Undergraduate Study in Sociology

Director of Undergraduate Studies:

Professor Joey Sprague

Fraser Hall
1415 Jayhawk Boulevard, Room 716
Lawrence, KS 66045-7540
Phone: (785) 864-9407
Email: jsprague@ku.edu

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Need advising? The place to start is here!

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Important resources

• Guide for Sociology Majors (PDF)
• Recommended Path Through Major
• Undergraduate Catalog
• 2011 Sociology Undergraduate Brochure
• Timetable
• University Career Center
• Internships

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Sociology is the systematic study of society, exploring the ways in which the social world influences our individual lives. If you would like to increase your understanding of how the larger social context in which we live affects our everyday lives, sociology is for you! Ask yourself: Am I curious about the reasons for social problems? Do I have ideas about what could be done at local, national, and international levels to improve society? Have I ever envisioned my ideal society? Am I interested in social policies and how they affect people? Do I wonder what it would take to make this world a better place? Am I curious about what makes organizations tick?

Sociology majors can earn a Bachelor of Arts (BA) or Bachelor of General Studies (BGS). Both the BA and the BGS require a generous sampling of courses in the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences. Students earning a BA take courses in a foreign language and a laboratory science. Because of its compatibility with other majors, many of our students earn double majors. For example, many sociology undergraduates also major in history, philosophy, political science, or anthropology, or earn a second degree in journalism. With careful planning and early advising, you could complete a double major within four years. The department also offers master’s and doctoral degrees in sociology.

A sociology major can give you the knowledge of social relations and society that will enhance your career opportunities. Depending on your interests, the sociology courses you’ve taken, and your second major, this degree opens doors to entry-level positions. The department’s graduates work in personnel administration, social service agencies, and business. They are journalists, researchers, social workers, and statisticians. Your sociology degree is excellent preparation for graduate studies in sociology as well as in areas such as social welfare, public administration.

The Department of Sociology at the University of Kansas is committed to excellence in education:

The Sociology Club. An active Sociology Club will help keep you from being lost in the crowd at a large university. You will get together with other students for interesting discussions and planned activities. You will meet faculty members and graduate students in a more informal setting and establish personal connections that will enrich your undergraduate years and your professional life.

Your Overall Education. The overall quality and breadth of your education is one great reason for coming to KU. You will choose from hundreds of courses and explore outstanding libraries and museums. You will meet people from around the world who will introduce you to diverse cultures and viewpoints that will deepen your awareness and appreciation of society. Hundreds of lectures, plays, and concerts also make KU worthwhile. The Lied Center Series includes the Concert Series, Swarthout Chamber Music Series, New Directions Series, Broadway and Beyond Series, and the Lied Family Series, bringing outstanding performers to KU each year.

The Department. The University of Kansas Department of Sociology is the oldest sociology department in the country and enjoys an international reputation. The department offers a unique, wide-ranging approach to the study of society and gives its students the freedom to shape challenging personal degree programs. Strong advising, teaching, and mentoring help keep students on track and ensure personal attention.

The Faculty. The department’s faculty have earned outstanding reputations in diverse areas of research. Faculty specialties include social theory, race and ethnicity, social movements, sex and gender, work and organizations, the Third World, law and criminal justice, and medical sociology. Many faculty members have been recognized for their excellence in teaching.

If you would like further information about the Department of Sociology and for answers to questions about career opportunities and advising, contact Professor Joey Sprague, Undergraduate Director, Department of Sociology, University of Kansas, Fraser Hall, 1415 Jayhawk Boulevard, Room 716, Lawrence, KS 66045-7556, (785) 864-9407.

 

ADMISSION TO THE MAJOR  The department of Sociology requires that all students intending to major in Sociology complete the following courses before declaring:

• SOC 104/304
• MATH 101
• At least one other course with the SOC prefix

Upon completion of these three courses, students intending to major in Sociology must achieve a minimum 2.5 admission GPA.  The admission GPA will include SOC 104/304, MATH 101, and all other SOC prefixed courses completed at the time the student declares their intent to major in Sociology. Students should declare their intent to major in Sociology during the semester they are enrolled in the last of the courses required for admission to the major:  Math 101, SOC 104/304 and at least one additional Sociology course.

Once students have competed these three courses, they should sign up for a Sociology Orientation Session (https://clas.drupal.ku.edu/admission-requirements-sociology).   Prospective majors then schedule a meeting with a faculty member of the department’s Undergraduate Studies Committee who will answer questions and further discuss the content of the major.  Students who are interested in exploring a major in Sociology are encouraged to talk with our Advising Specialist (please call 864-3500 to schedule an appointment) who will advise students on general education requirements, admissions requirements, and general information about the major and minor.

REQUIREMENTS FOR MAJORS  Sociology majors must complete College of Liberal Arts and Sciences requirements for both the BA or BGS degree and a total of 33 credit hours of course work in Sociology.  For students declaring the major on or after August 18, 2005, the course work inSociology must include the following:

1.     Specifically required courses:

• One elements or principal course:  SOC 104, SOC 105, or SOC 304
• Two research skills courses:  SOC 310* and SOC 510*
• One theory course:  SOC 500

* Please note that SOC 310 is a prerequisite for SOC 510.
These courses cannot be taken concurrently.

Residence Requirements

1. At least 15 credit hours at the 300-level or above including SOC 310, SOC 510, and SOC 500 must be taken at KU. No more than 6 credit hours of sociology courses taken through correspondence or continuing education programs may be applied to the major.

2.     Fifteen of the remaining 21 credit hours must be in courses numbered 300 or above. No more than 3 credits of SOC 490, SOC 598, and SOC 698 or 6 credits of SOC 499 can be used to satisfy this 15 credit hour requirement.

3.     The grade point average for all Sociology course work at the 300 and above levels must be no lower than 2.0.

• At least 15 credit hours of the 300 or above level credit hours must be KU courses.

• No more than 6 credit hours from KU Continuing Education (online courses) may be applied toward the major.

 

 

Research Experience Certification

As part of satisfying a Sociology major, you take at least two courses in research skills – Sociology 310 and Sociology 510. If you find out that you like doing research, you may want to pursue Research Experience Certification. The only additional requirement to earn certification is to participate in an actual research project, either by working with a faculty member on their research or by doing your own project under faculty supervision. If you are interested in this, be sure to arrange your schedule so that you finish your second methods course no later than the semester before you plan to graduate (and two semesters would be even better). Also talk with a faculty advisor as soon as possible.

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Students majoring in a wide range of disciplines will find a minor in Sociology enhances their perspective on their field. Sociology is often the minor of choice for students majoring in Psychology, Anthropology, American Studies, Economics, Applied Behavioral Science, History, Political Science, and Global and International Studies and those in professional schools such as Journalism, Business, or Education.  Students considering careers in Law or Medicine will find Sociology relevant and useful. 

The minor consists of 18 credit hours of course work which includes SOC 104 and at least 12 hours of Sociology courses at the Junior/Senior level, including 9 taken in residence here at KU. A minimum GPA of 2.0 is required.

To declare a minor, begin by meeting with our Advising Specialist. Call 864-3500 to schedule an appointment.     

 

To begin Graduation Certification paperwork, or to release a NDC or ND6 hold, please see our Advising Specialist, Laura Leonard before meeting with a Undergraduate Studies Committee Member. If you have a FAH hold, please call the Undergraduate Advising Center at 864-2834 to make an appointment with an UAC Advisor.

Getting Started. Several sociology classes have no prerequisites and thus can be taken as a first course in Sociology. These courses can usually be used to meet the prerequisites for classes that require one: SOC 104, 105, 130, 132, 150, 160, 161, 220, 273. Sociology offers optional concentrations in the major. Please consult with your faculty advisor to determine whether this option best serves your own needs and goals. Students pursing concentrations are urged to begin no later than the first semester of their junior year.

Completing requirements. Not every course required for the Sociology major is offered each semester. Majors are strongly encouraged to take required courses at an early time. Required courses provide an important background for appreciating the issues and themes in more specialized Sociology courses. Taking them early should enhance the learning experiences in other Sociology courses. Presently, the Sociology department is committed to offering all courses required for its major at least once each year. However, it is unwise to defer a required course until the last semester before graduation, as it might not be offered during a given semester. Further, students planning to complete their major requirements during a Summer Session should be aware that the department offers mainly introductory (100/200) level courses during the summer. Junior/Senior level courses are not routinely offered during Summer Sessions.

Year 1 & 2:	Take SOC 104, Math 101, and at least one other SOC course.
Year 2:	When qualified, declare intent to major.  Take SOC 310 (Methods) and 1-2 other courses at the 300 level or above.
Year 3:	Take SOC 510 (Methods) and 1-2 other courses at the 300 level or above. Discuss options for independent work (readings, internship, honors research) with your advisor.  If planning an internship apply for approval (see Department website for process).
Year 4:	Take SOC 500 (Theory) and 1-2 other courses at the 300 level or above; do internship, if pursing Honors in Major, begin work on thesis under direction of your advisor. Complete required credits by pursuing special interests; if pursuing honors: complete research.

 

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Students majoring in a wide range of disciplines will find a minor in Sociology enhances their perspective on their field. Sociology is often the minor of choice for students majoring in Psychology, Anthropology, American Studies, Economics, Applied Behavioral Science, History, Political Science, and Global and International Studies and those in professional schools such as Journalism, Business, or Education.  Students considering careers in Law or Medicine will find Sociology relevant and useful. 

The minor consists of 18 credit hours of course work which includes SOC 104/304 and at least 12 hours of Sociology courses at the Junior/Senior level, including 9 taken in residence here at KU. A minimum GPA of 2.0 is required.

To declare a minor, begin by meeting with our Advising Specialist. Call 864-3500 to schedule an appointment.     

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To qualify for “Graduation with Honors in Sociology,” a major must meet the College’s requirement for a 3.25 grade-point average for all college work and a 3.5 GPA in Sociology. S/he also must complete 6 hours of course work in SOC 499, culminating in a superior thesis, which will be reviewed by three members of the College faculty, at least two of which shall be from the Sociology department. Honors work almost always requires more than one semester from the time it is initially planned until its completion. It typically involves a close working relationship with a member of the Sociology faculty expert in the field of the honors student’s thesis. Therefore, very early planning for an honors major is strongly recommended. Interested students should contact a member of the Sociology faculty ideally in the third semester prior to graduation and no later than the beginning of the second semester prior to graduation.

 

Honors Theses by Recent Graduates:

• Young Women's Experiences with Hooking up and Relationships by Emily Page, Fall 2011 Graduate
• Faith in Pop Culture by Jared Powell, Fall 2011 Graduate

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The Department of Sociology offers an internship course, Sociology 490. The purpose of this course is to encourage students to think sociologically about social issues by working as volunteer interns for non-profit community or campus organizations. Enrollment must be approved by the Undergraduate Studies Committee. To enroll, the student must submit a proposal developed in consultation with the sociology faculty member who will supervise the internship. Information about specific internship opportunities can be found on our Opportunities for Students page.

Prerequisites. 21 credits in sociology with a 3.0 GPA, submission of proposal outlining internship, and permission of the instructor.

Proposal. The proposal should be brief but needs to be explicit about the following points:

1. The name of the organization that will sponsor the internship.
2. The sociological interest of the social issue this organization addresses.
3. The student's specific learning objectives.
4. The number of hours to be spent on-site each week.
5. The grading criteria which the student and faculty supervisor have agreed upon.

This proposal must also include a letter of support from the director of the sponsoring organization.

Timeline. Proposals must be submitted to the Undergraduate Studies Committee no later than the final week of the semester prior to the proposed internship.

Final Approval for Credit. Students who complete internships will submit to the Director of Undergraduate Studies a copy of their field notes and a final paper approved by the faculty supervisor.

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Optional areas of concentration in the sociology major include Social and Cultural Diversity, Social Policy, and Work and Economy. Optional concentrations are fulfilled by taking 12 credits from the list of approved courses. Most courses are offered at least once a year but some courses are offered less regularly. Please consult with your faculty advisor to find out about anticipated course offerings. Students who want to develop concentrations are urged to begin early. On completion of a concentration, send a note with a copy of your ARTS form to the Department's Director of Undergraduate Studies indicating that you would like a letter verifying that you have done this work.

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Each academic year, the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences offers some competitive undergraduate awards. Click these links for information and advice on how to create a strong application, such as writing a personal statement, creating an effective resume, and requesting recommendation letters. For information about scholarships based on academic merit, diversity, major, and residence contact the University of Kansas, Office of Admissions and Scholarships, KU Visitor Center, 1502 Iowa Street, Lawrence, KS 66045, (785) 864-3911. For information about grants, loans, and other need-based financial aid, contact KU’s Office of Student Financial Aid, Strong Hall, 1450 Jayhawk Boulevard, Room 50, Lawrence, KS 66045-7535, (785) 864-4700.

For more information, please visit:

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