What is sociology? How to declare a major or minor in sociology Major Requirements Recommended Major Course Plan Minor Requirements Special Programs Research (RISE) Resources Contact Information

 

What is sociology?

Sociology is the study of social life, social change, and the social causes and consequences of human behavior.  Sociologists investigate the structure of groups, organizations, and societies, and how people interact within these contexts.  Since human behavior is shaped by social factors, the subject matter of sociology ranges from the intimate family to the hostile mob; from organized crime to religious cults; from the divisions of race, gender and social class to the shared beliefs of a common culture; and from the sociology of work to the sociology of sports.  In fact, few fields have such broad scope and relevance for research, theory, and application of knowledge.

Sociology provides many distinctive perspectives on the world, generating new ideas and critiquing the old.  The field also offers a range of research techniques that can be applied to virtually any aspect of social life: street crime and delinquency, corporate downsizing, how people express emotions, welfare or education reform, how families differ and flourish, or problems of peace and war.  Because sociology addresses the most challenging issues of our time, it is a rapidly expanding field whose potential is increasingly tapped by those who craft policies and create programs.  Sociologists understand social inequality, patterns of behavior, forces for social change and resistance, and how social systems work. 

~American Sociological Association

Our undergraduate sociology program consists of introductory 100-level courses, more specialized 200-level courses, and advanced 300-and 400-level courses primarily aimed at majors. The program is designed to enable students to think systematically and critically about their society, and to help students develop analytical, research and writing skills relevant to a variety of careers. We encourage qualified advanced students to enroll in graduate courses. Our courses cover topics such as health and illness, crime and law, sex and gender, culture and religion, social change and economic development.

 

How to declare a major or minor in sociology

Please sign up during Katharine Wilson's open office hours in the Sociology Department Office, 225 Tarbutton Hall, to complete paperwork. Her open office hours are posted on her cubicle.

Katharine Wilson will review the sociology requirements, sociology opportunities, and assign students to a regular faculty adviser. Faculty advisers will be your main source of information about the program, course planning, and career options.

All minors are advised by Dr. Scott.

 

Major Requirements

The major requires 9 courses (36 hours) in Sociology and a GPA of a 2.0 or higher within the major.
	I.	REQUIRED COURSES
		The following 2 courses are required for the major:
			SOC 355: Social Research I
			SOC 457: Development of Sociological Theory
	II.	FOUNDATION COURSES
		Majors must take 2 courses from the following group (you may select any two):
			SOC 201: Organizations & Society
			SOC 214: Class, Status, & Power
			SOC 221: Culture & Society
			SOC 245: Individual & Society
			SOC 247: Racial & Ethnic Relations
			SOC 266: Global Change
	III.	ELECTIVES
		The remaining 5 courses are electives.  Most sociology courses count as electives, with the following conditions:
			No more than 1 course in the general introductory series of SOC 101, 103, and 105 can count as an elective.
			No more than 1 course (4 hours) from the SOC 497R-499R series may count as an elective toward the major.
			You may take 1 elective S/U. Most students don't do this because it is their major, but it is an option. All other courses must be taken for a letter grade.
			Majors who study abroad can take up to 3 of their sociology electives abroad.

Sociology Major Handbook

Recommended Major Course Plan

Freshman Year:	a course in the general introductory series of SOC 101, 103, or 105
Sophomore Year:	SOC foundation courses, SOC electives
Junior Year:	SOC 355, SOC electives
Senior Year:	SOC 457, SOC electives

Minor Requirements

The minor requires 5 courses (20 hours) in Sociology.
	I.	REQUIRED COURSE
		Minors must take 1 course from the following group (you may select any one):
			SOC 201: Organizations & Society
			SOC 214: Class, Status, & Power
			SOC 221: Culture & Society
			SOC 245: Individual & Society
			SOC 266: Global Change
			SOC 247: Racial & Ethnic Relations
			SOC 355: Social Research I
			SOC 457: Development of Sociological Theory
	II.	ELECTIVES
		The remaining 4 courses are electives.  Most sociology courses count as electives, with the following conditions:
			No more than 1 course in the general introductory series of SOC 101, 103, and 105 can count as an elective.
			No more than 1 course (4 hours) from the SOC 497R-499R series may count as an elective toward the minor.
			All 5 courses for the minor must be taken for a letter grade.
			Minors who study abroad can take up to 2 electives abroad.

Special Programs

The Undergraduate Program in Sociology offers a variety of special features and opportunities, including the following:

• Informal Career Concentrations - to assist students in planning for five different career fields.
  

• Sociology/Religion Joint Major - interested students take specific courses in both departments to graduate with a joint major.

• Study Abroad (SOC 390: Health Care & Society Seminar) - held in London each summer, compares British and American health care institutions; contact Dr. Tracy Scott for information.

• SouthEastern Undergraduate Sociology Symposium (SEUSS) - held each spring, the SEUSS draws students from across the country, providing them with the opportunity to present their research in a conference setting.

• Internship Program (SOC 494R) - students gain work experience in settings such as the Center for Disease Control, CNN, DeKalb Juvenile Court, or various social service agencies; general overview and information about SOC 494R; contact Dr. Karen Hegtved for information.

• Alpha Kappa Delta (International Sociology Honor Society) - open to majors who have completed at least 5 courses in sociology, have at least a 3.4 GPA overall, and have at least a 3.6 GPA in sociology.
  

• Peer Mentoring - seven to ten students, all senior sociology majors, serve as peer mentors to younger sociology majors, minors, and those interested in majoring or minoring in sociology.

• Honors Program (Sociology 495A/B) - eligible seniors engage in their own research and write a thesis to graduate with honors; contact Dr. Tracy Scott for information.

• Solomon and Sara Sutker Outstanding Student Award - for the top graduating sociology major.

• B.A./M.A. Program - advanced students who will have completed the sociology major during their junior year may apply to the BA/MA program.  If accepted, the student would do graduate work and complete a thesis during senior year. Contact the Director of Undergraduate Studies, Dr. Tracy Scott, for more information.

Research in Sociology at Emory (RISE)

The Department of Sociology's RISE program provides an opportunity for undergraduates to gain research experience in sociology research projects.  The RISE program pairs qualified undergraduates with either faculty or graduate students (under the supervision of a faculty member) who need research assistance. Undergraduates accepted into this program will receive Sociology course credit for their research work, based on the number of hours worked per week.  Typically, students will work 10 hours per week and receive 4 course credits (as SOC 497R: Directed Research). This course may be repeated, but any credit hours over the initial 4 will be graded Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory (the first 4 credit hours may be taken for a grade or S/U).

Undergraduate sociology majors or minors may apply for these positions (see application information below). We encourage any interested majors or minors to apply.  

Tips for best applications:

• High GPA in sociology classes
• Good research skills
• Flexible research interests
  

The type of research work required will vary by faculty member or graduate student.  Examples of the kind of assistance that may be requested: survey pilot testing assistance; data entry; interview transcription; literature summaries; study participant recruitment.

I.  Undergraduate Applicants

Who is eligible?

• Undergraduate sociology majors or minors (majors will have priority)
• We recommend completion of SOC 355: Social Research I (or similar PSYCH or POLS course), but this is not required.

What to do?

• Submit Application Materials
  RISE Undergraduate Application Form -
  (Download form here).
  EMAIL your application form to Dr. Tracy Scott.

• Deadline: 05/23/2012 for Fall 2012

II.  Faculty/Graduate Student Participants

Who is eligible?

Any faculty OR graduate students (with their faculty advisor) who would like undergraduate research assistance.

 What to do?

• Submit a RISE Research Project Description Form - (Download form here).
  Email your form to Tracy Scott.

• Priority Deadline: 05/23/2012 for Fall 2012
  
• Regular Deadline: 08/08/2012 for Fall 2012
  

Notification

• Faculty/graduate students will review applications and may request further information from the undergraduate applicants.
• Undergraduates will be notified about decisions by email, some time during the month preceding the start of the relevant semester.
• If selected into the program, undergraduates will meet with their Research Partner during the first few days of the relevant semester. (More information will be provided, so that undergraduates can enroll in SOC 497R: Directed Research.)

 

Resources

• Sociology Peer Mentoring
• Sociology Faculty
  
• Emory General Libraries Sociology Research Guide

• The Globalization Website managed by Emory's Dr. Frank Lechner
  

Contact Information

Have questions? Want to know more? Please contact:

Dr. Tracy Scott, Director of Undergraduate Studies
E-mail: tscott@emory.edu
Phone: 404-727-7515

Katharine Wilson, Undergraduate Program Administrative Assistant
Email: kbwilso@emory.edu
Phone: 404-727-7511

 

For more information about applying for admission to Emory College, see the Office of Undergraduate Admissions website.