Sociology / Sociology and Anthropology Major

Class of 2020-23

• SOC 203: The Sociological Imagination: Introduction to Sociology for Majors (majors must enroll in the course designated for majors)
• SOC 204: The History of Social Thought
• SOC 334: Multivariate Analysis (juniors only)
• Choose from Suite of Methods Courses: SSOC335 Survey of Research Methods, SANT316 Feminist
• Ethnography, SANT375 Food in/and the City, SSOC360 Applied Geographic Information Systems)***
• SANT 336: Ethnographic Methods (juniors only)
• SOC 422: Contemporary Social Theory (juniors and seniors)
• SOC 432: Sociology Thesis

Class of 2024 and Beyond

Class of 2020-23

• SOC 203: The Sociological Imagination: Introduction to Sociology for Majors (majors must enroll in the course designated for majors)
• SANT203: Introduction to Anthropology
• SOC 204: The History of Social Thought
• Choose from Suite of Methods Courses: SSOC335 Survey of Research Methods, SSOC334 Multivariate Analysis, SANT316 Feminist Ethnography, SANT375 Food in/and the City, SSOC360 Applied Geographic Information Systems)
• SANT 336: Ethnographic Methods (juniors only)
• SANT320 Anthropological Theory (juniors and seniors)
• ANTH 432: Anthropology Thesis (seniors only; all required major courses must be completed prior to enrollment)

Class of 2024 and Beyond

Additionally, the department has developed tracks/concentrations such as: Sociology Major with a Public Health Minor, Sociology and Anthropology with a Public Health Minor, Sociology major with a concentration in Pre-Medicine, and Sociology major with a concentration in Pre-Law/Criminology.  Focus areas within the department are offered as preparation for graduate school or professional careers or both. Focused electives consist of courses chosen from the following areas:

1. anthropology for students interested in pursuing careers in anthropology.
2. theory and methods for those interested in careers in sociology and related areas (i.e. information studies, public administration, race, ethnic and gender research,  social work and its subfields, etc.).
3. prelaw and criminology for students who want to develop social, historical and theoretical understandings of law, crime and deviance or who anticipate careers in some other aspect of law and/or criminal justice.

4. the sociology of health for students interested in advanced degrees in sociology or public health.

***Note: Students planning to attend graduate school and/or law, medical or graduate programs in public health and social work must complete Survey of Research Methods and Multivariate Analysis, as well as Ethnographic Methods.

The senior thesis, an original and independent research project, is required of all seniors majoring in sociology or in sociology and anthropology. Designated faculty advisers and readers supervise the research projects. While majors may take Contemporary Social Theory or Anthropological Theory during the same semester that they are enrolled in thesis, all other major core courses must be successfully completed prior to enrolling in Senior Thesis. All majors must successfully complete SOC 432 or ANTH 432 in order to complete the major.

During their junior or senior year, majors are encouraged to enroll in the internship course (SOC 435). The internship provides students with practical experience by allowing them to work in metropolitan Atlanta area nonprofit, governmental, social service, or research institutions. Students are required to work at least 15 hours per week for an entire semester. In addition, students must complete weekly reports, an agency description, a research paper and make a formal presentation as part of their course requirements. A faculty adviser makes a site visit during the semester. Students who successfully complete an internship will earn four hours of elective credit for the experience.

Upon completion of the prescribed program for a major in sociology or a major in sociology and anthropology, the student should be able to:

1. demonstrate knowledge essential for understanding society and culture from sociological and anthropological perspectives on a global scale.
2. identify and critically evaluate the contributions of female and Black sociologists, anthropologists, social scientists and scholars.
3. identify and critically evaluate the social and historical forces and institutions that influence her life.
4. pursue graduate study or careers in sociology, anthropology, law, medicine, public health, criminal justice, social work, and other fields in which social and cultural expertise is essential.
5. apply the analytical and research methods analysis of sociology and anthropology to social issues and conflicts in preparation for participation as an agent of creative social change.