Programs offered:

• B.A. in Sociology (TU)
• B.A. in Sociology, Social Work Track (TU)
• Minor in Sociology (TU)

Sociology is the systematic study of social life. Sociologists, through empirical inquiry, seek to understand the development, maintenance and transformation of societies, institutions and organizations, and the ways in which social life shapes groups and individuals.  The mission of the sociology program is to introduce students to the field of sociology within a liberal arts setting and to equip students with the methodological, interpretive and critical thinking skills needed to study social behavior from a sociological perspective. Sociology majors should be able, through written and oral analyses, to make arguments whose conclusions are drawn from evidence. They should be able to distinguish between informed and uninformed opinion. Each sociology student at Oglethorpe will be expected to master essential knowledge within the areas of sociological theory, research methodology, and multiple substantive areas within the field. The program seeks to prepare students for diverse careers, graduate and professional study, and responsible citizenship.

Students may also major in the Sociology, Social Work Track. This is an appropriate curriculum for students who wish to pursue a career in Social Work and related fields. This track involves a focused course of study designed to address the skills and knowledge needed for career paths within Social Work, to include preparation for pursuance of a Master’s of Social Work (MSW) and/or graduate school in related fields of study.

B.A. in Sociology (see Sec. 8.5.1. for a complete list of B.A. graduation requirements)

1. Completion of all of the following courses:
   • MAT 111 Statistics
   • SOC 101 Introduction to Sociology
   • SOC 310 Survey of Research Methods
   • SOC 403 Sociological Theory
   • SOC 420 Sociology Capstone
2. Completion of five additional four-hour Sociology electives.
3. Additional requirements and things to note:
   • Students can apply a maximum of 4 hours of independent study (SOC 200 or SOC 400) towards the major requirements; a four-hour independent study may take the place of one elective in the major.
   • Students can apply a maximum of 4 hours of internship (SOC 495) towards the major requirements; a four-hour internship may take the place of one elective in the major.
   • SOC 303, SOC 304, and SOC 402 cannot count towards the major’s elective requirements.
   • A grade of “C-” or better is required in all courses contributing to the major.

B.A. in Sociology, Social Work Track (see Sec. 8.5.1. for a complete list of B.A. graduation requirements)

1. Completion of all of the following courses:
   • MAT 111 Statistics
   • SOC 101 Introduction to Sociology
   • SOC 303 Field of Social Work
   • SOC 304 Methods of Social Work
   • SOC 310 Survey of Research Methods
   • SOC 403 Sociological Theory
   • SOC 420 Senior Capstone
2. Completion of two additional four-hour Sociology electives.
3. Completion of SOC 496 Internship in Social Work (4 hours minimum).
4. Additional requirements and things to note:
   • Students can apply a maximum of 4 hours of independent study (SOC 200 or SOC 400) towards the major requirements; a four-hour independent study may take the place of one elective in the major.
   • Students completing the Social Work Track cannot use SOC 495 for the requirements of this track.
   • A grade of “C-” or better is required in all courses contributing to the major.

Minor in Sociology (TU)

1. Completion of SOC 101 Introduction to Sociology.
2. Completion of four Sociology electives (totaling at least 16 semester hours).
3. Additional requirements and things to note:
   •  A grade of “C-” or better is required in all courses contributing to the minor.