Sociology Concentration (A.A.)

Associate in Arts

Program Advisor: Colin Adams

413-236-4579 • [e-mail]

Sociology examines the behavior of human beings as part of a society. This means that the topics can range from how people learn to be part of a society to how a basketball team operates in the world to why some societies have more crime than others. It involves careful and deep critical analysis of social processes applicable to a wide range of interests and subjects.

The major in sociology at the baccalaureate level serves as preparation for a wide variety of careers including teaching, social and health services, urban and environmental studies, law, government service, marketing, advocacy, and related occupations.

The sociology concentration is structured to permit students to explore a number of areas in sociology. It closely parallels freshman, and sophomore studies at colleges offering liberal arts baccalaureate, degrees in sociology. It prepares students for admission to a university-level Bachelor of Arts program with a major in sociology, as well as a variety of social science fields.

This is a MassTransfer eligible program.

Expected Outcomes

Graduates of this concentration should be able to:

• Explain the different perspectives and concepts of Sociology;
• Apply the concepts to social institutions and social issues embedded within diverse cultural, local, and global concepts;
• Evaluate, compare, contrast, and critique various theoretical perspectives;
• Analyze complex current issues using these theoretical perspectives and the basic concepts of sociology;
• Demonstrate an understanding of both qualitative and quantitative research methods and the role of evidence; and
• Apply sociological knowledge to real world questions.

Graduation Requirements

Program

SOC-	Any 100-level sociology course	3
SOC-	Four 200-level sociology courses	12
-	Free Electives	15
Total Credit Hours:		30

General Education

COM-	Communication	3
ENG-101	Composition I	3
ENG-	Literature	3
-
HIS-113	Western Civ to 1500	3
-	Or
HIS-121	World History to 1500	3
-
HIS-114	Western Civilization Since 1500	3
-	Or
HIS-122	World History Since 1500	3
-
MAT-	Mathematics	3
-	Environmental Studies	1
-	Natural or Physical Science	7
-	Humanities/Fine Arts	3
Total Credit Hours:		32

Additional Requirements

Core Competencies Portfolio	4 items
Forum	4 units
Health/Fitness	30 hours
Minimum Cumulative Average Overall	2.000

Suggested Pathway to Graduation

First SEMESTER

SOC-	Any 100-level sociology course	3
ENG-101	Composition I	3
HIS-121	World History to 1500	3
COM-	Communication	3
-	Free Elective	3
Total Credit Hours:		15

Second Semester

SOC-	Any 200-level sociology course	3
ENG-102	Composition II	3
ENV-	Environmental Studies	1
-
HIS-114	Western Civilization Since 1500	3
-	Or
HIS-122	World History Since 1500	3
-
MAT-	Mathematics	3
-	Free Elective	3
Total Credit Hours:		16

MAT Mathematics: See footnote 1

Third Semester

SOC-	Any 200-level sociology course	3
-	Lab Science	4
ENG-	Literature	3
-	Humanities/Fine Arts	3
-	Free Elective	3
Total Credit Hours:		16

Fourth Semester

SOC-	Any 200-level sociology course	6
-	Natural or Physical Science	3
-	Free Elective	3
-	Free Elective	3
Total Credit Hours:		15

Footnotes

1. MAT-123 Statistics or MAT-102 College Algebra.