Sociology - B.A.

The major in sociology offers a career-enhancing liberal arts curriculum investigating social structures, interactions among and within groups, institutions, and societies, and the impact of constructions of class, race, gender, sexual identity, immigration status, age and other factors on social hierarchies and individual experiences. Students majoring in sociology choose a comprehensive program of study in one of three concentrations and are prepared for professional employment in a number of occupations in the public or private sectors, or for graduate study in sociology, related social sciences, social work, education, public policy, or law.

Major Requirements:

Forty semester hours chosen according to advising guidance.

A minimum of six courses in the major field must be completed at Dominican.

Required Courses:

Thirteen semester hours in foundations courses consisting of:
SOC 110 - Introduction to Sociology
SOC 200 - Writing in the Discipline
SOC 361 - Introduction to Social Statistics
SOC 362 - Introduction to Research Methods
The remaining 27 hours vary according to the concentration selected by the student:

Social Analysis Concentration

The concentration in social analysis provides the sociological knowledge and skills to prepare graduates for further study in pursuit of a graduate degree in sociology or a related social science or applied field, or for a law degree. This concentration is also designed to provide the sociological training necessary to prepare graduates for employment in a variety of occupations and professions in the private and public sectors.

Nine semester hours in social theory selected from:

Eighteen additional semester hours chosen from:

* These courses count as electives only for students accepted into the Bridge Program.

Social Services Concentration

The concentration in social services provides preparation for graduate study toward a career as a professional social worker. This concentration is also designed to provide the sociological training necessary to prepare graduates for employment in occupations in social services serving communities-in-need and underrepresented populations.

Six semester hours of social welfare studies consisting of:

Nine semester hours in social theory consisting of:

Twelve additional semester hours chosen from:

* These courses count as electives only for students accepted into the Bridge Program.

Medical Sociology

This specialization explores the impact of social structure and culture on health policies, the influence of implicit bias on practitioners’ recommendations, unequal access to health care, and social inequalities in well-being. This concentration provides students a deeper understanding of the social construction of health, the social forces that influence health, and the ways in which societal institutions meet needs related to health.

The concentration in social health and wellbeing prepares you for advanced study in community and public health, healthcare, and health research. Since 2015, sociology has been included on the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT). This concentration is also designed to provide the sociological training necessary to prepare graduates for employment in a variety of occupations and professions.

Medical Sociology

(5 courses/15 hours)

Complete the following 3 courses:

SOC 380 - Social Inequality
SOC 383 - Gender, Race, and Science: Theoretical Perspectives
SOC 390 - Health, Society, and Aging
Additional Sociology Electives (1course/3 hours)

Choose one:
SOC 380 - Social Inequality
SOC 381 - Transnational Feminist Theories
SOC 382 - Social Change: Race, Gender, and Social Class
SOC 383 - Gender, Race, and Science: Theoretical Perspectives
SOC 385 - Critical Approaches to Race and Ethnicity
SOC 386 - Sociology of U.S. Immigration
SOC 390 - Health, Society, and Aging
SOC 398 - Bridge to Career
SOC 407 - Classical Social Theory
SOC 409 - Contemporary Social Theory

Additional Information

Course substitutions are permitted when deemed necessary in consultation with an advisor and subject to the approval of the department chair. STA (study abroad) courses are permitted as course substitutions in consultation with an advisor and subject to the approval of the department chair.

Students are also encouraged to acquire practical experience through internships, community-based learning opportunities, and study abroad or domestic study courses. For additional information regarding the sociology program and its concentrations, students should consult an advisor in the Department of Sociology and Criminology.