Sociology, Department of

Introduction
Degree Description

Student Learning Outcomes
Programs and Courses Offered

Department Chair

Carter Rakovski

Department Office/Website

College Park 900
657-278-3531

https://sociology.fullerton.edu/

Faculty

Anthony Alvarez, Mariam Ashtiani, Christine Chin, Dana Collins, Ed Collom, Jorge Fontdevila, Christopher Gibson, Brianna Harvey, Sharon Kim, Patricia Literte, Edwin Lopez, Maria Malagon, Michael Perez, Carter Rakovski, Devon Thacker-Thomas, Berna Torr, LaTosha Traylor, Eileen Walsh, Ed Watson

Introduction

Sociology is the systematic and scientific study of society and social behavior. The sociologist looks beyond individual and unique events to the predictable broad patterns and regular occurrences of social life that influence individuals. Studies range from the profound impact of post-industrial societies on family life, crime, mass communications, gender, race, ethnicity and intergenerational relations to the study of emotions and the values that govern daily social encounters. Sociologists apply a critical lens to social institutions and are dedicated to studing social inequalities.

The sociology major provides undergraduate preparation leading to careers in social work, politics, law, public administration, the nonprofit sector, international development, marketing, urban and environmental planning, public relations, human resource management, criminal justice, counseling and other social service professions. The Bachelor of Arts in Sociology also prepares students for advanced studies in several areas, including sociology, social work, environmental studies, education, public health and urban planning.

The Sociology Department at California State University Fullerton is committed to providing students with the skills and methods to study social behavior from a sociological perspective. Our mission is to develop among our students a critical, ethical and inclusive understanding of complex social phenomena. Students examine and reflect upon social phenomena, including intersecting structures and processes that reproduce social inequalities, causes and consequences of collective and political action, and other social processes in various institutional contexts. Faculty conducts academic research on a wide variety of areas of expertise, including race and ethnicity, education, demography, gender and sexualities, crime and deviance, health and illness, economic sociology, political sociology, religion, and migration and globalization. We contribute to the public good by producing knowledge, engaging public policy and committing to social and scientific responsibility in the communities we study. The department offers rigorous and quality undergraduate and graduate academic programs in sociology that provide a supportive student-centered learning environment and promote civic engagement in the local and global communities.

We achieve our mission by:

Engaging in quality social research and other scholarly activities that advance knowledge in the sociological discipline and can be applied to our teaching activities.
Providing our students with knowledge and understanding of key sociological concepts, findings, and theoretical approaches so that they can apply them critically and reflect on complex social issues and contexts, including their own.
Fostering critical thinking and analytical abilities among our students to identify, for example, the structure of an argument, examine the implicit assumptions of an institutional practice or media message, and more generally, meet the challenges of a rapidly changing and uncertain world.
Creating a learning environment where students acquire and practice qualitative and quantitative research design and methods, academic writing skills and interpersonal communication skills to be professionally competitive in a multicultural and increasingly transnational job market.
Offering our students opportunities to engage in experiential, cultural diversity learning and other high-impact educational practices, including student-faculty research collaborations, independent research, graduate assistantships, peer tutoring, community-based applied research, service learning, internships and study abroad programs.
Promoting civic engagement and good democratic citizenship among our students, including respecting the rights, worth and dignity of all people, training in the standards of ethical research, professional fairness, and social and scientific responsibility.

Degree Description

A degree in Sociology is part of a strong program of social science studies that fosters critical thinking and analytical abilities, as well as develops the writing and communication skills that prepare students for a diverse and increasingly global job market. Through honing an understanding of and facility with both quantitative and qualitative methods of inquiry, the sociology major acquires a toolkit for problem-solving. Majoring in Sociology prepares students for a wide range of occupations, including social work, market research and statistical analysis, education, criminal justice, business and management, graduate school, and community and social services, among others.

Student Learning Outcomes

Sociological Internship

SOCI 495 offers opportunities to participate in supervised field activities. Students must make arrangements with the Internship Coordinator during the semester prior to enrollment in the course.

Independent Study

SOCI 499 allows students to expand upon their special interests in the field of sociology. Independent studies are usually in areas not covered by the normal course offerings of the department and consists of individual research projects. Enrollment in the course requires that students meet regularly with their faculty supervisors.

Programs and Courses Offered

Programs

Bachelor of Arts

Master of Arts

Sociology, M.A.

Non-Degree

Sociology Minor

Courses

Sociology

Courses are designated as SOCI in the class schedule.