Concentrations
(Optional)
Sociology majors have the option of selecting one of the following concentrations in consultation with the undergraduate adviser.
CONCENTRATIONS FOR THE SOCIOLOGY MAJOR
As part of the electives, sociology majors have the option of selecting one of the following concentrations in consultation with a faculty or staff advisor. Sociology majors are not required to select a concentration. However, if they chose to do so, they must declare their concentration formally by filling out the appropriate “Change of Major” form and submitting it through their portal. (While you are not changing your major away from Sociology, you are adding to the major and, therefore, will complete the “Change of Major” form specific to the adding a concentration section.)
Note : Concentrations are meant as a way of indicating a focus on a particular area within the major. Doing more than one concentration should be carefully thought through and, when possible, in discussion with a sociology major advisor.
A concentration consists of a total of twelve units (four courses) of interrelated topics, two required courses (one applied course and one specific to the concentration you’ve selected) and two approved elective courses within the selected concentration.
All students completing a concentration must take one of the following applied courses as required:
Required Concentration Applied Course (3 units):
Take ONE of the following:
Sociology 306: Applying Sociology in the Community
Sociology 485: Research Applications
Sociology 495: Sociology Internship
I. SOCIAL INEQUALITIES
This concentration provides students a deeper understanding of how human differences may lead to devaluation and unequal outcomes. Individual, community-based, institutional, and ideological causes, consequences and intersections of various social inequalities and social stratification systems are examined.
Required Course (3 units):
Sociology 356: Social Inequality
Electives (6 units):
Sociology 304: The Black Family
Sociology 354: Gender, Sex and Society
Sociology 355: Women in Contemporary Societies
Sociology 357: Race and Ethnic Relations
Sociology 371: Sociology of City Life
Sociology 381: Sociology of Sexualities
II. SOCIOLOGY OF DEVIANCE AND CRIME
This concentration provides students a deeper understanding of the causes of deviance and crime from a sociological perspective focusing particularly on how norms and values construct human attitudes, behaviors, and conditions as deviant and/or criminal. Social forces regulating deviance and crime are also examined.
Required Course (3 units):
Sociology 366: Deviant Behavior
Electives (6 units):
Sociology 325: The American Drug Scene
Sociology 365: Law and Society
Sociology 385: Family Violence
Sociology 408: Sexual Abuse in American Society
Sociology 411: Criminology
Sociology 413: Juvenile Delinquency
Sociology 415: Mass Incarceration
III. HEALTH AND SOCIAL WELFARE
This concentration provides students a deeper understanding of the social construction of health and social welfare, the social forces that influence health and social welfare, and the ways in which societal institutions meet needs related to health and social welfare.
Required Course (3 units):
Sociology 300: Social Work
OR
Sociology 455: Sociology of Health and Illness
Electives (6 units):
Sociology 300: Social Work *
Sociology 305: Social Work Practice
Sociology 350: Social Relationships and Emotions
Sociology 351: Sociology of Families
Sociology 353: Sociology of Children and Youth
Sociology 443: Sociology of Aging
Sociology 455: Sociology of Health and Illness*
*May be used as an elective if it was not used as a required concentration course.