Need advising? The place to start is here:Fraser Hall
1415 Jayhawk Boulevard, Room 716
Lawrence, KS 66045-7556
Phone: (785) 864-9407
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.
Professor Smith's SOC 104 Class- Fall 2007
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.
Declaration of the Major. Students who are interested in exploring a major in Sociology are encouraged to talk with Owen Marciano our Advising Specialist in 719 Fraser, (785) 864-3500, who will advise students on general education requirements as well as general information about the major and minor. The Sociology department urges students to apply to the major as soon as they complete SOC 104 and one additional Sociology course. Once students have competed these two courses, they should bring an ARTS form to a meeting with Dawn Shew who will verify their coursework in sociology and give them a Major Declaration form to fill out. Prospective majors then schedule a meeting with a faculty member (see Advising) of the department’s Undergraduate Studies Committee who will sign the Major Declaration form and help the new major plan their path through the major.
Requirements for the Major. 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 in Sociology 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
2. Fifteen of the remaining 21 credit hours must be in courses numbered 300 or above. No more than three credits of SOC 490, SOC 499, SOC 598, and SOC 698 can be used to satisfy this 15 credit hour requirement.
3. A grade-point average for all Sociology course work at the 300 and above levels must be no lower than 2.0.
4. At least 12 credit hours of the 300 or above level credit hours must be KU courses.
5. No more than 6 credit hours from KU Continuing Education may be applied toward the major.
We urge you to consult with faculty advisors during enrollment and at other times during the semester. Enrollment advising is provided by members of the faculty during the times set forth in the University Timetable. Because Sociology is a diverse discipline, Sociology majors have a wide range of courses from which to choose. Faculty can help you select those courses in Sociology and in related departments that are most useful for your individual interests and goals.
Fall 2009 Undergraduate Studies Committee Advising Schedule:
Professor Brian Donovan~ Monday: 2:00-3:00
Professor Joey Sprague~ Tuesday: 10:00-11:00
Professor Kelly Chong~ Wednesday: 1:00-2:00
Professor Ebenezer Obadare~ Wednesday: 3:00-4:00
Professor ChangHwan Kim~ Thursday: 2:00-3:00
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, 352, 371. 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 & one other SOC course |
Year 3: |
|
Fall Semester |
Declare your major. Take SOC 310 (Methods) & 1-2 other courses at the 300 level or above. |
Spring Semester |
Take SOC 510 (Statistics) & 1-2 other courses at the 300 level or above; discuss options for independent work (readings, internships, honors research) with your advisor. If planning an internship, apply for approval. |
Year 4: |
|
Fall Semester |
Take SOC 500 (Theory); begin internship, if pursing Honors in Major, begin work on thesis under the direction of your advisor. |
Spring Semester |
Complete required credits by pursuing special interests; if pursuing honors, complete research. |
Students earning a BGS must complete a concentration in a field other than their major. One of those fields can be sociology. The requirement for a concentration in sociology is nine hours of upper division work in sociology courses of your selection.
Students majoring in various disciplines are encouraged to minor in Sociology. Students earning a BA or a BGS can obtain a minor; for BGS students, the minor takes the place of the required concentration. 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. A minimum GPA of 2.0 is required.
To declare a sociology minor, you must fill out a minor declaration form in consultation with the Undergraduate Director. Contact the department at (785) 864-4111 to set up an appointment.
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.
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.
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. More information on Sociology optional concentrations
and the approved course listing is set forth in the Guide
for Sociology Majors (PDF).
Each academic year, the Department of Sociology offers some competitive undergraduate awards. For information and some advice on how to create a strong application, click here! 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.
Alpha Kappa Delta Beta Chapter of Kansas
International Sociology Honor Society
In 1920, University of Southern California sociologist, Dr. Emory S. Bogardus, founded Alpha Kappa Delta for the purposes of stimulating scholarship and promoting the scientific study of society. Bogardus’ impetus in establishing this organization was to provide a forum for student and faculty interchange. His endeavor paved the way for what has become an international organization dedicated to promoting, facilitating, and recognizing academic scholarship. As we enter the 21st century, Alpha Kappa Delta is an integral part of many Sociology programs and is proud to acknowledge that in the past eight decades, over 80,000 scholars have been initiated into the Society. More than 490 chapters have been chartered in the United States, Canada, China, Finland, the Philippines, Taiwan, and Singapore
Undergraduates:
For undergraduates who are officially declared sociology majors, the following specific requirements must have been met prior to the time of initiation:
Each year Alpha Kappa Delta sponsors an undergraduate student paper competition. For more information, please visit the AKD website.
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The University of Kansas is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative
Action institution, committed to a policy of equal opportunity
in admissions, financial assistance, and employment.
|
Fraser Hall 1415 Jayhawk Blvd. Room 716 Lawrence, KS 66045-7556 Phone: (785) 864-4111 or (785) 864-9400 Fax: (785) 864-5280 socdept@ku.edu |
© 2002 The University of Kansas Department of Sociology. Photos © The University of Kansas Office of University Relations. This file was modified 11/23/09 04:07:18 PM |
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