Nov 08, 2024

2024-2025 Undergraduate Catalog

Sociology (B.A.)

Print Degree Planner (opens a new window) |

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:

Declare this major within the Department of Sociology and Anthropology

General Requirements:

College Scorecard

The U.S. Department of Education has created a scorecard for each university and its programs. The scorecard shows data for the university such as graduation rate, average annual cost, and median earnings. Then, when certain minimum standards have been met, data are available for a specific program. That data could include median earnings, median total debt, and number of graduates. The link below will help you learn more:

https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?151102-Purdue-University-Fort-Wayne&fos_code=4511&fos_credential=3

Program Requirements:

Sociology (B.A.) 4-Year Plan

Sociology (B.A.) 3-Year Plan

Sociology (B.A.) 3-Year Plan (when ICC Certificate completed)

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.
SOC 32501(Criminology) and CRIM 20100 (Causes of Crime) are equivalent courses – only one of these courses will count for credit. If pursuing dual degrees in Sociology and Criminal Justice, contact your advisor for assistance choosing the appropriate course.

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

Students pursuing a double degree (BSED and BA) in Secondary Education and Sociology require a minor. They may choose a minor in any of the following programs: Biology, Chemistry, Economics, English, Exceptional Needs-Mild Intervention, French, German, History, Mathematics, Physics, Political Science, Psychology, Sociology, or Spanish. See above for a few examples of 4-year plans. Contact your Sociology and Education advisors for assistance.

Sociology (B.A.) Articulation with Northwest State Community College, Requirements & 2-Yr Plan

Sociology (B.A.) Articulation with Ivy Tech Community College, Requirements & 2-Yr 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

IDIS 10605 - Introduction To The Liberal Arts Cr. 3.

Second Semester Writing, Research, and Methods Class: Credits 3

ENGL 23301 - Intermediate Expository Writing Cr. 3.
or choose one of the following equivalent coures:
ENGL 20201 - Literary Interpretation Cr. 3.
HIST 21700 - Historical Methods Cr. 3.
ILCS 30000 - Methods Of Research And Criticism Cr. 3.
POL 20700 - Elements Of Political Analysis Cr. 3.
WOST 23000 - Writing For Social Change Cr. 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 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:

Gender, Sexuality, Race, and/or Ethnicity: Credits 3
Conflict and Cooperation: Credits 3
Institutions and Behavior: Credits 3
Regional/Geographic Study: Credits 3
Digital Humanities/Public Humanities: Credits 3

List of Courses and Stipulations for the COLA Thematic Requirements

Core and Concentration (Major) Courses: Credits 19

ANTH 10005 - Anthropology And Sociology Student Success Seminar Cr. 1.
SOC 16101 - Principles Of Sociology Cr. 3.
SOC 34001 - Social Theory Cr. 3.
SOC 34002 - Contemporary Social Theory Cr. 3.
SOC 35202 - Methods Of Social Research Cr. 3.
SOC 47000 - Senior Seminar Cr. 3.
Choose one statistics course from the following list:
CRIM 30000 - Statistical Techniques Cr. 3.
ECON 27000 - Introduction To Statistical Theory In Economics And Business I Cr. 3.
PSY 20100 - Introduction To Statistics In Psychology Cr. 3.
SOC 35100 - Social Statistics Cr. 3.
STAT 30100 - Elementary Statistical Methods Cr. 3.

Sociology Elective Courses: Credits 21

At least 9 of the 21 additional Sociology elective credit hours required must be at the 2000+ level or above.
At least 12 of the 21 additional Sociology elective credit hours required must be at the 3000+ level or above.

Below is a list of possible Elective course options. Check with advisor or department for additional details or to see if new courses have been added.

SOC 20900 - Community And The Built Environment Cr. 3.
SOC 21001 - Modern Japanese Society Cr. 3.
SOC 21201 - Race, Religion, And Social Cohesion Cr. 3.
SOC 22500 - Violence Cr. 3.
SOC 25000 - Personal Life, Intimacy, And The Risk Society Cr. 3.
SOC 29500 - Selected Topics in Sociology Cr. 3.
SOC 30000 - Race And Ethnic Relations Cr. 3.
SOC 31201 - Education And Society Cr. 3.
SOC 31300 - Religion And Society Cr. 3.
SOC 31401 - Social Aspects Of Health And Medicine Cr. 3.
SOC 31601 - The Family Cr. 3.
SOC 31701 - Social Stratification Cr. 3.
SOC 32001 - Deviant Behavior And Social Control Cr. 3.
SOC 32501 - Criminology Cr. 3. or CRIM 20100 Causes of Crime Cr. 3.
SOC 33201 - Sociology Of Development Cr. 3.
SOC 39800 - Internship In Sociology Cr. 3.
SOC 43001 - Environmental Sociology Cr. 3.
SOC 49400 - Field Experience In Sociology Cr. 1-6.
SOC 49500 - Individual Readings In Sociology Cr. 1-6.

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.

Additional Course Use

Courses listed below may also be considered in meeting specific degree requirements.

SOC 32501 required; CRIM 20100 accepted