Sociology gives you the eyes to see the hidden social forces that affect the course of our lives and our communities. Sociology also gives you the scientific methods to understand and engage with the issues of our time: race, poverty, inequality, globalization, immigration, environmental change, gender, power, and many others. With both of these in hand our graduates are prepared to grapple with social problems that affect the entire globe or just one family.
Do you want to see the world more fully? Do you want to create change in your community, in business, in the world? Then start your journey by majoring in sociology.
To learn more check out our brochure.
Sociology graduates can seamlessly transition into social service careers, working with governmental organizations, and non-profits. The skill set that sociology provides is highly prized within the business sector for careers in human resources, public relations, and marketing. Sociology also provides a strong academic base for careers and advanced degrees in law, medicine, social work, and counseling.
Over the course of your education you will develop many “real world” skills including how to ask research questions, find existing evidence, collect your own data, and analyze it with quantitative and qualitative methodologies. Students who focus their classes on social services will develop basic counseling skills, techniques for program evaluation, and the tools to analyze how public policy affects individuals, families, and communities.
The American Sociological Association also has some excellent resources on the job prospects and career opportunities for our graduates.
In addition to a strong liberal arts base of classes, our majors are required to take 39 hours of sociology courses. All of our graduates are required to take Introduction to Sociology (1101), Sociological Theory (3431), Sociological Research Methods (3434), and our senior capstone course Senior Seminar (4630).
For students who want to focus their coursework on social services they are also expected to complete: Introduction to Social Services (2232), Practice Skills (3231), Group Dynamics (5140), Social Welfare Policy & Services (4232), Human Behavior and the Social Environment (SOCI 3232), Aging Programs and Policies (SOCI 3233), and Child Welfare Policy and Family Services (SOCI 4231)
For a complete overview of all the courses you will need to complete:
Download our check list of required courses.
To see what classes will be offered in the next few years:
Download a list of upcoming courses.
This emphasis focuses on developing your “sociological imagination” (i.e. your ability to critically analyze the individual within their larger social setting) as well as hone your researcher skills. For students who want to focus on growing as a scientific researcher this course focus provides you with extensive opportunities and a lot of flexibility to research your particular area of interest.
This is our most broad and inclusive course focus. There are no specialized classes that are recommended for this focus, beyond the base program requirements. If you want to sample a variety of courses or if you would like to tailor your coursework to your individual interests, then this may be the right choice for you.
For students interested in social services and social work with individuals, children & families, groups, and communities, the Social Service Track in Sociology offers the opportunity to gain knowledge in social service programs and policies across the lifespan, as well as, skills in counseling strategies and working with various social service agencies.
With a social service course focus you will be ready to start down a career path to becoming a program director, non-profit administrator, child protection worker, marriage & family specialist, mental health case manager, victim’s advocate, prevention specialist, community educator, volunteer coordinator, public policy analyst, and many others. If you are interested in earning a Masters of Social Work or continuing your education in counseling, this track is ideal.
In order to get the most out of your courses in the Social Service Track, the faculty recommend that you take the courses in the following order if possible, however, this sequence is flexible.
After these four courses, the following courses can be taken in any order.
Finally, we encourage all students to gain valuable experience in a social service agency by completing an internship. Apply for an internship by filling out this form.
Check out some of the exciting internships some of our previous sociology majors have undertaken.
Changing your major is easy. Follow these simple directions. If you have questions or would like help changing your major, contact us at SAM@georgiasouthern.edu or by phone 912-478-5443.
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Dr. Nancy Malcom 912-478-5168 nmalcom@georgiasouthern.edu |
Last updated: 9/24/2019
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