About the Program

Sociology is the scientific study of the interrelationships among individuals, groups and institutions. Sociologists attempt to isolate and explain these relationships in all areas of social life. Sociologists study areas such as, but not limited to, family life, crowd behavior, violence, race relations, voting behavior, deviant behavior and behavior in complex organizations. Students can learn about the discipline by reviewing the American Sociological Association Web site at http://www.asanet.org as well as this site which includes a description of career opportunities in sociology.

Program Requirements

All students pursuing bachelor's degrees at Kent State complete a series of liberal education requirements. Sociology majors take courses in the areas of English composition, mathematics or logic, foreign language, humanities, fine arts, social sciences and basic sciences.

The person wishing to pursue a major in sociology at Kent State must complete 34 hours of coursework in sociology — 13 hours of required courses, 21 hours of elective courses (at least 12 of these 21 hours must be in upper-division courses) in addition to university requirements as specified in the Kent State Undergraduate Catalog.

REQUIRED COURSES FOR A MAJOR:

Sociology 12050, Introduction to Sociology 3
Sociology 32210, Researching Society 3
Sociology 32220, Data Analysis 3
Sociology 32221, Data Analysis Laboratory 1
Sociology 42126, Sociological Theories 3
Total hours in required sociology courses 13

Elective coursework in sociology 21
(at least 12 of these 21 hours must be in
upper-division courses)

Total required credit hours for sociology major 34

Sociology majors with general interests are encouraged to cover a variety of course offerings in those 21 elective hours. However, students with specialized interests (for example, social psychology, deviance, stratification, medical sociology) can work closely with their advisors in order to receive the most learning in their special areas of interest.

Consult the Kent State University Undergraduate Catalog for a complete listing of available sociology courses.

 

Sociology Club

The department has an active undergraduate club, called the Student Sociological Collective. Any ­student interested in sociology may join the club. Membership enables students to interact with faculty and other sociology students on a more informal and regular basis.

Advising

Sociology students are initially assigned to the undergraduate coordinator, the official advisor to sociology majors and minors. Students also can select an advisor; all full-time faculty members can serve as advisors to sociology majors and minors. Advisors can assist students in selecting courses that fit with their long-term career goals.

Research Facilities

Sociology students have the opportunity to have one-one-one research experiences working on faculty projects, as well as independent, student-led projects. In addition, students may participate in survey research projects from the department’s Computer-Assisted Telephone Interviewing Laboratory.