Sociology

Degree Requirements

Major
Sociology has a long-standing tradition as an excellent undergraduate major that applies to a number of fields from human services to criminal justice to business to public service. The foundation of the major at Augsburg is that it provides a clearly organized curriculum that is challenging, develops over the course of the major, and integrates and reinforces a challenging set of important skills; those skills include abstract thinking, writing, critical analysis, basic research, integration of theory and data, and the connection of the individual and collective perspectives in the unique way of the sociological imagination. The five core courses intentionally develop those skills in our students. The electives allow students to choose courses that add other skills related to areas of career interest.

The major includes a total of 10 courses: five required core courses and five electives, at least three of which are upper division courses from the specified list below:

Core major:

SOC 121 Introduction to Human Society
SOC 362 Statistical Analysis
SOC 363 Research Methods
SOC 485 Sociological Theory
SOC 490 Senior Seminar

At least three of the following upper-division courses (Prereq.: SOC 121):

SOC 320 Sociology of Law
SOC 349 Sociology of Organizations
SOC 375 Social Psychology
SOC 377 Organizational Crime and Deviance
SOC 381 City and Metro-Urban Planning
SOC 387 Juvenile Delinquency
SOC 390 Social Problems Analysis
SOC 399 Internship

Two additional sociology electives

Note: Majors must have a 2.0 or higher in each required course (SOC 121, 362, 363, 485, and 490) to receive credit in the major.

The Critical Thinking (CT), Quantitative Reasoning (QR), Speaking (S), and Writing (W) graduation skills are embedded throughout the offered courses and are met by completing the major. Transfer students must consult an adviser about potential adjustments to their course requirements.

Interest Tracks
In order to focus preparation for careers and further study, the Department offers Interest Tracks within the major. These interest tracks are: City and Community; Crime and Deviance; Law; Organizations; and Social Psychology. The Interest Tracks guide majors in selecting elective courses in a way that tailors their sociological training, experiences and skills. Working with an advisor and following the guidelines and recommendations provided at the links below, sociology majors can design a pathway through the major that directs them toward careers or graduate work in criminal justice, law, organizational development, public relations, social services, and urban studies.

Students who are interested in pursuing an Interest Track should discuss this with their adviser or the Sociology Department Chair. For full descriptions of each interest track, please select the desired Interest Track from the menu on the left side of our webpage.

Teaching Licensure Major
The State of Minnesota has specific licensing requirements for teachers that may differ slightly in emphasis from the Augsburg major requirements. The state requirements may also be subject to change after publication of this catalog. Students therefore should consult with the Augsburg Department of Education to identify current Minnesota teacher licensure requirements.

Departmental Honors
To complete departmental honors in sociology, the student must have a minimum GPA of 3.50 in the major and overall. See department chair and website for specific requirements. An application for departmental honors/graduation with distinction must be completed by spring of the junior year.

Minor
Five courses including SOC 121 and at least two upper division courses taken at Augsburg College. Students are required to have a 2.0 or higher in SOC 121 and at least a cumulative 2.00 GPAâ€ˆin courses counting toward the minor.