Sociology
Division III Chair: N. Mecham
Department Chair: J. Burnside
Faculty: J. Bouma, J. Burnside, and A. Woodward
Website: http://www.berea.edu/soc/
Courses: SOC Courses
Course Sequencing Table: Sociology
Entrance to the Major Information: Progression for SOC B.A.
Major/Minor Requirements: Sociology B.A.; Sociology Minor
The study of sociology provides an understanding of human social behavior and analysis of the social processes that unite as well as separate us. Sociologists study structures that organize society—such as social institutions, race, social class, and gender—as well as processes that divide us—such as crime and deviance. Both quantitative methods and qualitative methods of research are used in sociology.
Sociology courses contribute to the liberal education of students regardless of major. The major in Sociology will prepare students for graduate work in sociology, social work, applied sociology, or any field of study related to the sociological perspective. Majors are expected to develop writing and quantitative-analysis skills that enable them to carry out research in topics in which they have an interest.
Graduates of the Berea College Sociology Department are prepared for employment in a wide variety of applied sociology and social science careers.
In addition to supporting students' achievement of the Aims of General Education, the Sociology Department seeks to assist students in meeting the following learning goals and associated learning outcomes:
Sociology Student Learning Goals & Outcomes
SLO #1 (Application): Apply the sociological imagination, sociological principles, and concepts to social world and current events.
SLO #2 (Theoretical Orientations): Identify, describe and evaluate basic theories or theoretical orientations, and be able to apply them to contemporary issues
SLO #3 (Quantitative Data Analysis): Read, construct, and interpret frequencies, bivariate tables, and other basic descriptive statistics.
SLO #4 (Qualitative Data Analysis): Apply qualitative methods to analyze ethnographies, in-depth interviews, content analysis, or open-ended survey responses.
SLO #5 (Research Design): Design and conduct independent research project, applying appropriate research methods.
SLO #6 (Indicators of Social Inequality): Students should be able to identify key statistical indicators of social inequality in the contemporary U.S., along with forms, causes, and consequences of social inequality.
SLO #7 (Role of Race, Class, & Gender in Shaping Inequality): Students will recognize the intersections of race, class and gender and their role in shaping inequality in contemporary U.S.
SLO #8 (Change & Reproduction): Articulate how social structures are reproduced across generations and how social change occurs in cultural, social, political, and economic terms.
SLO #9 (Public Discourse): Students will use sociological knowledge to inform policy debates, promote public understanding, and impact the world around them.