42 units

Sociology is the study of social life and the social causes and consequences of human behavior. The subject matter of sociology ranges from the intimate family to the hostile mob, from crime to religion, and from the divisions of race and social class to the shared beliefs of a common culture. In fact, few fields have such a broad scope and relevance.

Both academic sociology and Christian faith offer perspectives on human behavior and social life—partner perspectives in a dialogue meant to express a more complete and unified picture of the truth about social reality and human experience. Biblical insights and values clarify understanding of sociology, and sociology in turn teaches more about Christian faith.

“Christian sociology” provides an intellectual and spiritual foundation for personal development and service. Self-understanding comes from discovering connections with other people. It is through interaction in families, schools, churches, and communities that individuals develop as persons, and it is this mutual dependence that forms the basis for moral life. The heart for service, an important outcome of dependence on God and relationships with others, is practically manifested and modeled as God’s love through the actions of those who serve.

Mission

In keeping with the principles of liberal arts education, the mission of the sociology major is to lead students in exploring the relationships between individuals, groups, social institutions, and culture, to facilitate the development of skills necessary for the study and critical analysis of these relationships from the perspective of Christian faith, and to develop a community of scholars who have a solid grasp of social theory and research, and who are prepared to systematically confront social problems and enact change at all levels of society.

Career Opportunities

As a strong liberal arts major, sociology provides several options for students who complete their BA degree:

• A BA in Sociology is excellent preparation for graduate work in sociology to become a professor, researcher, or applied sociologist.
• The undergraduate degree provides a strong liberal arts preparation for entry-level positions throughout the education, business, social service, and government arenas. Employers look for people with the skills that an undergraduate education in sociology provides.
• Sociology offers valuable preparation for careers in ministry, teaching, journalism, politics, public relations, business, criminal justice, or public administration—fields that involve investigative skills and working with diverse groups.
• Many students choose sociology because they see it as a broad liberal arts base for professions such as law, education, medicine, social work, and counseling. Sociology provides a rich fund of knowledge that directly pertains to each of these fields.

Requirements

A total of 42 units is required for the major. A minimum grade-point average of 2.0 is required in these courses.

Course List

Code	Title	Units
Required Core Courses
MATH 130	Introduction to Statistics 1	3
SOC 120	Introduction to Sociology 2	3
SOC 298	Basic Sociological Theory F	3
Select one of the following:		3
SOC 471	Writing 3: Qualitative Social Research Methods 3, F
SOC 472	Writing 3: Quantitative Social Research Methods 3, S
Elective Courses		30
Select 30 units from the following:
ETHN 150	Introduction to Ethnic Studies 4
PSYC 320	Social Psychology
SOC 230	Comparative Family Systems
SOC 235	Race and Ethnicity 4
SOC 358	Human Diversity 4
SOC 359	Immigrant L.A.
SOC 360	Sociology of Religion OS
SOC 361	Education and Society F
SOC 404	Community S
SOC 405	The Sociology of Gender
SOC 410	Field Internships 5
SOC 425	Social Movements ES
SOC 464	Social Stratification F
SOC 468	Contemporary Social Theory OS
SOC 495	Special Topics
SOC 496	Senior Seminar: Faith and Social Issues 5
SOC 497	Readings
Up to 6 of the 30 elective units may be selected from the following:
ETHN 355	The Asian American Experience 4
ETHN 356	The African American Experience 4
ETHN 357	The Chicano(a)/Latino(a) Experience 4
ETHN 358	Native American/Indigenous Experience 4
SOC 225	Contemporary Social Problems
SOCW 251	Social Welfare Policy and Service
SOCW 350	Aging: Implications for Policy and Practice
SOCW 351	Child Welfare
SOCW 410	Family Violence
Total Units		42

¹

Meets the General Education Quantitative Literacy requirement. 

²

Meets the General Education Social Sciences requirement.

³

Meets the General Education Writing 3 requirement.

⁴

Meets the General Education Intercultural Competence requirement.

⁵

Meets the General Education Integrative and Applied Learning requirement.

Term Hours

F	Offered in Fall only
S	Offered in Spring only
F/S	Offered in both Fall and Spring terms
EF	Offered in Fall in even years
ES	Offered in Spring in even years
OF	Offered in Fall in odd years
OS	Offered in Spring in odd years

Program Learning Outcomes

Students who successfully complete this program shall be able to:

1. Understand and evaluate social research, and also to develop well-designed research projects.
2. Recognize the influence of race, class, and gender on human behavior and social conditions.
3. Articulate the role of social institutions—family, religion, government—in shaping social life and identity.
4. Utilize the comparative and historical perspective to evaluate the effects of the social context on cultural beliefs, values, attitudes and practices.
5. Gain a sociological perspective on human behavior and the social order—including social structures and institutional practices—that empowers them to act in response to the Scriptural mandate to work for peace and justice.
6. Describe their sociological education and the development of a sociological imagination in relation to Christian faith and life.