Undergraduate Bulletin > Sociology > Major

Sociology Major (SOCI)

The Sociology major provides students with an understanding of the fundamental processes of social interaction that underlie all social organization and change. Beyond book and library study, students are required to develop skills in computer analysis and in survey and field research. Students may a) major in sociology, b) major in sociology with a concentration in criminology, c) major in sociology with a concentration in social problems in a global society, d) complete the social studies licensure for secondary teachers with a major in sociology, e) major in both sociology and another field, or f) minor in sociology. Requirements for these six options are described separately below.

Student Learning Goals

Sociology majors at UNCG will be expected to:

• Define and apply basic sociological concepts used in micro and macro sociological theory
• Explain the difference between personal opinion and theoretical insight based on research and between structural and individualistic explanations of human action
• Know how to formulate research hypotheses, collect, and do basic analysis of data
• Evaluate the appropriateness of various theories and research methods for answering different types of empirical questions
• Explain the differences among and the uses of different types of sociological research methods
• Be able to recognize and respond appropriately to the ethical issues involved in studying human subjects and organizations

Program Requirements

I General Education Core Requirements (GEC)

See complete GEC requirements and approved course listings for all categories.

Core Category	S.H.
Students may select courses for:
Literature (GLT)	3
Fine Arts (GFA)	3
Philosophical, Religious, Ethical Principles (GPR)	3
Historical Perspectives on Western Culture (GHP)	3
Mathematics (GMT)	3
Natural Sciences (GNS) one must be a laboratory course; each must have a different departmental prefix	6–7
Reasoning and Discourse (GRD) ENG 101 or FMS 115 or RCO 101, and one additional GRD course	6
Department specifies courses for:
One additional GLT course (student may select)	3
Social and Behavioral Sciences (GSB) required: SOC 101 and one other GSB course	6

 

II General Education Marker Requirements

See details and courses. It is possible to meet all GE Marker Requirements while completing the GE Core requirements or courses required by the major/concentration.

 

III College of Arts and Sciences Additional Requirements (CAR)

See requirements and approved courses.

Category	S.H.
Historical Perspectives on Western Culture one GPM (Premodern) or GMO (Modern) course, depending on category used to satisfy GHP requirement	3
Natural Sciences any GLS or GPS course	3–4
Social and Behavioral Sciences (GSB) any additional GSB course with a different departmental prefix	3
Foreign Language (GFL) intermediate-level proficiency in one language, demonstrated by placement test, or completion of course work through course number 204	0–12
Writing Intensive Courses (WI) a total of four WI courses

 

IV Major Requirements for Sociology, Social Problems in a Global Society, and Criminology Concentrations

All sociology majors must complete a minimum of 36 semester hours in sociology with at least a 2.0 GPA in the major. All sociology majors must complete: SOC 101, 225, 290, 301, 302, 490

Additional Requirements for General Sociology Major without Concentration (U221)

• six (6) additional sociology courses, four (4) of which must be taken at the 300 level or above

Additional Requirements for Social Problems in a Global Society Concentration (U224)

• SOC 202, 344, 345
• at least two (2) additional courses from: SOC 261, 300, 323, 326, 328, 330, 346, 370, 371, 375, 429
• one (1) additional sociology course (may be any sociology elective or may be chosen from the list in the previous bullet)
• two (2) of the additional sociology courses listed in the previous two bullets must be taken at the 300 level or above

Additional Requirements for Criminology Concentration (U222)

• SOC 222, 324
• at least three (3) additional courses from: SOC 317, 323, 332, 350, 390, 419, 420, 425, 429, 430
• one (1) additional sociology course (may be any sociology elective or may be chosen from the list in the previous bullet)
  

V Related Area Requirements

See the Sociology Department’s Director of Undergraduate Studies for related course recommendations.

VI Electives

Electives sufficient to complete the 122 semester hours required for degree.