The Department of Sociology offers a Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in Sociology that allows students to pursue one of the following three concentrations:

• General Concentration
• Policy and Social Problems Concentration
• Racial Equity and Inclusion Concentration

General Concentration

The General concentration in Sociology offers students a critical perspective based in social justice. Courses encompass such topics as the dynamics of social problems and policy, gender and race inequalities, immigrant communities, the social inclusion of people with disabilities, families and youth, and homelessness and food insecurity. Service learning and internship opportunities are infused throughout the curriculum, giving all students opportunities to explore career paths, gain real world experience, and practice professional skills while serving the local community. A General concentration in Sociology offers a solid background for students interested in careers in policy, government, human services, social work, law and teaching.

Policy and Social Problems Concentration

The Policy and Social Problems concentration in Sociology is intended to provide a pathway for students who want to focus specifically on applying the analytical tools of sociological thinking to social problems and their solutions. The program of study combines practice in analysis of specific social problems as well as the responses these problems by both government and community actors. All students in the concentration will have multiple opportunities to gain exposure to and experience working with community organizations and local leaders across a range of fields, including immigrant services, environmental policy, youth services, gender-based organizations, education, and more. All students will also learn to analyze the intersections among race, class, gender, ability, and other inequalities, perspective that is key to working in the twenty-first century United States.

Racial Equity and Inclusion Concentration

The Racial Equity and Inclusion concentration in Sociology is intended to provide a pathway for students who want to focus specifically on deepening their understanding of racial oppression and intersectionality as well as acquiring the tools to facilitate racial equity and inclusion. All students will be able to analyze racial identities, interracial interactions, social movements and other important race-related patterns from a sociological perspective. The program of study offers a rich combination of how racial oppression functions at the institutional level and importantly, how people of color and allies have mobilized to identify, alleviate and eradicate structural racism. The students will also learn to analyze how race, class, gender, ability, sexual orientation, citizenship and other inequalities intersect in distinct ways that shape one’s racialized experiences and access to valuable resources in American society. These skills are essential 21st century multicultural literacy skills in the United States.

View all the complete Degree Pathways.

For additional information contact the Department of Sociology.