Sociology applies the methods of social science to understand how broader social forces influence our thoughts, beliefs, and behavior. It provides an important background for careers in human resources, education, business, law, social work, criminal justice, politics, arts, sports, and public administration. Students may select from a broad range of courses related to contemporary issues and problems; inter-group relations, popular culture, social movements and social change, modernity and post-modernity, family patterns and relationships, sexuality, crime and deviance, environmental and social problems, globalization, and field experiences.
Women’s and Ethnic Studies (WEST) is an interdisciplinary program that brings together faculty from across the campus. The WEST major centers on the histories, experiences, and cultural expressions of women and racial or ethnic groups not only in the United States but also across the world. Our approach is intersectional in that it explores the connections among race, class, gender, sexuality, disability, and other socially constructed hierarchies. WEST emphasizes cultural responsiveness, critical and cross-disciplinary thinking, creative and innovative teaching, community engagement, and local and global awareness. We aim to create an equitable and sustainable world by analyzing structural inequality from a historical and cultural perspective and exploring strategies to achieve these goals. WEST offers one-on-one mentoring, small classes, travel courses, and a range of scholarship and internship opportunities.
General Information
The Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Sociology and Women’s and Ethnic Studies requires the following:
- A minimum of 30 credit hours of SOC course work. At least 18 of those hours must be upper division (courses numbered 3000 or higher).
- A minimum of 30 credit hours of WEST course work. At least 18 of those hours must be upper division.
- A grade of C or better in courses applied to the major.
- A minimum 2.0 GPA must be maintained in all SOC and WEST course work.
- Completion of the Sociology Exit Exam and Exit Survey during the final semester of the senior year.
Additional course work is required to complete the Sociology and Women’s and Ethnic Studies, BA degree. Please see the advising guide on the Academic Advising website for more information.