Sociology is the study of human behavior and of the social structures and social forces that influence human behavior. The sociologist looks beyond individual psychology and unique events to the broad patterns and regular occurrences of social life that influence our individual behavior and attitudes. For example, a sociologist might examine how women’s increased participation in the labor force has affected the distribution of tasks in the household.The sociology major prepares students for a wide variety of careers and graduate fields, including sociology, social work, education, business and law.
Student Learning Goals
Goal 1. Majors will be able to demonstrate a mastery of the sociological imagination. Students will be able to:
A. Describe the structural and/or cultural factors that influence human behavior when presented with an issue or social problem.Goal 2. Majors will be able to demonstrate an understanding of sociological research methodology. Students will be able to:
B. Analyze structural and/or cultural factors that influence human behavior when presented with an issue or social problem.
C. Demonstrate the difference between public or society and private or individual sphere issues and problems.
A. Conduct appropriate library research.Goal 3. Majors will be able to demonstrate mastery of major concepts and theories in the discipline of sociology, including the major subfields. Students will be able to:
B. Develop a research question using appropriate conceptualization and operationalization techniques.
C. Select and apply appropriate methodology.
D. Analyze data and present conclusions.
E. Articulate the importance of ethics in conducting research.
A. Distinguish among sociological paradigms, including but not limited to conflict, symbolic interactionism and functionalism.Goal 4. Majors will be able to describe and value diversity in the United States and globally. Students will be able to:
B. Demonstrate knowledge of the major theorists.
C. Identify research findings and trends in major subfields of sociology.
A. Articulate their own values and appreciate other value systems (including those of people from different cultures).Qualifications for the major
B. Describe diverse patterns of social relations globally and domestically.
C. Demonstrate knowledge of the impacts of globalization on social institutions.
Students must have a minimum grade of “C” in each required course in the major and an overall GPA of 2.0 in the major
Sociology Curriculum:
1. Core Curriculum Requirements:
Go to /academics/core.asp for the Core Curriculum requirements. All students complete these requirements as part of their overall Canisius education.
2. Major Course Requirements (12 courses)
| SOC 110 Introduction to Sociology | 3 credits | ||
| SOC 111 Contemporary Social Problems | 3 credits | ||
| SOC 342 Research Methods | 3 credits | ||
| SOC 432 Theories in Sociology | 3 credits | ||
| MAT 131 Statistics and Computers | 3 credits | ||
| SOC 450 Senior Capstone: Community and Diversity | 3 credits | ||
| Sociology electives: six courses | 3 credits | ||
3. Free electives:
Free electives are courses in addition to the Core Curriculum and major requirements sufficient to reach a minimum of 120 credit hours for graduation. Students may graduate with more but not less than 120 credit hours.
Sociology Minor:
Sociology has a great deal to offer students from other disciplines who do not have room in their curriculum for a dual major. Pre-med students, business majors and education majors can all benefit from the insights into human behavior that come from a familiarity with sociological analysis.
| SOC 110 Introduction to Sociology | 3 credits | ||
| SOC 111 Contemporary Social Problems | 3 credits | ||
| Sociology electives: two courses at the 200-400 level and one course at the 300-400 level |
9 credits | ||
| Total (5 courses) | 15 credits | ||
COURSES: 2009 - 2011
SOC 110 Introduction to Sociology 3 credits
Topics include theory, methods, culture, socialization, race and ethnicity, groups and organizations, and social inequality; analysis of everyday events, using sociological imagination. (Field 5) Fall
SOC 111 Contemporary Social Problems 3 credits
Exploration of several selected social problems from competing points of view, emphasizing some of the sociological concepts employed in analyzing these problems. (Field 5) Spring
SOC 234 Environment and Society 3 credits
Explores connections between environmental issues and their social causes. Topics of analysis include environmental racism, environmental health, risk and uncertainty, political economy, globalizations and sustainability. (Field 5) Spring
SOC 273 Social Movements and Social Change 3 credits
Explores the development of social movements as a force of social change in society. Focus is on theoretical developments in movement theory, as well as explorations of social movements through history. (Field 5) Spring
SOC 291 Gender and Society 3 credits
Exploration of origin of gender roles; socialization into masculine and feminine roles; intersection of gender and social institutions such as family, work and education. (Field 5) Fall
SOC 300 Special Topics in Sociology 3 credits
Critical examination of a selected topic in sociology. Subject matter determined by the instructor. Fall and Spring
SOC 324 Visual Sociology 3 credits
Emphasizes a visual approach to analyzing social concepts. Analysis of visual media forms to explore core ideas in sociology such as, gender, race, environment, social class, family and global diversity. Spring
SOC 330 Perspectives on Health and Illness 3 credits
The social aspects of health, illness and health care. Epidemiology, the experience of illness, the evolving health care industry, and a comparison of alternative and traditional medicine. Fall
SOC SL340 Sociology of the City 3 credits
Exploration of how people experience and understand city life, how cities grow and develop, and various issues affecting cities today such as suburbanization and urban sprawl. Fall
SOC 342 Research Methods 3 credits
Overview of the major steps in constructing social science research, from developing a research question, operationalization and measurement through data collection and analysis. Fall
SOC 390 Marriage and Families 3 credits
Covers family development from relationship formation through marriage, divorce and remarriage. Includes sexuality, sexual orientation, cohabitation, parenting and the intersection between the family and major social institutions. Fall
SOC 432 Theories in Sociology 3 credits
Course emphasizes theory development as a tool to understand society. Focuses on major social theorists and their contributions as well as classical and modern theoretical schools in sociology. Prerequisite: Senior Status. Fall
SOC 450 Senior Capstone: Community and Diversity
The culminating experience for the major, in which students synthesize the knowledge they have acquired in their course work and the core, integrate cross-disciplinary knowledge, and connect theory and application in preparation for graduate school or entry into a career. Prerequisite: Senior status. Spring
SOC 498 Internship 3 credits
Opportunity for students to participate in the daily work of an agency or organization. Prerequisite: Instructor’s signature; G.P.A. of at least 2.75. Fall and Spring
SOC 499 Individual Reading and Research 3 credits
Independent studies allow in-depth study of a specific topic and are most often reserved for seniors who cannot otherwise fulfill a graduation requirement. Prerequisite: Permission of the instructor, department chair and associate dean. Fall and Spring
The following courses offered by other departments or programs count as satisfying the requirements for the sociology major or minor:
ANT 122 Sociocultural Anthropology;
ANT 351 Qualitative Research Methods;
ANT 355 Sociolinguistics;
ANT 360 African American English;
ANT 365 Gender Issues in Language;
CRJ 354 Juvenile Delinquency,
CRJ 254 Criminology.