Sociology Program Requirements for 2024-2025

B.A. in Sociology

All courses that may apply to the major are included in the determination of the grade point average in the major.

Requirements

  • Choose ONE of:
    • SOCI 101D – P3 Introduction to Sociology (3)*
    • SOCI 103 – Introduction to Sociology for Health Professions (3)*
  • Choose ONE of:
    • SOCI 281 – Understanding Families (3)
    • SOCI 282 – Understanding High School (3)
    • SOCI 283 – Understanding Cities and Communities (3)
  • SOCI 381 – My Life Thru Film (3)
  • TWO SOCI electives at or beyond the 200 level (6)
  • TWO SOCI electives at or beyond the 300 level (6)
  • FIVE SOCI electives at any level (15)**

Total: 36 credits

*Either SOCI 101D or SOCI 103 is a prerequisite for all 300- and 400-level sociology electives.

**Although these electives may be chosen at any level, all core foundational courses are excluded (Learning Community, Research-Based Writing, and Data Analysis courses).

SOCI 490 - Internship and SOCI 496 - Independent Study may apply as upper-level major electives within the major. Within the sociology major, students may choose general sociology electives, or they may target their electives to meet the following areas of interest:

Human Services Focus

In addition to completing the required course selections for the sociology major, students may pursue a human services focus within the major. The human services focus includes four courses that may be taken as electives within the major or minor:

  • SOCI 150 – Introduction to Human Services (3)
  • SOCI 162 – Counseling and Caregiving Roles (3)
  • SOCI 220 – CC Groups and Diversity (3)
  • SOCI 221 – Helping Professions in Action (3)

Public and Community Health Focus

In addition to completing the required course selections for the sociology major, students may pursue a public and community health focus within the major. The public and community health focus includes the choice of SOCI 103 for SOCI 101D and electives for the major or minor chosen from the following course selections:

  • SOCI 120 – SQ Basic Biostatistics (3)
  • SOCI 150 – Introduction to Human Services (3)
  • SOCI 162 – Counseling and Caregiving Roles (3)
  • SOCI 201 – SQ Principles of Epidemiology (3)
  • SOCI 260 – P2 Death and Dying: Ethical Concerns (3)
  • SOCI 322 – Sociology of Aging and the Life Course (3)

Note: Additional courses from other disciplines may be substituted for this focus area in the major, but only with the written permission of the chairman of the department.

Independent Study Criteria

To be eligible for an independent study in sociology, a student must be a senior sociology major with a minimum 3.30 grade point average. To apply, a student must submit a three-page proposal to the department chair explaining the topic, purpose, and design of the study, along with the required Independent Study/Tutorial Authorization form. The chair will assign a faculty member to work with the student. All independent studies are graded S/U; work must be at the B+ level to earn a satisfactory grade.

Inclusive Childhood Education Major with a Liberal Arts Major/Concentration in Sociology

Students pursuing teaching certification in inclusive childhood education must declare either a second major or a concentration in a liberal arts field. Either choice results in a Bachelor of Science degree. Inclusive childhood education majors who wish to pursue a dual major with sociology take all of the major requirements as listed above, in addition to meeting all of the inclusive childhood education requirements (49–52 credits: see Inclusive Childhood Education for details.). If an inclusive childhood education major wishes to concentrate in sociology, the sociology department in conjunction with the education department, has outlined the following courses which meet the New York state requirement for a liberal arts concentration in this field. Students must earn grades of "C" or higher in all courses in the content area.

  • SOCI 101D – P3 Introduction to Sociology (3) –OR– SOCI 103 – Introduction to Sociology for Health Professions (3)
  • Choose ONE of:
    • SOCI 281 – Understanding Families (3)
    • SOCI 282 – Understanding High School (3)
    • SOCI 283 – Understanding Cities and Communities (3)
  • SOCI 381 – My Life Thru Film (3)
  • ONE SOCI elective at or beyond the 300 level (3)
  • SIX SOCI electives at any level (18)

Total: 30 credits

Minor in Sociology

Only one course taken to meet a major requirement may also be applied to the sociology minor. If a student is a criminology major and wishes to minor in sociology, only SOCI 101D (or SOCI 103) may count for both the major and the minor.

A grade point average of 2.00 is required of courses taken at Fisher that may be applied to the minor.

Requirements

  • Choose ONE of:
    • SOCI 101D – P3 Introduction to Sociology (3)
    • SOCI 103 – Introduction to Sociology for Health Professions (3)
    • SOCI 122 – Sociology in Context (3)
  • FOUR SOCI electives at any level (12)*
  • ONE SOCI elective at or beyond the 300 level (3)

Total: 18 credits

*Although these electives may be chosen at any level, all core foundational courses are excluded (Learning Community, Research-Based Writing, and Data Analysis courses).

Note: Students pursuing a minor in sociology should consult with the sociology department chair and their major advisors to determine the most appropriate courses in sociology for their academic program. Below are two suggested sequences of minor courses for specific majors.

Suggested Minor for Education Majors

(Any 18 credits required for the minor in sociology, keeping within the rules as outlined above)

  • SOCI 101D – P3 Introduction to Sociology (3)
  • SOCI 150 – Introduction to Human Services (3)
  • SOCI 223 – Sociology of the Family (3)
  • SOCI 232 – P3 Sociology of Juvenile Delinquency (3)
  • SOCI 238 – Deviant Behavior (3)
  • SOCI 314 – U.S. Race Relations (3)
  • SOCI 381 – Thinking Sociologically (3)

Suggested Minor for Majors in the Health Professions

(Any 18 credits required for the minor in sociology, keeping within the rules as outlined above)

  • SOCI 103 – P3 Introduction to Sociology for the Health Professions (3)
  • SOCI 120 – SQ Basic Biostatistics (3)
  • SOCI 201 – SQ Principles of Epidemiology (3)
  • SOCI 217D – Latino Health Care Issues (3)
  • SOCI 226 – Sociology of Health and Healing (3)
  • SOCI 322 – Sociology of Aging and the Life Course (3)
  • SOCI 381 – Thinking Sociologically (3)

Note: The program requirements listed are for the current academic year. Past and future program requirements may differ.