Transfer Articulation: Sociology
Neither the life of an individual nor the history of a society can be understood without understanding both.” C. Wright Mill
“The Department of Sociology at Sam Houston State University is committed to furthering knowledge of social life, social change, and the causes and consequences of human behavior using the context of globalization. While in the program, students develop the 'sociological advantage,' or the ability to examine interpersonal relationships and relate them to the larger social world.” - C. Wright Mills. Sociology is the study of social life, social change, and the social causes and consequences of human behavior. Sociologists investigate the structure of groups, organizations, and societies as well as how people interact within these contexts. The subject matter of sociology ranges from the intimate family to the hostile mob; from organized crime to religious cults; from the divisions of race, gender, and social class to the shared beliefs of a common culture; and from the sociology of the environment to the sociology of sports. Because sociology addresses the most challenging issues of our time, it is a rapidly expanding field whose potential is tapped by those who craft policies and create programs.
Students receive instruction in classical and contemporary sociological theory, qualitative and quantitative techniques of sociological investigation, and major substantive areas in the field. The primary objective of the curriculum is to provide students with the scientific tools to understand the functioning of society, study social phenomena, and acquire the necessary skills to enter the global labor market. The department focuses on the study of Globalization, Community and Health. Students are encouraged to participate in research projects and extra-curricular activities designed to foster critical sociological thinking and knowledge of today’s world. Instruction in general sociology is complemented by specialization in three substantive areas. Students can select to concentrate their undergraduate curriculum in Change, Economy and Society; Culture and Social Institutions; or Inequality and Society. Change, Economy, and Society explores the relationships between society and the economy, patterns of change in the global society, the environment, social movements, and the organization of urban and rural societies. Culture and Social Institutions focuses on culture, social institutions, such as the family, religion, and health, and courses which analyze the most relevant social problems in today’s society. Inequality and Society examines social inequality, gender and inequality, age and inequality, race and ethnic inequality, and complex organizations.
Program Specific Requirements: In order to graduate with a major or minor in Sociology, students must maintain a 2.5 GPA in Sociology courses. The only substitution permitted is Psychology Statistics (PSYC3301/3101) for Social Statistics (SOCI3443). Only Principles of Sociology (SOCI1301) may be taken by correspondence to satisfy the degree requirements for a Sociology major or minor. After the degree requirements are satisfied, Sociology correspondence courses may be taken to satisfy advanced hours requirements.
Sociology Major: Bachelor of Arts Degree
- 120 total credit hours
- 37 credit hours in Sociology taken from:
- Entire sequence of courses in the Core Courses in Sociology
- Two courses in each of the three areas of concentration
- Four semesters of a foreign language (14 hours)
- 3 hours from Communication Studies
Sociology Major: Bachelor of Science Degree
- 120 total credit hours
- 37 credit hours in Sociology taken from:
- Entire sequence of courses in the Core Courses in Sociology
- Two courses in each of the three areas of concentration
- 3 hours from Mathematics, excluding the Component Area II course.
- Select 8 additional hours from the natural sciences, excluding the Component Area III courses.
Sociology Minor: Bachelor of Arts of Bachelor of Science Degree
- 18 credit hours in Sociology
- Required: SOCI 1301, SOCI 4340 and SOCI 4344.
- Plus, three courses from any of the three areas of concentration
Sociology Transfer Courses for Major (both BA and BS): The Sociology Bachelor Transfer curriculum:
TCCN Table Here
Applicants seeking the Bachelor of Arts must complete the university foreign language requirement. Those seeking the Bachelor of Science must complete the university science requirement. Both the foreign language and science requirements may be completed as transfer courses.
The Core Curriculum at Sam Houston State University (to be used by all incoming students as of fall 2014) contains 42 semester credit hours, encompassing nine component areas. Each component area has a minimum credit hour requirement and a selection of specific courses that may be used to satisfy the requirement. The Core Curriculum details Sam Houston State University courses and their Texas Common Course Number (TCCN) equivalents for college transfer students which comprise SHSU’s core curriculum.
Many SHSU disciplines including the sciences, business, and education require specific courses from the SHSU core as degree specific graduation requirements. To minimize cost and time to complete degree requirements always select SHSU/transfer core courses specified as degree requirements in your intended major. If you have not decided on a major, select core courses supporting your intended area of academic concentration.
Prior to enrolling in core classes, students are encouraged to review specific degree requirements for their major. Selection of major-specified core courses reduces the total number of hours required for graduation.
If you do not see a Texas Common Course Number (TCCN) mapping a specific core course to your transfer institution, please go to Transfer Course Equivalency Guide and select your institution from the drop-down menu. The result will list all currently mapped transfer courses from your institution to SHSU courses.
