Dec 07, 2024  
University Catalog 2017-2018 
    
University Catalog 2017-2018 [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Sociology, B.A.


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The Department of Sociology offers a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology with four options: the General Sociology Option, the Law and Society Option, the Inequalities and Diversity Option, and the Social Gerontology Option.

The total number of units required for the Bachelor of Arts in Sociology is 120 units, of which 45 units are in the major. Consult with an adviser for the specific number of units required in all areas of the degree, including GE and free electives.

Sequence Recommendation

To facilitate scheduling, specific prerequisites have been omitted from most courses. It is highly recommended, however, that suggested sequences be observed, since later coursework will assume familiarity with prior course material.

The following are strongly recommended or required.

Students who transfer without having completed equivalent courses should include SOC 2010  and SOC 2100  among their first courses at Cal State L.A.

Requirements for the Major (45 units)


Major requirements combine a common set of 18 units of required coursework with 27 additional units of work relevant to one of the four options: General Sociology, Law and Society, Inequalities and Diversity, and Social Gerontology.

Options (27 units)


The following courses in one of four options are required in addition to the required courses described above..

 

General Sociology Option (27 units)


Upper Division Electives


Select 27 units in sociology and other fields, in consultation with adviser; a program may include Independent Study (SOC 4990 ) and Internship/Cooperative Education coursework (SOC 3980 ,

 , and SOC 4980 ), but no more than 6 units of any combination of these courses normally may be counted toward the major. With prior approval of adviser, students may select up to 6 units in other fields to complete a comprehensive sociological program with an interdisciplinary emphasis.

General Option Internship and Cooperative Education Opportunities


Sociology majors can earn up to 3 units per semester up to a maximum of 6 units through the Sociology Internships and Service Learning Course (SOC 4050  ) or Cooperative Education (SOC 3980  or SOC 4980 ). Students must arrange a work agreement with an approved agency. See the Sociology internship coordinator or class instructor for specific prerequisites, course requirements, list of approved agencies, workload agreement, and other program details.

General Option Independent Study Opportunities


The Directed Study Course (SOC 4990 ) allows students to expand on their special interests. A directed study is usually in an area that the department’s normal course offerings do not cover. Students meet regularly with their faculty supervisor and earn 1 to 3 units of credit and up to 6 units if the course is repeated. Individual research projects may involve library research, case studies, or field research.

General Option Honors Program in the Sociology Major


The Sociology department sponsors a Senior Honors Program for our top undergraduates. During their final undergraduate year, students undertaking the honors thesis conduct an independent research project under the supervision of a faculty member in the Sociology department and write a senior honors thesis. Eligibility criteria are: a sociology student with senior class standing, minimum of 3.5 grade point average, and completion of specific courses required for the major program (SOC 2010 ,SOC 3900  or SOC 3910 , SOC 4120 , at least six upper division courses in the sociology major). Students in the General Option register for SOC 4930  after obtaining permission to enroll.

Law and Society Option (27 units)


The Law and Society Option explores a broad range of critical social and scientific issues concerning multiple facets of the law, including crime, deviance, human rights, and legal institutions from a sociological perspective. It prepares students for a wide variety of careers and professional programs and informs them about how social forces influence the legal system and how the law affects society, definitions of deviance and crime, and explanations for why individuals engage in these activities. It is designed for students who wish to pursue advanced study in areas such as sociology, law, graduate law and society programs, public health, criminology, social welfare, education, and business administration; those who wish to do applied research on law-related issues; and those who wish to gain a sociological understanding of law and society before seeking careers in health professions, criminal justice, social work, politics, public policy or policy analysis, public administration, urban and environmental planning, counseling, and other service occupations.

Upper Division Law and Society Electives (12 units)


Select 12 units from these courses. These may include up to 6 units of independent work in law and society (internship or directed study) or law-related coursework from other departments with the Law and Society adviser’s approval.

Upper Division Required Course (3 units)


Upper Division General Electives (12 units)


Select 12 units in sociology and other fields, in consultation with adviser; a program may include Independent Study (SOC 4990 ) and Internship/Cooperative Education coursework (SOC 3980 , SOC 4050 , and SOC 4980 ), but no more than 6 units of any combination of these courses normally may be counted toward the major. With approval of an adviser, students may select up to 6 units from outside sociology to complete a comprehensive sociological program with an interdisciplinary emphasis.

Law and Society Independent Study Opportunities


The directed study course (SOC 4990 ) allows students to expand on their special interests in law and society. A directed study is usually in an area that the department’s normal course offerings do not cover. Students meet regularly with their faculty supervisor and earn 1 to 3 units of credit and up to 6 units if the course is repeated. Individual research projects may involve library research, case studies, or field research.

Law and Society Internship and Cooperative Education Opportunities


Students can earn up to 6 units through the Sociology Internships and Service Learning Class (SOC 4050 ) or by enrolling in Cooperative Education (SOC 3980  or SOC 4980 ) by arranging a work agreement with an approved agency (such as a government agency, business, or citizen group) and their course instructor or  Law and Society adviser the semester before enrolling in the course.

Honors Program in the Law and Society Option


The Law and Society Option sponsors a senior honors program for our top undergraduates. During their final undergraduate year, students enroll in SOC 4960 , conduct an independent research project under the supervision of a faculty member in the Sociology department, and write a senior honors thesis. Students who complete the honors program graduate with distinction in the Law and Society Option. Eligibility criteria are: a Law and Society Option student with senior class standing, minimum of 3.5 grade point average, and completion of specific courses required for the major and Law and Society Option (SOC 2010 , SOC 4880 , at least four upper division courses in the Sociology Major, and at least two additional upper division courses in the Law and Society Option). Diplomas and transcripts of honors program graduates are designated: “Graduated with Departmental Honors in the Law and Society Option in Sociology.”

Inequalities and Diversity Option (27 units)


The Inequalities and Diversity Option builds on the strength of CSULA as a diverse, urban institution uniquely positioned to enable students to explore the many aspects of social inequality and diversity confronting our society. The option provides students with concentrated study on topics relevant to various types of social inequalities, thus preparing students for careers in an increasingly diverse, multicultural, and global society. The sociological approach constitutes the core of the option, while courses from other disciplines are used to supplement student understanding of inequalities and diversity.

Upper Division Required Course (3 units)


Upper Division General Electives (6 units)


Select 6 units of upper division courses in sociology in consultation with adviser; a program may include Independent Study (SOC 4990 ) and Internship/Cooperative Education coursework (SOC 3980 , SOC 4050 , and SOC 4980 ), but no more than 6 units of any combination of these courses normally may be counted toward the major.

Upper Division Inequalities and Diversity Electives in Ethnic/Area Studies (6 units)


With advisor approval, select 6 units from outside of sociology from the following list. Other courses may be approved by an advisor. Students in the inequalities and diversity option are encouraged to take a minor in another discipline in conjunction with their sociology major.

Inequalities and Diversity Option Internship and Cooperative Education Opportunities


Sociology majors can earn up to 3 units per semester up to a maximum of 6 units through the Sociology Internships and Service Learning Course (SOC 4050 ) or Cooperative Education (SOC 3980  or SOC 4980 ). Students must arrange a work agreement with an approved agency. See the Sociology internship coordinator or class instructor for specific prerequisites, course requirements, list of approved agencies, workload agreement, and other program details.

Inequalities and Diversity Option Independent Study Opportunities


The Directed Study Course (SOC 4990 ) allows students to expand on their special interests. A directed study is usually in an area that the department’s normal course offerings do not cover. Students meet regularly with their faculty supervisor and earn 1 to 3 units of credit and up to 6 units if the course is repeated. Individual research projects may involve library research, case studies, or field research.

Honors Program in the Inequalities and Diversity Option


The Sociology department sponsors a Senior Honors Program for our top undergraduates. During their final undergraduate year, students undertaking the honors thesis conduct an independent research project under the supervision of a faculty member in the Sociology department and write a senior honors thesis. Eligibility criteria are: a sociology student with senior class standing, minimum of 3.5 grade point average, and completion of specific courses required for the major program (SOC 2010 , SOC 3900  or SOC 3910 , SOC 4120 , at least six upper division courses in the sociology major). Students in the Inequalities and Diversity Option register for SOC 4930  after obtaining permission to enroll.

Social Gerontology Option (27 units)


The Social Gerontology Option will provide students with the theoretical and research background in the sociology of aging that they will need to develop social programs for the elderly and to evaluate the effectiveness of those programs. This option is particularly timely because as the baby boomers age, they will create the largest cohort of senior citizens in U.S. history. Population aging will soon be world-wide and will lead to many new career opportunities for students in a variety of fields. Social Gerontology is inherently multidisciplinary; therefore, this option not only examines the social aspects of aging but also the biological, socio-cultural, developmental, and policy aspects. Students will gain an understanding of how aging influences all spheres of self and society.

Upper Division Required Course (3 units)


Upper Division General Electives (9 units)


Select 9 units of upper division courses in sociology in consultation with adviser; a program may include Independent Study (SOC 4990 ) and Internship/Cooperative Education coursework (SOC 3980 , SOC 4050 , and SOC 4980 ), but no more than 6 units of any combination of these courses normally may be counted toward the major.

Social Gerontology Internship and Cooperative Education Opportunities


Sociology majors can earn up to 3 units per semester up to a maximum of 6 units through the Sociology internships and Service Learning Course (SOC 4050 ) or Cooperative Education (SOC 3980  or SOC 4980 ). Students must arrange a work agreement with an approved agency. See the Sociology internship coordinator or class instructor for specific prerequisites, course requirements, list of approved agencies, workload agreement, and other program details.

Social Gerontology Independent Study Opportunities


The Directed Study Course (SOC 4990 ) allows students to expand on their special interests. A directed study is usually in an area that the department’s normal course offerings do not cover. Students meet regularly with their faculty supervisor and earn 1 to 3 units of credit and up to 6 units if the course is repeated. Individual research projects may involve library research, case studies, or field research.

Honors Program in the Social Gerontology Option


The Sociology department sponsors a Senior Honors Program for our top undergraduates. During their final undergraduate year, students undertaking the honors thesis conduct an independent research project under the supervision of a faculty member in the Sociology department and write a senior honors thesis. Eligibility criteria are: a sociology student with senior class standing, minimum of 3.5 grade point average, and completion of specific courses required for the major program (SOC 2010 , SOC 3900  or SOC 3910 , SOC 4120 , at least six upper division courses in the sociology major). Students in the Social Gerontology Option register for SOC 4930  after obtaining permission to enroll.

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