Sociologists are interested
not only in understanding problems, but in resolving them.
Sociology
is the study of human social behavior, and concerns itself with conditions such
as crime and delinquency, family problems, social inequality, and organizations
in contemporary, industrial society.
Sociologists utilize a wide range of research methods in conjunction with
sociological theory to explain and analyze complex social relations and
organizations.
As a sociology major, you will choose an emphasis area in either general
sociology, or criminology.
Whether you
plan to seek immediate employment after graduation or choose to pursue graduate
studies, we invite you to prepare for your future at Colorado State
University-Pueblo.
General Program
Students who
successfully complete the sociology major and fulfill the university's
institutional and general education requirements are awarded either the bachelor
of arts (BA) or the bachelor of science (BS) degree.
The BA is
designed for those pursuing a broad, general education in sociology; the BS is
designed for those pursuing a more applied, career-oriented program. Both
degrees prepare students for graduate studies.
Students
working towards a Bachelor of Arts degree must successfully complete a minimum
of six semester hours of an approved foreign language. Sociology students find
that the ability to speak a foreign language can be an important asset in
working with ethnic and minority populations. The general requirements for the
sociology major include the successful completion of either the general
sociology emphasis or the sociology/criminology emphasis.
Sociology Emphasis Tracks
The general
sociology emphasis prepares students for human service work, for administrative
positions, for positions involving social research and data analysis, and for
the pursuit of an advanced sociology degree. This is the standard sociology
major, where students will learn about social institutions (family, religion,
work, etc.), about social interactions (communication, values, groups), and
about cultural diversity.
The
expanding field of justice, especially the growing number of correctional
facilities in southern Colorado, creates an ongoing demand for graduates with a
criminology focus. Many sociology majors, generally more than half, are
enrolled in the criminology emphasis. The program focuses on both applied and
theoretical sociology in dealing with community issues and social problems.
Students prepare for graduate studies or for immediate placement in corrections,
community corrections, juvenile justice, law enforcement, probation and parole.
Students in the criminology emphasis are encouraged to complete an internship
with a criminal justice agency.
Career Opportunities
The major
in Sociology prepares students to work in a wide variety of occupations, in
education, government, business, industry or private research.
Sociologists are increasingly employed in such areas as health care, youth
services, drug rehabilitation, counseling and other human services programs.
Students
selecting the criminology emphasis have successfully pursued careers in such
fields as law enforcement, probation, investigation, juvenile diversion, adult
and juvenile corrections, parole and community corrections.
The
baccalaureate degree can also lead to a career in law, higher education, or to
supervisory positions in civil service.
Special Academic Opportunities
Selected
students work with faculty members on departmental research concerning current
sociological issues.
Sociology
students have the opportunity to complete internships with various agencies
including regional police and sheriffs' departments, district attorneys'
offices, the Department of Corrections, and probation or parole offices.
Scholarships
Presidential Scholarships are available to selected incoming, transfer and
continuing students, and are awarded on the basis of high academic records or
outstanding talent.
Sociology
Degree
Program
Requirements for the Sociology Major include completion of the sociology core
and one of two emphasis tracks for a total of 36 credit hours.
SOCIOLOGY CORE
(for all majors)
Introduction to Sociology -3 hours
Techniques of Analysis -3 hours
Social & Cultural Theory -3 hours
Total hours (sociology core) 9
hours
GENERAL
EMPHASIS
Students will
select at least 27 credit hours of sociology courses which may include six hours
from anthropology. Courses must be approved by the student's adviser. At least
12 hours must be upper division courses.
CRIMINOLOGY
EMPHASIS
