Sociology
Program Overview
The mission of the Saint Elizabeth University (SEU) B.A. in Sociology Program is to engage students in the empirical study of
society and social behavior, enabling students to understand
their social world, to recognize the forces of change operative
within it, and to critique conditions affecting social life.
The goals of the Program are:
- To facilitate student learning of sociological theory, sociological research methods, and substantive areas of the discipline appropriate to baccalaureate-level education
- To enable students to develop skills needed for conducting, evaluating, analyzing, and presenting research
- To promote in students scholarly integrity and compliance with professional codes of ethics
- To graduate women prepared for further study, for career-track employment, and for life in a changing society
The program also introduces students interested in the social work profession to that field of study through a four-course concentration in social work.
SEU's course offerings acquaint students with the major concepts, significant findings, and diverse theoretical perspectives of sociology. They also facilitate students' understanding of the process of social research, their acquisition of research skills, and their use of appropriate computer resources, and they prepare students for related graduate study and/or for varied careers utilizing their knowledge of sociology and their analytical skills. Service learning, field work, and internship opportunities are available.
Sociology works excellently as a double major, enabling students to place the understandings that they gain in another discipline within the larger context of society and to study the impact of this other discipline on, and within, society. Recently, sociology students have most often double majored in education, psychology, justice studies, communication, business, or a foreign language, though double majors with many other areas are possible.
Outcomes
Graduates of the B.A. in Sociology Program
will be able to:
- Understand the major concepts, methodologies, and theoretical perspectives of sociology
- Analyze literature on topics of sociological importance
- Conduct research consistent with scientific and ethical guidelines
- Create and present academic work (papers, posters, oral and technologically enhanced presentations) that represents one's sociological knowledge and values
In addition, students who participate in sociology and social work internships will employ their study of sociology and social work in a field work setting, preparing them for work and/or further study in those fields.
Graduates
A bachelor’s degree in sociology is a very a useful degree, as most employers realize the
importance of hiring people who are skilled in understanding and working with diverse
multicultural populations and who possess keen analytical reasoning, research, and
communication skills. It complements the study of education, business (especially marketing and
economics), justice studies, psychology, communication, history, political science, and American
studies especially well, as it overlaps with and has much in common with each of these disciplines
and provides a solid basis for future study in any of these fields. It also prepares students for
the study and practice of law, public health and policy, and graduate topics in a wide variety of
disciplines.
Sociologists work in such arenas as:
- Corporations and various businesses
- Governments and policy analysis
- Law
- Personnel and human resources
- Public relations
- Research and polling
- Sales
- Social activism (consumer, environmental, etc.)
- Social services
- Teaching
Recent graduates of the Program have also gone on to pursue advanced graduate education in
the fields of sociology, social work, psychology, law, and business.