Undergraduate Study in Sociology
The Department of Sociology offers course work leading to either a Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, or a minor in sociology. Additionally, a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural & Rural Policy Studies is offered.
Student Learning Outcomes
Graduates of all these programs will understand and demonstrate:
General knowledge of sociology- Research methods in sociology
- Critical thinking skills
- Application of sociology to pressing social issues
- Sociological and professional values
- Information technology skills
- Communication skills
- Personal and career development
Graduates understand how social institutions, communities, and organizations work and change; they can examine the causes and consequences of conformity, deviance, and inequality. They can apply sociological understanding of human behavior to practical work situations and everyday life. Graduates can read critically, think independently, and communicate effectively about social issues and social policy.
Degree Requirements
As majors in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Sociology students must meet College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and University-wide requirements for graduation in addition to those stated below for the major.
University Requirements:
| International Perspective | 3 | |
| U.S. Cultures and Communities (formerly U.S. Diversity) | 3 | |
See http://www.registrar.iastate.edu/courses/div-ip-guide.html for a list of approved courses. | ||
| Total Credits | 6 | |
Communications:
| ENGL 1500 | Critical Thinking and Communication | 3 |
| ENGL 2500 | Written, Oral, Visual, and Electronic Composition | 3 |
| One of the following | 3 | |
| Business Communication | ||
| Proposal and Report Writing | ||
| Technical Communication | ||
| LIB 1600 | Introduction to College Level Research | 1 |
| Total Credits | 10 | |
World Languages and Culture:
| 3 years H.S. | ||
| Accelerated Spanish Review | ||
| 2 semesters college | 8 | |
| Total Credits | 8 | |
Departmental Requirements for Sociology Majors
A program of study that meets the needs and interests of the student and department requirements will be developed in consultation with the major advisor. Students must maintain a GPA of 2.0 or higher in their core courses. Programs of study will include:
| SOC 1150 | Orientation to Sociology | 1 |
| SOC 1340 | Introduction to Sociology | 3 |
| SOC 3020 | Research Methods for the Social Sciences | 3 |
| SOC 4010 | Contemporary Sociological Theories | 3 |
| 6 credits of 2000+ Sociology courses | 6 | |
| 18 credits of 3000+ Sociology courses | 18 | |
| Total Credits | 34 | |
Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science Degree
In addition to the program of study above, students must select complementary courses that will lead to a bachelor of arts or bachelor of science degree. Programs leading to a bachelor of arts degree will emphasize additional coursework in groups I and III of the general education requirements. Programs leading to a bachelor of science degree will emphasize additional coursework in groups IIA and IIB of the general education requirements. Some of the possible areas of coursework include criminal justice, community (urban and rural) sociology, family sociology, sociology of work, research methods and statistics, social change and development, social inequality, social psychology and sociological theory.
Bachelor of Arts complementary coursework:
| STAT 1010 | Principles of Statistics | 4 |
| or STAT 1040 | Introduction to Statistics | |
| At least 9 additional arts and humanities and/or social science courses | 9 | |
LAS approved arts and humanities and/or social sciences courses. General education courses cannot be cross-listed or dual-listed with Sociology courses that count toward the major. | ||
| Total Credits | 13 | |
Bachelor of Science complementary coursework:
| STAT 1010 | Principles of Statistics | 4 |
| or STAT 1040 | Introduction to Statistics | |
| At least 9 additional credits in natural science, math, or statistics | 9 | |
LAS approved mathematics and/or natural science courses. In addition, these courses may be used: STAT 3010, STAT 4010D, STAT 4040, STAT 4070, STAT 4150, STAT 4210, STAT 4790; PSYCH 4400; HDFS 4490; ECON 3080, ECON 3760; CRP 4510 and WGS 4020. General education courses cannot be cross-listed or dual-listed with Sociology courses that count toward the major. | ||
| Total Credits | 13 | |
LAS majors require a minimum of 120 credits to graduate, including a minimum of 45 credits at the 3000/4000 level. You must also complete the LAS world language requirement and career proficiency requirement.
Students in all ISU majors must complete a three-credit course in U.S. cultures and communities (formerly U.S. diversity) and a three-credit course in international perspectives. Check (http://www.registrar.iastate.edu/courses/div-ip-guide.html) for a list of approved courses. Discuss with your advisor how the two courses that you select can be applied to your graduation plan.
Majors must complete both ENGL 1500 Critical Thinking and Communication and ENGL 2500 Written, Oral, Visual, and Electronic Composition. According to the university-wide Communication Proficiency Grade Requirement, students must demonstrate their communication proficiency by earning a grade of C or better in ENGL 2500.In addition, majors must also take an advanced course in ENGL 3020 Business Communication or ENGL 3090 Proposal and Report Writing or ENGL 3140 Technical Communication with a grade of C or better.
Sociology, Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) and Bachelor of Science (B.S.)
| Freshman | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| SOC 1150 | 1 | Sociology 2000+ | 3 |
| SOC 1340 | 3 | ENGL 2500 | 3 |
| ENGL 1500 | 3 | Social Science Choice | 3 |
| LIB 1600 | 1 | Arts and Humanities Choice | 3 |
| Arts and Humanities Choice | 3 | Arts and Humanities Choice | 3 |
| STAT 1010 or 1040 | 3-4 | ||
| 14-15 | 15 | ||
| Sophomore | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| Sociology 2000+ | 3 | Sociology 3000+ | 3 |
| Sociology 3000+ | 3 | Sociology 3000+ | 3 |
| World Language/International Perspectives | 3-4 | World Language/International Perspectives | 3-4 |
| Arts and Humanities Choice | 3 | Natural Science Choice | 3 |
| Natural Science Choice | 3 | Elective | 3 |
| LAS 2030 | 1 | ||
| 15-16 | 16-17 | ||
| Junior | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| Sociology 3000+ | 3 | SOC 3020 | 3 |
| U.S. Cultures and Communities (formerly U.S. Diversity) | 3 | Sociology 3000+ | 3 |
| Natural Science Choice | 2 | Complementary Course (approved Arts and Humanities or Social Science course if seeking a BA; approved Math or Natural Science course if seeking a BS) | 3 |
| Social Science Choice | 3 | Electives 3000+ | 6 |
| Electives 3000+ | 6 | ||
| 17 | 15 | ||
| Senior | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| SOC 4010 | 3 | Sociology 3000+ | 3 |
| ENGL 3020, 3090, or 3140 | 3 | Complementary Course (approved Arts and Humanities or Social Science course if seeking a BA; approved Math or Natural Science course if seeking a BS) | 3 |
| Complementary Course (approved Arts and Humanities or Social Science course if seeking a BA; approved Math or Natural Science course if seeking a BS) | 3 | Electives 3000+ | 6-9 |
| Electives 3000+ | 6 | ||
| 15 | 12-15 | ||
Sociology Minor
The department offers a minor in sociology which may be earned by completing 15 credits in sociology with a minimum 2.0 GPA. At least 9 of the 15 credits must be at the 3000 level or higher with a minimum of 6 of those credits taken at ISU. The minor must include at least 9 credits that are not used to meet any other department, college or university requirement.
Students are required to earn credit for the following courses:
| SOC 1340 | Introduction to Sociology | 3 |
| Additional 12 credits in Sociology courses | 12 | |
9 credits must be 3000+ | ||
| Total Credits | 15 | |
Graduate Study
The Department offers study toward the Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy degrees, with majors available in Sociology and Rural Sociology, as well as a graduate minor in Sociology for students majoring in other departments. The Department offers concentrations in a number of areas, e.g., community studies and development; sociology of families, inequality, food systems, agriculture and environment; criminal justice/criminology; methodology; social change and development; and social psychology. The Department of Sociology does not offer a non-thesis option master’s degree program.
The Department accepts applicants for the Ph.D. program from students who hold a master's degree, as well as from students who wish to enter the program directly with a bachelor's degree.
Contact information: Kyle Burgason, 202 East Hall, 515-294-9898 or burgason@iastate.edu.
Graduates have a broad understanding of sociology, address complex societal problems, and communicate effectively with scientific colleagues and the general public in both formal and informal settings. They understand sociological theory, conduct research, and are prepared to educate college students and contribute to public policy. Although the Department stipulates no language requirement for either the degree Master of Science or the degree Doctor of Philosophy, specifying competence in one or more languages may be desirable in some instances.
The Department also participates in the interdepartmental graduate major in Sustainable Agriculture, and the interdepartmental graduate minor in Gerontology.
Course requirements are listed below. Information about examinations, theses and dissertations, POS committees and other requirements are available on the Department of Sociology website.
Ph.D. Core Degree Requirements
Although responsibility for determining the student's course work resides with the Plan of Study (POS) committee, the Department of Sociology outlines core courses that must be taken by all students. A graduate course taken elsewhere can be substituted for the Ph.D. core requirements with approval by the Director of Graduate Education (DOGE) in consultation with the student's POS committee.
A minimum of 72 semester credits (including master's degree credits) is required for graduation.
Required Courses for the Ph.D. Degree
| STAT 5820 | Regression for Social and Behavioral Research | 3 |
| SOC 5060 | Classical Sociological Theory | 3 |
| SOC 5110 | Research Methodology for the Social Sciences | 3 |
| SOC 5120 | Applied Multivariate Statistics for Social and Behavioral Research | 3 |
| SOC 5130 | Qualitative Research Methods | 3 |
| SOC 5340 | Race, Class and Gender Inequality | 3 |
| SOC 5910 | Orientation to Sociology | 1 |
| SOC 6070 | Contemporary Sociological Theory | 3 |
| SOC 6990A | Dissertation Research: General Sociology | 1-8 |
| or SOC 6990B | Dissertation Research: Rural Sociology | |
| 14 three-credit elective courses as specified on the POS | 42 | |
| No more than 12 credits of 5900 (special topics) may be applied toward the Ph.D. degree requirements. | ||
| Total Credits | 65-72 | |
Ph.D. Minor / Co-Major Requirements
Required Courses for the Ph.D. Minor
| SOC 5060 | Classical Sociological Theory | 3 |
| or SOC 6070 | Contemporary Sociological Theory | |
| SOC 5110 | Research Methodology for the Social Sciences | 3 |
| One of the following two courses: | ||
| SOC 5120 | Applied Multivariate Statistics for Social and Behavioral Research | 3 |
| or SOC 5130 | Qualitative Research Methods | |
| Two 3-credit graduate-level courses in Sociology. | 6 | |
| Total Credits | 15 | |
Required Courses for the Ph.D. Co-Major
| STAT 5820 | Regression for Social and Behavioral Research | 3 |
| SOC 5060 | Classical Sociological Theory | 3 |
| SOC 5110 | Research Methodology for the Social Sciences | 3 |
| One Course in Advanced Methodology: | ||
| Applied Multivariate Statistics for Social and Behavioral Research | ||
| Qualitative Research Methods | ||
| SOC 5340 | Race, Class and Gender Inequality | 3 |
| SOC 5910 | Orientation to Sociology | 1 |
| SOC 6070 | Contemporary Sociological Theory | 3 |
| 3 additional three-credit graduate-level courses in Sociology | 9 | |
| A minimum of 28 total credits is required for the Ph.D. co-major | ||
Co-Major Requirements for the Graduate Program in Sustainable Agriculture
The Graduate Program in Sustainable Agriculture (GPSA) develops student competence and expertise in the design, implementation, and evaluation of sustainable agricultural systems. The program's curriculum satisfies the formal requirements for the MS and Ph.D. degrees, as established by the ISU Graduate College, and fosters transdisciplinary and systems-level thinking.
The Department does not offer double majors in sociology.
For admission to the co-major program contact the graduate program coordinator.
M.S. Core Degree Requirements
Although responsibility for determining the student's course work resides with the POS committee, the Department of Sociology outlines core courses that must be taken by all students. A graduate course taken elsewhere can be substituted for the core requirements with approval by the Director of Graduate Education (DOGE) in consultation with the student's POS Committee.
Required Courses for the M.S. Degree
| STAT 5870 | Statistical Methods for Research Workers | 4 |
| SOC 5060 | Classical Sociological Theory | 3 |
| or SOC 6070 | Contemporary Sociological Theory | |
| SOC 5110 | Research Methodology for the Social Sciences | 3 |
| SOC 5130 | Qualitative Research Methods | 3 |
| or STAT 5820 | Regression for Social and Behavioral Research | |
| SOC 5910 | Orientation to Sociology | 1 |
| SOC 6990A | Dissertation Research: General Sociology | 1-8 |
| or SOC 6990B | Dissertation Research: Rural Sociology | |
| 4 three-credit elective courses as specified on the POS | 12 | |
| No more than 6 credits of 5900 (special topics) may be applied toward the M.S. degree requirements. | ||
| Total Credits | 27-34 | |
M.S. Minor / Co-Major Requirements
Required Courses for the M.S. Minor
| SOC 5060 | Classical Sociological Theory | 3 |
| or SOC 6070 | Contemporary Sociological Theory | |
| SOC 5110 | Research Methodology for the Social Sciences | 3 |
| Two 3-credit graduate-level courses in Sociology. | 6 | |
| Total Credits | 12 | |
Required Courses for the M.S. Co-Major
| STAT 5870 | Statistical Methods for Research Workers | 4 |
| SOC 5060 | Classical Sociological Theory | 3 |
| or SOC 6070 | Contemporary Sociological Theory | |
| SOC 5110 | Research Methodology for the Social Sciences | 3 |
| One Course in Advanced Methodology: | ||
| STAT 5820 | Regression for Social and Behavioral Research | 3 |
| or SOC 5130 | Qualitative Research Methods | |
| SOC 5910 | Orientation to Sociology | 1 |
| 2 additional three-credit graduate-level courses in sociology | 6 | |
| A minimum of 20 total credits is required for the M.S. co-major | ||
| The department does not offer double majors in sociology at the graduate level. Admission requirements to the co-major program are the same as for the major. | ||
Co-Major Requirements for the Graduate Program in Sustainable Agriculture
The Graduate Program in Sustainable Agriculture (GPSA) develops student competence and expertise in the design, implementation, and evaluation of sustainable agricultural systems. The program's curriculum satisfies the formal requirements for the M.S. and Ph.D. degrees, as established by the ISU Graduate College, and fosters transdisciplinary and systems-level thinking.