Sociology, B.A.

615-898-2690
Meredith Dye, program coordinator
Meredith.Dye@mtsu.edu

Sociology is the study of social life, social change, and the social causes and consequences of human behavior. It is an expanding field that addresses challenging issues such as family dynamics, inequality, patterns of behavior, and forces for social change and resistance. Sociologists’ research can be applied to virtually any aspect of social life, from crime to corporate downsizing.

Students must receive at least a C in each required course. Additionally, students must complete 3 hours emphasizing institutions and the sociological imagination and 3 hours of critical perspectives in sociology (see below). Ideally students should take , , and early in the academic program, but no later than the junior year and prior to enrolling in which should be completed during the senior year. In consultation with the student’s advisor, the remaining 12 hours of electives may be organized into an emphasis. Possible emphases include, but are not limited to, social inequalities, deviance and social control, work and family, and health and aging.

Academic Map

Following is a printable, suggested four-year schedule of courses:

Degree Requirements

General Education (41 hours)

requirements include Communication, History, Humanities and/or Fine Arts, Mathematics, Natural Sciences, and Social/Behavioral Science categories.

The following General Education courses are recommended for this major:

SOC 1010 (Soc/Beh Sci)
MATH 1530 (Math) (recommended)

Major Requirements (34 hours)

SOC 1010 - Introductory Sociology 3 credit hours (3 credit hours may be counted in General Education)
SOC 3040 - Research Methods 3 credit hours
SOC 3050 - Data Analysis 4 credit hours
SOC 3060 - Sociological Theory 3 credit hours
SOC 4980 - Senior Seminar in Sociology 3 credit hours
Sociology electives 12 credit hours

Institution and Sociology Imagination

Choose 3 credit hours from the following:

SOC 4050 - Sociology of Families 3 credit hours
SOC 4100 - Sociology of Work 3 credit hours
SOC 4360 - Medical Sociology 3 credit hours
SOC 4511 - Social Movements and Social Change 3 credit hours
SOC 4520 - Population and Society 3 credit hours
SOC 4560 - Organizational Structures and Processes 3 credit hours
SOC 4660 - Urban and Community Studies 3 credit hours

Critical Perspectives

Choose 3 credit hours from the following:

SOC 3400 - Gender and Society 3 credit hours

Total hours in the program: 120

Recommended Curriculum: Sociology

Curricular listings include General Education requirements in Communication, History, Humanities and/or Fine Arts, Mathematics, Natural Sciences, and Social/Behavioral Sciences categories.