A student who wishes to major in sociology must take 40 credits in the department. These courses must include:
1. SOC 1110: Introduction to Sociological Thinking (preferably taken during the first year)
2. SOC 3930: Social Research Methods (preferably taken during the sophomore or junior year)
3. SOC 3950: Critical Social Theory (preferably taken during the junior year)
4. SOC 5960: Senior Seminar
These four courses (16 credits) form a foundation of sociological knowledge. The remaining 24 credits are selected by students to reflect their individual interests.
The department strongly recommends that sociology majors take statistics, either PSY 1340: Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences or M&E 1230: Statistics (these courses do not count as part of the sociology major). Knowledge of statistics is invaluable in doing sociological research and is frequently required by graduate schools. Students who are interested in pursuing graduate work in social work should take a course in biology, preferably human biology. Students are also encouraged to take internships.
Other Departmental Information
Honors
Hamline has a chapter of Alpha Kappa Delta, an international sociology honor society. The Betty Green Award is given annually to an outstanding sociology major, and sociology majors are eligible to apply for the Amy Russell Award and Carol Young Anderson Scholarship for deserving social science majors.
Community Internships
Students who do internships choose from a large variety of community organizations and social agencies operating in the Twin Cities. They work 10-12 hours per week at their internship site and study the latest issues in the field. This experience allows students to test their understanding of sociology by applying it to the world around them.
While the internship program is not designed to find employment for students after graduation, many do find job opportunities with their internship agency or similar agencies. For many students, the internship provides a testing ground to determine their suitability for a particular profession. Recent students have worked as juvenile probation officers, advocates for battered women, telephone crisis-line counselors, volunteer coordinators for in-home services for the elderly, and staff in an emergency food aid agency.
Postgraduate Opportunities
As with most undergraduate degrees, a major in sociology does not provide automatic access to any specific career. Most sociologists do some combination of three basic activities: teaching, research, and managing people or programs. What students can do with a BA in sociology depends upon a combination of factors including the ever-changing job market and the student’s specific qualifications—courses, skills, work experience, and professional contacts. A major in sociology provides good preparation for students going into many areas, including law, social work, and social policy planning.
