Sociology
Sociology Program Learning Outcomes
College of Natural and Behavioral Sciences
Department of Sociology
Bachelor of Arts
Degree Roadmap
Minor
Sociology
Women's Studies
(For requirements refer to Women's Studies section in catalog)
Certificate
Community Organizing (Undergraduate)
Social Research (Undergraduate)
Social Research (Graduate)
Master of Arts
General Sociology Option
Research Skills Option
Faculty
Undergraduate
Kara Dellacioppa, Department Chair
Wenqian Dai, Kelin Li, Alexis Sharon McCurn, Jeb Middlebrook, Matt Mutchler, Joanna Perez, Katy Pinto, Jose Prado, Sohaila Shakib, LaTanya Skiffer
Department Office: SBS B-334, (310) 243-3431
Graduate
Jose Prado, Graduate Program Coordinator
Emeriti Faculty
Faye Arnold, William R. Blischke, Alan Bomser, Dexter E. Bryan, Jeanne Curran, Robert M. Christie, Charles Hohm, Fumiko Hosokawa, Richard B. Hovard, F. Donald Laws, John C. Quicker, Sharon Raphael, Steve Riskin, Alan Ryave
Program Description
The study of Sociology offers students the opportunity to develop a critical understanding of social processes and structures, so as to be able to live and work in our diverse global society and to apply the tools of social analysis to a broad range of professional, academic and community situations. The methods and knowledge developed by sociologists reflect the complexity of human organization, social life, inequalities and social justice. The newly emerging patterns of social change continue to alter our life, making the effective applications of social analysis more important than ever before in solving problems of inequalities, human organization and justice at a local and global level.
The department of Sociology at CSUDH is committed to its mission of sociology in service to community. The department is composed of a diverse, innovative and stimulating faculty who teach and pursue research in a variety of areas that are important in today's global societies. The sociology faculty offers undergraduate and graduate programs with several emphasis that respond directly to the needs of today's students. We offer a wide range of opportunities to engage in service learning, applied research and community studies and organizing.
Sociology is a civically engaged department and is formally recognized by the CSU for outstanding work with local communities where Sociology students and faculty engage in service learning, internships and community based research.
Undergraduate majors and minors and graduate students may concentrate their studies in a variety of areas including applied research, community studies, criminology and justice studies, the helping professions and social change in global context. Sociology prepares students for careers in social work, law, criminal justice, government, non-profit and community and international organizations, education, gerontology, medicine, community service, urban planning, politics, business, academia, human resources and applied research.
Undergraduates majoring in sociology may elect to concentrate their studies in any of the areas mentioned above or in an area designed in consultation with faculty to best fit their academic or professional goals. Students majoring in other disciplines or professional programs may tailor a minor in sociology to complement their major field of study. A minor in Sociology complements a wide range of majors, including psychology, political science, computer science, liberal studies, human services, public administration and many others. Graduate students often plan their studies in the context of more specific career and professional goals, or to augment their current professions.
Graduate Studies in Sociology
The department offers an established graduate program leading to the Master of Arts in Sociology. The program is designed to provide all students with a strong foundation in sociological theory and research methodology. The graduate program is designed to allow for a substantial degree of student choice. Students may choose a macro- or micro-based program of study and select from several areas for further specialization or experience. These areas include, but are not restricted to, such concentrations as social research and computer applications; sociology of education; community and clinical sociology; law and society; criminology and deviance; and general sociology. Students are expected to select a major advisor who can best facilitate their specific interests in the program. Finally, students may choose one of the following options to complete their program of graduate study: comprehensive exam, thematic project or thesis. Students with an interest in teaching and administrative applications of the degree are encouraged to complete via examination. Those with research interests or who may wish to pursue advanced graduate study toward a doctoral degree are encouraged to opt for the thesis or thematic project options.
The Department of Sociology has an established record of success in graduate education. Many of the department's graduates have found careers in research, teaching and a wide range of other fields. Special emphasis is placed on practical and policy-relevant research participation by graduate students in the Urban Community Research Center. Students are encouraged to take an active role in the department, the discipline and the wider community. Students may apprentice in one or more of the many advanced forms of social scientific research, including evaluation research, social impact analysis, ethnographic field research, etc. Students who wish to pursue advanced study beyond the M.A. degree may elect to take additional work necessary to acquire the Graduate Certificate in Social Research.
Academic Advisement
Sociology faculty provide advisement for majors, minors and graduate students in sociology, and also provide limited general education advisement for sociology majors. Faculty are available for both daytime and night students. For graduate studies, Dr. Kara Dellacioppa should be contacted. For faculty office hours and general questions, please call the department office at (310) 243-3431. Students are advised to meet with a faculty advisor early, in order to take the best advantage of opportunities offered by the Department. They may go to any faculty member for Sociology advising.
Preparation
High school students contemplating a major in sociology are encouraged to take the college preparatory courses, including English, mathematics and social sciences. Courses in computers, logic and life science also are recommended.
Students planning to transfer from community college should consult with their counselor or advisor to assure that appropriate lower division courses are completed before the transfer.
Career Possibilities
The Sociology Department's programs are designed to prepare students for graduate study in sociology and for professional positions and careers in a variety of fields in federal, state and local agencies as well as for jobs in private business and non- profit institutions and applied research. Studies in sociology provide good preparation for careers in social work, law, probation and criminology as well as community organizing, labor unions and public service jobs. Students completing a master's degree in sociology can teach at a community college and work toward a Ph.D. A degree in sociology also complements technical and administrative programs by broadening students' understanding of social organizations, social inequalities, social structures, global and local processes and human behavior. Contact the department office to for a list of faculty advisors to help you with your career choices and planning.
Student Internships
Student internships are made available in locations related to the subject areas in the Sociology Department including criminology and justice studies, helping professions, social change in global contexts, social inequalities and applied research and community studies and others where faculty research and professional practice provide such opportunities. Interested students should talk with faculty involved in such areas.
Student Organizations
The department has a chapter of Alpha Kappa Delta, International Sociology Honor Society, for students who meet honor society requirements. There is a Sociology Student Club and a Pre-Law Club.
Graduation with Honors
An undergraduate student may be a candidate for graduation with honors in Sociology by meeting the following criteria:
- A minimum of 36 units in residence at CSU Dominguez Hills;
- A minimum GPA of at least 3.5 in all courses used to satisfy the upper division requirements in the major;
- Recommendation by the Sociology faculty.