Sociology

Major Map: B.A. Sociology

The program in sociology seeks to offer to the sociology major the knowledge and skills necessary for pursuing graduate studies and for careers in the professions such as law, medicine, business, teaching, research, government, planning and human services.

Sociology studies how human beings live in groups and in societies, and how they judge the meaning of their social lives. Sometimes sociologists begin with the individual and observe how the commitments of social factors bind them together in social relationships and result in the production of beliefs, values, and behaviors. At other times sociologists begin with cultural traditions, societies, and even entire civilizations and study the different cultural designs, the social organizations, and the modes of consciousness according to which people both in conflict and in cooperation order their shared lives.

Sociology fosters reflective self -understanding in students through the appreciation of their own and others' underlying commitments. It also cultivates the ability of human beings to act adequately in the various social worlds in which they live. Majors in sociology will find it helpful to become closely acquainted with at least one other discipline in the humanities or the social sciences, such as history, English, economics, religion, or psychology. Joint majors and interdisciplinary studies are encouraged by the faculty in sociology.

The sociology department's purpose is to:

  1. Prepare majors for graduate or professional school.
  2. Train students to conduct social research.
  3. Develop in students an awareness of the nexus between sociology and international and cross-national issues.
  4. Expose students to major sociological theorists (including those who have historically been excluded because of race, gender, sexual preference, etc.)
  5. Promote sociological thinking and train students to apply sociological concepts to real-world solutions.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the sociology major, the student will:

  1. Demonstrate fundamental knowledge and comprehension of the major concepts relevant to social theory, research methods and the major substantive areas of sociology.
  2. Design and conduct an empirical study and demonstrate proficiency in data analysis.
  3. Identify the major theorists in sociology and demonstrate knowledge of their major contributions to the discipline of sociology.
  4. Recognize diversity as an explanatory variable within and across societies.
  5. Apply specific sociological concepts, theories, and principles to real-world situations.

GET THE COURSES YOU NEED

SOC 100 Introduction to Sociology 4 credits
     
One elective   (4 credits) from:
SOC 101 Family Life  
SOC 108 Relations between Men and Women  
SOC 115 Social Problems  

 

 

Cognate: HSS 280 Methods and Statistics for Social Research 4 credits
Prerequisite: CORE 131 Or Math 101 or higher  
     
Choose two electives (8 hours) From:
SOC 206 Urban Sociology  
SOC 245 Media, Society, and Culture  
SOC 254 Deviance and Social Control  
SOC 282 Life Cycle, Adulthood and Aging  
     
Joint Majors: Choose one elective (4 hours) from above  
SOC 374 Social Theory 4 credits
     
  Choose one elective 4 credits
SOC 326 Demography  
SOC 342 Social Psychology  
SOC 345 Environmental Sociology  
SOC 347 Social Movements and Social Change  
SOC 351 Criminal Justice System  
SOC 360 Special Topics  
SOC 365 Medical Sociology  
SOC 375 Race and Ethnicity  
SOC 390 Internship  

 

SOC 499 Senior Seminar 4 credits

Choose one elective (4 hours) from 300-level courses (also joint majors)

 

 

GET RELEVANT EXPERIENCE

  • Complete on-line assessment to ascertain career interests. Discuss these with your academic advisor and staff in the Office of Career Planning and Development. Self-assessments also available through CareerOneStop.org. One of the five assessment tools matches strengths with occupations.
  • Create a core resume. Ask staff in Office of Career Planning and Development to review your resume.
  • Meet with staff in Career Services to identify potential internships.
  • Attend Industry Expo for internship opportunities.
  • Shadow professionals in field of interest.
  • Conduct informational interviews in employment sector(s) of interest.
  • Select part-time jobs in field of interest.
  • Attend conferences of professional associations.
  • Update your resume.
  • Meet with staff in Career Services to identify potential internships.
  • Explore national internships: National Science Foundation research opportunities for undergraduates(link); paid internship opportunities through Resource Guide of Summer Opportunities for Minority Undergraduate Students (link), or through National Internship Guide (link) Source: Navigating the Sociology Major.
  • Attend Industry Expo for internship opportunities.
  • Participate in Career Development Workshops, particularly the LinkedIn session and discipline specific sessions.
  • Shadow professionals in field of interest.
  • Conduct informational interviews in employment sector(s) of interest.
  • Select part-time jobs in field of interest.
  • Attend conferences of professional associations.
  • Update your resume.
  • Meet with staff in Career Services to identify potential internships.
  • Explore national internships: National Science Foundation research opportunities for undergraduates(link); paid internship opportunities through Resource Guide of Summer Opportunities for Minority Undergraduate Students (link), or through National Internship Guide (link) Source: Navigating the Sociology Major.
  • Attend Industry Expo for internship opportunities.
  • Participate in Career Development Workshops, particularly the LinkedIn session and discipline specific sessions.
  • Shadow professionals in field of interest.
  • Conduct informational interviews in employment sector(s) of interest.
  • Select part-time jobs in field of interest.
  • Attend conferences of professional associations.
  • Update your resume. Be sure to include your research skills.
  • Consider taking SOC 390, Internship, to gain work experience and college credit (can only take once).
  • Shadow professionals in field of interest.
  • Conduct informational interviews in employment sector(s) of interest.
  • Select part-time jobs in field of interest.
  • Attend conferences of professional associations.

GET CONNECTED WITH THE COMMUNITY

  • Participate in Service Day during New Student Orientation, Homecoming, and the MLK Day of Service.
  • Take advantage of service learning opportunities offered in courses (e.g., Core 100) and as scholarship requirements.
  • Join student organizations with community outreach programs (e.g., Talented Tenth Scholars Program for males). Attend student organization events to become acquainted with student organizations. Meet with staff in Office of Leadership and Service for list of student organizations.
  • Frequently check Fisk e-mail for news of volunteer opportunities shared by faculty/advisors and by the Office of Leadership and Service.
  • Volunteer as a tutor with on-campus entities (e.g., AESP, THRUST, or GUSTO).
  • Participate in Service Day during New Student Orientation, Homecoming, and the MLK Day of Service.
  • Take advantage of service learning opportunities offered in courses (e.g., Core 100) and as scholarship requirements.
  • Join student organizations with community outreach programs (e.g., Talented Tenth Scholars Program for males). Attend student organization events to become acquainted with student organizations. Meet with staff in Office of Leadership and Service for list of student organizations.
  • Frequently check Fisk e-mail for news of volunteer opportunities shared by faculty/advisors and by the Office of Leadership and Service.
  • Volunteer as a tutor with on-campus entities (e.g., AESP, THRUST, or GUSTO).
  • Participate in Service Day during New Student Orientation, Homecoming, and the MLK Day of Service.
  • Take advantage of service learning opportunities offered in courses (e.g., Core 100) and as scholarship requirements.
  • Join student organizations with community outreach programs (e.g., Talented Tenth Scholars Program for males). Attend student organization events to become acquainted with student organizations. Meet with staff in Office of Leadership and Service for list of student organizations.
  • Frequently check Fisk e-mail for news of volunteer opportunities shared by faculty/advisors and by the Office of Leadership and Service.
  • Volunteer as a tutor with on-campus entities (e.g., AESP, THRUST, or GUSTO).
  • Participate in Service Day during New Student Orientation, Homecoming, and the MLK Day of Service.
  • Take advantage of service learning opportunities offered in courses (e.g., Core 100) and as scholarship requirements.
  • Join student organizations with community outreach programs (e.g., Talented Tenth Scholars Program for males). Attend student organization events to become acquainted with student organizations. Meet with staff in Office of Leadership and Service for list of student organizations.
  • Frequently check Fisk e-mail for news of volunteer opportunities shared by faculty/advisors and by the Office of Leadership and Service.
  • Volunteer as a tutor with on-campus entities (e.g., AESP, THRUST, or GUSTO).

GET THINKING GLOBALLY

  • Begin foreign language course requirements (placement examination determines beginning course)
  • Begin planning potential study abroad (see staff in Office of Global Initiatives).
  • Be intentional in interacting with international students and students from other subcultures.
  • Pay close attention to textbooks and lectures offering cross-cultural comparisons.
  • Begin foreign language course requirements (placement examination determines beginning course)
  • Begin planning potential study abroad (see staff in Office of Global Initiatives).
  • Be intentional in interacting with international students and students from other subcultures.
  • Pay close attention to textbooks and lectures offering cross-cultural comparisons.
  • Finalize arrangements for study abroad (see staff in Office of Global Initiatives). Meet with advisor to ensure courses earned abroad will meet student course requirements for general studies, electives, and major.
  • Be intentional in interacting with international students and students from other subcultures.
  • Pay close attention to textbooks and lectures offering cross-cultural comparisons.
  • Be intentional in interacting with international students and students from other subcultures.
  • Pay close attention to textbooks and lectures offering cross-cultural comparisons.

GET READY FOR LIFE AFTER GRADUATION

  • Participate in Career Development Workshops, particularly the LinkedIn session and discipline specific sessions.
  • Explore resources for undergraduate students offered by the American Sociological Association (asanet.org; select Teaching and Learning, select Undergraduate Student Resources): Navigating the Sociology Major (download), 21st Century Careers as an Undergraduate Major (free); webinar Connecting the Sociology Major to Employment for Undergraduates.
  • Consider student membership in the American Sociological Association, Southern Sociological Society, Association of Black Sociologists, Society for the Study of Social Problems.
  • Participate in Career Development Workshops, particularly the LinkedIn session and discipline specific sessions.
  • Apply for EXCEL program offering professional development opportunities for sophomores with GPAs of 2.8 or higher.
  • Explore resources for undergraduate students offered by the American Sociological Association (asanet.org; select Teaching and Learning, select Undergraduate Student Resources): Navigating the Sociology Major (download), 21st Century Careers as an Undergraduate Major (free); webinar Connecting the Sociology Major to Employment for Undergraduates.
  • Browse job listings: Idealist.org; CareerOneStop.org; USAJobs.gov; CollegeGrad.com; state employment websites.
  • Consider student membership in the American Sociological Association, Southern Sociological Society, Association of Black Sociologists, Society for the Study of Social Problems.
  • Attend Industry Expo to meet with graduate school recruiters.
  • Research graduate or professional schools (see petersons.com; gradschools.com).
  • Participate in Career Development Workshops, particularly the LinkedIn session and discipline specific sessions.
  • Explore resources for undergraduate students offered by the American Sociological Association (asanet.org; select Teaching and Learning, select Undergraduate Student Resources): Navigating the Sociology Major (download), 21st Century Careers as an Undergraduate Major (free); webinar Connecting the Sociology Major to Employment for Undergraduates.
  • Consider student membership in the American Sociological Association, Southern Sociological Society, Association of Black Sociologists, Society for the Study of Social Problems.
  • Attend Industry Expo to meet with graduate school recruiters.
  • Participate in Graduating Senior Boot Camp.
  • Present your senior thesis at regional and local symposia. Compete in undergraduate paper competitions.
  • Prepare for and take Graduate Record Exam or other professional examination (e.g., LSAT).
  • Apply for graduate or professional school. Have personal statement reviewed by staff in Writing Center and Office of Career Planning and Development, and sociology faculty/advisor. Request letters of recommendation from faculty members (be sure to give plenty of advance notice of deadlines).
  • Explore resources for undergraduate students offered by the American Sociological Association (asanet.org; select Teaching and Learning, select Undergraduate Student Resources): Navigating the Sociology Major (download), 21st Century Careers as an Undergraduate Major (free); webinar Connecting the Sociology Major to Employment for Undergraduates.
  • Consider student membership in the American Sociological Association, Southern Sociological Society, Association of Black Sociologists, Society for the Study of Social Problems.

WHERE COULD I GO AFTER GRADUATION?

Selected Job Titles of B.A./B.S. Sociology Degree Recipients


Business and Industry: market analyst, human resources manager, data entry manager, recruiter
Justice System: criminal investigator, parole officer, special agent, rehabilitation counselor Community, and Social Services: caseworker, community organizer, substance abuse counselor, hospital administrator
Government: human rights officer, urban planner, legislative aide, personnel coordinator
Education: admissions counselor, college placement worker, public health educator
Research: data analyst, demographer assistant, consumer researcher



Selected Job Titles of Fisk Sociology graduates


Lawyer, Federal probation officer, FBI agent, College admissions administrator, Property manager, Juvenile probation officer, Marriage and family counselor, Human services caseworker, School resources counselor, Urban planner, Hospital administrator, Data analyst, Elementary and secondary school teachers, Not-for-profit organization administrator




Sample of Graduate/Professional Degrees earned by Fisk sociology graduates


M.D., J.D., Ed.D., Ph.D., Masters in Criminal Justice, Masters in Urban Planning, Masters in Marriage and Family Counseling, Masters in Hospital Administration, Masters in Social Work, Masters in Public Health, Masters in Public Administration

Survey of Recent Graduates by American Sociological Association


(Sociology: A 21st Century Major) Social Services/Public Services/Counselors: Administrative/Program Support; Management; Education; Protective Services; Sales Marketing; Social Science Researcher.