Department of Sociology and Gerontology

Paul W. O’Brien, Ph.D., Chair

Professors: Doraz, Macdonald, Muedeking, O’Brien, Payne, Riedmann
Associate Professor: Schoenthaler, Sniezek, T.
Assistant Professor: Sanchez, Strahm
Lecturers:, Wong

Office: Bizzini Hall 213
Phone: (209) 667-3408

Bachelor of Arts in Sociology with concentrations in General Major; Human Services; Drug and Alcohol Studies; Social Deviance and Criminology; Social Inequality, and The Body, Culture, and Society
Minor in Gerontology
Minor in Sociology
Liberal Studies degree concentration in Sociology
Social Sciences degree concentration in Sociology
Graduate Certificate in Gerontology/Geriatrics

Liberal Studies Concentration in Sociology

Please refer to the Liberal Studies section of the catalog.

Social Sciences Concentration in Sociology

Please refer to the Social Sciences program section of the catalog.

Teaching Credentials

Majors in Sociology interested in a Social Sciences Subject Matter Preparation Program credential should review the Social Sciences waiver described in the Social Sciences section of this catalog. Please refer to the Teacher Education section of the Graduate Catalog for a description of other requirements to be completed for the Single Subject Credential.

Learning Objectives

Achieve knowledge competency in sociology.
Understand the sociohistorical and theoretical groundings of sociology as a field of study and practice.
Understand the reasoning process involved in theoretical construction.
Develop facility for critical thinking, with the ability to separate fact from fallacy, myth from reality.
Learn to methodologically analyze the complexity of society and social structure, particularly questions of social control and power relations.
Learn analytical skills and research methodologies, including statistical computer applications, appropriate to the practice of sociology methodologically.
Develop and apply a sociological perspective professionally and as an active participant in society.
Develop the capacity to apply concepts and theories of sociology to relevant social policy.
Communicate effectively in both written and oral form.
Develop the ability to apply a sociological imagination to one’s personal life.