Mar 29, 2024  
2021-2022 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2021-2022 Undergraduate Catalog [Archived Catalog]

Sociology (B.A.)


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Program: B.A.
Department of Anthropology and Sociology  
College of Liberal Arts 

Liberal Arts Building 241 ~ 260-481-6842


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.

For details on pursuing a secondary education second degree (BSEd) to teach Sociology in middle school/high school, click on the links to the Secondary Education - Second Degree   Program and the School of Education page in this catalog.  Note:  The BSEd as a second degree in these programs cannot be earned without completion of the bachelor’s degree in the content area from the College of Liberal Arts.  See Program Requirements below for a link to the Secondary Education - Second Degree 4-Year Plan. 


Student Learning Outcomes:
Upon completion of this degree, students will: 

Theoretical:

  • analyze and evaluate major theoretical perspectives in sociology
  • identify the general theoretical orientation
  • apply theoretical analyses of social structure and social processes
  • interpret social issues in terms of the major theoretical perspectives

Methodological:

  • utilize and evaluate research methods and data analysis used in sociology
  • demonstrate appropriate use of both quantitative and qualitative methodologies
  • evaluate different research methods
  • interpret the results of data gathering
  • demonstrate appropriate use of statistical techniques
  • demonstrate competent use of statistical software

Critical Thinking:

  • evaluate critically arguments and situations
  • critically evaluate theoretical arguments
  • develop evidence-based arguments
  • critically evaluate published research

Communication Skills:

  • communicate effectively in both written and oral form
  • write a research report
  • develop an oral research report

Professional Ethics:

  • be knowledgeable of appropriate ethics concerning both professional conduct and the use of human subjects
  • demonstrate a mastery of the ethical standards for conducting research with human subjects
  • demonstrate an understanding of the ethical standards of the American Sociological Association

Program Delivery:

  • This program is available on-campus and on-line.

Declaring this Major:

General Requirements:

Program Requirements:


Sociology (B.A.) 4-Year Plan :

  • A grade of C- or higher in all department courses required for the major and an overall GPA of 2.00 or higher for all courses required in the major.
  • All sociology courses applied toward graduation must be completed within ten 10 years from the time the first sociology course was completed.
  • 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.  Information on minors can be found in the Program Descriptions  section of this Catalog.

Sociology (B.A.) with Secondary Education 4-Year Plan :


To earn the B.A. with a major in Sociology, you must fulfill the following requirements in addition to the General Requirements noted above:

General Education Requirements: Credits 33


  • Click on the Purdue Fort Wayne General Education Requirements link above for details.
  • Some majors may require particular General Education courses as specified in their program description.  Up to six credits of approved General Education courses satisfying requirements in Areas A and B, and three credits satisfying requirements in Area C, may originate in the major.  A grade of C- or higher in each course, and an overall GPA of 2.0 is required to satisfy the Purdue Fort Wayne General Education Requirements.

College of Liberal Arts Course Requirements


Click on the PFW College of Liberal Arts link above for detailed information on college requirements.

Introduction to the Liberal Arts: Credits 3


International Language: Credits 12


You must complete two courses at the first-year level and two courses at the second-year level in a single international language or in American Sign Language (or demonstrate equivalent proficiency).  Click on the PFW College of Liberal Arts link above for more details.

Thematic Requirements: Credits 15


Students will take one course in each of these five areas to ensure that they have an opportunity to deepen their traditional liberal arts education while also preparing for a culturally diverse, technologically advanced, and increasingly globalized and complex world:

  1. Gender, Sexuality, Race, and/or Ethnicity:  Credits 3
  2. Conflict and Cooperation:  Credits 3
  3. Institutions and Behavior:  Credits 3
  4. Regional/Geographic Study:  Credits 3
  5. Digital Humanities/Public Humanities:  Credits 3
  • A single course may not be used to fulfill more than one of the five thematic requirements. 
  • Courses taken to fulfill the five thematic requirements must come from courses offered under at least three different course prefixes.
  • At least one course must come from the list of courses approved as dealing exclusively or primarily with a Non-Western culture or cultures.

List of Courses for the COLA Thematic Requirements 

Sociology Elective Courses: Credits 15


  • At least 6 of the 15 additional Sociology elective credit hours required must be at the 2000+ level or above
  • At least 9 of the 15 additional Sociology elective credit hours required must be at the 3000+ level or above

General Electives


  • Sufficient additional credits to bring the total to 120.

Total Credits: 120


Time Limit


  • All Sociology courses applied toward graduation must be completed within ten (10) years from the time the first Sociology course was completed.

Student Responsibility


You are responsible for ensuring that you satisfy all graduation requirements specified for each selected program.  Thus, it is essential that you develop a thorough understanding of the required courses, academic policies, and procedures governing your academic career.  If you cannot complete all program requirements by your stated graduation date but fail to remove those from your plan of study, the Registrar’s Office in consultation with your academic advisor will remove unmet pursuits from your plan of study. Changing curricular records during the graduation term of application may affect state or federal financial aid awards. All requests for exceptions to specific requirements must be made in writing and may be granted only by written approval from the appropriate chair or dean. 

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