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

Core
SOC 110Introduction to Sociology3
SOC 200Foundations of Sociological Analysis 13
SOC 250Methods of Social Research I 13
SOC 350Methods of Social Research II3
SOC 390Sociological Theory3
Select one of the following:3
SOC 405
Quantitative Social Research Seminar
SOC 410
Sociology Honors Project
SOC 416
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 Credits36
1

 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 following conditions apply to one or both Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees:

  1. 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.
  2. Students majoring in other CASSH programs may choose either a B.A. or a B.S. degree.
  3. Language courses (ARA, CHI, FRE, GCL, GER, HMG, JPN, RUS, SPA) used to fulfill 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.
  4. All other courses used to meet the requirements below must be in addition to the minimum 42 credits required in the General Education Program.
  5. At least one course in the B.A. or B.S. college degree program (core requirements) must be a CASSH designated diversity course.
  6. 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:
  1. A lab science course (from the general education list); and
  2. A social science course; and
  3. Another social science or general education natural science, or math course, or an approved CASSH alternative (ENV 101, PHL 334, PHL 339); and
  4. 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 program option by satisfying one of the following:
  1. Complete a minor (or second major) outside of the student's major program, consisting of at least 18 credits; or
  2. 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
  3. Complete 18 credits in two or more departments or programs (at least 12 credits earned at the 300/400 level). These courses must be outside the student's major department and can be from any college. General education courses may apply provided they are not being used to fulfill minimum general education requirements.

Baccalaureate degree requirements

Candidates for the Bachelor of Arts or the Bachelor of Science degrees must accomplish the following:

  1. Fulfill the general education requirements.
  2. Complete at least one ethnic studies (diversity) course.
  3. Complete the courses prescribed by the Undergraduate Curriculum Committee for the degree desired in the respective school or college.
  4. Earn a minimum of 120 semester credits with at least a 2.00 cumulative GPA.1, 2
  5. 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.
  6. Complete major and minor requirements with at least a 2.00 GPA1, 2 in each major and minor (and concentration or emphasis, if selected).
  7. A minimum of 30 semester credits in residence at UWL is required for graduation. (See undergraduate resident requirement.)
  8. 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.
1

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.

2

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 15 or fewer 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
FallCreditsSpringCredits
CST 110 (Gen Ed Literacy - Oral)3SOC 202 (Gen Ed Global Studies)3
SOC 110 (Gen Ed Self & Society)3ENG 110 or 112 (Gen Ed Literacy - Written)3
SOC 225 (Gen Ed Minority Cultures)3FYS 100 (Gen Ed First-Year Seminar)3
Gen Ed World History3Gen Ed Math4
Gen Ed Natural Lab Science4Gen Ed Arts2-3
 16 15
Year 2
FallCreditsSpringCredits
Gen Ed Lang/Logical Systems3-4Minor Course3
CASSH Core Course - Natural Lab Science4CASSH Core Course3
University Elective3SOC Elective3
SOC 2003University Elective3
SOC 2503CASSH Core Course3
 16 15
Year 3
FallCreditsSpringCredits
Gen Ed Humanistic Studies3Gen Ed Health & Well-Being3
Minor Course3SOC 3903
CASSH Core Course3-4Gen Ed Arts2-3
University Elective3Minor Course3
SOC 3503SOC Advanced Elective Course3
 15 15
Year 4
FallCreditsSpringCredits
Minor Course3CASSH Core Diversity Course3
Minor Course3SOC 405 or 41613
University Elective3Minor Course3
SOC Advanced Elective Course3SOC Advanced Elective Course3
University Elective3University Elective1
 15 13
Total Credits: 120
1

Honors students take SOC 410.