DEPARTMENT OF SOCIOLOGY

Undergraduate Department of Sociology

COLLEGE OF SOCIAL SCIENCES & PUBLIC POLICY

Chair: Kathryn Tillman; Professors: Barrett, Brewster, Burdette, Carr, Davis, Reynolds, Rohlinger, Sanyal, Schrock, Taylor, Tillman, Ueno; Associate Professors: Buggs, Hauer, Homan, Li, McFarland, Singh; Assistant Professors: Brooks, Cannon, Chang, Evans, Moss-Pech, Ramos; Teaching Faculty III: Munson; Teaching Faculty II: Roach; Russell; Professors Emeriti: Carlson, Eberstein, Fendrich, Ford, Hardy, Hazelrigg, Isaac, Kinloch, Martin, Nam, Padavic, Quadagno; Affiliate Faculty: Budhwani, Gundogan, Modi, Perez-Felkner, Ramirez-Surmeier, , Schwabe, Warren, Weiss

Few fields have as broad a scope and application as sociology, the study of human groups and social life. Sociologists investigate how our interactions structure the social world and how collective meanings and societal patterns shape our actions. The sociology major's interests range from families to the many types of societies, crime, religion, race, class, culture, work and politics. At Florida State University, the Department of Sociology examines all these matters and others. Current research is ongoing in diverse areas such as population trends, health, aging, family dynamics, education, the workplace, and positive social change.

There are several reasons for pursuing a sociology degree. First, sociology addresses circumstances and events that affect students' lives today and in the future. Second, a sociology major provides a broad-based, liberal arts education that promotes understanding and sharpens analytical skills. Third, sociology majors develop a suite of practical and highly marketable skills as they move through our program, including critical thinking, oral and written communications skills, data literacy, and data analytics. Our program trains students in statistical analysis, computational social science, and qualitative data analysis. Our students learn to build and analyze surveys, conduct interviews and run focus groups, analyze textual information, and they have opportunities to develop expertise in analytical software. Sociology graduates have found excellent employment opportunities in academia, business, law, medicine, consulting, politics, government, and the non-profit world. Fourth, sociology prepares students for advanced graduate work in anticipation of careers in research and teaching.

Sociology majors learn how to analyze the hiring, termination, and promotional practices of organizations; anticipate the changes individuals will undergo in their life; practice market research; detect social trends; analyze statistical data; evaluate public policies; assess the impact of technological innovations; interpret political and social change in world systems; conduct surveys and interpret their results; project fertility and mortality patterns; and appreciate classic theories of social order and change. The department provides a wide range of courses on important aspects of social life, leading to greater understanding of human society and a variety of skills that are increasingly essential for citizens in a postindustrial, information-based, and rapidly changing global society. In addition to courses, sociology majors can participate in a formal internship program, take advantage of opportunities to work closely with faculty and graduate students on research projects, qualify for membership in the national honors society, and participate in social and professional development events through our sociology club.

Digital Literacy Requirement

Students must complete at least one course designated as meeting the Digital Literacy Requirement with a grade of “C–” or higher. Courses fulfilling the Digital Literacy Requirement must accomplish at least three of the following outcomes:

Evaluate and interpret the accuracy, credibility, and relevance of digital information
Evaluate and interpret digital data and their implications
Discuss the ways in which society and/or culture interact with digital technology
Discuss digital technology trends and their professional implications
Demonstrate the ability to use digital technology effectively
Demonstrate the knowledge to use digital technology safely and ethically

Each academic major has determined the courses that fulfill the Digital Literacy requirement for that major. Students should contact their major department(s) to determine which courses will fulfill their Digital Literacy requirement. Undergraduate majors in sociology satisfy this requirement by earning a grade of “C–” or higher in CGS 2060, CGS 2064, or CGS 2100.

State of Florida Common Program Prerequisites for Sociology

The Florida Virtual Campus (FLVC) houses the statewide, internet-based catalog of distance learning courses, degree programs, and resources offered by Florida's public colleges and universities, and they have developed operational procedures and technical guidelines for the catalog that all institutions must follow. The statute governing this policy can be reviewed by visiting the Florida Postsecondary Academic Library Network page.

FLVC has identified common program prerequisites for the degree program in Sociology. To obtain the most up-to-date, state-approved prerequisites for this degree, visit the Sociology General Requirements page.

Specific prerequisites are required for admission into the upper-division program and must be completed by the student at either a community college or a state university prior to being admitted to this program. Students may be admitted into the University without completing the prerequisites but may not be admitted into the program.

Core Program

For acceptance to the sociology major, students must have successfully completed Florida State University's requirements for CoreFSU Curriculum with a grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 or better and meet “mapping” requirements. Sociology majors are encouraged to complete all CoreFSU Curriculum requirements before admission to the College of Social Sciences and Public Policy. To fulfill the computer skills requirement, students should complete CGS 2060, CGS 2064, or CGS 2100, with a grade of “C–” or better.

Degrees

Students may earn a Bachelor of Arts (BA) or a Bachelor of Science (BS) degree in sociology.

Major

Students must complete 30 credit hours in sociology, with a grade of “C–” or better in each course. All students must take the following three core courses (9 credit hours):

SYA 4010 Sociological Theory,

SYA 4300 Methods of Social Research,

SYA 4400 Social Statistics.

Students must take at least one course from the following list* (3 hours):

IDS 3430: Sociology of Hip Hop Culture

SYD 3774: Culture and Society

SYD 4700: Race and Minority Group Relations

SYD 4730: African Americans in Modern Society

SYO 3530: Social Classes and Inequality

*Students may petition the Undergraduate Program Director for approval of a course not on this list.

Students must take an additional 18 credits of Sociology electives to complete the major.

Transfer students must earn a minimum of 15 credit hours in sociology at Florida State University. Transfer of the required upper-division courses (SYA 4010, SYA 4300, and SYA 4400) is subject to the approval of the department chair or Director of Undergraduate Studies.

Sociology majors must also complete a minor in another discipline. The number of hours for the minor is determined by the department in which the student minors.

Minor in Sociology

A minor in Sociology may be earned by completing any 15 credit hours in sociology with a grade of “C–” or better in each course. At least nine of the 15 credit hours must be completed at Florida State University.

Honors in the Major

The Department of Sociology offers a program of honors in the major to encourage talented juniors and seniors to undertake independent and original research as part of their undergraduate experience. For requirements and other information, see the “University Honors Office and Honor Societies” chapter.

Definition of Prefixes

DEM—Demography

IDH—Interdisciplinary Honors

IDS—Interdisciplinary Studies

SYA—Sociological Analysis

SYD—Sociology of Demography/Area Studies

SYG—Sociology: General

SYO—Social Organization

SYP—Social Processes