Western Washington University · Bellingham, Washington
Sociology, BA
What Is the Study of Sociology?
Sociologists examine subjects encompassing a vast array of human behavior: crime and punishment, the formation and dissolution of families, bureaucracy in organizations, conflicts between classes, and global inequalities. Sociology is distinctive in its focus on the way individuals' lives are embedded within multiple social contexts that facilitate and constrain the range of possible actions. These contexts include generation, occupation, gender, religion, sexual orientation, family, health, nation, race and ethnicity among many others.
Why Should I Consider this Major?
Sociology students develop an aptitude for critical thinking, improve their writing ability, and gain competence with statistical computing that will enhance their future career options. Sociology students also have the opportunity to participate in faculty-led study abroad programs. Many Sociology graduates enter professions such as law, education, social services and criminal justice work.
How to Declare:
Admissions: To declare, a student must have completed the following requirements:
- Completion of at least 45 college-level credits
- Completion of at least 5 credits in Sociology with a grade of C- or better
Path 1 (Immediate Declaration):Students with a cumulative GPA of 2.85 or higher may submit their Admissions paperwork at any time to the Sociology Department Advisor for approval and admission to the major.Path 2 (Application Review):Students with a cumulative GPA lower than 2.85 should submit their Admissions paperwork to the Sociology Department on or before Friday of the 2nd week of fall, winter, spring, or summer quarter. These applications will be reviewed and admission to the major will be based on a combination of overall GPA, Sociology GPA, and space available in the program. Students will receive notification regarding their admission status during the third week ofclasses.
Coursework
- Any one of the following introductory courses:
- SOC 221 Introduction to Population Issues
- SOC 251 Sociology of Deviant Behavior
- SOC 255 Social Organization of Criminal Justice
- SOC 260 The Family in Society
- SOC 268 Gender and Society
- SOC 269 Race and Ethnic Relations
- Core requirements
- SOC 302 - Classical Sociological Theory
- SOC 304 - Statistics for Sociology
- SOC 306 - Sociological Research Methods
- One course from the following list of capstone seminars:
- SOC 426 - Advanced Topics in Demography
- SOC 430 - Field Research Methods
- SOC 435 - Population Health Advocacy
- SOC 440 - Globalization
- SOC 450 - Sociology of Law
- SOC 452 - Advanced Criminology
- SOC 456 - Seminar in Policing
- SOC 460 - Advanced Topics in Family
- SOC 461 - Advanced Sociology of Education
- SOC 469 - Advanced Topics in Race and Ethnicity
- SOC 492 - Senior Thesis
- Electives under department advisement to bring the total to a minimum of 65 credits; select from any 200-level introductory course or from any 300/400-level courses in sociology.
Course Restrictions
- No more than two of the following introductory courses may be applied to the major: SOC 221, SOC 251, SOC 255, SOC 260, SOC 268, SOC 269
GURs:
The courses below satisfy GUR requirements and may also be used to fulfill major requirements.
- QSR: SOC 304
- SSC: SOC 221, 251, 255, 260
- BCGM: SOC 268, 269
Sample Careers
- Law Enforcement
- Corrections Officer
- Social Worker
- Business Manager
- Consumer Researcher
- Human Resources Manager
- Probation Officer
- Teacher
- Aging Specialist
- Advertising Manager
- Alcohol and Drug Case Worker
- Demographic Analyst
Department
Contact
Department Chair:
Mick CunninghamAH 514360-650-4881Mick.Cunningham@wwu.edu
Department Advisor:
Linda Clark
AH 513
360-650-4882
Linda.Clark@wwu.edu