Bachelor of Arts in Sociology

Office: Briggs 135, McNichols Campus
Interim Chair: Aloha Van Camp, Ph.D.
Telephone: 313-993-2010
E-mail: vancampa@udmercy.edu

Sociology Major (Bachelor of Arts) 

The Sociology Department is structured to accomplish three major objectives: academic excellence, the development of critical and analytical skills, and a humanitarian consciousness. These objectives serve to provide a foundation for students' future pursuits in graduate studies and career paths in corporations, social service agencies, educational institutions, government agencies, human services, health care, criminal justice, and self-employment. In addition, the objectives serve to enhance self esteem, quality of life, and interpersonal relationships of individual students. To achieve these objectives, the department will provide five fields in which students gain a concentration of knowledge:

Educational Program:

• 1. Social Theory and Deviance
• 2. Social Behavior and Conflict Management
• 3. Male/Female Relationships and Marriage and Family
• 4. Racial, Ethnic, and Cultural Diversity
• 5. Applied Social Research

As part of their major in Sociology, Students will be allowed to take 12 hours from other departments whose courses fit their concentration areas. Thus, both a general and specific body of knowledge in sociology will be gained. The course content of all courses will reflect the University's mission statement and the core objectives.

Sociology majors are prepared to do graduate study in sociology and related disciplines such as social work, criminal justice, law, and urban planning. The methods, computer, and statistical skills learned in the major have wide application to other disciplines. The course array is especially attuned to an understanding of variables in social, political, and economic contexts.

Many students opt to pursue sociology as part of a double major in order to increase their marketability in the workplace. Because of its focus on every aspect of life, Sociology has become an attractive second major for students. Traditional, full-time students pursuing this option can graduate in four years. In addition, advising is available to accommodate the special needs and interests of students who double-major.

Sociology classes are well represented in the core curriculum. The following courses can be taken to satisfy University core requirements: Introduction to Sociology, Social Interaction, Cultural Anthropology, Blacks in Social Relations and Social Institutions, Urban Issues, Race and Ethnic Relations, and Contemporary Social Problems.

 Required Courses for the major: (24 credit hours)

 SOC 100 - Introduction to Sociology (3 credit hours)

SOC 409 Social Science Theories (3 credit hours)

SOC 470 Research Methods (3 credit hours)

or SW370 Social Research Methods

SOC 430 Race Relations (3 credit hours)

SOC 210 Cultural Anthropology (3 credit hours)

SOC 245 Conflict Management (3 credit hours)

SOC 211 Social Interaction (3 credit hours)

SOC 206 Families in America (3 credit hours)

or SOC411 Man & Woman in America

or SW416Women and Children at Risk

 Required Supportive Courses for the Major (18 credit hours)

 STA 225 Statistics

SW 310 Social Welfare Policy (3 credits)

PYC 342 Abnormal Psychology (3 credits)

PYC 260 Social Psychology (3 credits)

Recommended: or PYC 341 Psychology of Personality

CJS 130 - Introduction to Criminal Justice

or ADS 495 - Addictive Populations