Sociology

The Social and Behavioral Sciences area of emphasis provides a broad understanding of the social, cultural, and intellectual world in which we live. Students who choose this area of emphasis typically have a diverse interest in human problems and seek a liberal education in a broad spectrum of understandings, insights, and appreciations. Multidisciplinary in nature, this area of emphasis seeks to provide an understanding of the interrelationships and varied methodologies of its many subject areas. The Social and Behavioral area of emphasis develops students' intellectual and emotional understanding, appreciation, and insights which prepares them for jobs in government services, commerce or industry, and teaching.

The Associate in Arts in Sociology for Transfer emphasizes a scientific approach to the study of human society, utilizing a variety of theories and research methods to understand the interaction between human groups and institutions and their influences on each other. Sociology ranges from the study of relationships in intimate social settings to the study of large bureaucratic institutions. Students taking this major will examine a variety of social institutions, including family, religion, and education, and will gain a better understanding of the roles played by social class, gender, and race in shaping social interactions. Successful students will develop their ability to think critically about social relationships, perform scientific social research, construct analytical arguments, and communicate their ideas effectively. Completion of this major will provide a solid foundation for people interested in a wide variety of careers, including law and law enforcement, social welfare, gerontology, urban planning, business, education, and public health.

Sociology is the study of social life and focuses on the interaction between human groups and institutions and their influences on each other. Sociology ranges from the study of relationships in family units in the most primitive cultures to the research of large bureaucratic institutions in major industrialized nations. Sociology also studies more tangible measures of human behavior such as class or social status, social movements, and criminal deviance.