Degree Requirements

Major in Sociology

A MAJOR IN SOCIOLOGY requires a minimum of 11 courses, including:

Sociology 101-Introduction
Sociology 250-Social Theory
Sociology 351-Research Methods
Sociology 352-Data Analysis
Sociology 453-Seminar

Six additional sociology courses, with at least 2 at the 300-level or above.

Social Work 241-Introduction to Social Welfare and Social Work 341-Social Work Practicum may be used to satisfy two units of the elective requirement for those students pursuing a concentration in social work.

Sociology 101 or permission of the instructor is the minimal prerequisite to all other sociology courses, with the exception of Sociology 102. Sociology 101 and one 200-level sociology courses are the minimal prerequisites to Sociology 250 and to all 300-level and 400-level sociology courses. The required core courses in the major (250, 351, 352, and 453) should be taken in sequence. Sociology 250 is a prerequisite to Sociology 351; Sociology 351 is a prerequisite to Sociology 352; and Sociology 352 is a prerequisite to Sociology 453. Students anticipating majoring in sociology should ideally take Sociology 250 in spring semester of the sophomore year (to be followed by 351 in the fall semester) or in the fall semester of the junior year (when it would be taken simultaneously with 351).

Majors are encouraged to take at least one course each in economics, history, political science, and psychology in fulfilling general education and elective requirements. Majors, especially those anticipating graduate study, are strongly encouraged to take Statistics 101 for the mathematics general education requirement.

As for all disciplines at Roanoke College, students must earn at least a 2.0 grade point average in the major and overall to graduate.

Concentrations in Sociology

A sociology major may choose to more narrowly focus their course selections to correspond to a particular interest or to develop specialized skills and knowledge.

The Sociology Department currently offers the following 3 diverse concentrations to sociology majors and other students:

Health Care Delivery, Coordinated by Dr. Greg Weiss
Information Analysis, Coordinated by Dr. Gil Dunn
Social Work, Coordinated by Professor Eberle Smith

Recent sociology majors have also elected to complete concentrations in communications, health care administration, human resource management, and marketing.

Minor in Sociology

A minor in sociology requires six units in sociology, including: Sociology 101; Sociology 250 or 351; and at least two units at the 300- or 400-level.

Double Majors

To obtain a double major, all requirements for each major must be completed, with a maximum of 5 units that are applicable to both majors. Recent sociology majors have earned a second major in psychology, criminal justice, political science, biology, art, religion, philosophy, urban studies, Spanish, and business administration.

Declaration of a Major and Selection of an Advisor

Students are encouraged to declare the major by the end of their sophomore year. The necessary forms may be obtained from a Sociology faculty member, the Registrar's Office, or Academic Services.

Students are urged to select (or transfer to) any sociology faculty member as their advisor as soon as they decide to pursue a program in the Sociology department. The department expects a minimum 2.0 overall grade point average (which is the college standard for graduation) to declare officially the sociology major. However, students who temporarily have less than a 2.0 gpa are permitted to begin taking requirements towards a sociology major.

Degree Requirements