Bachelor of Arts
Jonathan Laskowitz, Associate Professor and Chair
Students pursuing a degree in sociology in the School of Humanities and Sciences explore the complex dynamics that exist between individuals and the social forces that shape them.
How do societies change? What makes social order possible? What are the sources of conflict in society? How is power exercised and how is ideology used to control people? How do people organize to create change? How do racial and ethnic prejudices develop and become entrenched in society? How do we define human sexuality and sexual norms? How has the family unit evolved over time?
These are the kinds of questions students grapple with in courses in the sociology major at Ithaca College. In the process, they come to a deeper understanding of their own values and societal roles, and begin to see how they can effect changes in individual behaviors and in society at large.
Faculty in the sociology department work closely with students to help them develop skills in writing and analysis, computers, and research methods. Students develop their own interests through internships in real-world settings and through close collaboration with faculty in independent study projects.
In addition, the department offers a social work program - an applied program leading to a minor in social work. Prerequisite courses in the minor include psychology, sociology, economics, and public policy and welfare. Practice-oriented courses, such as SOCI-36100 Social Welfare and Social Work, have a fieldwork component to provide practical experience.
Sociology majors receive broad training in the discipline and in a concentration in one of six major subfields described below.
General requirements - The requirements for the sociology major are 21 prescribed credits in general and fundamental studies and statistics; 21 elective credits, including one "focused studies" sequence or concentration; and 78 credits in open electives. Majors must take no fewer than 9 credits at level 4 in sociology. At least 3 credits of level 4 must be a departmental course numbered SOCI-40100 to SOCI-46900 (excluding SOCI-46300); no more than 3 credits may come from coursework related to being a teaching assistant in SOCI-48000, SOCI-48100, or SOCI-48200; and no more than 3 internship credits from SOCI-49000 to SOCI-49800 may be applied toward the level 4 requirement. For graduation, 120 credits are required as follows:
Required courses
| SOCI-10100 | Introduction to Sociology | 3 |
| SOCI-31100 | Sociological Theory | 3 |
| SOCI-35300 | Research Methods I | 3 |
| SOCI-35400 | Research Methods II | 3 |
Courses in Foundations of Sociological Inquiry (choose two)
| SOCI-20400 | Sociology of Signs, Symbols, and Collective Beliefs | |
| SOCI-20600 | Urban Sociology | |
| SOCI-20700 | Race and Ethnicity | |
| SOCI-20800 | Social Change | |
| SOCI-21300 | Sexual Oppression | |
| SOCI-29300 | Introduction to Social Institutions and Organizations | |
| SOCI-31300 | Social Inequality | |
| SOCI-31800 | Political Sociology | 6 |
| Total, required courses | 18 | |
| Sociology electives | 21 | |
| Total, credits in the major | 39 |
| MATH-15500 | Basic Statistical Reasoning or equivalent statistics course | 3 |
| Total, credits outside sociology | 3 |
Students must also complete one of the concentrations listed below. The concentration may include courses from either the 18 credits of required sociology courses or the 21 credits of sociology electives.
| Total, requirements | 42 | |
| Open electives | 78 | |
| Total, B.A. in sociology | 120 |
The cluster of courses listed above provides background in broad institutional structures and societal processes. It also introduces students to the more specialized areas of study embraced by the concentrations.
Students consider theories and data on crime, juvenile delinquency, deviance, the law, policing, and forms of punishment. In examining these phenomena, they become familiar with the ways in which individuals and institutions are shaped by historical, political, and economic forces, and they learn much about our social order and their lives within it. Students who graduate with this concentration often go on to study and practice law, enter programs for a master's degree in criminal justice planning, work in law enforcement at the local, state, or federal level, work with at-risk youth, or become counselors and therapists.
| SOCI-20300 | Juvenile Delinquency | 3 |
| SOCI-30200 | Sociology of Crime | 3 |
Select one of the following:
| SOCI-21400 | Definitions of Normality | |
| SOCI-21500 | Introduction to Contemporary Mental Health Issues | 3 |
Select one of the following:
| SOCI-30700 | Social Policy | |
| SOCI-32200 | Forms of Punishment | |
| SOCI-32300 | Family Violence | |
| SOCI-32400 | Sociology of Violence | |
| SOCI-33200 | Selected Topics in Criminal and Juvenile Justice Studies | 3 |
Select one of the following:
| SOCI-41500 | Seminar: The Police | |
| SOCI-41800 | Seminar: Sociology of Law | |
| SOCI-43200 | Selected Topics in Criminal and Juvenile Justice Studies | |
| SOCI-44200 | Tutorial in Criminal and Juvenile Justice Studies | |
| SOCI-47200 | Independent Studies in Criminal and Juvenile Justice Studies | |
| SOCI-46300 | Field Research | |
| SOCI-49200 | Internship in Criminal and Juvenile Justice Studies | 3 |
Courses in this concentration help students examine the relation between "personal problems" and the larger societal structure. Students learn about theories behind counseling, intervention strategies, effective listening skills, and helping relationships. The clinical sociology concentration and the minor in social work prepare students for entry-level positions in human services or for immediate placement in graduate schools of social work. Many students who graduate in this field become professionals in educational or mental health settings.
Select one of the following:
| SOCI-21400 | Definitions of Normality | |
| SOCI-21500 | Introduction to Contemporary Mental Health Issues | 3 |
Select one of the following:
| SOCI-30800 | Counseling Theory and Dynamics | |
| SOCI-30900 | Group Counseling | 3 |
Select one of the following:
| SOCI-30700 | Social Policy (Students who minor in social work may not use SOCI-30700 or SOCI-36100 to fulfill the requirements for a concentration in clinical sociology.) | |
| SOCI-32300 | Family Violence | |
| SOCI-36100 | Social Welfare and Social Work | |
| SOCI-37000 | Counseling the Older Adult | 3 |
Select one of the following:
| SOCI-41400 | Seminar: Mental Health Interventions | |
| SOCI-41600 | Seminar: Treatment and Prevention of Family Violence | |
| SOCI-43000 | Selected Topics in Clinical Sociology | |
| SOCI-48800 | Counseling the Older Adult: Research | 3 |
Select one of the following:
| SOCI-44000 | Tutorial in Clinical Sociology | |
| SOCI-46300 | Field Research | |
| SOCI-47000 | Independent Studies in Clinical Sociology | |
| SOCI-49000 | Internship in Clinical Sociology | 3 |
Students pursuing this concentration look at how male and female humans come to be defined as men and women, and examine the socially constructed relationships between them. Courses focus on the history and current aspects of gender inequality as manifested in sexuality and interpersonal relationships, health care, work, and the family. Gender is explored with an emphasis on race, class, and sexual orientation. This in-depth analysis of an issue of growing concern throughout our society leads to opportunities for graduate study or career paths in business or human services.
| SOCI-34300 | Sociology of Gender | 3 |
Select two of the following:
| SOCI-21000 | Women's Lives | |
| SOCI-21300 | Sexual Oppression | |
| SOCI-22800 | Men's Lives | 6 |
Select one of the following:
| SOCI-31600 | Women and Health | |
| SOCI-32300 | Family Violence | |
| SOCI-32500 | Race, Class, and Gender | |
| SOCI-32700 | Work and the Family | 3 |
Select one of the following:
| SOCI-41900 | Seminar: Women in the Third World | |
| SOCI-42500 | Seminar: Sociological Feminist Theory | |
| SOCI-42700 | Seminar: Class, Gender, and Work | |
| SOCI-43100 | Selected Topics in Gender Studies | 3 |
In this concentration, students engage in the formal analysis of policies, laws, and social movements related to race and ethnic issues. They investigate racial and cultural diversity in the United States and in other societies, including patterns of racial and ethnic stratification. Many students focusing on this area become involved in activities aimed at overcoming inequalities in our society. The study of race and ethnic relations forms a strong foundation for many careers and graduate programs in our global society.
| SOCI-20700 | Race and Ethnicity | 3 |
Select one of the following:
| SOCI-22600 | Sociology of Hispanic Americans | |
| SOCI-23300 | Selected Topics in Race and Ethnic Relations | 3 |
Select one of the following:
| SOCI-30300 | Global Race and Ethnic Relations | |
| SOCI-34100 | Minorities in the United Kingdom | |
| SOCI-31200 | Culture and Society: An International Field Experience | 3 |
Select one of the following:
| SOCI-31000 | Civil Rights and Social Movements | |
| SOCI-31300 | Social Inequality | |
| SOCI-32500 | Race, Class, and Gender | |
| SOCI-37600 | Poverty | 3 |
Select one of the following:
| SOCI-41900 | Seminar: Women in the Third World | |
| SOCI-42100 | Seminar: Race, Racism, and the Law | |
| SOCI-43300 | Selected Topics in Race and Ethnic Relations | |
| SOCI-44300 | Tutorial in Race and Ethnic Relations | 3 |
This concentration provides students with a critical look at the nature of the family and relationships in historical, cross-cultural, and sociological contexts. Students investigate specific economic, political, psychological, and demographic factors that both affect and are affected by changing family and relationship arrangements. By focusing on these particular issues, students prepare themselves for graduate study and work with families, either in the field of domestic violence or as counselors in other human service areas.
| SOCI-29200 | The Changing Family | 3 |
| SOCI-32300 | Family Violence | 3 |
Select two of the following:
| SOCI-21800 | Individual and Society | |
| SOCI-22000 | Sociology of Aging | |
| SOCI-30600 | Space of Intimacy | |
| SOCI-32700 | Work and the Family | |
| SOCI-33400 | Selected Topics in Sociology of Family and Relationships | |
| SOCI-37000 | Counseling the Older Adult | 6 |
Select one of the following:
| SOCI-41600 | Seminar: Treatment and Prevention of Family Violence | |
| SOCI-42200 | Seminar: Family Forms | |
| SOCI-48800 | Counseling the Older Adult: Research | |
| SOCI-44400 | Tutorial in Sociology of Families and Relationships | |
| SOCI-47400 | Independent Study in Sociology of Family and Relationships | 3 |
This concentration is designed for students interested in health care systems, education, the workplace, or religious institutions. Students investigate how power and ideology affect those who act in institutions and organizations, either as authority figures or as clients. They also explore the nature of bureaucracy and how it affects us all in a bureaucratized society. Sociology majors who concentrate in this area are prepared to pursue additional training and careers in a wide range of fields, including health education or administration, health advocacy, teaching, labor relations, and business.
| SOCI-29300 | Introduction to Social Institutions and Organizations | 3 |
Select three of the following (at least one course must be at level 2, and one at level 3):
| SOCI-21200 | Sociology of Work | |
| SOCI-21900 | Sociology of Religious Institutions | |
| HIST-22000 | Sociology of Aging | |
| SOCI-29200 | The Changing Family | |
| SOCI-30100 | Technology and Society | |
| SOCI-31400 | Sociology of Health and Medicine | |
| SOCI-31600 | Women and Health | |
| SOCI-31800 | Political Sociology | |
| SOCI-32200 | Forms of Punishment | |
| SOCI-32700 | Work and the Family | |
| SOCI-35100 | Sociology of Education | 9 |
Select one of the following:
| SOCI-41200 | Seminar: The National Health System | |
| SOCI-41500 | Seminar: The Police | |
| SOCI-42700 | Seminar: Class, Gender, and Work | |
| SOCI-42800 | Simulating Social Processes | |
| SOCI-43500 | Selected Topics in Social Institutions and Organizations | |
| SOCI-44500 | Tutorial in Social Institutions and Organizations | |
| SOCI-47500 | Independent Studies in Social Institutions and Organizations | |
| SOCI-49500 | Internship in Social Institutions and Organizations | 3 |
| SOCI-10100 | Introduction to Sociology or | |
| SOCI-10200 | Contemporary Social Issues | 3 |
| Foundations of Sociological Inquiry | 6 | |
| Level-3 sociology courses | 6 | |
| Level-4 sociology courses | 6 | |
| Total, minor in sociology | 21 |
The social work program is an applied program leading to an 18-credit minor in social work. The sequence includes prerequisite courses in psychology, sociology, and economics, and more advanced background courses in public policy and the economic aspects of public welfare. The first practice-oriented course is SOCI-36100 Social Welfare and Social Work, which has a fieldwork component. This is followed by SOCI-34600 Methods of Social Work and a 3-credit supervised fieldwork course. Additional electives round out the concentration. The minor provides academic and practical experience as preparation for employment or for graduate studies. Details are available from the coordinator of the social work program.
Prerequisites
| SOCI-10100 | Introduction to Sociology | 3 |
| PSYC-10400 | Introduction to Developmental Psychology or | |
| PSYC-20400 | Principles of Developmental Psychology | 3 |
| ECON-12200 | Principles of Microeconomics (may be taken concurrently with ECON-26200 Economics of Welfare Policies) | 3 |
Requirements
| SOCI-30700 | Social Policy | 3 |
| ECON-26200 | Economics of Welfare Policies | 3 |
| SOCI-36100 | Social Welfare and Social Work | 3 |
| SOCI-34600 | Methods of Social Work Practice | 3 |
| SOCI-34700 | Supervised Fieldwork (taken concurrently with SOCI-34600) | 3 |
| Social work elective | 3 | |
| Total, minor in social work | 27 |
Field research experiences are provided in many departmental courses and can be pursued as independent study or internship projects. Field placements are available in a variety of local settings, including the Ithaca Youth Bureau, Southside Community Center, Tompkins County Social Services, Cayuga Medical Center at Ithaca, lawyers' offices, Offender Aid and Restoration, and local juvenile lock-up institutions.
Independent study experience is arranged between the professor and student. Some more recent examples of this option include projects on eco-justice in Ithaca, ethnic conflict in the Virgin Islands, community control and development, women and alcohol, economic opportunity centers, intimacy and children, student life, solar-age construction, and alternative communities; and organizational analysis of local banks and insurance companies.
Internships are designed to provide students with a supervised and structured experience. Often these can be arranged by students and specific agencies in communities around the country. The sociology department believes that internships provide an opportunity to obtain work experience, and to analyze the social and political context of the specific agency. An example is an internship with the Ithaca drug treatment court.
