Sociology

The type of job you hold, the amount and type of education you receive, when and whom you marry, how you raise your children and even your religious and political beliefs are all influenced by social forces beyond your control. A Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from the University of Idaho encourages you to examine how these social forces influence all aspects of your life. You’ll form an enhanced sociological perspective, strong analytical skills and a rich liberal arts foundation.

As a sociology major, you’ll explore topics such as race, social class, gender, globalization, the environment and social change, and you’ll examine how these subjects and others affect social relationships, culture and the nature of society. The program aims to help you develop a “sociological imagination,” or the ability to understand how your experiences, behaviors and opportunities are linked to social forces beyond your control. You’ll also receive training in statistics, research methods and report writing, all of which are valuable tools for a professional career in the field.

There are three emphasis areas in the Sociology major including:

• Criminology emphasis
• General Sociology emphasis
• Inequalities and Globalization emphasis

Prepare for Success

Sociology demands an intense curiosity about the world and the people, groups and societies that make it what it is today. To succeed in the field, you should develop strong written, interpersonal, presentation, perceptive and research skills.

Your First Year

During your first two years as a sociology major, you will complete university core requirements and foundation courses in sociology. You may take:

• SOC 101 – Intro to Sociology
• SOC 230 – Social Problems
• SOC 310 – Methods of Social Research
• STAT 251 – Principles of Statistics
• ENG 101 – Intro to College Writing
• COMM 101 – Public Speaking
• ANTH 100 – Intro to Anthropology
• ART 100
• PSYC 101
• Core Math and Science

Four-year plan

What You Can Do

With a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science in Sociology from the University of Idaho, you may pursue a career in:

• Social advocacy
• Social work
• Human service
• Education
• Business
• Law
• Criminal justice
• Social science research
• Community relations

Opportunities

Sociology is an excellent major for students planning futures in such professions as social advocacy, social work, human services, criminal justice, law, business, education, social science research, community relations and politics. Sociology provides a rich fund of knowledge directly concerning each of these fields. You’ll be prepared for a lifetime of learning and change to meet the challenges and opportunities of an increasingly complex society. Law school is also an excellent next step for sociology majors.

Current Research

University of Idaho faculty in the Department of Sociology, Anthropology and Justice Studies are recognized for their research and expertise in:

• The global justice movement, policing of protest, and environmental politics and activism
• Development programs in post-Soviet societies and how they created a social environment in which informal economies (petty trade, subsistence gardening, and unregistered, micro-enterprises in light industry) became a common way for unemployed and underemployed workers to support themselves and their families
  

Activities

Sociology Club 
ASUI Center for Volunteerism and Social Action

Hands-On Experience

Internships and community service-learning projects provide excellent opportunities to apply textbook concepts and classroom theories to real-world situations. You’ll graduate with valuable practical work experience.