Chairperson: Ann Marie Popp Ph.D.
Sociology is the scientific study of social interaction, social structure, and social change. It seeks to understand the causes and consequences of human behavior. Our Sociology program places a special emphasis on social issues facing our society and the possible social responses to these issues. Sociologists apply their sociological imagination and rigorous qualitative and quantitative research methodologies to develop a body of knowledge about society and social change. Our Sociology program takes an applied and public approach to this body of knowledge; our faculty and students are active in the real world through community-engaged research.
Learning Objectives
In addition to the Liberal Arts General Learning Outcomes for all Undergraduate Degree Areas, Sociology majors will demonstrate the following discipline-specific competencies:
- Substantive areas: Identify the kinds of questions asked and the substantive areas studied by sociologists.
- Sociological imagination: Examine the relationship between the individual and society using their sociological imagination.
- Theoretical perspectives: Explain the theoretical approaches used by sociologists.
- Research methods: Describe the research methods used to study society.
- Own research projects: Use their sociological imagination, theoretical knowledge and research skills to conduct their own research projects.
Professional Skills
To prepare for their careers, students will master professional skills such as:
- Written and Oral Communication Skills
- Critical Thinking and Problem Solving
- Research Design and Data Analysis such as SPSS and GIS
- Multicultural Awareness
- Participation in Faculty-led Community Engaged Research
- Fieldwork in a local agency, organization or employer
In addition, our curriculum provides an excellent foundation for further graduate study in sociology or other related academic disciplines.
Requirements for the Major
A minimum of 33 semester hours is required for the major including five required courses.
The following courses are required for all majors
SOCI 101 Survey of Sociology. 3 credits
SOCI 200W Classical Sociological Theory, 3 credits
SOCI 201 Research Methods, 3 credits
SOCI 202 Quantitative Analysis, 3 credits
SOCI 455W OR SOCI 456W Senior Seminar, 3 credits
- Students must take at least 6 credits at the 300-400 level.
- Students must complete Math 125 Fundamentals of Statistics, offered by the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science. It is prerequisite for SOCI 202 Quantitative Analysis.
- The major must be completed with a minimum grade point average of 2.0.
A minimum of 18 semester hours must be completed in residence at Duquesne University. Credit earned through Advanced Placement (AP) Exams, CLEP, and Credit-by-Exam may count as credits-in-residence.
Concentrations in the Major
Students may choose to major in Sociology without a concentration, or choose one of two areas of concentration: Criminal Justice or Social Problems and Social Policy.
Criminal Justice
This concentration is designed for students who are interested studying crime and the Criminal Justice system using criminological theory, empirical research and critical thinking. It prepares students for careers in areas such as law enforcement, crime analysis, probation and parole, victim advocacy, and corrections and for advanced study in a variety of fields including law school.
Required courses (18 credits)
SOCI 101 Survey of Sociology
SOCI 103 Introduction to Criminal Justice
SOCI 200W Classical Sociological Theory
SOCI 201 Research Methods
SOCI 202 Quantitative Analysis
SOCI 456W Senior Seminar - Criminal Justice
Nine of the remaining 15 credits may be selected from any of the following
Social Context Courses
SOCI 208 Racial and Ethnic Groups
SOCI 210 Sociology of Sex and Gender
SOCI 309 Social Stratification
SOCI 321 White Collar Crime
SOCI 370 Gender, Crime and Justice
SOCI 371 Race, Crime and Justice
Theories of Crime Courses
SOCI 211 Social Deviance
SOCI 213 Criminology
SOCI 216 Delinquency and Society
Criminal Justice Electives
SOCI 211 Social Deviance
SOCI 213 Criminology
SOCI 216 Delinquency and Society
SOCI 218 Treatment and Community Corrections
SOCI 264 Police and Society
SOCI 304 Introduction to Peace and Justice
SOCI 312 The American Drug Problem
SOCI 321 White Collar Crime
SOCI 370 Gender, Crime and Justice
SOCI 371 Race, Crime and Justice
SOCI 409 Correctional Policy and Practice
SOCI 421 Criminal Justice Policy
SOCI 450 Fieldwork*
SOCI 454 Selected Readings
*Fieldwork: Must have completed 12 credits in criminal justice class work. Fieldwork combines independent study under a faculty mentor with an internship placement in a criminal justice related organization. A minimum of 5 hours in placement per week (or 75 hours per semester) and one hour of meetings with the instructor per week (or 15 hours per semester) is required for 3 credits.
- A minimum of six credits must be selected from other Departmental offerings.
- Students must take at least 6 credits at the 300-400 level.
- Students must complete Math 125 Fundamentals of Statistics, offered by the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science. It is prerequisite for SOCI 202 Quantitative Analysis.
- The major must be completed with a minimum grade point average of 2.0.
Social Justice and Policy
This concentration is designed for students who are interested in applying sociological theory and research to an understanding of contemporary social problems and responding to those problems using social policy. It prepares students for careers in such areas as advocacy, community engagement, evaluation research, all-levels of government, and not for profit organizations and for advanced study in a variety of fields.
Required courses (18 credits)
SOCI 101 Survey of Sociology
SOCI 106 Social Problems and Social Policy
SOCI 200W Classical Sociological Theory
SOCI 201 Research Methods
SOCI 202 Quantitative Analysis
SOCI 455W Senior Seminar
Nine credits from the following Social Problem Electives:
SOCI 203 Sociology of Aging
SOCI 207 Sociology of Health & Illness
SOCI 208 Racial and Ethnic Groups
SOCI 210 Sociology of Sex and Gender
SOCI 214 The Helping Process
SOCI 217 Protest and Social Movements
SOCI 220 Environmental Sociology
SOCI 304 Introduction to Peace and Justice
SOCI 305 Person and Society
SOCI 309 Social Stratification
SOCI 454 Selected Readings
The remaining six credits may be selected from the following Social Policy Electives:
SOCI 318 Sociology of the City
SOCI 401 Seminar in Applied and Public Sociology
SOCI 404 The Social Landscape: Place, Space and Society
SOCI 408 Population
SOCI 411 Aging and Mental Health
SOCI 415 Health, Illness, and Social Policy
SOCI 416 Minorities and Public Policy
SOCI 450 Fieldwork*
*Fieldwork: Must have completed 12 credits in Sociology. Fieldwork combines independent study under a faculty mentor with an internship placement in a local organization. A minimum of 5 hours in placement per week (or 75 hours per semester) and one hour of meetings with the instructor per week (or 15 hours per semester) is required for 3 credits.
- Students must take at least 6 credits at the 300-400 level.
- Students must complete Math 125 Fundamentals of Statistics, offered by the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science. It is prerequisite for SOCI 202 Quantitative Analysis.
- The major must be completed with a minimum grade point average of 2.0.
Minors
For all minors a minimum of 6 semester hours of the minor must be completed in residence at Duquesne University. Credit earned through Advanced Placement (AP) Exams, CLEP, and Credit-by-Exam may count as credits-in-residence. There is no restriction on credit-sharing between majors and minors, the University Bridges Curriculum, or a School's or the College's Core Curriculum.
All minors must be completed with a minimum grade point average of 2.0.
The Sociology Minor
The minor in sociology will provide students with an overview of the essential knowledge Sociological knowledge. The minor will foster critical thinking about society, culture, social institutions, social inequality and social change.
| SOCI 101 Survey of Sociology | 3 credits |
| SOCI 300-400 level elective | 3 credits |
| SOCI electives, any level | 9 credits |
| Total Credits for Sociology Minor | 15 Credits |
The Sociology Minor is not available to Sociology Majors.
The Criminal Justice Minor and Certificate
The criminal justice minor and certificate explores the causes of crime and how the Criminal Justice system responds to crime. You will examine how society dynamics and institutions influence criminal behavior and evaluate effectiveness of the policies and programs implemented to reduce crime. Using a critical thinking lens, you will consider how crime and the criminal justice system are related to social inequality and social justice.
Through coursework and community-engaged learning opportunities, you will gain valuable skills and knowledge that will prepare you for a variety of criminal justice related careers or for law school or graduate studies in Criminal Justice.
| SOCI 103 Introduction to Criminal Justice | 3 Credits |
| SOCI ### Social Context Course | 3 Credits |
| SOCI ### Theories of Crime Course | 3 Credits |
| SOCI ### Criminal Justice Elective | 3 Credits |
| SOCI ### Criminal Justice Elective | 3 Credits |
| Total Credits for Criminal Justice Minor | 15 Credits |
The Criminal Justice Certificate differs from the Criminal Justice minor only in the additional requirement of SOCI 450 Fieldwork (3 Credits). Total Credits for the Criminal Justice Certificate is 18 Credits.
Social Context Courses
SOCI 208 Racial and Ethnic Groups
SOCI 210 Sociology of Sex and Gender
SOCI 309 Social Stratification
SOCI 321 White Collar Crime
SOCI 370 Gender, Crime and Justice
SOCI 371 Race, Crime and Justice
Theories of Crime Courses
SOCI 211 Social Deviance
SOCI 213 Criminology
SOCI 216 Delinquency and Society
Criminal Justice Courses
SOCI 211 Social Deviance
SOCI 212 Drugs and Society
SOCI 213Criminology
SOCI 216 Delinquency and Society
SOCI 218 Treatment and Community Corrections
SOCI 264 Police and Society
SOCI 304 Introduction to Peace and Justice
SOCI 312 The American Drug Problem
SOCI 321 White Collar Crime
SOCI 370 Gender, Crime and Justice
SOCI 371 Race, Crime and Justice
SOCI 409 Correctional Policy and Practice
SOCI 421 Criminal Justice Policy
SOCI 450 Fieldwork (3 Credits)*
*Fieldwork: Must have completed 12 credits in criminal justice class work. Fieldwork combines independent study under a faculty mentor with an internship placement in a criminal justice related organization. A minimum of 5 hours in placement per week (or 75 hours per semester) and one hour of meetings with the instructor per week (or 15 hours per semester) is required for 3 credits.
- Students must take at least 3 credits at the 300-400 level.
- Six credits may double count toward the sociology major.
The Criminal Justice Minor and Certificate are not available to Sociology Majors with a Criminal Justice concentration.
The Health and Human Services Minor and Certificate
The health & human service minor and certificate is an interdisciplinary program based jointly in the Department of Sociology and the Department of Psychology. The health & human service minor and certificate are designed to provide you with a basic understanding of the healthcare system and the various social and behavioral factors that impact health.
Through coursework and experiential learning opportunities, you will gain valuable skills and knowledge that will prepare you for a variety of healthcare-and human services related careers or for advanced study in related fields. As a student with a minor in the discipline or seeking to attain a certificate, you will take required courses in sociology and psychology as well as elective courses in health sciences, ethics, philosophy or history.
Both the minor and the certificate allow you to choose from one of three distinct tracks: gerontology, human services or medical health.
| Gerontology Track | |
|---|---|
| SOCI 101 Survey of Sociology or PSYC 101 Intro to Psychology | 3 Credits |
| SOCI 203 Sociology of Aging or PSYC 325 Developmental Psych: Adulthood & Aging | 3 Credits |
| Rangos School of Health Sciences Elective | 3 Credits |
| Interdisciplinary Electives | M6 Credits |
| Total Credits for Gerontology Track | 15 Credits |
| Human Services Track | |
|---|---|
| SOCI 101 Survey of Sociology or PSYC 101 Intro to Psychology | 3 Credits |
| SOCI 219 Introduction to Human Services or SOCI 214 Helping Process | 3 Credits |
| Rangos School of Health Sciences Elective | 3 Credits |
| Interdisciplinary Electives | 6 Credits |
| Total Credits for Human Services Track | 15 Credits |
| Medical Health Track | |
|---|---|
| SOCI 101 Survey of Sociology OR PSYC 101 Intro to Psychology | 3 Credits |
| SOCI 207 Sociology of Health & Illness OR PSYC 252 Psychological Disorders | 3 Credits |
| Rangos School of Health Sciences Elective | 3 Credits |
| Interdisciplinary Electives | 6 Credits |
| Total Credits for Medical Health Track | 15 Credits |
The Health and Human Services Certificate differs from the Health and Human Services Minor only in the additional requirement of SOCI 450 Fieldwork (3 Credits) OR PSYC 390 Internship in Psychology (3 Credits). Total Credits for the Health and Human Services Certificate is 18 Credits.
Sociology Courses
SOCI 101 Survey of Sociology
SOCI 203 Sociology of Aging
SOCI 207 Sociology of Health & Illness
SOCI 214 The Helping Process
SOCI 219 Introduction to Human Services
SOCI 315 Socialization & the Life Course
SOCI 408 Population
SOCI 411 Aging and Mental Health
SOCI 415 Health, Illness & Social Policy
SOCI 441 Healthcare Ethics & Public Policy
SOCI 450 Fieldwork**
*Fieldwork: Must have completed 12 credits in Sociology. Fieldwork combines independent study under a faculty mentor with an internship placement in a health or human services placement. A minimum of 5 hours in placement per week (or 75 hours per semester) and one hour of meetings with the instructor per week (or 15 hours per semester) is required for 3 credits.
Six credits may be double counted toward the Sociology Major.
Psychology Courses:
PSYC 101 Intro to Psychology
PSYC 225W Developmental Psychology: Childhood & Adolescence
PSYC 228 Psychology of Personality
PSYC 252 Psychological Disorders
PSYC 324 Perspectives on Disability and Illness
PSYC 354 Psychology of Social/Cultural Diversity
PSYC 325 Developmental Psychology: Adulthood and Aging
PSYC 390 Internship in Psychology (3 credits)
English, History and Philosophy Courses:
ENGL 316W Literature in Medicine
HIST 222 Flatlined: History and Politics of U.S. Healthcare
PHIL 314 Philosophy of Aging
Ethics Courses:
HCE 240 Bioethics: African Perspectives
HCE 330 Global Bioethics
HCE 412 Who Decides When I’m Ill?
THEO 253 Health Care Ethics
PHIL 254 Health Care Ethics
- Only one of the ethics courses will count for the minor/certificate.
Rangos School of Health Sciences:
PBHL 201 Intro to Public Health
PBHL 205 Intro to International Public Health
PBHL 318 Healthcare Delivery & Organization
HADM 101 Intro to Healthcare Administration
HADM 308 Intro to Health Information Management
HADM 311W Healthcare Law and Policy
HADM 402 Quality and Performance Improvement (only for Health Management Systems students)
HLTS 200 Disparities in Health Care (only for Health Sciences students)
OCCT 305 Foundations & Concepts of OT (only for OT students)
OCCT 310 Occupational Performance across the Lifespan (only for OT students)
OCCT 416 Fundamentals of Practice (only for OT students)
SLP 245 Disabilities across the World: Search for Dignity
All tracks must take at least one course from Rangos School of Health Sciences offerings for the minor/certificate.