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Sociology, BA

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Sociology (BA) is the scientific study of human society and social life. The discipline studies the social causes and consequences of human behavior. In more practical language, sociology concerns itself with the institutional patterns of social life and social issues. By being aware of the social environment in which humans interact with each other, the study of sociology will develop an awareness of how social forces influence behavior and how humans, through their collective action, respond to social issues and social change.

This program places an emphasis on developing writing and analytical thinking skills through classroom assignments, extracurricular experiences and internships. In addition, students develop critical research and analytical skills as applied to various aspects of human society, including racial, ethnic, religious, gender and socio-economic diversity.

Course work for Sociology, BA

All undergraduate degree programs require a minimum of 120 credits. Some courses meet multiple requirements, but are only counted once toward the 120 credit total required to graduate. For complete course descriptions, visit the catalog.

  • Foreign Language Requirement: 0 - 3 credits
  • General Education: 45 credits
  • Major Requirements: 36 credits
  • Free Electives: 36 - 39 credits
  • Total Credits to Graduate: 120 credits

The Shippensburg University General Education Program is the university curriculum that is shared by all undergraduate students. Details for courses you will take can be found here.

General Education requirements specific for this major: 

  • Quantitative (Q): MATH 117 
  • Global Perspective (G): ANTH 105 or ANTH 111

All students completing a Bachelor of Arts degree are required to attain proficiency in a foreign language. Proficiency may be satisfied by completing a language class at the 103 (intermediate) level or three years of any one foreign language in high school. Students may also meet this requirement through AP or CLEP testing.

Required (18 Credits)

  • SOCI 101 - Introduction to Sociology: Society and Diversity 
  • SOCI 220 - Social Inequality 
  • SOCI 331 - Internship I 
  • SOCI 380 - Social Theory 
  • SOCI 385 - Elements of Social Research 
  • SOCI 415 - Senior Seminar 

Sociology Electives (18 Credits)

Select any 6 Sociology courses. This may include one additional 3-credit internship in sociology, which is highly recommended.

  • Cross Cultural Anthropology
    • ANTH 111 - Cultural Anthropology 
    • ANTH 211 - Comparative Cultures 
  • Archaeology
    • ANTH 205 - Introduction to Archaeology 
    • ANTH 330 - Ancient Americans 
    • ANTH 360 - Aztec and Maya Archaeology 
  • Culture and Social Change
    • SOCI 370 - Sociology of Music 
    • SOCI 375 - Popular Culture 
    • SOCI 258 - Gender, Culture, and Power 
    • SOCI 354 - Social Movements and Social Change 
  • Family and Marriage
    • SOCI 363 - Growth and Change of Human Populations 
    • SOCI 257 - Family in Modern Society 
  • Social Problems
    • SOCI 244 - Criminology 
    • SOCI 245 - Juvenile Delinquency 
    • SOCI 363 - Growth and Change of Human Populations 
  • Gerontology
    • SOCI 371 - Sociology of Aging 
    • SOCI 320 - Sociology of Disability 
    • SOCI 369 - Medical Sociology 
  • Human Relations
    • SOCI 243 - Race in America 
    • SOCI 258 - Gender, Culture, and Power 
  • Social Institutions/Organizations
    • SOCI 220 - Social Inequality 
    • SOCI 435 - Gender, Organizations, and Leadership 

Internships are required for all sociology majors. You must have 60 earned credits before beginning an internship.

To make the process easier for all students, we have three internship categories: criminology; disabilities; and inequality/social justice. Each internship category has three internship placements. Thus, students will select from one of nine available internships.  Students with special interests may arrange to intern at a different site with permission from the Department Internship Coordinator.

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