Sociology

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Department Faculty

Elson Boles, Dawn Hinton, Karen Lang Krause, Donald Ricker, Steven W. Sherlock, Robert J. Thaler, Brian Thomas, Scott Youngstedt

The Department of Sociology offers courses that reflect the various forms of human behavior and interaction in social settings. This broad approach is tempered by the differing interests and viewpoints of individual faculty, providing a student with the opportunity to understand more fully the society in which we live.

A major consists of 34 credits in sociology, and is appropriate for a general education or for careers in government and social service agencies, community and recreation work, social research and for preprofessional programs in law, theology and journalism. Sociology also is a recommended second major (double major) for students in most academic disciplines.

Students planning to major in sociology must confer with a member of the sociology faculty to plan a program suitable to their individual goals and arrange to take the courses in the proper sequence. All majors are advised to enroll in SOC 225 and 326 by the end of their Junior year. The program allows flexibility for students to complete their choice of 12 additional elective credits in addition to completing the core requirements. Students are encouraged to complete their electives within either the Applied or Diversity Track. The Applied Track is designed for students who intend to utilize sociological skills to analyze social life or social problems. Courses are designed to help students put their knowledge to practical use within their community or workplace. The Diversity Track is designed to expose students to a wide variety of issues associated with race/ethnicity, social class, gender and other types of diversity found within society and social institutions. Courses are designed to help students understand and function at their best in a diverse society and workplace.

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