Mar 29, 2024  
2012-2013 Undergraduate Bulletin 
    
2012-2013 Undergraduate Bulletin [Archived Catalog]

Sociology (B.A.)


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Program: B.A.
Department of Sociology
College of Arts and Sciences

Liberal Arts Building 241 ~ 260-481-6842 ~ www.ipfw.edu/sociology


The student learning outcomes for the degree are as follows: 

  • Theoretical: Graduates will be able to analyze and evaluate major theoretical perspectives in sociology.

    • Graduates should be able to identify the general theoretical orientation.
    • Graduates should be able to apply theoretical analyses of social structure and social processes.
    • Graduates should be able to interpret social issues in terms of the major theoretical perspectives.
  • Methodological: Graduates will be able to utilize and evaluate research methods and data analysis used in sociology.

    • Graduates should be able to demonstrate appropriate use of both quantitative and qualitative methodologies.

    • Graduates should be able to evaluate different research methods.

  • Graduates should be able to interpret the results of data gathering.
  • Graduates should be able to demonstrate appropriate use of statistical techniques.
  • Graduates should be able to demonstrate competent use of statistical software.
  • Critical Thinking:  Graduates will be able to evaluate critically arguments and situations.

    • Graduates should be able to critically evaluate theoretical arguments.
    • Graduates should be able to develop evidence-based arguments.
    • Graduates should be able to critically evaluate published research.
  • Communication Skills:  Graduates will be able to communicate effectively in both written and oral form.

    • Graduates should be able to write a research report.
    • Graduates should be able to develop an oral research report.
  • Professional Ethics: Graduates will be knowledgeable of appropriate ethics concerning both professional conduct and the use of human subjects.

    • Graduates should demonstrate a mastery of the ethical standards for conducting research with human subjects.
    • Graduates should demonstrate an understanding of the ethical standards of the American Sociological Association.  

Courses in sociology provide an understanding of society and of the relationship between the individual and society. Studies in sociology help to prepare you for graduate school and careers in the social services, law, human relations, criminal justice, government, education, and mass media.

Although a minor is not required, study in an outside area is recommended. Anthropology, computer science, economics, history, labor studies, political science, psychology, organizational leadership and supervision, and women’s studies support the major well.

To earn a B.A. with a major in sociology, you must fulfill the requirements of IPFW (see Part 8 ) and the College of Arts and Sciences (see Part 4 ), and satisfactorily complete the following courses.

IPFW General Education Requirements


Area I—Linguistic and Numerical Foundations


Area II—Natural and Physical Sciences Credits: 6


See Part 2 General Education Requirements for approved courses 

Area III—The Individual, Culture, and Society


See Part 2 General Education Requirements for approved courses 

  • Additional credits in Area III Credits: 3

Area IV—Humanistic Thought Credits: 6


See Part 2 General Education Requirements for approved courses 

Area V—Creative and Artistic Expression Credits: 3


See Part 2 General Education Requirements for approved courses 

Area VI—Inquiry and Analysis (not in SOC) Credits: 3


See Part 2 General Education Requirements for approved courses 

College of Arts and Sciences Requirements


English Writing


Foreign Language


  • Requirements in Arts and Sciences Part B Credits: 14

Distribution (not in SOC)


  • Requirements in Arts and Sciences Part C Credits: 9

Cultural Studies


  • Requirements in Arts and Sciences Part D Credits: 6

Sociology Elective Courses Credits: 15


All additional sociology elective courses must be at the 200 level or above; 9 of the 15 credit hours must be at the 300 level or above. Sociology majors must earn a 2.0 or better in all sociology courses used in the major.

General Elective Courses


  • Sufficient additional credits to bring the total to 124.

Total Credits: 124


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