Mar 28, 2024  
Loyola Marymount University Bulletin 2015-2016 
    
Loyola Marymount University Bulletin 2015-2016 [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Sociology, B.A.


Objectives


As a department, our objectives are to foster the intellectual development of students and to promote lifetime learning experiences. We do this through teaching and applying the insights of sociological perspectives to achieve a critical understanding of social reality and the human condition.

Our curriculum is designed to explore relationships within society, the social and cultural influences on human behavior, dynamics of interaction, and social institutions and social change in a global context.

Sociology Student Learning Outcomes


Students majoring in Sociology should know:

  • The processes and structures that establish the underlying regularities of social life
  • How social life is continually reconstructed through opposition and deviance
  • The significance of cultural differences within and across societies
  • The origin and development of principal theoretical ideas that inform contemporary sociological inquiries
  • The basic methodological and statistical strategies used in contemporary sociology;

Students majoring in Sociology should be able to:

  • Recognize how social life is structured in ways that influence choices, opportunities, and action
  • Demonstrate an ability to write and speak effectively about contemporary social issues
  • Read, assess, and interpret the results of sociological research
  • Successfully complete an independent research project that competently draws from current theoretical, methodological, and empirical research;

Students majoring in Sociology should value:

  • A knowledge of the range of interests and goals expressed by groups and organizations in society
  • The ways in which sociological research may be effectively employed by organizations and institutions
  • The application of sociological knowledge in order to enhance the quality of life
  • A reasoned participation in community life that is informed by grounded sociological knowledge.

Major Requirements


Sociology majors are required to take one social science course from outside the major. The course may be a lower or upper level course in Economics, Geography, Political Science, Psychology, Urban Studies, or any course that satisfies the Understanding Human Behavior requirement of the University Core.

Lower Division Requirements (12 semester hours):


Note:


A grade of at least C (2.0) will be required in all lower division courses.

Upper Division Requirements:


28 semester hours in upper division courses in sociology which must include SOCL 3000  and SOCL 4900 . An average grade of C (2.0) must be obtained in courses included in the major.

SOCL 4900  should be taken in the senior year. The remaining 20 semester hours are to be chosen from the three theme areas into which upper division sociology courses are grouped: I. Social Institutions, Organizations, and Groups; II. Power and Inequality; and III. Social Processes and Change. Students must take at least one course from three of the theme areas. The remaining courses may be taken from any of the upper division offerings.

At least two 3000- or 4000-level sociology courses must be taken in the senior year.

Sociology Model Four-Year Plan


The normal course load is 16 semester hours (4 classes). By following the model below, a student will complete all lower division core requirements by the end of the sophomore year as well as most major prerequisites. Note that core areas are suggested to provide a distribution of various disciplines every semester. Please be flexible implementing these suggestions, given your own interests and course availability. In four years, this plan meets all common graduation requirements.

Freshman Year


Fall Semester


Total: 13-16 semester hours

Spring Semester


  • 3 OR 4 semester hours
  • University Core 3-4 semester hours
  • University Core 3-4 semester hours
  • Elective 3-4 semester hours
Total: 12-16 semester hours

Sophomore Year


Fall Semester


Total: 14-16 semester hours

Spring Semester


  • University Core 3-4 semester hours
  • University Core 3-4 semester hours
  • Elective 3-4 semester hours
  • Elective 3-4 semester hours
Total: 12-16 semester hours

Junior Year


Fall Semester


  • 4 semester hours
  • SOCL Upper Division (Theme Area) 4 semester hours
  • SOCL Upper Division (Theme Area) 4 semester hours
  • University Core 3-4 semester hours
Total: 15-16 semester hours

Spring Semester


  • SOCL Upper Division (Theme Area) 4 semester hours
  • SOCL Upper Division 4 semester hours
  • University Core 3-4 semester hours
  • Elective 3-4 semester hours
Total: 14-16 semester hours

Senior Year


Fall Semester


  • SOCL Upper Division 4 semester hours
  • University Core 3-4 semester hours
  • Upper Division Elective 3-4 semester hours
  • Upper Division Elective 3-4 semester hours
Total: 13-16 semester hours

Spring Semester


  • 4 semester hours
  • University Core 3-4 semester hours
  • Upper Division Elective 3-4 semester hours
  • Upper Division Elective 3-4 semester hours
Total: 13-16 semester hours