Department of Sociology - Emory University

The Undergraduate Program

 

What is sociology?

Sociology is the study of groups and societies. Sociologists study such issues as the causes and consequences of social inequality, the impact of groups on individuals, the causes of social and political change, the sources of values and beliefs, and the organization of major institutions.

Our undergraduate sociology program consists of introductory 100-level courses, more specialized 200-level courses, and advanced 300-and 400-level courses primarily aimed at majors. The program is designed to enable students to think systematically and critically about their society, and to help students develop analytical, research and writing skills relevant to a variety of careers. We encourage qualified advanced students to enroll in graduate courses. Our courses cover topics such as health and illness, crime and law, sex and gender, culture and religion, social change and economic development.

 

How to declare a major or minor in sociology

Please see Katharine Wilson in the Sociology Department Office, 225 Tarbutton Hall, to complete paperwork and Dr. Jeff Mullis, the Director of Undergraduate Studies.

Dr. Mullis will review the sociology requirements as well as opportunities and assign students to a regular faculty adviser. Faculty advisers will be your main source of information about the program, course planning, and career options.

All minors are advised by Dr. Mullis.

 

Major Requirements

The major requires nine courses (36 hours) in Sociology and a GPA of a 2.0 or higher within the major.

All majors must take:

  • SOC 355 or SOC 355WR: Social Research I
  • SOC 457WR: Development of Sociological Theory

All majors must take two of the five foundation courses:

  • SOC 201: Social Organizations
  • SOC 214: Class, Status, & Power
  • SOC 221: Culture & Society
  • SOC 245: Individual & Society
  • SOC 266: Global Change
All majors must take 5 elective courses, only one of which can be in SOC 101-110 series.
  • You may take one elective S/U. Most students don't do this because it is their major, but it is an option. All other courses must be taken for a letter grade.
  • Majors who study abroad can take up to three of their sociology electives abroad.
  • No more than one course (4 hours) from the SOC 497R-499R series may count as an elective toward the major.


Recommended Major Course Plan

Freshman Year

  • Take a 100-level SOC course

Sophomore Year

  • Take 200-level SOC foundation courses (options include: SOC 201, 214, 221, 245, 266)
  • Take SOC electives

Junior Year

  • Take SOC 355 or SOC 355WR: Social Research I
  • Take SOC electives

Senior Year

  • Take SOC 457WR: Development of Sociological Theory
  • Take SOC electives

Minor Requirements

The minor requires five courses (20 hours) in Sociology.

One course must be selected from the following group:

  • SOC 201: Social Organizations
  • SOC 214: Class, Status, & Power
  • SOC 221: Culture & Society
  • SOC 245: Individual & Society
  • SOC 266: Global Change
  • SOC 355 or SOC 355WR: Social Research I
  • SOC 457WR: Development of Sociological Theory

Additionally:

  • No more than one course in SOC 101-110 series can count toward the minor.
  • No more than one course (4 hours) from the SOC 497R-499R series may count toward the minor.
  • All 5 courses for the minor must be taken for a letter grade.
  • Minors who study abroad can take up to two electives abroad.


Special Programs

  • Internship Program (SOC 494RWR) - students gain work experience in settings like Center for Disease Control, CNN, DeKalb Juvenile Court, or various social service agencies; contact Dr. Elizabeth Griffiths for information.
  • Program in Social Research & Data Analysis (PSRDA) - eligible students take a series of courses designed to strengthen their quantitative reasoning skills. Contact Dr. Matthew Archibald.
  • Solomon and Sara Sutker Outstanding Student Award - for the top graduating sociology major.
  • B.A./M.A. Program - superior students may complete the major during their junior year and do graduate work and complete a thesis as seniors. Contact Dr. Irene Browne , Director of Graduate Studies, for more information.


Research

Students who enroll in SOC 497R: Directed Research, gain research experience by assisting faculty members on their research projects. In the recent past, such projects have focused on the experimental analysis of interaction in small groups, the causes of delinquency, and the trends in transnational corporations.

Please see Dr. Mullis for research opportunities in the Department.

The Department also strongly encourages students to pursue their own research interests, especially through the Honors program and selected courses. Recent thesis topics include the synergy between the film and recording industries; the relationship between SES, social capital, parental involvement in education; an analysis of the anti-globalization movement; upward mobility among women who are raised in female-headed families; the effects of cognitive and cultural factors on racial and ethnic self-segregation; and the perceptions of police and prosecutors toward violent female offenders.

Students who complete outstanding research papers are encouraged to present their work at the SouthEastern Undergraduate Sociology Symposium (SEUSS), held each Spring, alternately at Emory and at Morehouse College

The best preparation for doing research is taking SOC 355 or SOC 355WR: Social Research I and SOC 356S: Social Research II or SOC 500: Research Methods-Statistics.

 

Resources



Contact Information

Have questions? Want to know more? Please contact:

Dr. Jeff Mullis, Director of Undergraduate Studies
E-mail: jmullis@emory.edu
Phone: 404-727-0181

Katharine Wilson, Undergraduate Program Administrative Assistant
Email: kbwilso@emory.edu
Phone: 404-727-7511

 

For more information about applying for admission to Emory College, see the Office of Undergraduate Admissions website.

 

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