Sociology Curriculum
Sociology studies societies and cultures within a broadly comparative framework.
The discipline illuminates the reciprocal relationship between human beings and their sociocultural environments and gives students a keener appreciation of their own social world, a less ethnocentric view of different ways of life, and a better understanding of the world system in which their society is one of many interdependent entities.
The knowledge and perspective of sociology provide a useful approach to the analysis of interaction, inequality, and institutions, and offers insights into many topics of personal relevance and contemporary public debate.
The Department emphasizes applied sociology, theoretical and methodological expertise, service, and experiential learning.
Students contribute to their major through internship and experiential learning outside the classroom.
Moreover, sociology offers practical skills that lead to employment in a wide variety of professions.
Degree Requirements
- Sociology major (BA)
- Sociology minor
- Human Services – interdisciplinary minor
View the major and minor requirements in the Randolph College Academic Catalog.
Course Offerings
Below is a list of available courses offered by the Sociology Department. Consult the Registrar’s Office and the College Catalog for registration information.
SOC 1113 - Introduction to Sociology
A comprehensive introduction to the discipline of Sociology, the "sociological lens" and the "sociological imagination". Students will learn about how society and social structures affect our personal identities and everyday lives in ways we often don't see. Topics of study will include inequality (race, class, gender, sexuality in particular), social groups and identities, the family, community, intersectionality, population, and the effects of climate change on societies. Credit hours: 4. Offered every session. (CI,HE,SS)
SOC 2209 - Deviance and Social Control
Addresses the creation and enforcement of societal rules, why and how rules are violated, the repercussions of violating norms, and the ways that race, class, gender, and sexuality affect those repercussions. General explanations of deviance will be applied to a wide variety of specific examples ranging from gender non-conformity to white-collar crime. Identical with CRIM 2209. Credit hours: 4. Prerequisite: Sophomore standing and either SOC 1101 or 1114 or permission of instructor. (HE, SS)
SOC 2216 - Contemporary Social Problems
An application of sociological perspectives toward understanding some widely recognized contemporary social problems, such as: poverty; sexism, racism, and homophobia; substance abuse; family violence and sexual abuse; AIDS, health care reform; global inequality; overpopulation; and the destruction of natural environments. The class focuses on creative and practical solutions, with particular attention to how countries similar to the U.S. address such problems. Credit hours: 4. Prerequisite: either SOC 1101 or 1114 or permission of instructor. (CI)
SOC 2218 - Family and Kinship
An examination of the social construction of family and kinship, with a primary focus on the contemporary U.S. Special attention will be given to the significance of gender, race, and class in systems of kinship and to the interaction between family and other institutions. Credit hours: 4. Prerequisite: Sophomore standing and either SOC 1101 or 1114 or permission of instructor. (SS)
SOC 2262 - Topics in Sociology
Concentrated reading and discussion pertaining to a specific area or issue in sociology. Previous topics include Sociology of Sexuality, Black Feminist Theory, The Construction and Deconstruction of Masculinity, and Race and Cartoons. Credit hours: 4. Prerequisite: sophomore standing and either SOC 1101 or SOC 1114 or permission of instructor.
SOC 2265 - Social Theory
Discussion of the nature and role of theory in social science research. Notable works in sociology will be read, discussed, and evaluated, starting with Karl Marx, Emile Durkheim, and Max Weber and finishing with Critical Theory, Feminist Theory, and Postmodernism. Credit hours: 4. Prerequisite: sophomore standing and either SOC 1101 or 1114 or permission of instructor. (SS)
SOC 2276 - Sociology of Gender
An introduction to the sociological way of studying and understanding gender. Gender is social – it affects everyone, regardless of sex, sexual orientation, race, class, religion, etc. This class explores the ways gender is socially constructed and perpetuated. Students study how to examine gender at the micro (individual) and macro (social institutions, culture) levels in society. Credit hours: 4. Prerequisite: SOC 1114. (CI, HE, SS)
SOC 3321 - The Individual and Society
Focusing on sociological social psychology, this course examines how people’s ideas, thoughts, beliefs, attitudes, feelings, and actions are affected by the actual, imagined, or implied presence of others. The class highlights social and institutional influences on individuals, assuming that our lives are directed by both internal and external factors. Students study how cultural expectations about things like gender, race, sexuality, class, religion, agency, power, and inequality affect our self-conceptions and interactions with others. Credit hours: 4. Prerequisite: junior standing and SOC 1101 or 1114 or permission of instructor. (SS)
SOC 3327 - Rich vs Poor:Unfair Inequality
A study of the nature, causes, and consequences of social inequality or social stratification. Students analyze concepts of power, class, and status (e.g., race and gender) toward understanding who gets ahead in society. We consider issues such as wealth and “welfare,” upward mobility, jobs and unemployment, poverty, and why some people routinely get paid more than others. The course concentrates on distributive processes in the United States but is broadly comparative and includes the study of international inequality. Identical with CRIM 3327. Credit hours: 4. Prerequisite: Sophomore standing and SOC 1101 or 1114 or permission of instructor. Alternate years: offered Spring. (CI,SS)
SOC 3355 - Black Feminist Theory
This course examines the development of Black Feminist Theory in Sociology, starting in the 1800s and going to the present day. The concept of “intersectionality” came from this theoretical tradition, so students will learn both about the history of Black Feminist thinkers and applications in today’s world, including various social movements (feminist, civil rights, #BLM, #MeToo). Credit hours: 4. Prerequisite: junior status and SOC 1114, or permission of instructor.
SOC 3367 - Research Project
An investigation of a sociological problem under the supervision of a member of the Department. Credit hours: 1; 2; or 3. Prerequisite: junior standing and SOC 1113 or SOC 1114 or SOC 2265 or permission of instructor.
SOC 3368 - Research Project
An investigation of a sociological problem under the supervision of a member of the Department. Credit hours: 1; 2; or 3. Prerequisite: junior standing and SOC 1113 or SOC 1114 or SOC 2265 or permission of instructor.
SOC 3382 - Studies in Film
The topic of this course will vary from year to year. Students may examine specific genres, directors, national cinemas, or film theories. Identical with MAC 3382. Credit hours: 4. Prerequisite: MAC/ARTH 2277 or permission of instructor. May be repeated for credit when topic differs.
SOC 3390 - Independent Study
SOC 3394 - Social Research & Qualitative Analysis
This course is an intensive, hands-on introduction to the gathering and analysis of qualitative data. Students will be introduced to various techniques for selecting and formulating research problems, designing research projects, and collecting and analyzing qualitative data. Specifically, students will focus on interviews, oral histories, field research, and content analysis. The research, writing, and analysis skills learned in this course are useful for a wide variety of jobs and are necessary for pursuing graduate study in any social science. Credit hours: 4. Prerequisite: junior standing and SOC 1101 or 1114, and SOC 2265, or permission of instructor. (SS)
SOC 3395 - Social Research & Quantitative Analysis
A practical workshop emphasizing learning by doing, survey research and quantitative analysis. Students will be introduced to basic techniques for selecting and formulating research problems, designing research projects, and collecting and analyzing data. The course is structured to practice basic quantitative skills. These skills are useful toward more advanced study in graduate or professional schools and are immediately desirable for many professions. Credit hours: 4. Prerequisite: sophomore standing and SOC 1113 or permission of instructor. (QR)
SOC 4490 - Independent Study
SOC 4495 - Seminar Advanced Social Research
In this capstone course for the major, students will focus on high-level, applied analysis of recent research in the field. Goals include sharpening analytical abilities, honing skills for writing or speaking professionally about important sociological issues, and finishing the major with knowledge of some important studies from major academic journals. Students will also practice skills needed for making the transition to graduate school or employment, including writing critiques of professional research in an area of the student’s interest and selection of a previously written paper to revise as a writing sample. Finally, students will hear presentations or engage in other activities to facilitate meeting their goals following graduation. Credit hours: 4. Prerequisite: senior standing, SOC 2265, and either SOC 3394 or 3395 or the equivalent or permission of instructor.
SOC 4496 - Sociology Thesis
Students will undertake an original, independent research project under the supervision of a faculty member. The finished project will approach a paper of publishable quality, suitable for submission to professional conferences. Findings from these projects will, at least, be presented to the faculty and majors. Note: this course is an option for students who meet a minimum GPA requirement in the major and who are advised to pursue the project based on their personal and professional goals. Credit hours: 4. Prerequisite: senior standing and SOC 4495 or permission of instructor.
SOC 4496L - Advanced Analysis
Students will collect original data or apply a specific method as part of their thesis project, under the direction of a faculty mentor. Students complete an analysis of data that meets professional standards and gain practical experience in conducting advanced research projects. Highly encouraged for students with plans for graduate or professional school or professional careers that prioritize analytical skills. Credit hours: 1. Corequisite: SOC 4496. Offered on a Pass/Fail basis only.
