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2016-2017 University Catalog
Sociology, BA
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Banner Code: LA-BA-SOCI
Web: soan.gmu.edu
College: College of Humanities and Social Sciences
Department: Sociology and Anthropology
Sociology involves the systematic study of social structures, cultural patterns, and human relationships. The sociological imagination combines rigorous methods with theory and observation, yielding insights that challenge commonly held assumptions about the social world. Sociology also informs the practice of social and public service, aiding efforts to address important social problems. Majoring in sociology positions students so they can pursue a varied set of career paths, ranging from teaching, human service, and human resource occupations to positions in the criminal justice system, marketing, and social research. The sociology major is excellent preparation for students considering law school or graduate training in the social and behavioral sciences.
This undergraduate program offers students the option of applying to the accelerated master’s degree program. See Sociology, BA/Sociology, Accelerated MA for specific requirements.
For policies governing all undergraduate degrees, see Academic Policies .
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Degree Requirements
Students must fulfill all requirements for bachelor’s degrees , including Mason Core requirements. Students pursuing a BA in sociology must complete additional college requirements for the BA degree in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences.
Students pursuing this degree must complete 34 credits of sociology courses with a minimum GPA of 2.00. No more than 6 credits of courses with unsatisfactory grades (C- or D) may be applied toward the degree.
One introductory core course (3 credits)
The introductory course must be completed with a minimum grade of 2.00. Four additional core courses (13 credits)
Each of these courses must be completed with a minimum grade of 2.00.
One capstone experience course (3 credits) chosen from:
Electives (15 credits)
Students complete 15 credits in sociology (SOCI) at the 300 or 400 level.
Students are strongly encouraged to focus four of their elective courses (12 credits) in one of the concentrations below chosen to suit their interests and career objectives. Students who choose a concentration will complete one remaining elective.
Concentrations
Students can focus 12 of their 15 elective credits to complete one of the following 12-credit concentrations.
Students who graduate with honors in sociology may apply 3 credits of honors course work to their selected concentration where appropriate and with prior written approval of the undergraduate director.
▲ Concentration in Childhood and Youth (CYC)
This concentration focuses on the changing social realities, experiences, and identities of children and youth as they are formed in different social and historical contexts. It emphasizes children in peer groups, youth subcultural activities, youth and children and the media, schools, families, social movements, social policy, and the welfare state. This concentration is appropriate for students interested in working directly with children and youth or in organizations serving them in a broad range of fields, such as educational counseling, teaching, policy, advocacy or clinical work, family and community services, social work, early child development, and juvenile justice. One required course (3 credits)
Three courses (9 credits) chosen from:
▲ Concentration in Deviance, Crime, and Social Control (DCSC)
This concentration focuses on the social, legal, and political systems that underpin social control in Western societies and beyond. The emphasis is on how norms, values, and common sense regulate human action and the social forces that produce deviant behavior and societal responses to it. This concentration is appropriate for students interested in the criminal justice system and the law. Four courses (12 credits) chosen from:
▲ Concentration in Global Sociology (GSOC)
This concentration focuses on global interconnectedness and its effect on the nature of societies around the world. It emphasizes new technologies and social processes, migration, transnational communities, global cities, and social movements working across state borders. This concentration is appropriate for students interested in pursuing internationally oriented careers in social change, political reform, and international development. One required course (3 credits)
Three courses (9 credits) chosen from:
▲ Concentration in Inequality and Social Change (INSC)
The focus is on inequalities, such as those of race, class, and sex, and on the manner in which such inequalities become structurally rooted in a society. The emphasis is on understanding the rise of the struggle for human rights, democracy, and various social movements that have sought to reverse these inequalities through protests, demonstrations, counterorganizations, and the ballot. This concentration is appropriate for students who seek careers in social justice organizations, social services, or teaching, and those who wish to participate in social and political movements. One required course (3 credits)
Three courses (9 credits) chosen from:
Writing-Intensive Requirement
The university requires all students to complete at least one course designated “writing intensive” in their majors at the 300 level or above. Students majoring in sociology may fulfill this requirement by successfully completing SOCI 412 . Mason Core (40 credits)
Note: some Mason Core requirements may already be fulfilled by the major requirements listed above. Students are strongly encouraged to consult their advisors to ensure they fulfill all remaining Mason Core requirements.
Expand each item below for a link to specific course lists for each category.
Foundation Requirements (15-19 credits)
Core Requirements (22 credits)
Synthesis/Capstone Requirement (minimum 3 credits)
College Level Requirements for the BA degree
In addition to the Mason Core program, students pursuing a BA degree must complete the course work below. Except where expressly prohibited, a course used to fulfill a college level requirement may also be used simultaneously to satisfy other requirements (Mason Core requirements or requirements for the major).
Philosophy or religious studies (3 credits)
Fulfilled by any course in philosophy or religious studies (PHIL, RELI) except for PHIL 323 , 324 , 327 , 393 , 460 . PHIL 253 and RELI 235 cannot be used to fulfill both the philosophy/religious studies requirement and the Mason Core literature requirement.
Social and behavioral science (3 credits)
3 credits in addition to the university-wide requirement in social and behavioral science for a total of 6 credits. The two courses used to fulfill the combined college and university requirements must be from different disciplines in the social and behavioral sciences. This requirement may be fulfilled by completing any course in ANTH, CRIM, ECON, GOVT, HIST (except 100 or 125), LING, PSYC, or SOCI and these courses in GGS: 101 , 103 , 110 , 301 , 303 , 304 , 305 , 306 , 315 , 316 , 320 , 325 , 330 , 357 , 380 .
Non-Western culture (3 credits)
3 credits of an approved course in the study of a non-Western culture in addition to the course used to fulfill the Mason Core requirement in global understanding. A course used to fulfill the Mason Core global understanding requirement may not be simultaneously used to satisfy this college-level requirement. A course used to fulfill this requirement may be used simultaneously to fulfill any other requirements (Mason Core requirements, college-level requirements, or requirements for the major). Additional information on waivers can be found at the Office of Undergraduate Academic Affairs.
Electives
Any remaining credits may be completed with elective courses to bring the degree total to 120.
Degree Total: Minimum 120 credits
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