Sociology Department

Sociology for Undergrads




Program Description

The undergraduate program in Sociology is designed to satisfy the intellectual and career interests of students who are concerned about what is happening in their society and in their daily personal interactions. The program prepares students for graduate study in sociology, social work, law, urban affairs, governmental administration, criminal justice, industrial organization, education, etc. The sociological perspective and the technical knowledge and skills developed in this program contribute to personal growth and are useful in a broad range of occupations.

Courses numbered SC 001 through SC 099 are part of the Core. These courses address a wide range of important sociological themes ranging from the study of major social institutions, such as the family, religion, education, mass media, the workplace and justice system, to the analysis of global social processes including culture, identity formation, war and peace, deviance and social control, aging, social movements, and inequalities in the areas of race, class, and gender.


Core Courses

Sociology courses numbered from SC 001 through SC 099 provide Social Science Core credit. Note that any Sociology “Cultural Diversity” courses numbered above SC 099 do not satisfy the Social Science Core requirement.


Major Requirements

Sociology majors are required to take a minimum of ten Sociology courses for a total of thirty credits. These courses must include the following:

  • Introductory Sociology (SC 001), preferably the section designed for Sociology majors (SC 001.01).
  • Statistics (SC 200), Social Theory (SC 215), and Research Methods (SC 210) are also required. It is recommended that Statistics be taken before Research Methods. Note: If a sociological statistics course is to be taken outside of the College of Arts and Sciences, department permission is required. Only a course with a computer component will be considered. For details consult Professor Michael A. Malec.
  • Any of the required courses above may be taken concurrently with the six required electives numbered SC 002 or above. Of the six electives, at least three must be upper level courses (SC 299 or higher).

Honors Program

The undergraduate Honors Program in Sociology is designed to give eligible Sociology majors (3.5 GPA, 3.5 in Sociology) the experience of doing original sociological research that leads to a Senior Honors Thesis. The program includes a three-course Honors sequence that allows students to work closely with their faculty and other students in the Program. The courses include reading the most engaging classics of sociological research, designing an original project, and, in the last semester of senior year, gathering and analyzing the data, then writing the thesis. For details, consult Professor David A. Karp.


Minor Requirements

Sociology minors are required to take a minimum of six Sociology courses for a total of eighteen credits. These courses must include the following:

  • Introductory Sociology (SC 001), preferably the section designed for Sociology majors (SC 001.01).
  • Statistics (SC 200), Social Theory (SC 215), and Research Methods (SC 210) are also required. It is recommended that Statistics be taken before Research Methods. Note: If a sociological statistics course is to be taken outside of the College of Arts and Sciences, department permission is required. Only a course with a computer component will be considered. For details consult Professor Michael A. Malec.
  • Any of the required courses above may be taken concurrently with one required elective numbered SC 299 or above and one additional elective at any level.

Students Studying Abroad

Although the Sociology Department designates no particular prerequisites, it strongly recommends that students have completed at least five courses in Sociology, including all of the required courses (Statistics, Methods, and Theory), prior to going abroad.

There are no official limits as to how many courses taken abroad will count toward major credit. Courses taken overseas in a department of Sociology or Anthropology of a BC-approved program will almost always be accepted for credit towards the Sociology major. Courses taken in other departments will not be considered unless a syllabus, reading list, and list of other course requirements are submitted. However, the department recommends not more than three Sociology courses in any one semester or five Sociology courses in a full year. All Sociology majors should consult with Professor Michael Malec, McGuinn 402, when planning their study abroad program. The Sociology Department does not accept overseas courses for Social Science Core credit.


Internships
The department offers internship placements in court probation offices and other legal settings, and in settings designed for students who wish to acquire practical work experience in human services, political or social research, or social policy agencies. Most take positions in government or non-profit organizations, but some get placements in various business settings. Students typically take these courses in their junior or senior year as a way to find out more about what it is like to work in one of the many settings where Sociology majors may find employment after graduation. For details, consult Professor John B. Williamson.


Five Year Master's Degrees with a Sociology Major

Majors in Sociology have the opportunity to earn two degrees over a period of five consecutive years. There are two separate programs:


B.A./M.A. Program Admission

Application normally takes place early in the second semester of the junior year. The usual deadline each year is January 15. The applicant must submit the same admissions materials as are required of all graduate degree applicants. Apply online at http://www.bc.edu/schools/gsas/admission/.

Undergraduates must understand that the admissions requirements are strict. Normally, a student must have an overall GPA, after five semesters, of at least 3.5 with at least a 3.5 GPA in Sociology courses. For details, consult Professor David Karp.


B.A./M.S.W Program

The choice of this program will provide the Sociology major with an undergraduate B.A. degree in Sociology and with the professional degree of Master of Social Work. The B.A. degree will be awarded with the student's undergraduate class. The Master's degree will be awarded one year later. The choice of this program should be made by Sociology majors in their sophomore year so that the required course sequence and degree requirements can be fulfilled. For details, consult Professor Paul Gray.