Applied Sociology – Minor
For information, contact Dr. Andrew Ziner.
Sociology is a social science that began studying the relationship between human social organization and human behavioral processes in the mid-19th Century. Today, it is both a member of the liberal arts and a professional career. Sociology gives students the ability and knowledge to understand social systems and their influence on individuals. It gives students the tools and knowledge they need to do social research, to identify and devise solutions to social problems, to identify group influences, and to understand group dynamics. Above all, it gives students the ability and knowledge they need to understand the complexities of modern life in an ever-changing swirl of economic, political, and cultural dynamics, and to take positive action on behalf of their employer, community, or interests.
The applied sociology minor provides preparation for a variety of career paths. As the applied sociology minor emphasizes the development of analytical thinking and social research skills, it provides excellent preparation for those anticipating graduate study in sociology, law, social welfare, community development, education, public administration, political science, history, business, journalism, nursing, and many technical and natural science fields. Students often enjoy the benefits of major-minor combinations between applied sociology and their major field of interest. Many graduates continue their education in graduate or professional school in a variety of fields, while others use their analytic, research, and organizational skills to find immediate employment in a variety of settings. Students considering a minor in applied sociology (or a self-designed major) should meet with a sociology advisor to plan appropriate course sequencing and to discuss career and/or educational plans.
Requirements for the Applied Sociology Minor (18 credits)
Students are required to take SOC 100 (Introduction to Culture and Society) and SOC 218 (Social Problems in American Communities) and any four courses from the following six courses:
SOC 252/PSY252 Social Psychology 3 credits
SOC 227 Theory and Analysis in the 21st Century 3 credits
SOC 304 Inequality and Power in American Society 3 credits
SOC 329 Policies, Practices and Politics of Aging 3 credits
SOC 201/Hon210 Science off the Pedestal 3 credits
SOC 321 Family as a Social Institution 3 credits