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Our Sociology Major
Delve into the world of human interaction
Explore society at every level—small groups, subcultures, cultures, organizations and institutions—and study how individuals interact.
When you study sociology here, you'll learn to think critically about how race, class, gender, sexuality, law, culture, social media, social movements and the state impact individual, lived experience.
In classes like Crime and Justice, you'll examine the dimensions, causes and costs of crime in the U.S. and consider the uses and limitations of our justice system in dealing with them.
Your learning isn't limited to the classroom. Explore social justice through our Arlin M. Adams Center for Law and Society, or put your knowledge to work in internships with local government, criminal justice and social welfare agencies.
Cap off your studies with a year-long research project you select guided by a dedicated faculty advisor.
Develop useful and transferrable skills
Studying sociology builds critical thinking skills and the ability to examine complex questions—skills valued by employers in all fields. You'll learn there are multiple ways to approach any given problem.
You'll design research projects, analyze data and identify useful ways to investigate questions about public policy, public health, community development, education and the law. Adding one of our interdisciplinary minors, like international studies and public policy, help you gain a better understanding of important topics in today’s world.
Our graduates thrive in government and social policy, business, social welfare and education careers. They also pursue advanced graduate degrees and law school.
Recent graduates have enrolled in programs at:
Columbia University
Georgetown University
New School
Northwestern University
NYU (New York University)
Stanford University
The Johns Hopkins University
University of Delaware
University of Oregon
The Pennsylvania State Dickinson School of Law
Stanford University
University of Colorado
The University of Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania State University
Recent graduates have been employed at:
American Anthropological Association
The University of Pennsylvania
Johns Hopkins University
New Jersey Department of Corrections
SEDA-COG Forum for the Future
Smith College
Department of Planning and Development, City of Eugene, Oregon
Homeless Planning Council of Delaware
The Museum of Natural History
National Archives
Peace Corps
Smithsonian Institution
US Department of State
Requirements for a Major in Sociology. A sociology major must complete 44 semester hours of required courses in sociology and anthropology and receive grades of C- or better. All majors must achieve at minimum a cumulative GPA of 2.00 in courses offered in the major. There are five compulsory courses. At least 12 of the remaining 24 hours must be taken at the 300 level or higher. In consultation with a department adviser, a sociology major may fulfill some of the major requirements by taking anthropology courses. The department recommends that SOCI-235/ANTH-235 Qualitative Research Methods, SOCI-245/ANTH-245 Quantitative Research Methods and SOCI-311 Sociological Theory be completed by the end of the junior year. The capstone requirement for a major in sociology is met by taking SOCI-500/ANTH-500 Seminar or, with the permission of the department chair, by taking SOCI-501/ANTH-501 Independent Research, which requires the production of a research paper.
| Semester Hours | View Full Course Catalog >> |
|---|---|
20 Compulsory Courses for Sociology Major |
|
| 4 SOCI-101 Principles of Sociology | |
| 4 SOCI-235 Qualitative Research Methods | |
| 4 SOCI-245 Quantitative Research Methods | |
| 4 SOCI-311 Sociological Theory | |
| 4 SOCI-500 Seminar | |
24 Electives Of the 24 remaining semester hours, at least 12 must be taken at the 300 level or higher. |
Requirements for a Minor in Sociology. Students must complete 24 semester hours of required courses in sociology and receive grades of C- or better. All minors must achieve at minimum a cumulative GPA of 2.00 in courses credited toward the minor. Required courses include SOCI-101 Principles of Sociology, SOCI-235/ANTH-235 Qualitative Research Methods or SOCI-245/ANTH-245 Quantitative Research Methods, and SOCI-311 Sociological Theory. At least eight of the remaining 12 semester hours must be taken from courses offered at the 200 level or higher. Credit received for practica courses are not included in the 24 semester hours required of sociology minors.
Teaching Certification. Coursework required by the state of Pennsylvania for admission to the teacher certification program includes successful completion of ENGL-100 Writing and Thinking or equivalent course, at least 3 semester hours in British or American literature, at least 6 semester hours of mathematics coursework (or other courses which satisfy the Central Curriculum Analytic Thought requirement), and at least one 40-hour externship.
Education course requirements for secondary education are EDUC-101 Introduction to Education and Society, EDUC-102 Historical and Philosophical Foundations of Education, EDUC-250 Educational Psychology, EDUC-260 Introduction to Special Education, EDUC-270 Instruction of Exceptional Students, EDUC-330 Technology in Education, EDUC-350 English Language Learners: Theory and Instruction, EDUC-380 Instructional Design, EDUC-479 Principles of Learning and Teaching in Secondary Education, EDUC-483 Differentiated Instruction and Classroom Management in Secondary Education, and the EDUC-500 Student Teaching package (EDUC-501, EDUC-502, EDUC-503, and EDUC-600).
Sociology students who seek secondary education certification in social studies must take the following additional courses outside the Department of Sociology and Anthropology: EDUC-425 Methods of Curriculum Instruction and Assessment in Teaching Social Studies, ECON-105 Elements of Economics, POLI-111 American Government and Politics, POLI-121 Comparative Government and Politics, PSYC-101 Principles of Psychology, HIST-322 Pennsylvania History or HIST-324 Pennsylvania's Pasts and Their Publics, and 1 course in U. S. history (HIST-111, HIST-112 or HIST-115).
Secondary education sociology students must also take the following courses within the Department of Sociology and Anthropology: ANTH-162 Introduction to Anthropology, SOCI-101 Principles of Sociology, SOCI-235 Qualitative Research Methods, SOCI-245 Quantitative Research Methods, SOCI-311 Sociological Theory, SOCI-333 Development, Globalization, and Society or ANTH-310 National, Transnational and Diasporic Communities, SOCI-341 Family and Kinship, SOCI-413 Race, Ethnicity, and Minorities, SOCI-500 Seminar or SOCI-501 Independent Research, and 8 semester hours in sociology electives (student teaching may be substituted for the electives requirement).
John J. Bodinger de Uriarte
Department: Sociology/Anthropology
Associate Professor of Anthropology
bodinger@susqu.edu
570-372-4759
Dave Ramsaran, Ph.D.
Department: Provost
Provost & Dean of the Faculty
ramsaran@susqu.edu
570-372-4127
Shari Jacobson, Ph.D.
Department: Sociology/Anthropology
Associate Professor of Anthropology
jacobson@susqu.edu
570-372-4754
Michael Smyth, Ph.D.
Department: Sociology/Anthropology
Associate Professor of Sociology
smyth@susqu.edu
570-372-4694
Mark Noble
Department: Sociology/Anthropology
Assistant Professor of Sociology
noble@susqu.edu
570-372-4669
Apryl Williams
Department: Sociology/Anthropology
Assistant Professor of Sociology
williamsaa@susqu.edu
570-372-4758
Les Beldo
Department: Sociology/Anthropology
Visiting Assistant Professor Anthropology
beldo@susqu.edu
570-372-4627
Get Globally Relevant and Marketable Skills
Employers say they want well-written, creative and analytical thinkers. Add in the ability to look at issues critically and the tools to do research, and it's easy to see why sociology and anthropology majors are in high demand.
You'll explore different cultures and your own opinions in an inclusive environment. And the career options open to you will be amazing. You'll be prepared to enter market research, education, museums, international relations, community development, information technology, business or anything else you can imagine.
What you to do here transfers to any and every career.
Museum Studies
As a museum studies minor at Susquehanna University, you’ll get practical experience in a museum and gallery settings while exploring topics in art history, history and anthropology.
Student & Alumni Profiles
Hear straight from students just like you. Or read stories from successful alumni who’ll tell you just how far a degree in sociology or anthropology can take you.
Why SU?
Liberal arts colleges are a wise investment, especially at Susquehanna University.
Contact Us
Phone & Email
John Bodinger de Uriarte, department head
570-372-4759
bodinger@susqu.edu