About this Degree Sociology is the study of social life, social change, and the social causes and consequences of human behavior. It is perhaps the most wide-ranging of the social sciences, a pattern illustrated well by the scholarship of the department’s faculty. Among the topics that faculty study are: how people respond to injustice why charter schools fail how organizations and mentoring shape careers whether people get the work hours they want how social structures are reproduced during face-to-face interactions how people manage conflict how cultures of professionalism and fatigue shape the work hours and schedules of surgeons why there are ethnic and racial differences in crime and violence how family processes, peer associations, community context, and incarceration affect the risk of criminal behavior how substance abuse treatment organizations adopt innovations how and why headhunters match job candidates to positions in the labor market the effects of discrimination and racial socialization on physical and mental health how social institutions like the criminal justice and public welfare systems affect social inequality how victim gender, race, and ethnicity affect outcomes in capital-murder trials and on death row how careers unfold among U.S. Army Generals Our research takes faculty all over the world, from struggles over resources and indigenous rights in Southern Chile and social movements in Argentina to collecting new sentiments dictionaries in the Arab countries of North Africa and the Middle East. Our wide-ranging course offerings mirror – and are inspired by – these research interests. While the humanities and the arts also explore the social world, sociology is distinct because it is a social science. It uses theoretical frameworks, empirical data, and scientific methods to investigate the social world. In terms of specific research methods, sociology – and the department’s faculty – makes use of survey research and statistical analyses, in-depth interviews and ethnography, network analysis, experimental techniques, and content analysis of both contemporary and historical written and visual documents. Theoretical and methodological pluralism characterize the discipline and the department. REQUIREMENTS FOR THE MAJOR The requirements for the major in sociology are: Prerequisite: SOCI 1101 Introductory Sociology Required: STAT 2000 (Introductory Statistics) OR SOCI 3610 (Quantitative Methods of Social Research), SOCI 3220 (Development of Sociological Theory), and SOCI 3580 (Research Methods in Sociology) Electives: 7 courses, 6 of which must be 3000-level or higher (i.e., one can be at the 2000 level) Notes: No more than six hours of transfer credit can be used to satisfy major requirements. A grade of "C" or better must be earned in all SOCI courses for them to count toward the major. Grades of C- or lower in SOCI courses will not count toward the major. Also, if SOC 3610 is not taken, a grade of "C" or better must be earned in STAT 2000. The department strongly recommends that majors take SOCI 3580 as soon as the major is declared, as the course provides a foundation that will be useful in all sociology courses. What you will learn The major is designed to teach undergraduate students the sociological perspective, which incorporates three central foci: The recognition of the preeminence of social structures and their influences, and of micro and macro-level social processes. The role of the scientific method in the acquisition of knowledge. The enduring link between the individual's experience and larger social processes. By deciding to major in sociology you have chosen a liberal-arts specialty that leads to a wide range of career options in government or business. In addition, a sociology major provides a solid foundation for further post-graduate study in law, business, public health, and the social sciences. The department offers a wide range of courses on interesting topics. All undergraduate Sociology majors take required classes in theory and methods, the latter always in small classes (enrollment is limited to 15 students) to give them as much opportunity as possible to get hands-on research experience. Many of our best majors also work on independent projects with faculty. At least two of our classes every semester are writing intensive, and we offer three to four classes a year in study-abroad programs, including one class with a service-learning component. The sociology curriculum provides repeated experiences wherein students pose sociological questions and bring data to bear on them, making full use of computer technologies. Courses underscore the centrality of race, class, gender, social structure, and culture in society and in sociological analysis. In the process, they expose students to comparative and international materials. More generally, the major develops student capacity for abstract thought, critical analysis, and for effective written and oral communication. Interesting Facts about this Degree or Program A sociology major provides a solid foundation for further post-graduate study in law, business, and the social sciences. First Lady Michelle Obama graduated with a degree in Sociology in 1985. Other Information about Degree or Program Double Major in Sociology Sociology/criminal justice double majors may count up to six hours of approved criminal justice courses toward their sociology major. If you wish to pursue two majors, you are responsible for learning what courses are required by your second major and for coordinating these requirements with those in the sociology major. Sociology Study Abroad Program Sociology faculty often teach classes in UGA study-abroad programs in the United Kingdom, France, Italy and in the University of New Orleans program in Austria. RESEARCH CREDITS We encourage majors who will be going to graduate school or working in research settings to gain additional research experience by registering for Supervised Research in Sociology (4900 or 4960H), completing an Honor Thesis (4990H), or participating in the Department’s Undergraduate Research Mentoring Program. All of these options provide valuable research opportunities. It is important to note, however, that credits obtained through these options are intended to supplement rather than replace the normal requirements of the major. Consequently, students are only allowed to use a maximum of 6 research credits toward the requirements of the major. Additional credits earned through these research options will still count toward graduation, but they will not count toward the major. The Sociology Department’s Undergraduate Research Mentoring Program is designed to help our majors gain admission to highly competitive graduate programs in sociology. The Program allows students to work with a faculty member on his or her research or on a student-selected research project. In addition, the student will take a graduate level research methods course (SOCI 6620 or 6750). Eligibility Open to all students considering going to graduate school in sociology (only). Applicants must have received an A in SOCI 3590 or 3600 (or obtain a letter from their methods instructor and the permission of the Undergraduate Coordinator). Applicants must also have identified a faculty member who has agreed to serve as a research mentor. Application Procedure Applicants should submit a letter to the Undergraduate Coordinator describing their research interests, reasons for wanting to participate in the program, and future career plans. The letter should also indicate which faculty member has agreed to act as a research mentor. The application letter from the student, which should list the student's postal and email addresses and phone number(s), is due by April 15th. The application must also be accompanied by a brief letter from a faculty member which 1) indicates that he or she is willing to serve as the research mentor and 2) describes the research project the student will complete. Approval of Applicants All applications will be reviewed by the Undergraduate Coordinator. The faculty mentor will determine which graduate methods class (Soci 6620 or 6750) is most appropriate for the student. Final selection requires the agreement of the instructor of the graduate methods class. Once accepted into the program, the faculty mentor and student will sign a written agreement outlining the faculty member's expectations of the student and the general type of research activities the student is likely to perform. AVAILABLE COURSES To determine which courses are being offered in any particular semester, please refer to the course schedules posted by the Department. Descriptions of all sociology courses can be found in the UGA Bulletin. As you plan your class schedule for each semester with our advising staff, please note that there will be prerequisites for some courses. Remember also that sociology courses used to satisfy Core Area A-F or the new Core Curriculum Area I-VI requirements (i.e., SOCI 1101, 1101H, SOCI 2020, 2100, 2420, 2600, or 2820, etc.) may not also be used to satisfy major requirements. Scholarship and Award Information Barrow Scholarship The Phyllis Jenkins Barrow Scholarship is awarded annually to a graduating major who is a Georgia resident and has excelled academically. Ray Payne Award The Ray Payne Award is awarded annually to a graduating major whose performance demonstrates commitment to sociology and a high potential for professional development in the discipline. Additional information can be found here. More Undergraduate Scholarships & Awards Employment Information Employers: Recent graduates with a sociology major contacted by the Career Planning and Placement Office at the University of Georgia list the following employers and job titles, which serve well to illustrate the wide variety of options afforded by the major: Possible Job Titles: Although few occupations include "sociologist" in their title at the bachelor's level, a sociology major is an excellent springboard for many different jobs in both for-profit and not-for-profit organizations. The sociological perspective is crucial for working in today's multi-ethnic and multi-national business environment. An undergraduate sociology major provides valuable insights into social factors such as race, ethnicity, gender, age, education, and social class that affect social interaction, group dynamics, and organizational processes. If you are approaching graduation (or have recently graduated) and are seeking a job in the business world, focus on general areas of interest that motivate you. Sociology majors who are interested in organizational theory gravitate toward organizational planning, development, and training. Those who study the sociology of work and occupations may pursue careers in human resources management (personnel) and industrial relations. Students who concentrate on crime, deviance, and punishment often pursue opportunities in various local and state criminal-justice agencies. Those who especially enjoy and excel at research design, statistics, and data analysis seek positions in marketing, public relations, and organizational research.
