School of Arts & Sciences

Sociology

The Sociology major requires the satisfactory completion of 40 hours of coursework within the program. The Sociology minor requires completion of 20 hours of coursework within the program. Students are encouraged to enroll in Introduction to Sociology 1113 during the freshman year. Students are encouraged to enroll in Social Problems 2123 during the sophomore year. All other general education requirements should be completed before taking any upper division Sociology course. Introduction to Sociology and Social Problems are offered every fall and spring semesters.

Students are encouraged to tailor their elective coursework in the program to reflect their projected occupational interests. Students who plan to apply for graduate school admission are encouraged to meet with Sarah Fry, Chair of the Department of Social Sciences as early in their undergraduate career as possible.

For a detailed look at the course requirements and descriptions for this degree, please contact instructor Sarah Fry.

Contact:

Sarah Fry
Instructor of Criminal Justice / Sociology
Department of Social Sciences
Jesse Dunn 321
Northwestern - Alva
Phone: (580) 327-8523
svfry@nwosu.edu

Internships

The Social Sciences Department offers internships to students who are majoring in Criminal Justice, Sociology or Political Science. The Internship program is designed to introduce junior or senior level students to the policies and procedures that are used in the various governmental agencies or the non-profit community. Both public and private sector agencies are appropriate locations for internships.

Students are expected to identify an agency that could provide them with prospective positions post graduation. The internship program is only available for students who have completed at least 12 hours of upper division coursework in their major area of study. The internship should be viewed as the stepping stone to post graduation employment.

Departmental Alumni who performed internships have gone onto excellent careers in government agencies and the private, non-profit sector. Students who believe that graduate school or law school are in their future, are also urged to pursue an internship in order to solidify their goals post graduate work completion.

Internship Application Form

Internship Syllabus

Student Learning Outcomes

Sociology Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs) along with Curriculum Maps for each program.

Sociology graduates should be able to do the following:

SLO #1 Content Area Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Recognize and apply significant concepts and principles in the discipline of sociology.
Identify key elements in understanding human group life and behavior (i.e. social theory, political and social figures and events, cultural differences etc.).
Develop expertise in social theory and research methodologies.

SLO #2 Critical Thinking Skills

Critically analyze and evaluate sociological scholarship.
Evaluate and critically assess social research and data.
Recognize and interpret societal events and trends to explain change over time.
Produce plausible explanations about cause and effect of societal events.
Identify influence of values/norms/social change/social context on people, places, and things.

SLO #3 Communication Skills

Create written papers based on relevant social and behavorial research.
Discuss historical, social, economic and political issues and relationships in the United States.
Demonstrate competency in using APA documentation style.
Effectively communicate in written and verbal form.

SLO #4 Ethics and Leadership Abilities

Exercise academic and professional integrity in all forms.
Analyze and evaluate ethical issues which confront sociologists and sociological practice.
Demonstrate professional leadership in group contexts.

Assessment Plan for Sociology

SLOS	METHODOLOGIES	MEASURE OF SUCCESS
SLO #1 - Student will demonstrate content area knowledge, skills, and abilities	SOC 3203 Term Paper	75% of students will score at or above 75% of total possible points (100).
	SOC 3203 Final Exam	75% of students will score at or above 75% of total possible points (100).
SLO #2 - Student will demonstrate critical thinking skills.	SOC 3203 Term Paper	75% of students will score at or above 75% of total possible points (100).
	SOC 3203 Final Exam	75% of students will score at or above 75% of total possible points (100).
SLO #3 - Student will demonstrate quality communication skills in both written and verbal form.	SOC 3203 Term Paper	75% of students will score at or above 75% of total possible points (100).
SLO #4 - Student will demonstrate ethical decision-making and professional leadership	SOC 3203 Final Exam	75% of students will score at or above 75% of total possible points (100).

Careers for Degree

Sociology Careers Include:

Teacher, Professor, National and State Park Interpreter, Cultural Resources Manager, Human Resources Manager, Advertising Executive, Policy Analyst, Researcher and Demographer, Juvenile Services Caseworker, Probation and Parole Officer... and many more.