Sociology effective date of concentration Fall Term 2000 | previous requirements May be elected as a departmental concentration program Prerequisites to Concentration. Students planning to concentrate in sociology must elect one of the introductory courses. First- and second-year students choose from Sociology 100 (Principles of Sociology), 101 (Person and Society), 102, 105, (First-Year Seminar), 195 (Principles of Sociology-Honors), 202 (Contemporary Social Issues I), 203 (Contemporary Social Issues II), 300 (Sociological Principles and Problems), or 401 (Contemporary Social Issues III). If no previous introductory sociology has been elected, juniors may choose, and seniors must choose Sociology 300 (Sociological Principles and Problems) or 401 (Contemporary Social Issues III). Concentration Program. After electing one of the introductory prerequisites, concentrators are required to complete at least 30 credits of sociology courses, including: Statistics: Sociology 210 or Statistics 350 (or their equivalent) completed with a grade of "C-" or better. Research Methods: Sociology 310. Social Theory: Sociology 405 or 305. Electives in Sociology. The remaining credits must be chosen from Sociology courses at the 200-level and above, chosen in consultation with and approved by the concentration advisor. Research Methods and Statistics aid in understanding sociological themes and concepts that are explored in our upper-level courses. Students should plan on completing the Statistics and Research Methods requirement before their senior year. The Department expects that at least one-half of credits applied to a sociology concentration program will be earned in residence. It should be noted that up to 4 credits of Sociology 389 can be used towards a concentration program in Sociology. This course is offered mandatory credit/no credit. 500-level courses may be taken by undergraduates with permission of instructor only. Students are encouraged to consult with a concentration advisor if they are interested in specializing within distinct areas of sociology. These Areas of Specialization may be of particular interest to those planning to pursue graduate study or a closely related career. To receive certification in an area of specialization a student is expected to take at least four courses and at least 12 credits (included in the total hours of concentration) within that area. (Appropriate Independent Study courses can count.) The Areas of Specialization include: Law, Criminology, and Deviance; Economy, Business, and Society; Health, Aging, and Population; Social Welfare, Social Organizations, and Social Services; Social Inequality: Race, Class, and Gender; International Social Change; and Methods of Research. Law, Criminology, and Deviance is particularly relevant to students considering careers or graduate study within law, criminal justice, and social work. Topics studied include law and society, the criminal justice system, deviance, and juvenile delinquency. Economy, Business, and Society is especially useful for students planning graduate study or work within private industry and large public institutions. This area of specialization studies corporations, occupations, and the sociology of work. Health, Aging, and Population considers issues of interest to students contemplating graduate work or careers in medicine and related fields ranging from hospital administration to gerontology to social work. The study of medical sociology, population trends, and health-related issues are emphasized. The study of Social Welfare, Social Organizations, and Social Services is useful for those interested in social welfare, social work, the family, and urban institutions, including education. The study of Social Inequality: Race, Class, and Gender emphasizes social problems related to inequality based on race, gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, age, ability, and class. It is useful for students considering a wide variety of career options or plans for graduate study. International Social Change considers how social problems occur and are resolved, examining social movements in the United States and the rest of the world. Since social change affects all our lives and all the institutions with which we come into contact, such preparation is relevant to many future fields of study, employment, and lifework. The Methods of Research area of specialization surveys various sociological approaches to social research. It offers students an opportunity to pursue advanced training in the area of research methods. This will benefit students considering careers in applied research settings, as well as graduate and professional careers. Advising. Faculty advisors are available to discuss the choice of sociology as a concentration, help you select your area of specialization in sociology, assist you in selecting required courses, and advise you on graduate study, career preparation, and other opportunities in the field. Appointments can be made by contacting the Sociology Undergraduate Programs Office at (734) 764-7239. Sociology Honors Program. The Honors Program allows the Sociology Department to combine some of the best features of a liberal arts college with those of a major research university. Honors classes are typically small and allow for interaction with faculty committed to undergraduate education. In addition, by writing a thesis, Honors students have the opportunity to do independent research under the supervision of scholars widely respected in their fields. The thesis both demonstrates the expertise students have developed in their undergraduate years and illustrates their capacity to contribute to a field of inquiry - especially important should they pursue advanced degrees. Thus, it stands as an emblem both of undergraduate achievement and of scholarly promise. Equally important, Honors students find the opportunity to work in tandem with inventive and highly-motivated peers, a reward in itself. The sequence of thesis seminars provides a context in which students exchange information, provide support for one another's work, and offer feedback as projects develop. Beyond these educational rewards, the pragmatic benefits of the Honors Program should not be ignored: independent research naturally looks good to graduate and professional schools, as does a recommendation from a professor who knows you well. A Michigan degree awarded "with Honors" (or perhaps "with highest Honors") catches the eye of prospective employers. And, of course, the completion of an independent project encourages the self-confidence that stands you in good stead whether you enter business, the professions, academe, or politics. Students who enter the University in Honors or join it in their first two years may take Honors Principles of Sociology (Sociology 195), but the Program consists of a three-term sequence of seminars and guided research that culminates in the thesis. Students typically apply to the Sociology Honors Program as first-term juniors. (Because depth in a particular area of sociology may aid students in formulating and conducting their thesis research, the areas of specialization offered by the Department should be considered at this time). The Program officially begins with Sociology 397 (3 credits) in the second term of the junior year and continues through the senior year with Sociology 398 (3 credits) and 399 (3 credits). During 398 and 399, students work with the supervision of their faculty mentors, while continuing to meet with the Honors coordinator. Prerequisites: Typically Sociology Honors concentrators have at least a 3.5 GPA their sociology courses and at least a 3.5 within their LS&A courses. In addition, they already will have demonstrated originality in their own course work, shown a serious interest in scholarly research, and given evidence of their ability to work independently on a thesis. Students should plan on completing Sociology 210 (Statistics) or Statistics 350 prior to enrolling in Sociology 397 and should take Sociology 310 (Methods) concurrently with it. For most students this will mean that the statistics course should be taken as a first-term Junior. Both 210 and 310 should be completed before enrolling in 398 and 399. To graduate with Honors, students must meet all general concentration requirements, complete Sociology 397, 398, and 399, and write an acceptable Honors thesis. Upon completion of this course work and dependent upon the evaluation of the thesis, the academic record and diploma will designate the degree awarded "with Honors," "with high Honors," or "with highest Honors." Interested students should call the Sociology Undergraduate Program Office at 764-7239 to arrange an appointment with the Department's Honors Coordinator. Latina/Latino Studies Sociology Option. A component of the Program in American Culture, Latina/Latino Studies is designed to give students an opportunity to understand the experiences, values and traditions of Mexicans, Puerto Ricans, Cubans, and other peoples of Spanish, Indian, and African descent that comprise the Hispanic-American population of the United States. An Interdisciplinary degree, the Latina/Latino Studies concentration may be elected through Sociology. Thus, a student electing to concentrate in Latina/Latino Studies must satisfy all the requirements for the concentration in Sociology as well as the requirements in Latina/Latino Studies in order to double-concentrate. See the Bulletin for an in depth description of this program or contact the American Culture Office (764-9934) in 2412 Mason Hall. Teaching Certificate in Sociology or the Social Sciences. Concentrators interested in a teaching certificate should make arrangements with a School of Education advisor. Concentration work in Sociology can be applied to teaching certificates in education in the social sciences and in general. The School of Education Student Services Office is located in Room 1033 of the School of Education Building, 610 East University, (734) 764-7563. 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