Birdsong School of Social Science

Sociology

B.A. Minor: Sociology

Sociology is the study of how social life shapes individual lives — and how individual lives, in turn, shape society. Students learn to apply what sociologists call the "sociological imagination," replacing common-sense assumptions about social issues with evidence-based analysis.

The major builds from foundational theory and research methods toward an applied or research-focused senior capstone, with room for electives spanning topics like deviance, family, religion, medicine, and media. An optional internship lets students apply sociological skills directly in a professional setting, and a suggested list of allied courses across the humanities and social sciences lets students shape the major around their own interests.

Resources

Requirements

Introduction Course SOC 100 Introduction to Sociology — OR — SOC 270 Social Problems*

4 hrs

SOC 345 Foundations of Sociology

4 hrs

SOC 350 Introduction to Social Research

4 hrs

Applied or Research Capstone Prep SOC 353 Applied Sociology* — OR — SOC 480 Senior Research Project

4 hrs

SOC 488 Senior Capstone

4 hrs

300/400-level SOC Electives Two additional SOC courses at the 300/400 level

8 hrs

Additional Electives Three additional courses at any level, including one or two from the allied course list. SOC Electives: SOC 215, 227, 237, 251, 303, 308, 311, 336, 351, 460.

12 hrs

Internship (Optional) SOC 483 Internship Preparation (2 hrs) AND SOC 484 Internship in Sociology (8 hrs)

(10 hrs)

Suggested Allied Courses See advisor: ENVS 106 Humans, the Environment & Sustainability · INST 123 Service Learning in Hampton Roads · INST 124 Service Learning and Issues of Civic Engagement in Hampton Roads · GEOG 112 Cultural Geography or GEOG 113 Human Geography · SW 361 Human Sexuality · SW 402 Women on the Brink · HIST 357 Holocaust · MATH 210 Introductory Statistics or MATH 310 Statistical Models · PHIL 272/372 Beyond the Western Tradition or PHIL 292/392 Alternative Futures · POLS 103 Global Realities or POLS 353 Globalization & Its Discontents · PSY 227 Social Psychology · RELST 116 World Religions · RELST 140 Religion in American Culture or RELST 250 Religion & Popular Culture · SPAN 210 Hispanic Myths/Rituals or SPAN 265 U.S. Latino Culture · TH 375 Images of Women in Theatre & Film

Total Hours Required 40

*Total of 40 hours required without internship. Students seeking an applied emphasis should consider SOC 270 and SOC 353. The allied course list is suggestive and updated regularly — consult an advisor to choose allied courses suited to academic and career interests.

Courses

Sociology courses at Batten apply the sociological imagination to topics ranging from family and religion to deviance, media, and the body. Several courses are cross-listed with Criminal Justice, Psychology, and Religious Studies, reflecting the department's close ties across the social sciences.

A study away option and an optional internship — paired with Criminal Justice — extend the major beyond the classroom. SOC 345 and SOC 350 build the theoretical and methodological foundation that every later course builds on.

SOC 100 4 credits

Introduction to Sociology

An introduction to sociology as a behavioral science and way of viewing the world. Students learn basic concepts of sociological investigation and interpretation and critical thinking. They see how individual behavior is shaped by group life and how group life is affected by individuals. They learn to apply a "sociological imagination" to examining social issues. Common sense notions are replaced by a critical analysis of social issues. Prerequisite: first years/sophomores or consent. Offered every semester.

SOC 215 4 credits

Study Away in Sociology

This course explores sociological issues and applications beyond the classroom. Students will travel to places where institutions, individuals, events, and/or policies have influenced the field of sociology or where they are able to see sociological emphases and/or social change being applied in current contexts. Prerequisite: Consent. May be repeated for credit. Offered intermittently.

SOC 227 4 credits

Social Psychology

Explores our development as socialized human beings shaped through our interactions with groups of other people and how the structure and function of both the formal and informal groups that exist in a society are shaped by the personalities of the individuals who comprise their membership. Students discover both academically and experientially the nature of such group-related psychological dynamics as attitude formation, interpersonal attraction, social conflict, and bureaucratic organization. Prerequisite: PSY 101, 102, or SOC 100. Identical to PSY 227. Offered every fall.

SOC 233 4 credits

Education and Society

This course examines education through a sociological lens. This course utilizes sociological theories, concepts, and research to analyze education. Students benefit from a deeper understanding of their own education and how schools' function in American society. This course has a specific focus on how inequality shapes the American educational system. Offered intermittently.

SOC 235 4 credits

Diversity & Society

This course is an examination of race and ethnic relations in the United States through a sociological lens. Race and ethnicity are social constructions that vary based on time and place. The importance of diversity and inclusion have vast implications for our society. Offered every fall.

SOC 237 4 credits

Animals and Society

Focusing on human-animal relationships, this course explores the role and impact of animals in human society, and the impact of humans on the lives of animals. Content includes the social construction of animals, human/animal interaction in social institutions, current debates, and the future of human/animal relations. Offered intermittently.

SOC 251 4 credits

Issues in Sociology

Examines various topics and issues through the lens and methodology of the sociological perspective. Topics may include the sociology of food, aging, gender and sexuality, and adoption and foster care. May be repeated for credit as designated issues change. Offered intermittently.

SOC 270 4 credits

Social Problems and Social Solutions

A critical investigation of selected current social problems—their issues, causes, development, and alternative solutions. Offered every spring.

SOC 303 4 credits

Better Together: Small Group Dynamics

An experiential course in which students apply sociological tools and concepts to better understand how groups work, to maximize group dynamics and collective functioning, and to maximize their own performance in small groups. Prerequisite: junior/senior status. Offered every fall.

SOC 308 4 credits

Visual Sociology

A survey of basic concepts in sociology as they are portrayed in selected motion pictures and music videos. Serves as a systematic application of sociological theory and practice. Prerequisite: ENG 105 with a grade of C or higher; any sociology course would be helpful but not required. Offered intermittently.

SOC 311 4 credits

Family

Examines the contemporary American family and the history, forms, and functions of families in other times and cultures. Special attention is given to the family as a social institution, its relationship with other institutions, forces of social and cultural change, and the future of the family. Prerequisite: ENG 105 with a grade of C or higher. Offered intermittently.

SOC 335 4 credits

Deviant Behavior

Sociological studies of various unconventional groups and individuals and the forms of social control they encounter. Topics may include theories of deviance and conformity; typical reactions to deviance; control agents and agencies; how deviants cope with conventional society. Offered intermittently. Identical to CJ 335.

SOC 336 4 credits

Sociology of Religion

Examines the origin and development of religion as a social institution: theories concerning its nature and function; sociocultural dimensions of religious beliefs, values, and conduct; contemporary denominations, sects, and cults in the United States; the relationship between religion and other social institutions. Identical to RELST 336. Offered intermittently.

SOC 345 4 credits

Foundations of Sociology

An examination of major theorists and perspectives contributing to the sociological tradition, and of historic and current issues regarding sociology and its relationship to other academic disciplines. Required of all majors. Prerequisite(s): SOC 100 and junior/senior status or consent. Offered every spring.

SOC 350 4 credits

Introduction to Social Research

An examination of the logic, the strategies, and the methods of sociological inquiry; an analysis of classical and contemporary models of research. A foundation course required for sociology majors. Prerequisite: junior/senior status. Identical to CJ 350. Offered every semester.

SOC 351 4 credits

Medical Sociology

Designed to provide students an introduction to sociological perspectives on the study of health, illness, and health care. Topics include epidemiology, the structures and organization of health care systems and medical encounters, bioethical issues, and current issues shaping the future of health, illness, and health care. Offered each spring.

SOC 353 4 credits

Applied Sociology

Focus is on engaging the sociological imagination and the sociological toolkit to address real-life questions and problems. These tools are used to identify, examine, and seek solutions for various social issues. Attention is given to careers in applied sociology. Includes a service-learning component. Prerequisite: junior/senior status or consent. Offered every spring.

SOC 460 2 or 4 credits

Readings in Sociology

Students select a topic concerning sociological theory or research, survey the relevant literature, and discuss their findings with their major professor. (Two or four semester hours depending on the scope of the project.) May be repeated for credit. Prerequisite: prior consent of the project advisor. Offered every semester.

SOC 480 4 credits

Senior Research Project

Students conduct a sociological research project of their own design, present the results in appropriate written form, and defend the effort in an oral examination. Research problems may focus on theoretical or empirical topics. Relevant methods may range from bibliographic search to field observation. Prerequisites: ENG 105 with a grade of C or higher, SOC/CJ 350, and junior/senior status. Identical to CJ 480. Offered every spring.

SOC 483 2 credits

Internship Preparation Course

Designed for students intending to participate in an internship for sociology or criminal justice credit. The process of selecting an internship site, completing applications and forms, and understanding the requirements set forth by the Department of Sociology and Criminal Justice can be overwhelming. Lectures and scenario training provide students with practical information that should be beneficial to students who desire an internship in sociology or criminal justice. Prerequisite: consent of internship director. Offered every fall.

SOC 484 8 credits

Internship in Criminal Justice and Sociology

Practiced, supervised experience in direct student learning in applied social settings. Students learn how acquired knowledge and research writing skills can be applied to the workplace. Practical and applied learning through student performance in the applied setting gives the student a "competitive edge" for future community/workplace contribution. Prerequisites: 18 hours of sociology or criminal justice and CJ 483 or SOC 483. Students must contact the department faculty to review full eligibility for this course. Identical to CJ 484. Offered every spring and summer.

SOC 488 4 credits

Capstone in Sociology/Criminal Justice

By exploring a client-posed problem, students will synthesize and apply their previous work in the major to address a "real world" problem faced by an agency or organization. This course is designed to emphasize applied learning. This course is identical to CJ-488. Prerequisite(s): SOC 345 or CJ 301, SOC or CJ 350, and senior status, or consent. Offered in fall and spring semesters.

Graduate & Dual Degree Pathways

Sociology students have access to guaranteed pathways to law school through Batten University's partnership agreements. Contact your advisor for current eligibility requirements and application deadlines.

Appalachian School of Law

Juris Doctor

Dual Degree 3+3

Earn a Bachelor's degree from Batten and a JD from Appalachian School of Law in six years.

Regent University — School of Law

Juris Doctor

Dual Degree 3+3

Earn a Bachelor's degree from Batten and a JD from Regent University School of Law in six years.

University of Virginia

Frank Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy

Preferred Admission

One reserved seat per year — including an annual fellowship — for a Batten Honors College graduate meeting admission criteria for the Master of Public Policy.

View All Dual Degree Programs

Career Outcomes

Social Services & Community Work

Prepare for careers in social services, community organizing, nonprofit work, and advocacy grounded in an understanding of social systems and inequality.

Social Services Nonprofits Community Work