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Theses

You may explore Masters Theses in Sociology, from abstracts to full PDF documents, by linking to MU Electronic Theses for the Sociology Program.  Theses from 2002 forward are available.

 

NEWS

The Sociology Program is very pleased to welcome Markus Hadler to teach statistics and quantitative research methods.  He has a PhD from the University of Graz, Austria.

CAREERS

A bachelors in sociology is excellent preparation for future graduate work in sociology in order to become a professor, researcher, or applied sociologist. The degree also provides strong liberal arts preparation for entry level positions throughout the business, social service, and government worlds. Employers look for people with the skills that an undergraduate education in sociology provides.

Since its subject matter is intrinsically fascinating, sociology offers valuable preparation for careers in journalism, politics, public relations, business, or public administration--fields that involve investigative skills and working with diverse groups.

Many students choose sociology because they see it as a broad liberal arts base for professions such as law, education, medicine, social work, and counseling. Sociology provides a rich fund of knowledge that directly pertains to each of these fields.

For more information we encourage you to explore a web page for students at the American Sociological Association. 

 

Sociology Program

Sociology is the study of human societies. We ask basic questions like “why do humans do what we do” and “how does society work”. Along the way we pick up essential human questions like: What does it mean when we say that we live in a socially constructed reality? What is the place of the individual in society? Do we have “free will,” or are our personal actions determined by social forces? Is social life really what Thomas Hobbes called the “war of all against all”? Why do we have social order?

If you have ever thought about questions like these, you might want to consider a degree in sociology. Humans are social beings and we interact in a social environment. Sociology is the scientific discipline that studies human behavior and social interactions of individuals, groups, organizations and whole societies. Sociology is a science, and was identified in the 1830s as one of the five “mother sciences” along with astronomy, chemistry, physics, and biology, and as such overlaps with other social sciences (political science, economics, psychology, and anthropology) though we maintain our unique perspectives. Sociology focuses primarily on contemporary societies, though we incorporate a historical and developmental perspective.

The sociology program at Marshall University offers students the opportunity to study the intricacies of social life: how to negotiate the collaboratively constructed institutions through which our social world works, how social stratification affects opportunities for individuals and groups, how to critically analyze the problems inherent in the way we construct society, how to empirically determine the facts we construct into truths. The social and analytical skills developed through the program are essential for any job dealing with people and organizations – especially those dealing in multiethnic and global environments and that require breadth and adaptability.

You do not often see jobs with “sociologist” in the title, but a BA with a major in sociology is recognized as an excellent preparation for a wide variety of occupations, especially for careers in social policy, education, union organizing or other social movements, health care, criminology, aging network, industrial or public relations, marketing, human resource management, organizational research, or community and social services. Of course, Marshall University’s sociology program also offers an excellent preparation for professional degrees and /or advanced degrees in sociology. A 2009 study by CareerCast.com ranked sociology as the eighth most appealing job in its analysis of 200 occupations based on job characteristics such as perceived work environment, income, employment outlook, physical demands, security and stress.
The sociology program at Marshall University seeks to ensure that each student develops a solid foundation in the principles, theories and techniques of analysis in the discipline. While allowing for a great deal of flexibility to accommodate students’ diverse interests, the curriculum ensures that students are introduced to social theory, stratification and institutions and courses in the basic methods of the discipline.

The Department of Sociology and Anthropology focuses on applied sociology and anthropology, especially the analysis of social and cultural issues, policies and trends in Appalachia. We also offer courses in social theory, with an emphasis on inequality. Anthropology majors may participate in a summer field school that provides hands-on experience in archaeological excavation at significant local sites. Sociology majors may be placed in a local community organization or public agency through SOC 470, Sociological Field Experience.

Requirements for a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology

Majors in Sociology must complete 36 hours of coursework in sociology, including SOC 200, 344, 345, 360, 375, 401, 475 (capstone course), at least one course in social diversity (SOC 423, 425, 440, 455, or any anthropology course), and at least one course in social institutions (SOC 342, 408, 428, or 450). In addition, majors must select either the applied or general course of study.

The applied option is designed for those who intend to work in settings such as government agencies or community organizations; additional course requirements include SOC 432 or 443 or 464 or 470.

The general option is designed for those who intend to pursue a graduate degree in sociology; students may elect to concentrate in a specific subfield such as social theory or social institutions, or may take courses across the range of the discipline.

A Computer Competency Requirement is satisfied by successfully completing SOC 344.

A Minor in Sociology requires at least twelve hours in sociology; no more than three hours taken below the 300 level can be counted toward the minor.

Courses listings can be found in the catalog:

UNDERGRADUATE COURSE CATALOG

Student Advising Sheet [2009-2010]

Requirements for a Masters of Arts in Sociology

Applicants for admission are expected to present a minimum of twelve hours of undergraduate sociology courses and the Graduate Record Examination.  A student must file a plan of study with the advisor and the Graduate College office no later than the completion of 12 credit hours including Sociology 503 and 545.  To complete the requirements for the master’s degree, students must select either the thesis (32 hours) or the non-thesis option (36 hours).   Social Research II (Soc 503), Sociological Theory (Soc 521), Social Statistics II (Soc 545), and Advanced Sociological Theory (Soc 601) are required for both options. For more information visit the Graduate Program in Sociology pages.

 

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