Sociology Major
Why study sociology at CMU?
The sociology major offers students a sound understanding of human groups, institutions, and societies while providing vast opportunities for study. Consider these key features distinguishing this program at CMU:
- Survey and qualitative research opportunities with sociology faculty members and through class projects
- Service learning opportunities throughout the Isabella County area
- Departmental scholarship programs for qualified applicants
- Professional development, resources, and contacts through on-campus organizations such as the Sociology Club
Career outlook
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook, for all occupations through the year 2014:
- Job opportunities in juvenile courts, youth services, and related fields will be best for college graduates with a degree in sociology or a related field.
- A degree or background in sociology are among the top qualifications in various fields where employment is expected to grow faster than average, including market and survey researchers and human resources specialists.
Career options
Graduates of the sociology program at CMU will find a variety of career opportunities. Some of these may require additional education.
- Juvenile Court Worker
- Research Analyst for business, foundations, or government
- Probation and Parole Officer
- Prison Counselor
- Industrial Relations Consultant
- Medical Sociologist
- Community Dispute Mediator
- Community Corrections Officer
- Social Services Specialist
- Urban Planner
- Demographer
- College Teacher
Program Overview
The course listings below are a representation of what this academic program requires.
For a full review of this program in detail please see our official online academic bulletin
AND consult with an academic advisor. This listing does not include the General Education
courses required for all majors and may not include some program specific information, such as admissions, retention, and termination standards.
(Click on the course name or number for a complete course description.)
Sociology Major
( Total: 33 semester hours )
(12 hours)
Core Courses I
3
SOC 100 Introductory Sociology
Systematic introduction to the field of sociology, its theories, concepts, and methods. Explores social relationships within the context of social structure. This course is approved for offering in a distance learning format. (University Program Group III-B)
3
SOC 200 Introduction to Social Research and Analysis
First in a two-part methods sequence with SOC 350. Basic research issues. Univariate, bivariate, multivariate analysis techniques in sociology and social work. Computer applications. Prerequisites: SOC 100; completion of math competency.
3
SOC 201 Social Psychology
Examines the links between social structure and self. Substantive topics may include: agency, emotions, socialization, attitudes, gender, inequality, deviance, conflict, and social change. (Group III-A)
3
SOC 350 Social Research Methodologies
Second in methods sequence with SOC 200. Research methodologies. Observation and surveys; two from: experiments/single subject design; program evaluation; interviewing/focus groups; ethnography/community studies. Prerequisites: SOC 100; 200 with a grade of "C" (2.0) or better; or for PSY majors, PSY 211 with a grade of "C" (2.0) or better; six additional hours of sociology and/or social work.
(3 hours)
Core Courses II
Select one of the following:
3
SOC 221 Social Problems
Nature and extent of major social problems. Underlying general social processes and specific factors, as well as proposed solutions. Prerequisite: One 3-hour course from University Program Group III-B. (University Program Group IV-A)
3
SOC 302 Social Inequality
Class, race, and gender and other forms of social strata. The bases, consequences, and correlates of position in the system of stratification. Prerequisites: SOC 100 or 201 or 221; or SOC/ANT 101 and a signed Global Justice Minor.
(3 hours)
Core Courses III
Select one of the following:
3
SOC 301 Sociological Theory
A review of sociological thought within its social and historical context, focusing on Marx, Weber, Durkheim, and the perspectives of symbolic interactionism and feminism. Prerequisites: SOC 100 or 201 or 221
3
SOC 501 Development of Sociological Theory
In-depth analysis of classical sociological theory focusing on Marx, Durkheim, Weber, and Mead. The historical and intellectual context in which these theorists wrote is emphasized. Prerequisites: SOC 100, 201, 221; or graduate standing.
Courses that appear in more than one elective group below may be counted as satisfying requirements in both groups. Students may complete the 15 hours in electives by taking more than the minimum number of hours from Electives I, Electives II, and/or Electives III or by taking other courses with a SOC, ANT, or SWK designator. Note the limitation on the number of hours of ANT or SWK courses (found under Admissions Standards above) that can be taken as part of the Sociology Major.
3
SOC 302 Social Inequality
Class, race, and gender and other forms of social strata. The bases, consequences, and correlates of position in the system of stratification. Prerequisites: SOC 100 or 201 or 221; or SOC/ANT 101 and a signed Global Justice Minor.
3
SOC 317/WST 317 Sociology of Sex and Gender
Analysis of the role of gender in institutions such as the economy, the family, and the schools. Gender inequality and factors that promote its reproduction. Identical to WST 317. Credit may not be earned in more than one of these courses. Recommended: One of the following SOC 100 or 201 or 221.
3
SOC 323 Racism and Inequality
Relations among dominant and subordinate groups focusing on racism as structural inequality. This course is approved for offering in a distance learning format. Recommended: SOC 100, SOC 201, or SOC 221. (University Program Group IV-C)
3
SOC 326 Inequalities and Justice Processes: Race, Class and Gender
Empirical and theoretical critique of class, race, and gender inequalities in justice processes that impede effective solutions to social problems. Prerequisite: SOC 100 or SOC 201 or SOC 221.
3
SOC 502 Theories of Race Relations in Sociology
Contributions to sociological theories of race relations by major theorists including Dubois, Frazier, Cox, and others. Prerequisites: SOC 300, SOC 301, SOC 323; or SOC 323, signed American Ethnic Studies minor; or regular admission to the Sociology graduate program.
3
SOC 210 Sociology of Science and Technology
Social aspects of science and technology including their organization, personnel, social effects, relationship to government and education, and policy implications. Prerequisites: SOC 100 or 201 or 221
3
SOC 311 Sociology of Education
Contributions of sociology to an understanding of education as a social process. Prerequisite: SOC 100 or SOC 201 or SOC 221.
3
SOC 403 Political Sociology
Social bases of American politics. Sociological theories and research on political behavior and distribution of power in the United States. Prerequisites: SOC 200, 301, 350; or PSC 280 and at least one PSC course at the 300-level or above.
3
SOC 411 The Family
Family as a contested social institution embedded in changing social and cultural contexts. Explores kinship systems, family diversity, social organization, social conflict, family policy, and change. Prerequisites: SOC 100 or 201 or 221.
3
SOC 413 Work and Careers in America
Introduction to the sociology of work, occupations and professions. Prerequisites: SOC 300 or both SOC 200 and 350; SOC 301
3
SOC 512 Industrial Sociology
Characteristics of industrial societies. Relationship of the organization of industrial work to that of nonwork culture, institutions, and roles. Prerequisites: SOC 300 or both SOC 200 and 350; SOC 301; or regular admission to the Sociology Graduate Program
3
SOC 514 Sociology of Health and Illness
Social forces that affect the health of populations and individuals, as well as the operations of a major social institution, that of medical care. Prerequisites: Completion of a University Group IIIB Course or regular admission to the Sociology Graduate Program.
3
SOC 524 Sociology of Law
The association of law and social justice, social organization, stratification, and social control. Current issues in justice, law, and conflict resolution. Prerequisites: SOC 200, 350 (or SOC 300); SOC 301; or graduate standing.
3
SOC 304 Collective Behavior
Behavior in situations where institutionalized norms do not apply, such as panics, riots, and social movements. Prerequisites: SOC 200 and 350; SOC 301.
3
SOC 403 Political Sociology
Social bases of American politics. Sociological theories and research on political behavior and distribution of power in the United States. Prerequisites: SOC 200, 301, 350; or PSC 280 and at least one PSC course at the 300-level or above.
3
SOC 413 Work and Careers in America
Introduction to the sociology of work, occupations and professions. Prerequisites: SOC 300 or both SOC 200 and 350; SOC 301
3
SOC 422/SWK 422 Youth Welfare
Issues pertaining to youth welfare are related to broader organizational and structural features of society, including historical and comparative (international) perspectives. Identical to SWK 422. Credit may not be earned in more than one of these courses. Prerequisites: SOC/ANT 101 and a signed Global Justice Minor; or SOC 100 and a signed Youth Studies Minor; or SOC 200, SOC 301, and SOC 350.
3
SOC 502 Theories of Race Relations in Sociology
Contributions to sociological theories of race relations by major theorists including Dubois, Frazier, Cox, and others. Prerequisites: SOC 300, SOC 301, SOC 323; or SOC 323, signed American Ethnic Studies minor; or regular admission to the Sociology graduate program.
3
SOC 507 Class and Poverty in America
Examination of theories of social class and their application to American society. Review of empirical literature on class and poverty in the U.S. Prerequisites: SOC 300 or SOC 200, 350; SOC 301; or admission to Graduate Program.
3
SOC 512 Industrial Sociology
Characteristics of industrial societies. Relationship of the organization of industrial work to that of nonwork culture, institutions, and roles. Prerequisites: SOC 300 or both SOC 200 and 350; SOC 301; or regular admission to the Sociology Graduate Program
3
SOC 515 Custodial Institutions
The structural organizational, and functional dimensions of custodial institutions in American society, emphasizing social process of jails, prisons, training schools, mental hospitals, and nursing homes. Prerequisites: SOC 300 or SOC 200, 350 or PSC 280; SOC 301; or regular admission to the Sociology Graduate Program.
3
SOC 521 Advanced Study of Deviant Behavior
Contemporary issues in deviance theory and research. Prerequisites: SOC 300 or both SOC 200 and 350, SOC 301; SOC 321; or regular admission to the Sociology Graduate Program.
3
SOC 523 Community Corrections and Alternative Sentencing
Justice policies and practices of community corrections and alternative sentencing are featured, including intermediate sanctions, probation, parole, and prisoner reentry. Prerequisites: SOC 300 or both SOC 200 and 350; SOC 301; SOC 220 and an additional 9 hours of social and criminal justice coursework; or regular admission to the Sociology Graduate Program.
3
SOC 524 Sociology of Law
The association of law and social justice, social organization, stratification, and social control. Current issues in justice, law, and conflict resolution. Prerequisites: SOC 200, 350 (or SOC 300); SOC 301; or graduate standing.
3
SOC 526 Police and Community Relations
Community and police perceptions of police role in democratic society, police discretion, use of force, community policing, and related topics. Prerequisites: SOC 300 or both SOC 200 and 350; SOC 301; or regular admission to the Sociology Graduate program.
3
SOC 527 Community-Based Justice
Interdisciplinary approach to community as locus of justice, and justice as locus of community. Review of intellectual heritage of community study; community development; peacebuilding practices. Prerequisites: SOC 200, 301, 350 or regular admission to the Sociology Graduate Program