Sociology
Division III Chair: J. Blythe
Program Chair: J. Burnside
Faculty: J. Bouma, J. Burnside, and A. Woodward
Website: http://www.berea.edu/soc/
Courses: SOC Courses
Major/Minor Requirements: Sociology B.A.; Sociology Minor
The study of sociology provides an understanding of human social behavior and analysis of the social processes that unite as well as separate us. Sociologists study structures that organize society—such as social institutions, race, social class, and gender—as well as processes that divide us—such as crime and deviance. Both quantitative methods and qualitative methods of research are used in sociology.
Sociology courses contribute to the liberal education of students regardless of major. The major in Sociology will prepare students for graduate work in sociology, social work, applied sociology, or any field of study related to the sociological perspective. Majors are expected to develop writing and quantitative-analysis skills that enable them to carry out research in topics in which they have an interest.
Graduates of the Berea College Sociology program are prepared for employment in a wide variety of applied sociology and social science careers.
The Program offers a Major in Sociology. Students interested in gaining certification to teach in the area of social studies (8-12) must double major in Teaching and Curriculum with Certification and in either Sociology, Political Science or History. For more information, see the requirements for majoring in Teaching and Curriculum with Certification under the Education Studies section of this publication.
In addition to supporting students' achievement of the Aims of General Education, the Sociology Program seeks to assist students in meeting the following learning goals and associated learning outcomes:
Learning Goal 1: Gain an understanding of the discipline of sociology and its role in contributing to our understanding of social reality.
Learning Outcome 1.1: Apply the sociological imagination, sociological principles, and concepts to her/his own life.
Learning Goal 2: To appreciate the role of theory in Sociology.
Learning Outcome 2.1: Define theory and describe its role in building sociological knowledge.
Learning Outcome 2.2: Compare and contrast basic theoretical orientations.
Learning Outcome 2.3: Describe and apply some basic theories or theoretical orientations in at least one area of social reality.
Learning Goal 3: To appreciate the role of evidence and qualitative and quantitative methods in sociology.
Learning Outcome 3.1: Identify basic methodological approaches and describe the general role of methods in building sociological knowledge.
Learning Outcome 3.2: Compare and contrast the basic methodological approaches for gathering data.
Learning Outcome 3.3: Design a research study in an area of choice and explain why various decisions were made.
Learning Goal 4: Understand basic concepts in sociology and their fundamental theoretical interrelations.
Learning Outcome 4.1: Define the relevance of culture, social change,l socialization, stratification, social structure, institutions, and differentiations by race/ethnicity, gender, age, and class.
Learning Outcome 4.2: Provide examples of the relevance of culture, social change, socialization, stratification, social structure, institutions, and differentiations by race/ethnicity, gender, age, and class.
Sociology Course Sequencing Table:
Please be aware that the table below represents current planning and is subject to change based on faculty availability and student interest. It is not meant to represent any guarantee to the student that the courses will be offered in the term in which they are currently planned.
* Offered as student interest and faculty availability permit