Department of Sociology Programs

Undergraduate

Requirements for the B.A. in Sociology
Requirements for the Minor in Sociology
Study Abroad
Special Program Options
Internships
Special Studies Options
Courses Offering Fieldwork or Research Opportunities

Graduate

Requirements for the M.A. in Applied Sociology

Requirements for the Major in Sociology

The B.A. degree program in sociology provides students with a strong background in human relations that gives them important knowledge and insights to confront a rapidly changing world and to gain skills vital in today's job market.  For students interested in a more sharply focused program of studies, we offer concentrations in criminal justice, social services, and sociological practice.

All students will take MATH 130 Elementary Statistics and complete one of the following programs:

General Program (No Concentration)

Major Requirements: 36 credits
Required Core Courses: 18 credits


SOC 101 Principles of Sociology
SOC 218 History of Social Theory Pre-req. SOC 101) or
SOC 219 Modern Sociological Theory (Pre-req. SOC 101)
SOC 214 Quantitative Research Methods (Pre-reqs. MATH 130; SOC 218 or 219)
SOC 215 Qualitative Research Methods (Pre-reqs. MATH 130; SOC 218 or 219)
SOC 354 Social Stratification
SOC 485 Senior Seminar in Sociology (Pre-req. SOC 215)

Plus major electives below as selected by advisement: 15-18 credits

SOC 211 Elementary Social Statistics
SOC 220 Social Organization of Work
SOC 231 Sociology of the Family
SOC 233 Sociology of Religion
SOC 234 Political Sociology
SOC 235 Sport in the Modern World
SOC 236 Sociology of the Arts
SOC 241 Minority Groups in America
SOC 242 Muslims and Islamic U.S. Institutions
SOC 262 Violence in the Community
SOC 271 Sexuality in Modern Life
SOC 272 Urban Sociology
SOC 273 Global City
SOC 320 Contemporary Issues in the Workplace
SOC 323 Labor Relations and Law
SOC 326 Sociology of the Arts
SOC 331 Evaluation of Social Action
SOC 335 Sociology of Law
SOC 337 Sociology of Education
SOC 343 Ethnic and Racial Conflict Resolution
SOC 344 Sociology of Italian Art
SOC 351 Sociology of Socialization
SOC 352 Self and Society
SOC 353 Sociology of Adulthood
SOC 355 Sociology of Aging
SOC 357 Sociology of Health and Illness
SOC 358 Sociology of Death and Grief
SOC 365 Social Deviance
SOC 369 Sociology of Democracy
SOC 370 Social Demography
SOC 372 Sociology of Organizations
SOC 373 Sociology of Social Movements
SOC 374 Sociology of War
SOC 375 Social and Environmental Change
SOC 376 Global Sociology
SOC 391 Population & Development in Asia
SOC 491 Internship in Sociology

Plus related sociology electives (0-3 credits)

Criminal Justice Concentration

Major Requirements: 36 credits
Required Core Courses: 21 credits


SOC 101 Principles of Sociology
SOC 218 History of Social Theory Pre-req. SOC 101) or
SOC 219 Modern Sociological Theory (Pre-req. SOC 101)
SOC 214 Quantitative Research Methods (Pre-reqs. MATH 130; SOC 218 or 219)
SOC 215 Qualitative Research Methods (Pre-reqs. MATH 130; SOC 218 or 219)
SOC 261   Essentials of Criminal Justice
SOC 365   Social Deviance
SOC 482   Senior Seminar in Criminal Justice (Pre-req. SOC 215)

Plus four to six of the following courses: 12-15 credits

SOC 211 Elementary Social Statistics
SOC 262 Violence in the Community
SOC 335   Sociology of Law
SOC 336   Comparative Criminal Justice Systems
SOC 364   Criminal Investigation
SOC 366   Sociology of Corrections
SOC 367   Juvenile Delinquency
SOC 368   Criminology
SOC 403   Community Corrections
SOC 492   Internship in Criminal Justice

Plus related sociology courses by advisement: 0-3 credits

Social Services Concentration

Major Requirements: 36 credits
Required Core Courses: 21 credits


SOC 101 Principles of Sociology
SOC 218 History of Social Theory Pre-req. SOC 101) or
SOC 219 Modern Sociological Theory (Pre-req. SOC 101)
SOC 214 Quantitative Research Methods (Pre-reqs. MATH 130; SOC 218 or 219)
SOC 215 Qualitative Research Methods (Pre-reqs. MATH 130; SOC 218 or 219
SOC 223   Introduction to Human Services
SOC 485   Senior Seminar in Sociology (Pre-req. SOC 215)
SOC 493   Field Work in Social Services

Plus four to six of the following courses: 12-15 credits

SOC 211   Elementary Social Statistics
SOC 224   Social Work Practice and Policy
SOC 231   Sociology of the Family
SOC 241   Minority Groups in America
SOC 262 Violence in the Community
SOC 351   Sociology of Socialization
SOC 353   Sociology of Adulthood
SOC 355   Sociology of Aging
SOC 357   Sociology of Health and Illness
SOC 358   Sociology of Death and Grief
SOC 365   Social Deviance
SOC 367 Juvenile Delinquency

Plus related sociology courses by advisement: 0-3 credits

Sociological Practice Concentration

Major Requirements: 36 credits
Required Core Courses: 21 credits


SOC 101 Principles of Sociology
SOC 218 History of Social Theory Pre-req. SOC 101) or
SOC 219 Modern Sociological Theory (Pre-req. SOC 101)
SOC 214 Quantitative Research Methods (Pre-reqs. MATH 130; SOC 218 or 219)
SOC 215 Qualitative Research Methods (Pre-reqs. MATH 130; SOC 218 or 219)
SOC 220   Social Organization of Work
SOC 485   Senior Seminar in Sociology (Pre-req. SOC 215)
SOC 491   Internship in Sociology

Plus four to six of the following courses: 12-15 credits

SOC 211 Elementary Social Statistics
SOC 315   Computer Applications & Sociological Analysis
SOC 316   Forecasting Future Societies
SOC 320   Contemporary Issues in the Workplace
SOC 323   Labor Relations and the Law
SOC 326   Sociology of the Arts
SOC 331 Evaluation of Social Action
SOC 370   Social Demography
SOC 372   Sociology of Organizations

Plus related sociology courses by advisement: 0-3 credits 

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Requirements for the Minor in Sociology

To complete a minor in sociology, students must complete a total of 18 sociology credits that include the following required courses:

SOC 101 Principles of Sociology
SOC 215 Qualitative Methods
SOC 218  History of Social Theory
                  

or
SOC 219   Modern Sociological Theory

Plus three other sociology courses by advisement

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Study Abroad Opportunities

Sociology majors also have the opportunity to participate in a Study Abroad program under the sponsorship of the New Jersey State College Council for International Education. Programs exist at a great number of institutions Europe (Austria, Denmark, France, Great Britain, Hungary, Ireland, Spain among others) and Latin America (Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Mexico), Australia, and select countries in Asia and Africa.

In most cases the language of instruction is English except where the main purpose is to learn a foreign language. Up to 30 credits can be earned toward graduation from William Paterson University. In order to qualify, students must have completed at least one year of college study, have a minimum grade point average of 2.5, and be approved by a college review committee.

The programs vary in price, starting as low as $4,000, inclusive of tuition, fees, room, and board. All financial aid programs may be applied toward study abroad. For further information, contact Dr. Jaime Ortiz, Executive Director of the Office of International Education by phone (973-720-3317) or e-mail ortizj@wpunj.edu.

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Special Program Options in Sociology

A wide variety of opportunities are available for study at other universities and in special programs -- both in the United States and abroad. These include: 1) the Study Abroad Program, 2) visiting student authorization for any accredited college or university, and 3) the National Student Exchange Program (NSE).

The NSE program enables students to attend up to one year of college in another state without having to pay high out-of-state tuition. The program includes over 125 colleges and universities in the United States, Puerto Rico, Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands. For further information, contact Ann Yusaitis, Counseling Center, Morrison Hall, 973-720-2256.

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Special Studies Options in Sociology

Independent Study

Students wishing to pursue individualized study in their junior or senior years can undertake an independent study (SOC 499), provided that they meet certain criteria. Students must have shown themselves responsible and capable of self-direction and possess a grade point average of at least 3.0, both overall and in the major. Independent study cannot substitute for an existing course, but may be utilized in lieu of a degree requirement. No more than nine credits of independent study may be credited toward graduation.

Examples of the kinds of independent study possible would be:

• in-depth reading not covered in another class;
• the execution of a research proposal developed in another course (either library research or empirical research);
• other options, to be negotiated between the student and faculty sponsor.

An application form, with a one page prospectus as explained in the application packet, shall be submitted to the sponsoring faculty member. The application form requires the signed approval of the faculty sponsor, department chairperson, and school dean. The completed application shall be submitted by the Dean to the Registrar no later than the late registration period for the semester in which the independent study is to be undertaken .

Internships

Internships give practical work experience in various settings. Students will normally work a minimum of 8 hours a week under the supervision and guidance of an on-site supervisor in community, corporate, and social service work environments in which some aspect of sociology appears relevant and can be applied.

Placements in the following settings can serve as examples with comparable sub-specialty areas in sociology: hospitals (medical sociology); corporate departments of public affairs, consumer relations, market research, etc. (methods, organizations); museums and galleries (arts); senior citizen centers (family, aging); welfare agencies (social work); probation (deviance, criminal justice).

Periodic conferences and a monthly seminar are an integral part of the internship. Students must also keep a weekly journal, write a resume, and comlete a short term paper for grade evaluation.

Interns are selected on the basis of their backgrounds, interests, and ability to meet the needs of the sponsoring organization. The faculty internship coordinator will screen applicants whose academic record reflects junior or senior status, a minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA, and a minimum of nine credits completed in sociology. A personal interview with the coordinator is required in the prior semester prior to registration.

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Courses Offering Field Work or Research Opportunities

The following courses require field work or field research:

SOC 214   Quantitative Methods
SOC 215   Qualitative Methods
SOC 224   Social Work Practice    
SOC 272   Urban Sociology
SOC 366   Sociology of Corrections
SOC 482   Senior Seminar in Criminal Justice
SOC 485   Senior Seminar in Sociology
SOC 491   Internship in Sociology
SOC 492   Internship in Criminal Justice
SOC 493   Field Work in Social Services

The following courses require field work or field research:

SOC 236   Sociology of the Arts
SOC 320   Contemporary Issues in the Workplace    
SOC 358   Sociology of Death and Grief


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