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Degree Requirements 2022-2023

Sociology Major

A photo of students enrolled in one section of SOC 121.
Students in Introduction to Sociology ham it up at the end of the semester.

Sociology has a long-standing tradition as an intellectually challenging undergraduate major that produces a sound foundation for a number of fields including human services, criminal justice, business and public service. The Sociology major at Augsburg provides a clearly organized curriculum that is intellectually engaging, develops concepts and theories over the course of the major, and builds a highly useful set of important skills including: abstract thinking, writing, public speaking, critical analysis, research design, integration of theory, analysis of quantitative and qualitative data, and the connection between the individual and collective perspectives reflected in the sociological imagination. The five core courses intentionally develop those skills in our students. The electives allow students to focus on more specialized content areas and develop additional skills and perspectives 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. Majors must have a C- or higher in each required core course (SOC 121, 362, 363, 485, and 490) to receive credit in the major, and at least a cumulative 2.00 GPA in courses counting toward the major.

Core courses (complete all five):

  • SOC 121 – Introduction to Sociology
  • SOC 362 – Statistical Analysis
  • SOC 363 – Research Methods
  • SOC 485 – Sociological Theory
  • SOC 490 – Senior Seminar and Keystone

Five elective courses, at least three of which must be upper division:

  • Lower division elective options
    • SOC 111 – City Life: Introduction to Urban Sociology
    • SOC 231 – Family Systems: Cross Cultural Perspectives
    • SOC 240 – Protest and Social Change: The Sociology of Social Movements
    • SOC 265 – Race, Class and Gender
    • SOC 266 – Sociology of Love, Intimacy, and Sexuality
    • SOC 277 – Introduction to Criminology
    • SOC 290 – Cultures of Violence
    • SOC 295 – Topics
    • SOC 299 – Directed Study
  • Upper division elective options (minimum of three required; SOC121 prerequisite)
    • SOC 300 – Topics
    • SOC 320 – Sociology of Law
    • SOC 375 – Social Psychology
    • SOC 381 – City and Regional Planning
    • SOC 387 – Juvenile Delinquency
    • SOC 390 – Intersections of Race and Immigration
    • SOC 395 – Mental Illness and Society
    • SOC 399 – Internship
    • SOC 499 – Independent Study/Research

Please note that Directed Studies and Independent Studies with Sociology faculty must be taken for at least 4 credits in order to count as electives for the major.

Professors Tim, James, and Nancy enjoying the Augsburg University Sesquicentennial Gala.
Professors Tim, James, and Nancy enjoying the Augsburg University Sesquicentennial Gala.

Graduation Skills

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 advisor 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; Law, Crime, and Deviance; and Social Psychology. See the corresponding links on this website for further detail. Interest tracks guide majors in selecting elective courses in a way that tailors their sociological training, experiences and skills. Working with a faculty advisor, sociology majors can design a pathway through the major that directs them toward particular careers or graduate work in criminal justice, law, public relations, public health, social services, and urban studies.

Students who are interested in pursuing an interest track should discuss this with their faculty advisor or the Sociology Department chair.

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 the link on this 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 University. Students are required to have a C- or higher in SOC 121 and at least a cumulative 2.00 GPA in courses counting toward the minor.


For a complete list of courses and descriptions, see the Course Description page.