Learning Goals for the Sociology Major

Prior to graduation, undergraduate majors in Sociology should understand

1. The discipline of sociology and its role in contributing to our understanding of social reality, such that the student will be

able to:

      A. Describe how sociology differs from and is similar to other social sciences, and give examples of these differences;

      B. Describe how sociology contributes to a liberal arts understanding of social reality, and;

      C. Apply the sociological imagination and sociological concepts and principles to his/her own life.

2. The role of theory in sociology, such that the student will be able to:

      A. Define theory and describe and illustrate its role in building sociological knowledge;

      B. Compare and contrast basic theoretical orientations;

      C. Show how theories reflect the historical and social contexts of the times and cultures in which they were developed, and

      D. Describe and apply some basic theories or theoretical orientations in at least one area of social reality.

3. The role of evidence and qualitative and quantitative methods in sociology, such tat the student will be able to:

      A. Identify basic methodological approaches and describe the general role of methods in building sociological knowledge;

      B. Compare and contrast the basic methodological approaches for gathering data;

      C. Design a research study in an area of choice and explain why various (methodological) choices were made, and;

      D. Critically interpret the results of research.

4. Basic concepts in sociology and their fundamental theoretical interrelations, such that the student will be able to define,

give examples, show relationships, and demonstrate the relevance of:

      A. Culture;

      B. Social change;

      C. Socialization;

      D. Stratification

      E. Social structure

      F. Institutions. And;

      G. Differentiation by race/ethnicity, gender, and age.

5. How social structure operates, such that the student will be able to:

      A. Show how institutions interconnect in their effects on each other and on individuals;

      B. Demonstrate how social change factors such as population or urbanization affect social structures and individuals, and;

      C. Demonstrate how social structure varies across time and place, and the effects of such variations.

6. Reciprocal relationships between individual and society, such that the student will be able to:

      A. Explain how the self develops sociologically;

      B. Demonstrate how social interaction and the self influence society and social structure, and;

      C. Distinguish sociological approaches to analyzing the self from psychological, economic and other approaches.

7. At least one area of sociology in depth, such that the student will be able to:

      A. Summarize basic questions and issues in the area;

      B. Compare and contrast basic theoretical orientations in the area, and;

      C. Show how sociology helps understand the area.

8. The internal diversity of American society and diversity in the international context, such that the student will be able to:

     A. Describe the significance of variations by race, class, gender and age.

      B. Describe the impact of globalization on social relations

Department of Sociology and Social Work

Adopted by Faculty Vote on October 11, 2001