Sociology - Undergraduate Programs
Overview
The principal common educational objective in the Department of Sociology and Anthropology is to develop a systematic understanding of social behavior, human culture, and social institutions. Knowledge of human social and cultural relationships is vital to a meaningful perspective on and understanding of the society in which we live. Contemporary societies are characterized by diversity, rapid change, complex organization, and extensive specialization. Programs of study in the Department of Sociology and Anthropology pursue the challenge of:
- creating and disseminating general knowledge that will render this world more understandable and
- providing an educational base for more effective and humane planning and social intervention in society.
Each of the programs of study relates to this general objective in a somewhat different manner. Students are encouraged to visit with the faculty and learn more about the programs offered in the department.
Sociology
A program of study in sociology has three principle objectives: to foster the ability to analyze human relationships from a sociological perspective, to develop the theoretical, methodological, and statistical skills necessary for asking and answering sociological questions, and to enhance individuals' awareness of the relationship between events in their own lives and the structure of the society in which they live. The program is designed to prepare students both to pursue graduate work in sociology and to seek a career in a variety of private and public settings where knowledge of human relationships and/or social research skills is particularly useful. Students seeking certification to teach in the public schools can use sociology as a teaching area.
Fast Track Program
The Fast Track Program in Sociology allows outstanding seniors in sociology to take up to three graduate seminars for credit toward both the Bachelor's degree and the Master's degree in Sociology. Interested undergraduate students should apply for the Fast Track Program when they are within 30 hours of completing the Bachelor's Degree. Students who successfully complete the Fast Track Program will be admitted automatically to Graduate Studies. They will not be required to take the Graduate Record Examination, complete an application for admission to Graduate Studies, supply letters of recommendation, or pay an application fee. An undergraduate student completing the maximum of nine graduate hours would be admitted to the Sociology MA program with only five additional courses and a thesis remaining to complete the requirements for thesis option. For more details about the program contact the Undergraduate Advisor for the Department of Sociology and Anthropology and consult the on-line catalog.
Requirements for a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Sociology
General Core Requirements
POLS 2311 GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED STATES
POLS 2312 STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT
HIST 1311 HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES TO 1865
HIST 1312 HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES, 1865 TO PRESENT
Communication - 6 hours from approved list.
14 hours in the same modern or classical language (1441, 1442, 2313, 2314).
Creative Arts - 3 hours from approved list.
Language Philosophy and Culture - 3 hours from approved list.
Life and Physical Sciences - 6 hours from approved list.
Mathematics - 6 hours MATH 1301 or higher. Math 1308 is recommended.
Required Component Area Option - Any course listed above. A course may fulfill only one component area.
Major Courses
37 hours including:
SOCI 1311 INTRODUCTION TO SOCIOLOGY
SOCI 3352 SOCIAL STATISTICS
SOCI 3372 SOCIOLOGICAL THEORY
SOCI 3462 SOCIAL RESEARCH
One course in Anthropology
Electives
Sufficient to give the total number of hours required for the degree.
Total
120 hours, at least 36 of which must be 3000/4000 level.
Optional Specializations in Sociology
Students majoring in Sociology may pursue a general course of study in the discipline or concentrate in a specific area or areas. The purpose of specialization is to provide the student with a focused, systematic, and in-depth educational experience in the context of a broad liberal arts education. Please see the Sociology academic advisor for more information on completing an area concentration.
General Requirements:
Each concentration requires the completion of four courses with a grade no lower than a C for each course. Additional courses not listed may be counted with approval. At least three courses must come from Sociology for each concentration. Additional requirements may apply. See the Sociology academic advisor for more information.
The following courses may be used to complete any of the area concentrations if the content is related to the concentration (approval is required):
SOCI 4365 TOPICS IN SOCIOLOGY
SOCI 4391 CONFERENCE COURSE
SOCI 4393 INTERNSHIP IN SOCIOLOGY
SOCI 4395 SERVICE LEARNING INDEPENDENT STUDY
The areas of specialization are:
Diversity: Race, Class, and Gender*
Select at least one course from the following:
SOCI 3337 RACIAL & ETHNIC GROUPS IN US
SOCI 3314 THE LATINA EXPERIENCE (may count only within one area)
SOCI 3338 CONTEMPORARY BLACK EXPERIENCE
SOCI 3339 RACE, SPORT AND MEDIA
SOCI 3345 SOCIOLOGY OF THE 1960S
SOCI 4331 RACE, ETHNICITY & FAMILY FORMATION
Select at least one course from the following:
SOCI 3334 SOCIOLOGY OF GENDER
SOCI 3314 THE LATINA EXPERIENCE (may count only within one area)
SOCI 3356 WOMEN, WORK AND SOCIAL CHANGE
Select at least one course from the following:
SOCI 3336 SOCIAL INEQUALITY
SOCI 4341 INEQUALITIES IN PUBLIC EDUCATION
* Those wishing to complete both diversity concentrations must complete at least seven distinct courses.
Diversity: Race and Ethnic Relations*
SOCI 3337 RACIAL & ETHNIC GROUPS IN US
SOCI 3314 THE LATINA EXPERIENCE
SOCI 3338 CONTEMPORARY BLACK EXPERIENCE
SOCI 3339 RACE, SPORT AND MEDIA
SOCI 3345 SOCIOLOGY OF THE 1960S
SOCI 4331 RACE, ETHNICITY & FAMILY FORMATION
* Those wishing to complete both diversity concentrations must complete at least seven distinct courses.
Families
SOCI 3328 MARITAL AND SEXUAL LIFESTYLES
SOCI 3331 SOCIOLOGY OF THE FAMILY
SOCI 4331 RACE, ETHNICITY & FAMILY FORMATION
ANTH 3338 COMPARATIVE KINSHIP AND FAMILY SYSTEMS
Health and Sport
Select at least three courses from the following:
SOCI 4320 MEDICAL SOCIOLOGY
SOCI 3341 SOCIOLOGY OF SPORT
SOCI 3339 RACE, SPORT AND MEDIA
SOCI 3342 SOCIOLOGY OF THE HUMAN BODY
Up to one of the following courses may be selected:
SOCI 3348 THE SOCIOLOGY OF RISK
ANTH 3332 FOOD AND CULTURE
ANTH 3369 MEDICAL ANTHROPOLOGY
Research and Evaluation
Required:
SOCI 3352 SOCIAL STATISTICS
SOCI 3462 SOCIAL RESEARCH
SOCI 4370 SENIOR RESEARCH SEMINAR or SOCI 4391 CONFERENCE COURSE
Select one course from the following:
SOCI 3365 PROGRAM EVALUATION & NEEDS ASSESSMENT
SOCI 3366 POPULATION TRENDS AND PROCESSES
SOCI 4306 QUALITATIVE RESEARCH METHODS
ANTH 3341 RESEARCH METHODS IN CULTURAL ANTHROPOLOGY
Social Psychology
Required:
SOCI 3317 INDIVIDUAL AND SOCIETY
Select three courses from the following:
SOCI 3318 SELF AND SOCIAL IDENTITY
SOCI 3319 SMALL GROUPS
SOCI 3320 DEVIANCE: SOCIAL AND PERSONAL
ANTH 3331 CULTURE AND PERSONALITY
Theory and Cultural Studies
Four courses are required with at least three coming from the following:
SOCI 3372 SOCIOLOGICAL THEORY
SOCI 3345 SOCIOLOGY OF THE 1960S
SOCI 4309 WRITING FOR THE SOCIAL SCIENCES
ANTH 3300 DEBATES IN CULTURAL ANTHROPOLOGY or ANTH 4345 VISUALIZING CULTURE
Additional electives:
ENGL 4355 LITERARY CRITICISM AND THEORY I or ENGL 4356 LITERARY CRITICISM AND THEORY II
Requirement for a Minor in Sociology
A minor in sociology requires 18 semester hours, at least six of which must be 3000/4000 level.
Fast Track Program in Sociology
The Fast Track Program allows outstanding undergraduate students in sociology at UT Arlington to take up to three graduate seminars in sociology that will earn credit toward both the Bachelor’s degree and the Master’s degree in Sociology. It is designed to encourage high standards of performance, to facilitate the transition from undergraduate to graduate study, and to reduce time needed to complete the MA . Interested undergraduate students should apply for the Fast Track Program when they are within 30 hours of completing the Bachelor’s degree. To qualify, students must have completed at least 30 hours at UTA with a GPA of 3.0 in all courses and 3.25 in the last 30 hours. Before entering the Fast Track, students must also have completed the four required core courses in the Sociology major with a GPA of at least 3.5, or three of the four with a GPA of 3.66 or more. Additionally, they must have already taken at least two non-core sociology courses with a GPA of 3.5 or higher.
Students who successfully complete the Fast Track Program will be admitted automatically to Graduate Studies to continue their graduate work in the Sociology MA Program once the Bachelor’s degree is awarded. They will not be required to take the GRE, complete an additional application for admission to Graduate Studies, supply letters of recommendation, or pay an application fee. An undergraduate student completing the maximum of nine graduate hours would be admitted to the Sociology MA Program with only five additional courses and a thesis remaining to complete the requirements for the thesis option.
To remain in the Fast Track Program, students must receive no grade lower than a B in any graduate seminars taken as an undergraduate, selected with the advice and approval of the Sociology Graduate Advisor. Undergraduate students who do not maintain grades of B or A in the graduate courses taken will be unable to continue in the Fast Track Program but, if the courses are completed passing, will still receive credit toward their undergraduate degree requirements. Students originally denied entry into the Fast Track Program, discontinued after provisional admission, subsequently dropped or opting out are still welcome to apply to the Sociology MA Program in the usual way and will be considered without prejudice.
For an application form or to obtain more details about this program, contact the Sociology Undergraduate Advisor.