Sociology Department
Welcome to the Sociology Department Website
Also the home of Social Justice Studies
In science, when human behavior enters the equation, things go nonlinear. That's why Physics is easy and Sociology is hard.
- Neil deGrasse Tyson (@neiltyson) February 6, 2016
We recognize that institutional racism not only infects the criminal justice system, but also other social institutions, such as healthcare, media, and education. Black infant mortality rates in the United States remain the highest in the industrialized world. Segregation in our neighborhoods and schools continues unabated. Black voices are still conspicuously absent on movie and television screens. Black students, staff and faculty continue to be grossly underrepresented in our classrooms, offices and administration on our campus. As a department, we are committed to fighting racial injustice on campus, in the criminal justice system, and in the United States. We stand in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement, not only through our words, but also in our pedagogy, scholarship and activism. We strive to write curriculum recognizing racial and social justice while highlighting the intersections of class, gender, age, sexual orientation, immigrant and refugee status, religion, and disabilities. In the words of Ida B. Wells, "The way to right wrongs is to turn the light of truth upon them." We celebrate the opportunity to confront white supremacy in all of its manifestations. We affirm that Black Lives Matter and unapologetically stand for racial and social justice.
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The Sociology major is designed to prepare students for further studies in the discipline which will lead to the B.A., M.A., and or Ph.D. degrees. The Associate in Arts degree in Sociology will provide an introduction to the major theoretical perspectives, research methodologies, and related sub-areas associated with the field.
The degree incorporates the primary courses required for the baccalaureate degree at many four-year colleges and universities, as well as establishes the foundation needed for later graduate studies. Students can also pursue the A.A. or A.A.-T degree in Sociology, yet decide not to attain the baccalaureate degree. The field of sociology provides students with a broad based knowledge of human behavior and social interaction, which is transferable to a multitude of areas, including education, law, medicine, government, administration of justice, and organizations.
Please see our degrees link for further inforamtion.
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Sociology is a scientific discipline that studies group behavior and dynamics. Sociologists investigate a wide range of social experiences that take place within institutions, communities and societies. Since human behavior is shaped by social factors, 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 work to the sociology of sport.
Although the Sociology major is designed to prepare students for further studies in the discipline, the critical thinking, reading, writing, and oratory skills gained by the study of this social science will not only assist the transfer-level student, but those entering the job market as well. The field provides a broad-based knowledge of human behavior and social interaction which is transferable to a multitude of areas including education, law, medicine, government, administration of justice, and organizations.
The goal of the Sociology Department is to offer a diverse course listing, including a variety of time, day, modality, and location schedules. The department strives to offer courses that will fulfill GE requirements for students who plan to 1) attain an A.A. Degree in Sociology or another educational program, 2) transfer to a four-year college or university, or 3) earn units to assist in obtaining employment or advancing in a current position.The Sociology Departmentworks to integrate discipline-related topics into the larger campus through inter-departmental activities. In addition, the department fosters diversity awareness throughout classes and campus activities (e.g., sociology lecture series), as well as promotes civic engagement through service-learning projects. The department encourages the scholarship and research of both faculty and students
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Upon completion of the associate degree in Sociology, students will be able to analyze social issues using sociological concepts.
Please email the department chair for information about the department or our degrees, Professor Katie Coleman, 661/362-5924
Should you have any questions about the website, please email the webmaster, Dr. Anne Marenco