Sociology, B.A. - COLA, UNH

Majoring in sociology provides a solid, multifaceted foundation in the liberal arts, including analytical thinking and writing, and skills in collecting and analyzing data. Students learn diverse theoretical approaches to the social world and acquire tools for conducting and understanding social science research. The wide range of substantive areas taught in the UNH Department of Sociology include courses concentrating on family and work; environmental sociology; social policy; inequalities of race, class and gender; criminology, social control and deviant behavior; medical sociology and mental health; and religion.

Undergraduate training in sociology is an excellent background for a variety of careers, including the business world, where majors might work in marketing and sales or human resources; government and nonprofit services, where majors might work in education, health services, social welfare or criminal justice; and research. An undergraduate degree in sociology is also excellent preparation for graduate work in law, social work, criminal justice, counseling, public administration, public health, business administration, urban planning or further studies in sociology.

Conjoint minors (allowing double-counting of one or two courses) are available for justice studies; gerontology; American studies; race and ethnic studies; women's and gender studies; and other approved minors. Students also have the opportunity to pursue a second major, including justice studies. Students interested in social work or teaching can develop programs in conjunction with the appropriate departments. The departmental honors program is recommended for students with cumulative grade-point averages over 3.4, and especially for those anticipating graduate study.

Sample Degree Plan

This sample degree plan serves as a general guide; students collaborate with their academic advisor to develop a personalized degree plan to meet their academic goals and program requirements.

Note: Sociology majors are required to take at least one Sociology class each semester until they have fulfilled their major requirements. 

Degree Requirements

All Major, Option and Elective Requirements as indicated.
*Major GPA requirements as indicated.

Major Requirements

• Majors must complete a minimum of 40 credits in sociology courses.
• Major courses must be completed with a minimum grade of C- or better in each course. The required minimum overall GPA is 2.0 or better in all sociology courses.
• Sociology majors may use two major-required courses to satisfy two Discovery category requirements.

¹

SOC 599 Sociological Analysis must be completed no later than the junior year and is a prerequisite for majors taking 600- and 700-level courses.

²

SOC 402 Statistics is a prerequisite for SOC 601 Methods of Social Research.

Additional Information

SOC 595 Independent Reading and Research can be used to fulfill one lower-level elective or SOC 799 Senior Thesis can be used to fulfill one upper-level elective.

SOC 599 Sociological Analysis can be used to satisfy both a major requirement and the Inquiry Discovery requirement.

Statistics courses taken in other disciplines are not acceptable as a substitute for SOC 402 Statistics.

Candidates for a degree must satisfy all of the University Discovery Program requirements in addition to satisfying the requirements of each individual major program. B.A. candidates must also satisfy the foreign language proficiency requirement.

Students interested in majoring in sociology should consult with the director of undergraduate program in the sociology department for guidance. It is the responsibility of all sociology majors to obtain the latest information from the department office.

Sociology Language Requirement

The bachelor of arts degree at the University of New Hampshire requires that students satisfy the foreign language proficiency requirement. The requirement may be met by demonstrating language proficiency equal to a one-year college-level course (401 and 402, 403 and 503, 501 [Latin only], or 503 and above in a spoken language). American Sign Language courses meet the foreign language proficiency requirement for sociology majors when ASL I and ASL II have been completed.

• Outcome 1: Students will learn to articulate and evaluate how individual biographies are shaped by social structures, social institutions, cultural norms, and multiple of dimensions of social stratification and inequality. (Sociological imagination)
• Outcome 2: Students will learn to analyze and evaluate multiple and competing arguments about high-profile social, political, and cultural current events; distinguish between evidence and opinions; and use reason and data to advance an argument. (Critical thinking)
• Outcome 3: Students will learn to use, evaluate, and apply classical and contemporary theoretical perspectives to historical and contemporary events. (Sociological theory)
• Outcome 4: Students will learn how to generate and interpret qualitative and quantitative data in a value-neutral way. (Data analysis)
• Outcome 5: Students will learn how to interpret and evaluate several of the major social science research methodologies, as well as the relationship between research questions and appropriate methods. (Research methods)
• Outcome 6: Students will learn to effectively communicate a sociological perspective both in writing and verbally. (Communication skills)
• Outcome 7: Students will learn to understand how people of different cultural, racial, ethnic, sex, gender, religious, and political identities interpret the world around them. (Living in a complex society)
• Outcome 8: Students will learn to work effectively and respectfully with people of different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. (Collaboration)