Sociology , B.A.

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At-a-Glance

Admission to major: No requirement other than good academic standing in the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences.

Minimum hours required for major: 33 (including SOC 101 , SOC 201 , SOC 352 , SOC 354 , SOC 400 , and four other Sociology electives, with at least 3 at the 300- to 400-level)

Minimum hours required for minor in sociology: 18 (including SOC 101 , SOC 201 , and SOC 352 , and at least one of two electives at the 300- to 400-level)

Advising: Undergraduate Adviser and Student Handbook.

Student Honorary Society: Alpha Kappa Delta Awards: Annual Distinguished Sociology/Criminology Student Award

Student Organizations: Sociology/Criminology Club

For Information: Contact the Sociology and Criminology Department. Phone: 216-687-4500

Sociology is the study of social life and the connections among persons in groups and institutions that helps to illuminate and explain the causes and consequences of human behavior. It focuses on the interrelationships among political, economic, cultural, and social structures by combining scientific and humanistic perspectives to study a wide range of issues, from face-to-face interaction at the micro level to conflict between developed and less-developed nations at the macro level.

Sociology students at Cleveland State University learn a perspective through which to analyze modern social life. Substantive courses in such areas as criminology, marriage and family, third world, poverty, social inequality, mental illness, gerontology, and education, examine specific social relationships and institutions. In core courses students are taught how to do research using both quantitative and qualitative methods and gain a greater appreciation of sociological theories.

While learning research skills and an understanding of the sociological perspective, majors in sociology develop the critical thinking and writing skills basic to a sound liberal-arts education to prepare them for a wide range of careers. Upon graduation, some students pursue graduate and professional degrees while others gain employment in the criminal justice system, social services, non-profits, and corporations.

A minimum total number of 128 credit hours are required for every student in the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences. All degree seeking, CLASS students must complete a specific number of General Education (GenEd) requirements which are comprised of University and College requirements. This is in addition to the credits for their major field of study. Students are responsible for ensuring the appropriate selection of courses to satisfy GenEd requirements. Students are highly encouraged to consult with both their general education advisor and faculty advisor regarding the applicability of selected courses each semester. A comprehensive description of Cleveland State University’s General Education Requirements for undergraduate students is available online at http://www.csuohio.edu/academic/gened/summarytable.html.

Major-Field Requirements

In establishing the requirements of the major in Sociology, the Department of Sociology and Criminology maintains these objectives: to introduce students to the sociological perspective and its uses, to teach the principles of sociological research and the fundamental skills needed to use them, and to prepare students for advanced training at the professional and graduate-school levels:

A minimum of 33 hours in Sociology is required for a major.

The hours must include these core courses:

Electives

Students must complete four elective courses, at least three of which must be at the 300- to 400-level (see list of Sociology electives below).

Although a student is free to complete the major requirements with any combination of Sociology electives, the department believes that the major program is greatly strengthened and better organized when there is judicious selection of electives. The department makes available to every student who declares a major in Sociology an Undergraduate Adviser. The student is expected to plan a total academic program with the assistance of the departmental adviser.

Internships in Sociology

Students may qualify for a 4-credit internship in Sociology (SOC 490 ) by achieving an overall GPA of 3.0 in the major or minor, completion of the required courses, and junior or senior standing. Students who qualify must arrange an internship with the departmental coordinator (call 216-687-4500). Internships may be for up to 8 credit hours. However, only 4 of these hours may be applied toward the requirements for the major.