Departments, Schools, Colleges

SOCIOLOGY (SOC )

Contact Information:

Department of Sociology The University of Arizona Social Sciences Building, 400 PO Box 210027 Tucson, AZ 85721-0027

Phone: (520) 621-3531 Fax: (520) 621-9875 Undergrads: socugs@email.arizona.edu Grads: vienna@u.arizona.edu Web: Department Homepage

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• SOC  Course Descriptions

Degrees, Majors, Minors, and Options:

Baccalaureate Degree

• Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)

Graduate Degrees -- consult the Graduate Catalog or department office for details.

• Master of Arts (M.A.)
• Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

Major and Degrees

• Sociology (B.A., M.A., Ph.D.)

Undergraduate Minors

• Sociology Minor
• Sociology Teaching Minor

The Department:

The Department of Sociology is in the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences.

Advising:

All students are strongly advised to meet with a major advisor and a general education advisor at least once a year.

Sociology:

Sociology is the study of human society, its origins, functions and problems. It focuses on relations among people, groups, organizations, classes and cultures. Sociology explores and analyzes issues vital to our personal lives, our communities, our nation, and the world. The curriculum in sociology is designed to show students the social character of human life and the impact of varying forms of social organization on human affairs. Students are introduced to the methods by which knowledge is obtained, and may examine the results of research on such diverse topics as the family, religion, education, politics and crime. The major provides a foundation for careers in many professional fields, such as law, criminal justice and social service, and for graduate training as a professional sociologist in government, business, community agencies, research organizations or educational institutions.

The Major for the B.A.:

All majors take a set of 4 core courses (introduction to sociology, social statistics, social research methods, and sources of sociological theory) that provide a theoretical overview of the discipline and the fundamentals of its research methods and statistics.  In addition, all majors must take course work in three of six thematic areas: law, crime and society; organizations, communities, and families; politics, movements, and social change; sociology of culture; social diversity and inequality; and social psychology.  All students are strongly advised to see their Degree / Academic Program Requirements Report (APRR) as early as possible in the process (see Sociology BA link above).

Sociology majors must complete and pass the Upper Division Writing Proficiency Exam (UDWPE) prior to enrolling in Soc 300, Sources of Sociological Theory.  If a grade of "U" (unsatisfactory) is earned on the UDWPE, the student must take further developmental course work in writing.  Students should consult with their academic advisors for specific information about their department's requirements.

Students planning to declare a sociology major should discuss their plans with a department advisor. For an advising appointment, call or visit the Sociology Office of Undergraduate Studies and Advising, Social Sciences 413A, 621-1543.  The office is open five days a week and administers a wide range of programs for undergraduate majors.

Preparation for Majoring or Minoring in Sociology:

Students who enjoy the greatest success in sociology typically have a desire to gain a rigorous, critical awareness about how their own life experiences relate to events and issues in the larger world, why certain groups have power and others do not, how and why social change occurs, and how various social problems such as inequality, crime, and discrimination can be improved.  The best introductory sociology courses to enroll in are:

• Introduction to Sociology
• Ethnic Relations in the United States
• Gender, Identities, Interactions and Relationships
• Individuals, Groups, and Societies

Undergraduate Scholarships, Awards:

Sociology majors are quite competitive for a number of scholarships and awards available through the UA and other organizations. These awards include: the Roger Yoshino Award, the Maynard Erickson Award, Centennial Award, the Distinguished Undergraduate Award, the Outstanding Senior Awards, and other university awards as well as national fellowships. Some scholarships and awards involve cash stipends.  Most scholarships require an application and letters of recommendation from faculty.

Research/Internship Opportunities:

The Department offers a variety of special programs and individual studies opportunities for its majors, including an extensive career internship program, a legislative internship program, the Sociology Club, Alpha Kappa Delta Honorary Society, and structured academic/career counseling for all majors in Sociology. The Department invites undergraduates to take an active part in their own education, and encourages their participation in the research and scholarly activities of the faculty. Undergraduates in the Department have actively participated in faculty research projects on dispute processing, emotions, family dynamics, juvenile delinquency, social movements, social policy, and social power.

Sociology undergraduate majors who become professional sociologists find a variety of exciting careers in teaching, research, and practice. These careers typically require advanced degrees (the M.A. or Ph.D.) and are not for everyone. (About 1 in 25 sociology majors at Arizona goes on to graduate school in sociology.) Most majors find a variety of rewarding careers in government, law, and business. While the sociology major does not provide specific training for such careers, it does provide an excellent educational background for a variety of professional pursuits.