Version: December 18, 1999

Sociology

Sociology is the scientific study of the way groups are organized, how they function, how they change, and how they influence and are influenced by human behavior. The sociology curriculum analyzes both small-scale social interaction and large-scale social structures. The sociology major includes course work in both social theory and in research methods and statistics. Seniors carry out empirical research projects in the Senior Seminar offered each fall. A sociology major prepares students for graduate education in sociology, law, business, criminal justice, urban planning, social work, and other fields requiring knowledge of social science as well as for careers in teaching, research, business, law, and other professional fields related to the graduate programs cited. Most importantly, a sociology major increases students' awareness of social forces affecting their lives, thereby increasing competence in dealing critically and constructively with personal as well as public issues.

THE SOCIOLOGY MAJOR: The sociology major must successfully complete at least 32 credit hours in sociology, including SO 101, 226, 227, either 324 or 325, and 375. SO 226, 227, and 324 or 325 should all be taken before the end of the junior year. SO 375 is taken in the fall of the senior year. Courses designated sociology-anthropology may be taken for either sociology or anthropology credit, but not both.

THE SOCIOLOGY-ANTHROPOLOGY MAJOR: The sociology-anthropology major must successfully complete SO 101; either AN 101 or 102; either SO 324, 325, or AN 270; either AN 326 or 327 or SO 226 or 227; either AN 366 or SO 375; and 12 credit hours of electives in sociology and 12 credit hours of electives in anthropology. Courses designated sociology-anthropology may be taken for credit in either sociology or anthropology, but not both.

INTERDEPARTMENTAL MAJORS: In conjunction with relevant departments, the Department of Sociology, Anthropology, and Social Work offers majors in economics-sociology, government-sociology, and psychology-sociology. See Interdepartmental Majors, page XXX.

HONORS: Students desiring departmental honors in sociology must meet the requisite grade point average, receive a grade of at least A- in SO 375, and present a senior seminar project for approval by the sociology faculty. Students desiring departmental honors in sociology-anthropology must meet the requisite grade point average and must complete a senior thesis under the supervision of a member of the department.

ALPHA KAPPA DELTA, the international sociology honor society, encourages and recognizes academic achievement in sociology. Founded in 1920, the society has over 300 chapters at colleges and universities throughout the world, including the Alpha Beta of New York chapter at Skidmore. Eligibility requirements for membership in Alpha Kappa Delta include a demonstrated interest in sociology, completion of at least four sociology courses, a grade-point average of 3.2 or higher in sociology, and a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher in all college courses.

THE SOCIOLOGY MINOR: The sociology minor must successfully complete at least 18 credit hours in sociology or sociology-anthropology, including SO 101 and at least two courses at the 300 level. One of the courses must be SO 226, 227, 324, or 325. The student should select a minor advisor who will assist the student in constructing a program of study. Students are encouraged to declare the sociology minor by the end of the junior year.

EXPLORATIONS IN SOCIOLOGY: Selected 200- and 300-level sociology courses each semester incorporate one of the following Explorations in Sociology:

Exploring Sociology through Collaborative Learning (C)
Students explore sociology and develop critical thinking skills by collaborating on course-related projects.

Exploring Sociology through Research (R)
Students explore sociology and improve research skills by developing and carrying out empirical research projects on course-related topics.

Exploring Sociology through Service Learning (S)
Students explore sociology and contribute to the Skidmore and larger communities by applying sociological principles in service to campus and local groups or organizations.

Exploring Sociology through Writing (W)
Students explore sociology and improve communication skills by writing essays on course-related issues. (Fulfills expository writing requirement.)

Explorations in Sociology are designated by the appropriate letter following the course number in the Skidmore Master Schedule.

Interdepartmental Majors

THE ECONOMICS-SOCIOLOGY MAJOR: The economics-sociology major must successfully complete at least 21 credit hours in economics and 21 credit hours in sociology, including EC 103, 104, either EC 235 or SO 226, and SO 101, 227, 324, and 375. The student selects courses in consultation with advisors in each discipline. In constructing the major, the student should select complementary courses as a step toward integration of the two disciplines. To be eligible for honors, the student must earn at least an A- in SO 375 or at least an A- on a thesis acceptable to both departments (EC 371 or 372 or SO 376). The thesis must be defended before a joint committee determined by the thesis advisor. The major leads to a bachelor of arts degree.

THE GOVERNMENT-SOCIOLOGY MAJOR: The government-sociology major must successfully complete at least 21 credit hours in government, including GO 101 and 103 and at least two courses at the 300 level, and 21 credit hours in sociology, including SO 101, 226, 227, either 324 or 325, and 375. SO 222 and SO 328 are strongly recommended. To be eligible for honors, the student must have at least an A- on an honors research paper in a 300-level government course, complete a senior thesis in government or sociology (GO 375 or SO 376), or earn at least an A- in SO 375. The student selects courses in consultation with advisors in each discipline. In constructing the major, the student should select complementary courses as a step toward integration of the two disciplines. The major leads to a bachelor of arts degree.

THE PSYCHOLOGY-SOCIOLOGY MAJOR: The psychology-sociology major must successfully complete 21 credit hours in psychology and 21 credit hours in sociology, including PS 101; SO 101 and 375; either PS 205 or SO 202; either SO 324 or 325; either PS 217 and 306 or SO 226 and 227. To be eligible for honors, the student must complete a senior thesis in either psychology or sociology (PS 375 and 376, or PS 378 and SO 376) or receive at least an A- in SO 375. The student selects courses in consultation with advisors in each discipline. In constructing the major, the student should select complementary courses as a step toward integration of the two disciplines. The major leads to a bachelor of arts degree.

---

Created January 2000; modified July 2000