Sociology Curriculum

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Sociology Major Requirements

Courses are in the sociology department unless noted otherwise.

  1. Minimum of 9 units.
  2. One sociology course at the 100 level. Majors may take additional courses at the 100 level, but a maximum of two such courses can be counted toward the major.
  3. SOC 203. Foundations of Social Theory.
    1. Prerequisite: any 100-level or 200-level sociology course.
  4. SOC 301, Research Methods.
    1. Prerequisite: SOC 203, Foundations of Social Theory.
  5. Advanced Topics Seminar: Any 300- or 400-level topical seminar, including Special Topic seminars.
  1. Prerequisite: a 100 level sociology course and a 200 level sociology course. SOC 203: Foundations of Social Theory and/or SOC 301, Research Methods recommended but not required.
  1. Experiential component, fulfilled by one of the following:
    1. A SLU approved off-campus study program (semester or year) or SLU's Sustainability Program (year-long experience). To fulfill this requirement, students must also attend a gathering of Sociology Department faculty and other sociology majors returning from off-campus study to present a sociological reflection on their experiences. Prerequisite: any 100-level or 200-level sociology course.
    2. Any sociology course with a CBL (Community-Based Learning) component.
    3. SOC 309, Internship. Prerequisites: at least two sociology courses. Enrollment is by permission of instructor.
  2. After the completion of Research Methods, majors who wish to pursue independent research have these options:
    1. SOC 489/490, SYE: Research.

(1.0 unit, 1 semester, Fall or Spring) Prerequisites: SOC 203, Foundations of Social Theory; SOC 300 or 301, Research Methods; any 300- or 400-level capstone seminar, and Capstone Project Application submitted to the sociology department for approval during the semester prior to the project’s start or

    1. SOC 498/499, SYE: Honors Project.

(2.0 credits, 2 semesters, SOC 498 in Fall and SOC 499 in Spring)

Prerequisites: 3.5 major GPA; SOC 203, Foundations of Social Theory; SOC 301, Research Methods; and a SYE Application submitted to the sociology department for approval during the semester prior to the project’s start..

  1. Electives: requirements noted above plus sociology electives must TOTAL 9-12 units.

Sociology/Environmental Studies Combined Major

In association with the department of environmental studies, the department of sociology offers a combined major in sociology–environmental studies.

Environmental Studies Requirements (ENVS)

101. Introduction to Environmental Studies. (1 unit)

Environmental Science and Policy (ESP) courses (3 units)

Nature/Society (N/S) course (1 unit)

Any elective from a dual-listed course in the natural sciences (1 unit)

Any elective listed under ENVS, or from programs abroad if preapproved (1 unit)

Sociology Requirements (SOC)

One course at the 100 level chosen from the following (1 unit)

101.        Principles of Sociology.

110.        Global Problems.

112.        Inequality.

161.        Social Problems and Policy.

169.        Media & Society.

187.        Environment and Society.

Students may take additional courses at the 100 level, but a maximum of two such courses can be counted toward the combined major.

203.        Foundations of Social Theory (1 unit)

Prerequisite: any 100-level or 200-level sociology course.

301.         Research Methods. (1 unit)

Prerequisite: 203. Foundations of Social Theory.

Socio-environmental dynamics courses chosen from the following (2 units)

235.      Earning a Living.

253.         Race, Class and Environmental Justice.

263.        Sociology of Disaster.

264.        Environmental Movements.

265.        Sociology of Climate Change.

267.        Environment and Society.

268.        Sustainable Development.

269.        Population and Natural Resources.

314.        Nomads in World History.

377.        Sociology of Consumption.

3118.      Sociology of the Family.

4010.      Recreation and Resistance.

Other courses, including Special Topics courses, may be considered in consultation with the department chair.

Two Sociology electives (2 units)

Advanced Topic Seminar (1 unit)

Any 300- or 400-level topical seminar, including Special Topic seminars.  Socio-Environmental dynamics component with a research project on a socio-environmental dynamics topic.

Prerequisites: a 100 level sociology course and a 200 level sociology course. SOC 203: Foundations of Social Theory and/or SOC 301, Research Methods recommended but not required.

Total: 15 units

Courses that are dual-listed with environmental studies should be taken under the sociology number and count toward the sociology portion of the combined major.

Honors

Honors will be granted to students who complete the major with at least a 3.5 GPA in sociology and who successfully complete and defend a Capstone honors thesis (498/499) before a departmental committee. Prerequisites: 3.5 major GPA; 203. Foundations of Social Theory; 301. Research Methods; any 300- or 400-level topical seminar; and a SYE Application submitted to the sociology department for approval during the semester prior to the project’s start.

Sociology Minor Requirements

  1. A minimum of six units of credit.
  2. Of these courses, no more than two sociology courses at the 100 level can be counted towards the minor.

Certification to Teach Social Studies

The teacher certification minor is only available to students who matriculated before fall semester 2019. For information on teacher certification options approved by the New York State Board of Regents, requirements for the certification minor, and the requirements for the professional semester (including student teaching) please go to the Education department's website (https://www.stlawu.edu/education) or contact the Coordinator of the Teacher Education Program.  Students who are eligible to pursue this minor must complete all requirements and the professional semester by the end of spring semester 2022.

Restrictions

  1. Majors and minors may transfer into their major/minor no more than two approved courses from other institutions, St. Lawrence departments and programs outside the sociology department, or University-approved study abroad/off-campus programs. Permission from the department chair is required for transfer.
  2. Majors and minors may count no more than one SOC 390, Independent Study, courses toward their major/minor.
  3. Majors and minors may count no more than two SOC 290, Independent Study, courses toward their major/minor.
  4. No more than a total of two SOC 290/390 Independent Study courses can be applied to the major/minor.
  5. Core courses for the major (theory, research methods, and Advanced Topic seminars/projects) must be taken in the department.