Major-Sociology
Sociology is concerned with human social and group behavior. It concentrates on the social interaction and organization of people, deviant behavior, social order and social change. The study of sociology contributes to an understanding of the underlying structures and dynamics of modern society.

The major in Sociology provides an opportunity for students to learn sociological interpretations of the human experience. Moreover, by contributing to a better understanding of the variation in human existence, sociology heightens the student’s awareness of his or her own life choices by putting those into the appropriate social and cultural context. Although many of our students pursue careers in sociology, departmental offerings are designed to support students in a variety of occupational endeavors, including social services, criminal justice, social research, medicine and industrial relations.

The general goal of the Sociology Program within the context of the liberal arts is to contribute to the development of individuals capable of thinking critically, evaluating statistical and non-statistical information and communicating coherently. Specifically, our sociology graduates should be able to:

1. Understand the discipline of sociology and its role in contributing to our understanding of social reality.
2. Comprehend the role of theory in sociology.
3. Develop research skills sufficiently to be able to understand the role of evidence, and qualitative and quantitative methods in sociology.
4. Understand the basic concepts in sociology and cultural anthropology and their interrelations.
5. Understand how social structures operate.
6. Understand the reciprocal relationships between the individual and society at large.
7. Comprehend global trends and develop a multicultural/cross-cultural perspective.
8. Understand in depth at least one area within sociology.
9. Comprehend the philosophical and historical background of the social sciences, and the interrelations among sociology and the other social sciences.
10. Engage in opportunities for practical professional experiences and career exploration.

B. A. in Sociology
To be eligible for acceptance into the degree program, students must have taken six (6) credit hours of sociology, and have earned at least a “C” grade in each of the two courses. Students may not declare a major in sociology until this criterion is met.

The Core Curriculum
Students transferring more than 13 credit hours to Belmont Abbey College are not required to take the First-Year Symposium.

In addition to the other Core Curriculum requirements, the following are specific core requirements:

• SO 201 Principles of Sociology (required)
• MA 135 (MA 145 or higher is recommended)

Major requirements

• SO 305 Research Methods (Fall Semester)
• SO 307 Classical Sociological Theory (Fall)
• SO 308 Contemporary Sociological Theory (Spring)
• SO 351 Social Problems
• SO 352 Cultural Anthropology
• SO 408W Senior Thesis
• SO 453 Internship
• Sociology electives
• SS 300, SO 305 and SO 408W must be taken in that order at the beginning of the first semester of a student’s junior year.

Other Courses

• Social Science courses (CJ, PC or PO) above Core Curriculum requirements
• General elective hours (may include additional SO courses)

It is the student’s responsibility to see that all degree requirements for graduation are fulfilled.

B. S. in Sociology
For the B. S., there is an emphasis on quantitative skills to a much greater extent than is the case with the B. A. Finite Mathematics (MA 145) or Algebra for the Sciences and Finance (MA 151) is a requirement for the B. S. rather than Mathematics for the Liberal Arts (MA 135), which is required for the B. A. In addition to the general degree requirements (SS 300 Statistics for the Social Sciences and SO 305 Research Methods), four (4) additional quantitatively-oriented courses are required: 1) a course in data analysis/data utilization (SO 390); 2) a course in demography (SO 405); 3) an internship that entails working in an environment dealing with the collection and/or compilation of data as well as interpretation of that data. Examples of such internships might be found in marketing, human resource departments, college admissions offices, institutional research and police departments, etc.; and 4) The Senior Thesis requirement for the B. S. should be a project entailing the quantitative analysis of secondary data. The analysis (findings and recommendations based on the analysis) must be presented in a professionally written report.

To be accepted as a major in the sociology program students must have taken six credit hours of sociology, and have earned a least a “C” grade in each of the two courses. Students may not declare a major in sociology until this criterion is met.

The Core Curriculum
Students transferring more than 13 credit hours to Belmont Abbey College are not required to take the First-Year Symposium.

In addition to the other Core Curriculum requirements, the following are specific core requirements:

• SO 201 Principles of Sociology (required)
• MA 145 or MA 151

Major requirements  

• SO 305 Research Methods
• SO 307 Classical Sociological Theory
• SO 308 Contemporary Sociological Theory
• SO 351 Social Problems
• SO 352 Cultural Anthropology
• SO 390 Data Utilization
• SO 405 Demography
• SO 408W Senior Thesis (Quantitative Thesis)
• SO 453 Internship (Quantitative Internship)
• SS 300 Fundamental Statistics for the Social Sciences
• SO 300, SO 305 and SO 408W must be taken in order beginning in the first semester of the junior year.

Other Courses

• Social Science courses (CJ, PC or PO) above Core
• Curriculum requirements 9 hours
• General elective hours

NOTE: Although additional natural science courses are not required, it is strongly recommended that candidates for the B. S. take additional sciences or minor in a natural scientific discipline.

It is the student’s responsibility to see that all degree requirements for graduation are fulfilled.

Minor in Sociology 15 hours

• SO 201 Principles of Sociology
• Any four (4) upper-level sociology courses

The preponderance of the hours above SO 201 must be taken at Belmont Abbey College.

It is the student’s responsibility to see that all degree requirements for graduation are fulfilled.

Faculty
Peter Lodge, Chair and Professor of Sociology
B.A. Manchester Polytechnic, Ph.D. University of Keele

Steven Arxer, Assistant Professor of Sociology
B.A. Barry University, M.A. University of Miami, Ph.D. University of Florida