School of Liberal Arts Faculty
Gain valuable insights from our School of Liberal Arts faculty, who are here to help you every step of the way.
Learn how sociological research can find solutions to our toughest social problems with a degree in Sociology from Dean College.
Program Overview
Sociologists attempt to answer some of the toughest questions facing society. Why do people commit crime? Why is there growing income equality between the rich and poor? Are we giving too much power to technology? What are the damaging effects of institutional racism?
An associate or bachelor’s degree in Sociology from Dean College will equip you with the theoretical framework and research methods to answer these questions and more, identify the root causes of complex societal issues and advocate for change.
Through coursework, you’ll learn how the social world is organized, how societies experience and resolve conflict and the way cultures differ. You will develop a broad-based understanding of diversity and issues of social justice as well as the research process utilized in sociology and related fields. You will also explore the complex influence of societal forces on individual human behavior. Topics include:
- Social Inequality and Stratification
- Technology and Society
- Visual Sociology
- Social Movements and Collective Behavior
- Criminology: Theories of Crime
- Consumer Culture
Sociology Courses
| Course Number | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| PSY 111 | General Psychology | 3 |
| SOC 113 | Introduction to Sociology | 3 |
| HIS OR ECO ELE | History or Economics Elective | 3 |
| SOC 245 | Research Methods in the Social Sciences | 3 |
| 200-LEVEL SOC ELE | 200-level Sociology Electives | 12 |
| UPPER-DIVISON MAJOR ELE | Upper-Division Sociology Electives | 12 |
| SOC 495 | Senior Capstone | 3 |
| LAS 415 | Critical Theory | 3 |
| DCA 100 | Campus Connections: Making the Transition | 1 |
| DCA 110 | Career Connections: Developing Your Brand | 1 |
| DCA 200 | Internship Connections: Creating Your Plan | 1 |
| DCA 300 | The Internship Experience | 3 |
| DCA EXPERIENCE ELE | Dean Career Advantage Experience Courses | 6 |
| DCA 350 | Future Connections: Launching Your Career | 3 |
Total Credits
57
| Course Number | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ENG 111 | Composition l | 3 |
| ENG 112 | Composition ll | 3 |
| SPC 101 | Communication Fundamentals | 3 |
| SOC 132 | Statistics for the Social Sciences | 3 |
| LAB SCIENCE ELECTIVE | Core Lab Science Elective | 4 |
| ARTS ELECTIVE | Core Distribution Arts Elective | 3 |
| NATURAL SCIENCES AND MATH ELECTIVE | Core Distribution Natural Sciences and Mathematics Elective | 3 |
| HUMANITIES ELECTIVE | Core Distribution Humanities Elective | 3 |
| SOCIAL SCIENCES ELECTIVE | Core Distribution Social Sciences Elective | 3 |
| COM 327 | Applied Professional Communication | 3 |
| UDLA ELE | Upper-Division Liberal Arts Electives | 9 |
Total Credits
40
| Course Number | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ELE | Electives | 24 |
Total Credits
24
Beyond the Classroom
As a Sociology major, you’ll put theory into practice every step of the way.
You’ll complete a required, for-credit internship with a local or regional social advocacy group, social work agency, police department, juvenile detention center, public policy think-tank or related organization. You’ll also complete a senior seminar and senior capstone research project.
And when you graduate, you’ll be prepared to find rewarding work in social advocacy organizations, as public policy analysts, in law enforcement, and as researchers with universities, nonprofits and private foundations. A degree in Sociology is also an excellent foundation for further study, including graduate and professional schools. Post-baccalaureate options include master’s programs in sociology, social work or criminal justice, law school, journalism school and more.
Live and Study Together
Experience your first year of college while living with your classmates through CONNECT, a living learning community for social science majors.
Inside the classroom, you will learn together and collaborate on projects. You’ll make connections to the materials you’re studying as well as to each other, building relationships with your peers, faculty and staff and forming your identity as a social sciences major. The community you share will extend beyond the classroom, as you live together in Wallace Hall. Here, you’ll receive the traditional first-year residential experience, while also participating in unique social, academic and career development programs to help you make the most of your education.
Get Involved
Learn more about how to get involved with our student-run organizations and experiential learning opportunities.-
Student Clubs & Activities Join one of our 40+ student organizations or start one of your own. -
Community Service Give back to the community on campus and in Franklin.
-
Study Abroad Gain global perspectives through one of our study abroad programs.
Uniquely Dean
Discover the unique programming that the Dean College Sociology program has to offer.
- Complete a for-credit internship with a local or regional social advocacy organization or law enforcement agency.
- Learn in classes that are engaging and hands-on and that connect your interests and career plans.
- Participate in advocacy-oriented campus organizations like Students for Sensible Drug Policy and Dean Community Outreach.
- Learn from the best. Dean College was ranked #5 in Best Undergraduate Teaching in the 2022 U.S. News & World Report Best Regional Colleges, North category.
At Dean, I assisted a professor in a research project that was presented at a conference and later submitted for publication. I also conducted my own original research as a senior capstone project. I am currently working at an academic journal, thanks to the experience I gained in reading, conducting and writing scholarly research at Dean.
I have always questioned how society has affected how we act as humans every single day. And to be able to learn that, and enjoy learning that every day, is everything I could ask for.
RECENT STORIES
Check out the news and stories below to learn more about being a Sociology major at Dean.