About the Major

Sociology is the study of human society, its origins, functions, and problems. It focuses on relations among people, groups, classes, organizations, and cultures.

Sociology explores and analyzes issues vital to our personal lives, our communities, our nation, and the world. The curriculum in sociology is designed to show students the social character of human life and the impact of varying forms of social organization on human affairs. Students are introduced to the methods by which knowledge is obtained, and may examine the results of research on such diverse topics as the family, religion, education, politics, sex roles, popular culture, and crime.

The major provides a foundation for careers in many professional fields, such as law, criminal justice, and social service, and for graduate training as a professional sociologist in government, business, community agencies, research organizations, or educational institutions.

Undergraduates are encouraged to become actively involved in the design of their education, and to take advantage of the opportunities and services offered by the department. Internships, practicums, and independent study courses (Soc 393, 394, and 399), help students establish ties to social service agencies and individual professors. The Sociology Club offers further opportunities for participation in departmental and community affairs. Alpha Kappa Delta, the national honorary society, and the Roger Yoshino Award provide opportunities for those interested in academic excellence. For further information contact the Sociology Department at (520) 621-3531, Social Sciences Bldg., Room 400., (520) 621-3531, or email us.

The major for the B.A. requires a minimum of 36 units of sociology, 21 of which must be upper-division courses. All majors must take Soc 101, 274, 275, and 300, which provide students with an overview of the discipline, its major theories, and the fundamentals of its research methods and statistics.

Students are required to complete at least one course from a number of different focal areas.

Internship Program

Sociology Internships provide students with practical experience working for public and private organizations in the community. The program's goal is to expand the student's understanding of sociological concepts through observation of, and participation in, normal work activities.

Soc 393 is a 3-credit upper-division course. Students are required to spend eight hours per week at the organization, attend required meetings with the Director of the Internship Program, and write a final paper. A final grade of "P" for pass or "S" for superior is based on the site supervisor's evaluation, the final paper and scheduled meetings determined by the Director. Internship requirements and organization listings are on file in the Sociology Department, Undergraduate Studies, Social Sciences Bldg., Room 400 or call (520) 621-3531.

To enroll in Soc 393, you must schedule an appointment with Dr. Celestino Fernandez, Director of the Sociology Internship Program, by phone (520-626-9322) or email.

Careers and Graduate School

Do you have questions about careers in Sociology? Do you need guidance on how to prepare for and apply to graduate school? If so, schedule an appointment to meet with a Sociology Faculty member by contacting the Sociology Department, Undergraduate Studies, Social Sciences Bldg., Room 400, (520) 621-3531, or send an email. To participate in career workshops, career counseling, and assistance with resume writing, visit:

Career Services
Student Union Memorial Center
4th Floor, Suite 411
(520) 621-2588
http://www.career.arizona.edu

Frequently Asked Questions

Choice of Catalog

Each student's requirements throughout their undergraduate career are based on the rules stated in the appropriate catalog. Their initial catalog is the one in force during the first Fall or Spring semester enrolled at the U of A or one of the Community Colleges in the State of Arizona. Note that students starting during the summer start with the catalog effective in the Fall after they enroll rather than the Spring prior to enrollment. Each student may elect to work under any UA catalog from this one forward, provided continuous enrollment has been maintained. Continuous enrollment is broken when no course is completed for three consecutive "regular" semesters (Fall, Spring) and the intervening summer terms, in which case the catalog in force upon re-enrollment is used. View details on the sociology major requirements under different catalogs.

Pass-Fail Option

The Pass-Fail (P-F) option is available only to those who have entered the Sophomore year or higher (25 credits or greater) and have a GPA of 2.0 or higher. No more than 12 credits of P-F are permitted in total. In any given semester, no more than 6 units may be taken P-F; at least 12 regularly graded units must be taken a the same time. Only electives can be taken Pass-Fail. No general education, major or minor classes may be P-F. For further information view the university's Academic Policies.

Minor Options

There are two ways to develop minors for students who major in sociology. In each case the student must complete eighteen (18) total minor credits, of which 9 are upper division (300-499). (1) All course work is taken from one field, defined by that department (view University minors). Requests for exceptions made to the coursework must be submitted to the minor department for approval. (2) The thematic minor, where courses are taken from multiple departments provided the courses fall (roughly) about a common theme. To take the thematic minor option, students must obtain the thematic minor form from their major department, fill out the courses to be counted in the minor, and have it signed by the major advisor (keep one copy for your records). This becomes a contract that is carefully checked by the Degree Certification office. There is a Structured General Business Minor for which students should see the advisors in the College of Business--the rules are very specific. Also, for those minoring in Spanish, their 100- level Intro Spanish courses cannot be counted for the minor, but their 200-level classes can.

Repeating Courses

Up to three (3) courses may be repeated under Grade Replacement Opportunity (GRO). Each course must originally have been completed with a grade of "C" or lower, and can be retaken only once. In general, both grades remain on the record, but only the second grade counts toward the GPA. See the university's Academic Policies for further information.

Academic Renewal

Academic Renewal allows students under certain restrictive circumstances to entirely remove one semester or consecutive semesters from their record. This option is available only after five (5) years following the semester in question, and the student must have completed a minimum of 30 credits of regularly- graded coursework since that time with a GPA of 2.5 or higher. See the university's Academic Policies for further information.

Grade Appeal

The rules for appealing a grade are very detailed. Students are encouraged to study these carefully. In general, the process must be initiated by the student approaching the instructor. The instructor has up to two weeks to respond. If this response is not acceptable to the student, he or she has one week to take the matter in writing to the Department Head. The Head then has two weeks to make a recommendation. If the decision is to recommend a grade change, the instructor may still refuse. If the student still wishes to pursue the matter, he or she has one week to appeal in writing to the Dean, who will convene a committee to review such grade appeals. See the university's Academic Policies for further information.

Correspondence Courses

Students may enroll in correspondence courses through Extended University, University Services Bldg., Room 322, 888 N. Euclid, (520) 626-8632. It is important to realize that enrollment in correspondence credits does not count towards the total regularly graded number of classes in any semester. They count almost as though they were transferred from another University. A maximum of 60 units may be earned through correspondence and/or credit by examination. For list of courses, see correspondence courses.

Class Definitions Based on Number of Completed Credits in the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences

• Freshman 0-24.
• Sophomore 25-55.
• Junior 56-86.
• Senior 87 and up.