specialty area he/she will take one eight-hour exam for each of the selected specialties.
Examination Three
An oral exam addressing issues pertaining to Sociological Theory and Method and the Special Area(s) selected by the student.
Exams are offered twice each academic year, once during the Fall semester and once during the Spring semester. They are usually offered during a one-week-period determined by the Director of Graduate Studies (DOGS). However, students may take their exams in more than one semester by taking their first exam during one semester and the remaining ones in the following semesters. No exams will be offered during the summer semesters.
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Degree Requirements for Students Coming in Spring 2011
Master of Arts. Requires a minimum of 36 hours of graduate credit, 24 of which must be in Sociology and must be numbered 500 or above.
Students pursuing a Master’s Degree in Sociology must successfully complete the following core courses:
SOC 585 Seminar in Sociological Theory (Credit 3)
SOC 567 Seminar in Sociological Research (Credit 3)
SOC 543 Social Statistics (Credit 3)
Students must also successfully complete at least one of the remaining core courses:
SOC 532 Applied Research Methods (Credit 3)
SOC 568 Techniques of Research Proposal Writing in the Social Sciences (Credit 3)
SOC 577 Social Impact Assessment and Program Evaluation (Credit 3)
Areas of Specialization
The student's area of specialization is selected by the student in consultation with the Director of Graduate Studies and/or the Faculty Advisor. Students may choose from the following areas:
Community; Environment; Health; Population Studies; Globalization
Comprehensive Examination
The comprehensive examination consists of a paper that covers the student's speciality area and pertinent theories and methods. The paper should be 6,000 words in length and should be completed before the following dates:
March 15: for students graduating in May
June 1: for students graduating in August
November 1: for students graduating in December
