UT Dallas 2018 Undergraduate Catalog

School of Economic, Political and Policy Sciences

Sociology (BA)

Sociology offers a scientific approach to examining social groups, human interactions, and social change. Sociologists are interested in a wide range of topics and issues related to social life. Some examples of sociological questions include: Why do some groups have more resources and power than others in society and what explains these inequalities? What factors influence marriage and divorce rates? How do families, schools, churches, and corporations affect social control? What are the functions of welfare programs? How do cities grow and transform to reflect changing technologies and population trends? How does law interact with society and social institutions? What are the causes and consequences of crime and deviant behavior?

The mission of the BA in Sociology is to provide undergraduate students (both majors and non-majors) with broad knowledge of the theoretical concepts, empirical research findings, and methodological approaches of the discipline of sociology, with an emphasis on theory and research related to social inequality. As part of this program, sociology majors should gain mastery of these concepts, findings, and approaches central to sociology, as well as develop basic skills in empirical analysis and professional communication.

At UT Dallas, sociology majors are encouraged to go beyond scholarly study to explore ways that sociology can be utilized in corporations, government agencies, or voluntary organizations. Sociology graduates of the University have pursued careers or graduate study in a variety of areas including policy research, social services, business, law, education, law enforcement, and other social sciences.

Bachelor of Arts in Sociology

Degree Requirements (120 semester credit hours)1

View an Example of Degree Requirements by Semester

Faculty

Professor: Richard K. Scotch, Sheryl L. Skaggs

Associate Professors: Bobby C. Alexander, Sarah Maxwell

I. Core Curriculum Requirements: 42 semester credit hours2

Communication: 6 semester credit hours

COMM 1311 Survey of Oral and Technology-based Communication

RHET 1302 Rhetoric

Mathematics: 3 semester credit hours

Choose one course from the following:

MATH 1306 College Algebra for the Non-Scientist

MATH 1314 College Algebra

Life and Physical Sciences: 6 semester credit hours

Select any 6 semester credit hours from Life and Physical Sciences core courses (see advisor)

Language, Philosophy and Culture: 3 semester credit hours

Select any 3 semester credit hours from Language, Philosophy and Culture core courses (see advisor)

Creative Arts: 3 semester credit hours

Select any 3 semester credit hours from Creative Arts core courses (see advisor)

American History: 6 semester credit hours

HIST 1301 U.S. History Survey to Civil War

HIST 1302 U.S. History Survey from Civil War

Government / Political Science: 6 semester credit hours

GOVT 2305 American National Government

GOVT 2306 State and Local Government

Social and Behavioral Sciences: 3 semester credit hours

SOC 1301 Introduction to Sociology3, 4

Component Area Option: 6 semester credit hours

EPPS 2301 Research Design in the Social and Policy Sciences3, 4

And choose one course from the following:

EPPS 2302 Methods of Quantitative Analysis in the Social and Policy Sciences3, 4

EPPS 2303 Descriptive and Inferential Statistics for the Social and Policy Sciences3, 4

II. Major Requirements: 48 semester credit hours

Major Preparatory Courses: 3 semester credit hours beyond Core Curriculum

ECON 2301 Principles of Macroeconomics

or ECON 2302 Principles of Microeconomics

EPPS 2301 Research Design in the Social and Policy Sciences3, 4

EPPS 2302 Methods of Quantitative Analysis in the Social and Policy Sciences3, 4

or EPPS 2303 Descriptive and Inferential Statistics for the Social and Policy Sciences3, 4

SOC 1301 Introduction to Sociology3, 4

Major Core Courses: 18 semester credit hours

SOC 3303 Classical Social Theory

SOC 3305 Applied Data Analysis

SOC 3381 Field Research Methods

SOC 4302 Class, Status, and Power

SOC 4306 Advanced Sociological Research

Choose one course from the following:

SOC 4385 Health and Illness in Global and Cross-national Perspective

SOC 4387 Religion in International Development

SOC 4388 Religions in Global Societies

Major Related Courses: 27 semester credit hours

18 semester credit hours of upper-division Sociology courses

9 semester credit hours Major and Related electives5

III. Elective Requirements: 30 semester credit hours

This requirement may be satisfied with lower- and upper-division courses from any field of study. Students must complete at least 51 semester credit hours of upper-division courses to qualify for graduation.

Minor in Public Health: 18 semester credit hours

Required Courses: 9 semester credit hours

SOC 4369 Public Health and Society

SOC 4384 Social Epidemiology

SOC 4385 Health and Illness in Global and Cross-national Perspective

Electives: 9 semester credit hours

Any three (3) of the following courses will be accepted as electives for the minor. Other courses will be considered on a case-by-case basis by the program coordinator.

ECON 3330 Economics of Health

GEOG 3357 Spatial Dimensions of Health and Disease

GEOG 3372 Population and Development

HIST 3328 History and Philosophy of Science and Medicine

HLTH 1322 Human Nutrition

HLTH 3301 Issues in Geriatric Healthcare

HLTH 3305 The U.S. Healthcare System

HLTH 3310 Health Care Issues: Global Perspectives

HLTH 4380 Special Topics in Healthcare

HMGT 3301 Introduction to Healthcare Management

PSCI 4365 Law and Medicine

PSY 4328 Health Psychology

PSY 4346 Human Sexuality

SOC 4357 Drugs, Alcohol, and Society

SOC 4371 Mental Health and Illness

SOC 4372 Health and Illness

SPAN 2341 Medical Spanish

Minor in Sociology: 18 semester credit hours

Required Courses: 9 semester credit hours

SOC 1301 Introduction to Sociology

SOC 3303 Classical Social Theory

SOC 4302 Class, Status, and Power

Upper-Division Courses: 9 semester credit hours

Any upper-division classes with a SOC prefix with the exception of SOC 4V97, SOC 4V98, and SOC 4V99.

1. Incoming freshmen must enroll and complete requirements of UNIV 1010 and the corresponding school-related freshman seminar course. Students, including transfer students, who complete their core curriculum at UT Dallas must take UNIV 2020.

2. Curriculum Requirements can be fulfilled by other approved courses from institutions of higher education. The courses listed are recommended as the most efficient way to satisfy both Core Curriculum and Major Requirements at UT Dallas.

3. A Major requirement that also fulfills a Core Curriculum requirement. Semester credit hours are counted in Core Curriculum.

4. Prerequisite course to upper-division SOC courses.

5. Most students take upper-division SOC courses. However, subject to advisor approval, courses from other disciplines may be used to satisfy this requirement.

Updated: 2017-09-12 15:32:50 v3.29aa10