Sociology Major - Bachelor of Science (BS)
Sociology is the study of human groups and how the group influences social behavior. The field is both a science and a philosophy, seeking to answer questions about human behavior through the use of scientific methods. Sociology gives us new and important knowledge about the social world. The focus of the sociology major is to prepare students with the methodological background and analytical skills necessary for working in today’s world, while allowing students to gain a basic understanding of a variety of areas within sociology such as social stratification, criminology, social psychology and comparative sociology.
Every sociology major completes a senior project in one of our three senior capstone courses SOC 405 Quantitative Social Research Seminar, SOC 416 Qualitative Explorations, or SOC 410 Sociology Honors Project. Working closely with faculty, each student designs and completes a semester-long investigation of a sociology-related topic. The senior capstone course provides students with firsthand experience and analytical skills that are valuable in the work world and in graduate study.
(All colleges, excluding teacher certification programs)
36 credits
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Core | ||
| SOC 110 | Introduction to Sociology | 3 |
| SOC 200 | Foundations of Sociological Analysis 1 | 3 |
| SOC 250 | Methods of Social Research I 1 | 3 |
| SOC 350 | Methods of Social Research II | 3 |
| SOC 390 | Sociological Theory | 3 |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Quantitative Social Research Seminar | ||
| Sociology Honors Project | ||
| Qualitative Explorations | ||
| Electives | ||
| The remaining 18 credits will consist of sociology electives to be selected in consultation with a faculty adviser in sociology. Nine of the 18 elective credits must be taken at the 300 level or above. | 18 | |
| Total Credits | 36 | |
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To enroll in SOC 200 Foundations of Sociological Analysis (3 cr.) and SOC 250 Methods of Social Research I (3 cr.), a student must have declared sociology as a major. Once a student has declared sociology as a major, it likely will take a minimum of four semesters to complete the core required course sequence.
All students must complete the general education, college core, major/minor, and university degree requirements in order to qualify for a degree. The easiest way to track all of these requirements is to refer to the Advisement Report (AR) found in the Student Information System (WINGS) Student Center. All enrolled students have access to the AR.
College of Arts, Social Sciences, and Humanities (CASSH/VPA) Bachelor of Science core requirements
The CASSH core provides opportunities for students to deepen their knowledge by taking courses in the arts, humanities, social sciences, and/or sciences beyond the requirements of general education. Students may select from courses offered by the full range of academic departments within the college according to their interests. The college core allows students to build their critical thinking, communication, problem solving, teamwork, and global competencies through in-depth exploration of topics of their choosing.
The following conditions apply to one or both Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees:
- Students majoring in English (writing and rhetoric or literary and cultural studies emphases) or in the department of global cultures and languages must earn a Bachelor of Arts degree. Education majors earn a Bachelor of Science degree; English major: medical professions emphasis majors may earn a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree.
- Students majoring in other CASSH programs may choose either a B.A. or a B.S. degree.
- Language courses (ARA, CHI, FRE, GCL, GER, HMG, JPN, RUS, SPA) used to fulfill the general education requirement: "Mathematical/logical systems and modern languages" (GE 02, category 2) may also be used to meet the B.A. and B.S. language requirements.
- At least one course in the degree must be a CASSH designated diversity course.
- All other courses used to meet the requirements below must be in addition to the minimum 42 credits required in the General Education Program.
- Applicable courses may be found on the CASSH B.A./B.S. Degree Option Course List or in the Advisement Report (AR) when the degree has been declared.
Courses used to fulfill general education requirements will not apply to core requirements except for language courses (ARA, CHI, FRE, GCL, GER, HMG, JPN, RUS, SPA) that count in the general education requirement: "Mathematical/logical systems and modern languages" (GE 02, category 2).
Bachelor of Science students complete four courses outside the department of the student's major as follows:
- A lab science course (from the general education list); and
- A social science course; and
- Another social science or general education natural science, or math course, or an approved CASSH alternative (ENV 101, PHL 334, PHL 339); and
- One additional course in humanities or fine arts or complete a global cultures and languages course 102 level or higher.
In addition to all other College of Arts, Social Sciences, and Humanities core requirements, all students in CASSH must complete a second major, minor, or individualized option by satisfying one of the following:
- Complete a minor (or two certificates with at least 12 combined credits at the 300/400 level or a second major) outside of the student's major program, consisting of at least 18 credits; or
- Complete an emphasis, program or concentration of at least 18 credits outside the student's major program. General education courses may apply provided they are not being used to fulfill minimum general education requirements; or
- Complete an individualized option, consisting of 18 credits. At least 12 credits must be earned at the 300/400 level outside the major department. The remaining six credits may consist of:
- 100 level or higher courses outside the major (general education courses may apply provided they are not being used to fulfill minimum general education requirements); or
- 300/400 level courses inside the major department not being used to fulfill major requirements.
Baccalaureate degree requirements
Candidates for the Bachelor of Arts or the Bachelor of Science degrees must accomplish the following:
- Fulfill the general education requirements.
- Complete at least one ethnic studies (diversity) course.
- Complete the courses prescribed by the Undergraduate Curriculum Committee for the degree desired in the respective school or college.
- Earn a minimum of 120 semester credits with at least a 2.00 cumulative GPA.1, 2
- At least 40 credits must be earned in 300/400 level courses. Transfer courses earned or transferred at the 300/400 level apply to this requirement.
- Complete major and minor requirements with at least a 2.00 GPA1, 2 in each major and minor (and concentration or emphasis, if selected).
- A minimum of 30 semester credits in residence at UWL is required for graduation. (See undergraduate resident requirement.)
- Submit an application for graduation via the "Apply for Graduation" link in the WINGS Student Center as soon as the student has registered for his or her final semester or summer term in residence. December and winter intersession graduates should apply by May 1. May and summer graduates should apply by December 1.
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Grade point average requirements for some programs will be considerably higher than 2.00. Re-entering students may be required to earn credits in excess of the 120 needed for graduation in any curriculum in order to replace credits earned in courses in which the content has changed substantially in recent years. Each case will be judged on its own merit.
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The grade point average recorded at the time the degree is awarded will not be affected by future enrollment.
No degree will be awarded unless all requirements are fulfilled and recorded within 30 days after the official ending date of each term.
Below is a sample degree plan that can be used as a guide to identify courses required to fulfill the major and other requirements needed for degree completion. A student's actual degree plan may differ depending on the course of study selected (second major, minor, etc.). Also, this sample plan assumes readiness for each course and/or major plan, and some courses may not be offered every term. Review the course descriptions or the class timetable for course offering information.
The sample degree plans represented in this catalog are intended for first-year students entering UWL in the fall term. Students should use the Advisement Report (AR) in WINGS and work closely with their faculty advisor(s) and college dean’s office to ensure declaration and completion of all requirements in a timely manner.
General Education Program
The general education curriculum (Gen Ed) is the common educational experience for all undergraduates at UWL. Sample degree plans include Gen Ed placeholders to ensure completion of the general education requirements. Courses may be rearranged to fit the needs or recommendations of the student’s program of study. Gen Ed courses may be taken during winter term (January between the semesters) and summer to reduce the course load during regular terms (fall and spring). Students should consult with their advisor and/or the college academic services director in their college/school for assistance with course and schedule planning. Refer to the general education requirements for more specific details.
At least 40 credits of the 120 credits required must be earned at the 300/400-level.
Note: New students and transfer students with less than 12 credits earned are required to take FYS 100 First-Year Seminar (3 cr.) during one of their first two semesters at UWL.
This sample degree plan does not establish a contractual agreement. It identifies the minimum requirements a student must successfully complete, to qualify for a degree, in a format intended to assist the student in planning their academic career. Actual degree plans may differ.
| Year 1 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| CST 110 (Gen Ed Literacy - Oral) | 3 | SOC 202 (Gen Ed Global Studies) | 3 |
| SOC 110 (Gen Ed Self & Society) | 3 | ENG 110 or 112 (Gen Ed Literacy - Written) | 3 |
| SOC 225 (Gen Ed Minority Cultures) | 3 | FYS 100 (Gen Ed First-Year Seminar) | 3 |
| Gen Ed World History | 3 | Gen Ed Math | 4 |
| Gen Ed Natural Lab Science | 4 | Gen Ed Arts | 2-3 |
| 16 | 15 | ||
| Year 2 | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| Gen Ed Lang/Logical Systems | 3-4 | Minor Course | 3 |
| CASSH Core Course - Natural Lab Science | 4 | CASSH Core Course | 3 |
| University Elective | 3 | SOC Elective | 3 |
| SOC 200 | 3 | University Elective | 3 |
| SOC 250 | 3 | CASSH Core Course | 3 |
| 16 | 15 | ||
| Year 3 | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| Gen Ed Humanistic Studies | 3 | Gen Ed Health & Well-Being | 3 |
| Minor Course | 3 | SOC 390 | 3 |
| CASSH Core Course | 3-4 | Gen Ed Arts | 2-3 |
| University Elective | 3 | Minor Course | 3 |
| SOC 350 | 3 | SOC Advanced Elective Course | 3 |
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Year 4 | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| Minor Course | 3 | CASSH Core Diversity Course | 3 |
| Minor Course | 3 | SOC 405 or 4161 | 3 |
| University Elective | 3 | Minor Course | 3 |
| SOC Advanced Elective Course | 3 | SOC Advanced Elective Course | 3 |
| University Elective | 3 | University Elective | 1 |
| 15 | 13 | ||
| Total Credits: 120 | |||
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Honors students take SOC 410.