Sociology is the study of groups, societies, social processes, and institutions. To study these, the department provides a program that focuses on sociological methods (how we know) and sociological theory (how we explain). The curriculum provides students with a basis for understanding and participation in their own communities and enables them to pursue careers and occupations in professions related to sociological knowledge and training.
| Program Requirements | Quarter Hours |
|---|---|
| Liberal Studies Requirements | 84 |
| Major (Core + Elective) Requirements | 56 |
| Open Electives | 52 |
| Total hours required | 192 |
Learning Outcomes
Students will be able to:
- Apply and explain the sociological perspective (including the history of the discipline and its major theorists) to different levels of analysis of social contexts including: families, communities, cities, regions, organizations, societies at the national and global levels.
- Recognize and use basic qualitative and quantitative research methods, concepts, and procedures for the social sciences.
- Describe the historical context of sociology as a discipline, identify major classical and contemporary theorists, and critically examine key concepts of sociology such as social structures, inequality, deviance, social control, power and authority, complex organizations, and culture related to society and individual behaviors.
- Apply sociological perspectives and skills into the construction of a socially inclusive and just society while also planning a purposeful career path that satisfied personal interests, values, and beliefs.
College Core Requirements
Study in the Major Field
The student’s course of study in the College consists of three parts: Liberal Studies, the major field, and electives. Together these three parts contribute to the liberal education of the student which is the common purpose of all study in the College. By “liberal education” the College understands not only a deep and thorough knowledge of a particular area of study but a knowledge of the diverse areas of study represented by criticism, history, the arts, the behavioral and social sciences, philosophy, religious studies, the natural science, and mathematics.
The major field program generally is built upon a set of core courses and a specialized “concentration.” The number of courses required for a major varies by department. Most students go beyond the minimum requirements, electing additional courses which both broaden and deepen their understanding of their chosen discipline.
Because no academic major program is built in isolation, students are required to pursue a number of electives of the student’s choice. The inherent flexibility of this curriculum demands that the student consult an academic advisor at each stage in the total program and at least once prior to each registration.
Students will be prompted to visit the College Office for their official graduation check early in their senior year.
Declaration of Major, Minor and Concentration
All students in the College are required to declare a major field prior to beginning their junior year. The student will then be assigned a faculty advisor in the major field department or program and should make an appointment to see that advisor at his or her earliest convenience.
Students must declare or change majors, minors, and concentrations, via Campus Connection. However, for the purpose of exploring the possibility of changing a major field, the student should consult an academic advisor in the Office for Academic Advising Support.
The Modern Language Requirement (MLR)
All students will be required to demonstrate competence in a modern language (i.e., a language other than English) equivalent to the proficiency attained from one year of college-level language study. This Modern Language Requirement (MLR) may be demonstrated by:
- placing into 104 or above on the DePaul language placement exam
- completing the last course or earning AP/IB credit for the last course in the first-year college sequence of any language (e.g. 103 for DePaul language classes)
- completing a college course or earning AP/IB credit for a college course beyond the first-year level in any language (e.g. 104 or above for DePaul language classes)
- completing the final course of a four-year sequence of the same modern language in high school*
- completing a proctored exam by BYU and passing the exam (see the Department of Modern Languages website for registration details)
- completing a proctored Written Proficiency Test (WPT) by Language Testing International (LTI) and achieving a score of Beginner High or above (see the Department of Modern Languages website for registration details)
*Students are strongly encouraged to take the DePaul language placement exam even if they have met the MLR via study of a language in high school. This will ensure continuation of language study at the proper level.
Please note: Modern Languages courses with an E-designation are taught in English and may not be applied to the Modern Language Requirement.
Students who complete an Inter-College Transfer (ICT) to the College will abide by the MLR in place on the effective date of the ICT, regardless of when they first matriculated at DePaul.
Students who have met the MLR and wish to pursue further work in the language may elect the “Modern Language Option” (see below).
The Modern Language Option (MLO)
The Modern Language Option is available to all BA students who wish to study a modern language beyond the level required by their College, and to all other undergraduate students without a modern language requirement who wish to study a language at any level.
Students selecting the MLO may substitute a sequence of three courses in the same language for three domain courses.
The three MLO substitutions must be made in three different domains, and any substitutions must be consistent with the principle that students complete at least one course in each learning domain.
MLO substitutions may not be used to replace requirements in the Math & Computing, and Scientific Inquiry, domains.
Students majoring in one modern language may use the Modern Language Option for study of a second language at the Intermediate level or above.
Modern Languages courses with an E-designation are taught in English and may not be applied to the Modern Language Option.
NOTE: Please contact your college/school regarding additional information and restrictions about the Modern Language Option.
External Credit and Residency
A student who has been admitted to the College begins residency within the college as of the first day of classes of the term in which the student is registered. Students in residence, whether attending on a full-time or part-time basis, may not take courses away from DePaul University without the written permission of the college. Permission must be obtained in advance of registration to avoid loss of credit or residency in the college; see the LAS website for more information.
Liberal Studies Requirements
Honors program requirements can be found in the individual Colleges & Schools section of the University Catalog. Select the appropriate college or school, followed by Undergraduate Academics and scroll down.
| First Year Program | Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago Quarter | ||
| LSP 110 or LSP 111 | DISCOVER CHICAGO or EXPLORE CHICAGO | 4 |
| Focal Point | ||
| LSP 112 | FOCAL POINT SEMINAR | 4 |
| Writing | ||
| WRD 103 | COMPOSITION AND RHETORIC I 1 | 4 |
| WRD 104 | COMPOSITION AND RHETORIC II 1 | 4 |
| Quantitative Reasoning | ||
| MAT 120 | QUANTITATIVE REASONING 2 | 4 |
| Sophomore Year | ||
| Race, Power, and Resistance | ||
| LSP 200 | SEMINAR ON RACE, POWER, AND RESISTANCE | 4 |
| Junior Year | ||
| Experiential Learning | ||
| Required | 4 | |
| Senior Year | ||
| Capstone | ||
| SOC 395 | CAPSTONE IN SOCIOLOGY 1,3 | 4 |
- 1
Students must earn a C- or better in this course.
- 2
Readiness for MAT 120 is determined by the math placement test taken online after admission. Students may need to take developmental coursework prior to MAT 120. The MAT 120 requirement may be waived by passing a dedicated proficiency exam, or by credit earned for advanced math coursework at DePaul (MAT 135, MAT 136, MAT 147, MAT 148, MAT 149, MAT 150, MAT 151, MAT 152, MAT 155, MAT 156, MAT 160, MAT 161, MAT 162, MAT 170, MAT 171, MAT 172, or equivalent) or any transfer, CLEP, IB, or AP Calculus credit. Calculus course(s) may be used to fulfil any of the three QR/MCD requirements.
- 3
A student whose only major is Sociology is required to complete the Capstone offered by the Sociology Department. A student who is double majoring (or pursuing dual degrees) with the primary major (or primary degree) in Sociology may substitute the Capstone of the secondary major or degree. A Sociology major in the University Honors Program shall take only the University Honors Capstone, not both the Honors Capstone and the Sociology Capstone.
Learning Domains
Arts and Literature (AL)
- 3 Courses Required
Historical Inquiry (HI)
- 2 Courses Required
Math and Computing (MC)
- 1 Course Required
[1 CR Course]
Philosophical Inquiry (PI)
- 2 Courses Required
Religious Dimensions (RD)
- 2 Courses Required
Scientific Inquiry (SI)
- 2 Courses Required
[1 Lab Course and 1 SWK Course]
Social, Cultural, and Behavioral Inquiry (SCBI)
- 1 Course Required
Notes
Courses offered in the student's primary major cannot be taken to fulfill LSP Domain requirements. If students double major, LSP Domain courses may double count for both LSP credit and the second major. Students who choose to take an experiential learning course offered by the major may count it either as a general elective or the experiential learning requirement.
In meeting learning domain requirements, no more than one course that is outside the student’s major and is cross-listed with a course within the student’s major, can be applied to count for LSP domain credit. This policy does not apply to those who are pursuing a double major or earning BFA or BM degrees.
Major Requirements
Sociology majors must complete required core sociology courses, sociology electives, and open electives. The core courses (24 credit hours) give students a foundation in theory, methods, and career development; sociology electives are selected in consultation with student's academic advisor to identify an area of specialization; and open electives are selected in consultation with student's academic advisor to meet the minimum graduation requirement of 192 hours.
Core Requirements
| Course | Title | Quarter Hours |
|---|---|---|
| SOC 101 | INTRODUCTION TO SOCIOLOGY | 4 |
| or SOC 105 | SOCIAL PROBLEMS | |
| SOC 115 | ORIENTATION TO CAREERS IN SOCIOLOGY | 2 |
| SOC 215 | WORKPLACE ENVIRONMENTS AND CAREER DEVELOPMENT IN SOCIOLOGY | 2 |
| SOC 279 | INTRO STATS FOR THE SOCIAL SCIENCES 1 | 4 |
| SOC 331 | SOCIOLOGICAL THEORY | 4 |
| SOC 380 | RESEARCH METHODS IN SOCIOLOGY I | 4 |
| SOC 381 | RESEARCH METHODS IN SOCIOLOGY II | 4 |
Sociology Elective Requirements
Students must complete eight additional courses from sociology 200-level and 300-level courses (32 credit hours). The courses are to be selected in consultation with the student's academic advisor and the courses can be used to make up the student's area of specialization. Students develop a self-defined area of specialization, which reflects the common themes connecting their academic coursework, research and career interests. Previous areas of specializations have included: Health and Human Services; Law, Crime, and Criminology; Urban - Cities, Action, Power, Practice; and Sociology of Culture.
NOTE: A minimum of three courses or twelve credits can be counted toward a student's area of specialization. A maximum of eight credits of SOC 398 INTERNSHIP can be counted toward major field credit. Additional SOC 398 credit may be earned but it will count for open elective credit or Experiential Learning (EL) credit, if applicable.
Course Listings by Category
Theory and Methodology
| Course | Title | Quarter Hours |
|---|---|---|
| SOC 202 | PHILOSOPHY AND SOCIAL THOUGHT | 4 |
| SOC 346 | URBAN ETHNOGRAPHY | 4 |
| SOC 383 | VISUAL SOCIOLOGY | 4 |
| SOC 384 | ETHNOGRAPHIC DOCUMENTARY FILM PRODUCTION | 4 |
Health and Human Services
| Course | Title | Quarter Hours |
|---|---|---|
| SOC 200 | SOCIAL WORK AND SOCIAL WELFARE | 4 |
| SOC 201 | INTRODUCTION TO SOCIAL WORK PRACTICE | |
| SOC 221 | INTRODUCTION TO THE U.S HEALTH CARE SYSTEM | 4 |
| SOC 307 | SOCIOLOGY OF DRUGS | 4 |
| SOC 321 | HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS | 4 |
| SOC 322 | HOW SCHOOLS ARE FAILING AND CRIMINALIZING YOUTH | 4 |
| SOC 351 | HEALTH DISPARITIES | 4 |
| SOC 353 | SOCIOLOGY OF MENTAL ILLNESS | 4 |
| SOC 370 | SOCIOLOGY OF FOOD | 4 |
| SOC 373 | PUBLIC HEALTH AND HIGH RISK BEHAVIOR | 4 |
Law, Crime and Criminology
| Course | Title | Quarter Hours |
|---|---|---|
| SOC 214 | POLICING THE MARGINS | 4 |
| SOC 220 | THEORIES OF CRIME AND DELINQUENCY | 4 |
| SOC 248 | RESISTING WHITE SUPREMACY | 4 |
| SOC 305 | POWER, DEVIANCE AND SOCIAL CONTROL | 4 |
| SOC 310 | CRIMINALIZATION, PUNISHMENT, & RESISTANCE | 4 |
| SOC 312 | CRIMMIGRATION: IMMIGRATION AND CRIME, AN INTERNATIONAL PERSPECTIVE | |
| SOC 315 | LAW, POWER AND RESISTANCE | 4 |
| SOC 317 | GENDER, CRIME AND JUSTICE | 4 |
Urban - Cities, Action, Power, Practice
| Course | Title | Quarter Hours |
|---|---|---|
| SOC 212 | COMMUNITY AND SOCIETY | 4 |
| SOC 214 | POLICING THE MARGINS | 4 |
| SOC 217 | WORK IN A GLOBALIZED WORLD | 4 |
| SOC 220 | THEORIES OF CRIME AND DELINQUENCY | 4 |
| SOC 231 | RACE AND ETHNICITY IN THE CITY | 4 |
| SOC 232 | GLOBAL CITIES | 4 |
| SOC 243 | THE SUBURBS | |
| SOC 245 | URBAN SOCIOLOGY | 4 |
| SOC 246 | HOMELESS IN THE CITY | 4 |
| SOC 307 | SOCIOLOGY OF DRUGS | 4 |
| SOC 313 | SOCIOLOGY OF EDUCATION | 4 |
| SOC 340 | SOCIAL INEQUALITY | 4 |
| SOC 346 | URBAN ETHNOGRAPHY | 4 |
| SOC 347 | CLASS, POWER AND DECISION MAKING IN THE CITY | 4 |
| SOC 348 | THE CITY IN THE FUTURE | 4 |
| SOC 370 | SOCIOLOGY OF FOOD | 4 |
| SOC 383 | VISUAL SOCIOLOGY | 4 |
| SOC 384 | ETHNOGRAPHIC DOCUMENTARY FILM PRODUCTION | 4 |
Social Inequality: Class, Gender, and Race
| Course | Title | Quarter Hours |
|---|---|---|
| SOC 207 | YOUTH AND SOCIETY | 4 |
| SOC 209 | SOCIOLOGY OF GENDER | 4 |
| SOC 248 | RESISTING WHITE SUPREMACY | 4 |
| SOC 306 | SOCIOLOGY OF FAMILIES | 4 |
| SOC 313 | SOCIOLOGY OF EDUCATION | 4 |
| SOC 340 | SOCIAL INEQUALITY | 4 |
Sociology of Culture
| Course | Title | Quarter Hours |
|---|---|---|
| SOC 207 | YOUTH AND SOCIETY | 4 |
| SOC 209 | SOCIOLOGY OF GENDER | 4 |
| SOC 233 | SOCIOLOGY OF SPORT | 4 |
| SOC 280 | MASS MEDIA AND CULTURE | 4 |
| SOC 281 | SOCIOLOGY OF ROCK MUSIC | 4 |
| SOC 383 | VISUAL SOCIOLOGY | 4 |
| SOC 384 | ETHNOGRAPHIC DOCUMENTARY FILM PRODUCTION | 4 |
| SOC 386 | POPULAR CULTURE AND THE ARTS | 4 |
| SOC 283 | ART & SOCIETY | 4-4.5 |
Political and Economic Sociology
| Course | Title | Quarter Hours |
|---|---|---|
| SOC 217 | WORK IN A GLOBALIZED WORLD | 4 |
| SOC 256 | SOCIAL CHANGE | 4 |
| SOC 275 | LIVED POLITICS: INDIVIDUALISM AND COMMUNITY | |
| SOC 292 | COLLECTIVE ACTION | 4 |
| SOC 344 | POLITICAL SOCIOLOGY | 4 |
| SOC 345 | POWER, POLITICS, AND CLIMATE CHANGE | |
| SOC 349 | CULTURE AND POLITICS | |
| SOC 358 | REVOLUTIONS AND PEASANT REBELLIONS | 4 |
| SOC 366 | CAPITALISM AND GLOBALIZATION | |
| SOC 388 | SOCIOLOGY OF CONSUMPTION | 4 |
Advanced Study
| Course | Title | Quarter Hours |
|---|---|---|
| SOC 290 | SPECIAL TOPICS IN SOCIOLOGY | 4 |
| SOC 291 | SPECIAL TOPICS IN SOCIOLOGY | 2 |
| SOC 390 | SEMINAR IN SOCIOLOGY | 4 |
| SOC 395 | CAPSTONE IN SOCIOLOGY | 4 |
| SOC 397 | TRAVEL/STUDY | 1-8 |
| SOC 398 | INTERNSHIP | 1-4 |
| SOC 399 | INDEPENDENT STUDY | 1-6 |
Open Electives Requirement
Open elective credits are required in order to meet the minimum graduation requirement of 192 hours. These courses are to be selected in consultation with the student's academic advisor and may include courses in fields such as psychology, criminology, marketing, health sciences, or other areas of student interest. Students may choose to use their open electives as part of a minor or to complete a double major.