Academic Catalog

Sociology

Program Description

Sociology is the scientific or systematic study of human groups and societies and patterns of interaction in real-life settings. It uses a variety of research and theoretical perspectives to analyze and explain human social behavior and social change. As all human behavior is essentially social, sociology students examine a wide range of human interactions.

This program includes a range of courses that analyze sociological topics and enable students to develop and apply a Sociological Imagination or the ability to examine the broader connections between personal life, public issues, and the social structure.

Sociology, with its extensive scope of subject matter, provides a valuable major for a diverse range of career paths.

Learn more about the program on the Sociology website.

Associate Degree for Transfer

This program also offers Associate Degrees for Transfer. Learn more and review the degree requirements on the following listings: Sociology AA-T, Social Justice Studies AA-T, and Social Work and Human Services AA-T.

Program Learning Outcomes

  • Students will be able to demonstrate a working knowledge of the core concepts of sociology: social structure, culture, social stratification and inequality, race, ethnicity, gender, and globalization.
  • Students will be able to apply their understanding of sociology to their professional, personal, and civic lives.

Career Opportunities

A major in sociology prepares students to seek employment in various employment sectors. The level of education completed influences the range of career opportunities offered. Advanced degrees in sociology broaden students' career paths to include high school through university teaching, research, consulting, business, politics, journalism, public relations, and public administration and all fields that require strong analytical skills and attention to issues of diversity. As a liberal arts major, sociology also provides a foundation for various professions such as social welfare, law, marketing, non-profit management, and counseling. Regardless of focus, all sociology students should become proficient in writing and speaking, research techniques, and technology.

Award Type(s)

  • AA = Associate in Arts Degree
  • CP = Certificate of Proficiency [Non-Transcriptable]

Units Required

  • Major: 30
  • Certificate(s): 13-23

Additional Information

Note: Students having difficulty attaining an associate degree because of timing or availability of classes should consult with a counselor to submit a petition for course substitution.

Associate Degree Requirements

English Proficiency
Select one of the following:
ENGL 1ACOMPOSITION & READING5
ENGL 1AHHONORS COMPOSITION & READING5
ESLL 26ADVANCED COMPOSITION & READING5
or equivalent
Ethnic Studies
Any course in the ETHN (Ethnic Studies) subject code, currently approved for Area F of CSU GE and Area 7 of IGETC
Mathematics Proficiency
College-level math course at or above the level of Intermediate Algebra

A minimum of 90 units is required1 to include:

  • Completion of one of the following general education patterns: Foothill General Education, CSU General Education Breadth Requirements or the Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC)
  • Core courses (17 units)
  • Support courses (13 units)
1

Additional elective course work may be necessary to meet the 90-unit minimum requirement for the associate degree.

Note: All courses pertaining to the major must be taken for a letter grade. In addition, a grade of "C" or better is required for all core and support courses used for the degree.

Core and Support Courses

Core Courses
SOC 1INTRODUCTION TO SOCIOLOGY5
or SOC 1H HONORS INTRODUCTION TO SOCIOLOGY
And 12 units from the following:12
POPULAR CULTURE
SOCIAL RESEARCH METHODS & DESIGNS
RESEARCH METHODS & DESIGNS
INTRODUCTION TO SOCIAL WELFARE
SOCIOLOGY OF CRIME
LAW & SOCIETY
ALCOHOL & DRUG ABUSE
MAJOR SOCIAL PROBLEMS
RACE & ETHNIC RELATIONS
SOCIOLOGY OF GENDER
SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY
SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY
ASPECTS OF MARRIAGE & FAMILY
SOCIOLOGY OF SEXUALITY
Support Courses
Select 13 units from the following:13
CULTURAL ANTHROPOLOGY
HONORS CULTURAL ANTHROPOLOGY
CHILD, FAMILY & COMMUNITY
AFFIRMING DIVERSITY IN EDUCATION
PRINCIPLES OF MACROECONOMICS
INTERNATIONAL POLITICAL ECONOMY
HONORS INTERNATIONAL POLITICAL ECONOMY
INTERNATIONAL POLITICAL ECONOMY
HONORS INTERNATIONAL POLITICAL ECONOMY
INTRODUCTION TO ETHNIC STUDIES
INTRODUCTION TO AFRICAN AMERICAN STUDIES
INTRODUCTION TO LATINX STUDIES
INTRODUCTION TO NATIVE AMERICAN STUDIES
INTRODUCTION TO ASIAN AMERICAN STUDIES
HUMAN GEOGRAPHY
INTRODUCTION TO GLOBAL STUDIES
HONORS INTRODUCTION TO GLOBAL STUDIES
GLOBAL ISSUES
HISTORY OF LATIN AMERICA
HISTORY OF CALIFORNIA: THE MULTICULTURAL STATE
HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES FROM 1914 TO THE PRESENT
ELEMENTARY STATISTICS
STATISTICS FOR THE BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES
or SOC 7
STATISTICS FOR THE BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES
CRITICAL THINKING & WRITING
PSYCHOLOGY OF PREJUDICE & DISCRIMINATION
HONORS INSTITUTE SEMINAR IN SOCIOLOGY
INDEPENDENT STUDY IN SOCIOLOGY
INDEPENDENT STUDY IN SOCIOLOGY
INDEPENDENT STUDY IN SOCIOLOGY
INDEPENDENT STUDY IN SOCIOLOGY
INTRODUCTION TO WOMEN'S STUDIES
Total Units30

Certificate Requirements

Social Welfare Certificate of Proficiency

  • Units: 22-23 [Non-Transcriptable]
SOC 1INTRODUCTION TO SOCIOLOGY5
or SOC 1H HONORS INTRODUCTION TO SOCIOLOGY
SOC 11INTRODUCTION TO SOCIAL WELFARE5
SOC 19ALCOHOL & DRUG ABUSE4
And one course from the following:4-5
ELEMENTARY STATISTICS
STATISTICS FOR THE BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES
or SOC 7
STATISTICS FOR THE BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES
POPULAR CULTURE
SOCIAL RESEARCH METHODS & DESIGNS
RESEARCH METHODS & DESIGNS
SOCIOLOGY OF CRIME
LAW & SOCIETY
MAJOR SOCIAL PROBLEMS
RACE & ETHNIC RELATIONS
SOCIOLOGY OF GENDER
SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY
SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY
ASPECTS OF MARRIAGE & FAMILY
SOCIOLOGY OF SEXUALITY
And four units from the following:4
BUSINESS LAW I
INTERCULTURAL COMMUNICATION
INTRODUCTION TO GLOBAL STUDIES
HONORS INTRODUCTION TO GLOBAL STUDIES
GLOBAL ISSUES
CONTEMPORARY HEALTH CONCERNS
PSYCHOLOGY OF PREJUDICE & DISCRIMINATION
Total Units22-23

General Sociology Certificate of Proficiency

  • Units: 13-15 [Non-Transcriptable]
SOC 1INTRODUCTION TO SOCIOLOGY5
or SOC 1H HONORS INTRODUCTION TO SOCIOLOGY
And one course from the following:4-5
ELEMENTARY STATISTICS
STATISTICS FOR THE BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES
or SOC 7
STATISTICS FOR THE BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES
POPULAR CULTURE
SOCIAL RESEARCH METHODS & DESIGNS
RESEARCH METHODS & DESIGNS
INTRODUCTION TO SOCIAL WELFARE
SOCIOLOGY OF CRIME
LAW & SOCIETY
ALCOHOL & DRUG ABUSE
MAJOR SOCIAL PROBLEMS
RACE & ETHNIC RELATIONS
SOCIOLOGY OF GENDER
SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY
SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY
ASPECTS OF MARRIAGE & FAMILY
SOCIOLOGY OF SEXUALITY
And one course from the following:4-5
CULTURAL ANTHROPOLOGY
HONORS CULTURAL ANTHROPOLOGY
PRINCIPLES OF MACROECONOMICS
WORLD REGIONAL GEOGRAPHY
INTRODUCTION TO GLOBAL STUDIES
HONORS INTRODUCTION TO GLOBAL STUDIES
GLOBAL ISSUES
HISTORY OF WESTERN CIVILIZATION TO 800 CE
HISTORY OF WESTERN CIVILIZATION: 700-1800
HISTORY OF WESTERN CIVILIZATION 1789-PRESENT
CRITICAL THINKING & WRITING
PSYCHOLOGY OF PREJUDICE & DISCRIMINATION
Total Units13-15