University of Chicago at Illinois 2005 - 2007 Undergraduate Catalog

:

Department of Sociology

B.A. with a Major in Sociology Minor in Sociology
Distinction
Special Programs in Sociology

4112 Behavioral Sciences Building (BSB)
312–996–3005
norr@uic.edu
http://www.uic.edu/depts/soci/
Administration: Interim Head, Moshe Semyonov; Associate Head & Director of Undergraduate Studies, James L. Norr; Administrative Assistant, Cynthia Baines
Student Services: Undergraduate Secretary, Olga Padilla
Academic Advisor: Jimmy Norr

Sociology is the study of social life, including groups, organizations, communities, and societies and the social causes and consequences of human behavior. Sociology’s subject matter ranges from the intimate family to the hostile mob, from crime to religion, from the divisions of race, gender, and social class to the shared beliefs of a common culture, from the sociology of work to the sociology of sport. Sociological knowledge and analysis are critical to understanding contemporary issues such as inequality, poverty, discrimination, crime, stress, family relationships, youth, old age, globalization, urban growth and decay, and the organization and delivery of human services.

A sociology major is useful in a variety of occupational careers, including social research, law, business, public and private administration, health and medicine, and community planning. Although some employers require advanced training (master’s or Ph.D.), many others recruit persons who have earned the bachelor’s degree in sociology. Sociology majors have jobs in survey research; public-opinion polling; industrial, marketing, and advertising research; and in government or nonprofit agencies that provide for the delivery of human services. Sociology graduates also work as managers or researchers in service industries such as health, insurance, banking, and real estate, as well as in sales and manufacturing organizations.

Majors in other disciplines will find sociology courses to be useful background for careers in law, medicine, public health, nursing, counseling, law enforcement, personnel management, education, and social work.

The Department of Sociology offers programs leading to the Bachelor of Arts with a Major in Sociology. A student has the option of completing a general program or applied sociology program. A Minor in Sociology is also offered.

B.A. with a Major in Sociology

Students majoring in Sociology must choose either the General Sociology Concentration or the Applied Sociology Concentration.

The general sociology concentration is recommended for students who wish to concentrate in sociology as part of a liberal arts education. The applied sociology concentration is for students who want to be employed in settings where sociological methods and data analysis techniques are emphasized. It provides for the acquisition of skills necessary for sociological applications such as program evaluation, needs assessment, environmental impact assessment, and market research. It also provides a field placement opportunity where the student may gain first-hand experience in applying sociological skills.

A student must have the department’s consent to qualify for the applied sociology concentration and the applied sociology field placement. Students should make application to the department after completion of Sociology 400. Students should consult with a department advisor in advance.

Degree Requirements

To earn a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts and Sciences degree from UIC, students must complete University, college, and department degree requirements. The Department of Sociology degree requirements are outlined below. Students should consult the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences section for additional degree requirements and college academic policies.

B.A. with a Major in Sociology
Degree Requirements
Hours
LAS Course Requirements
43–64
Concentration Requirements
32
Electives
24–45
Minimum Total Hours—B.A. with a Major in
Sociology
120

LAS Course Requirements

See Course Requirements in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences section for a list of courses to meet this requirement.

Concentration Requirements—General Sociology

Courses
Hours
SOC 100—Introduction to Sociology (or the equivalent)
3
SOC 201—Introductory Sociological Statisticsa
4
SOC 202—Introduction to Sociological Research
4
   
Seven additional sociology coursesb that include
the following:
21
Nine hours at the 300- or 400-level, excluding SOC 496
   
One course from the following:
SOC 400—Sociological Analysis (3)c
SOC 405—Writing in the Social Sciences (3)c
SOC 485—Classical Sociological Theory (3)d
SOC 487—Contemporary Sociological Theory (3)d
SOC 488—Theories in Social Psychology (3)d
   
One course from the following:
SOC 485—Classical Sociological Theory (3)d
SOC 487—Contemporary Sociological Theory (3)d
SOC 488—Theories in Social Psychology (3)d
Total Hours—Concentration Requirements—
General Sociology
32

a SOC 201 also fulfills the LAS quantitative reasoning requirement.
b No more than 8 hours of independent study (SOC 296, 298, 299, or 496) may be counted toward the degree.
c SOC 400 or 405 fulfills the Writing-in-the-Discipline requirement.
d SOC 485, 487, or 488 fulfills both the Writing-in-the-Discipline requirement and the theory requirement, as well as three of the nine hours at the 300- or 400- level.

Concentration Requirements—Applied Sociology

Courses
Hours
SOC 100—Introduction to Sociology (or the equivalent)
3
SOC 201—Introduction to Sociological Statisticsa
4
SOC 202—Introduction to Sociological Research
4
SOC 298—Internship in Sociological Applications
3
SOC 400—Sociological Analysisb
3
SOC 401—Sociological Statistics
3
   
One of the following courses:
3
SOC 471—Population (3)
OR
SOC 473—Cities and Regions (3)
   
Three additional sociology courses, only one of which
may be independent study (SOC 296, 298, 299, 496)
9
Total Hours—Concentration Requirements—
Applied Sociology
32

a SOC 201 fulfills the LAS quantitative reasoning requirement.
b SOC 400 fulfills the Writing-in-the-Discipline requirement.

Electives

Courses
Hours
Total Hours—Electives
24–45

Recommended Plan of Study

To view a recommended plan of study for the major in Sociology, please visit the LAS Web site http://www.uic.edu/las/college/info/fygp.

Minor in Sociology

Students from other disciplines who want to minor in sociology must complete 15 semester hours as outlined below.

Required Courses—Sociology Minor
Hours
SOC 100—Introduction to Sociology (or the equivalent)
3
Two courses at the 200-, 300-, or 400-level
6
One course at the 300- or 400-level
3
Sociology elective
3
Total Hours—Sociology Minor
15

Distinction

The requirements for graduation with departmental distinction are: a 3.25/4.00 GPA in sociology courses and completion of all requirements for a major in sociology. The requirements for graduation with departmental high distinction include the requirements for distinction plus the completion of an honors thesis in SOC 299—Honors Course (3) with a grade of B or better. The requirements for graduation with departmental highest distinction are: a 3.50/4.00 GPA in sociology courses and the completion of an honors thesis in SOC 299 (3) with a grade of A. Qualified candidates should consult the director of undergraduate studies two or three terms in advance of graduation.

Special Programs in Sociology

Computer Applications

Competence in using mainframe and personal computers for statistical analysis, editing, word processing, spreadsheets, and data file manipulation is provided in several sociology courses including SOC 201, 202, 400, 401, and 402 as well as in some others.

Applied Sociology Employment Opportunities

Courses in computer applications, statistical analysis, population, and urban data plus an internship are the primary components of the applied concentration in sociology. This major qualifies graduates for employment in program evaluation, planning, needs and impact assessment, market research, and other fields that depend on social data analysis. With a sufficiently high level of performance, a student can continue this program in graduate school and obtain an M.A. in Sociology with a concentration in applied sociology with only three semesters beyond the B.A.

Course Credit for Paid Work

Cooperative education combines work experience with academic courses. Co-op placement possibilities include a wide range of professional, managerial, and technical positions in firms, not-for-profit organizations, and government agencies.

Independent Study and Research Projects

Department faculty collaborate on several joint student studies and advise students on independent research projects. When a student writes an honors thesis based on independent work, the student graduates with high or highest distinction in sociology.

International and Comparative Studies

Most sociology faculty in their research or in their courses make historical or international comparisons. Students can learn about families, life change, motivations, firms and economic institutions, inequality, and politics in different societies. Sociology majors can easily take advantage of foreign study programs.

Preprofessional Preparation

Course concentration in health and medicine, law and social regulation, social problems and program evaluation, industries and organizations, media and public opinion, and life cycle and social change prepare the sociology major for admission to professional and graduate programs in medicine, health professions, law, planning, journalism, business, public administration, and social welfare administration.

People-Oriented Service

Sociology’s focus on cultural and social diversity and on the relations among individuals and their groups fosters knowledge and understanding for dealing with and helping people.

Critical Thinking and Communication

Sociology develops skills in analyzing, synthesizing, generalizing, and communicating information and knowledge. Courses stress both logical and data analysis as well as careful and thoughtful reading, discussion, and writing. Sociology’s subject matter includes relationships among economic, political, cultural, and social factors and explores the impact of physical and biological forces on individuals and society. This inclusive framework and general training lies at the heart of a liberal education for lifetime learning.



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