THE MAJOR
The Sociology
major is a department within the College
of Arts & Letters.
JMU
Concentrations:Applied Sociology, Deviance &
Criminology, Diverse Cultural Experiences, Family &
Lifestyles, Occupations & Bureaucracy, Social Psychology,
Sociology of Education
Admission and Progression Standards for this major:
Click on the link to learn more about the admission and progression standards of this major: http://www.jmu.edu/advising/snapshots/SSSOCI.shtml
Description
of Major:
Sociology is offered as a major and minor at JMU. The Sociology program is designed for liberal arts students who want to develop those abilities which enable them to better understand society, social institutions, human interactions, and social forces which influence human conduct. Students learn the importance of: the social component of all dimensions of human experience; the impact social science has on social policy decisions; and diversity in social orientations and practices within and across societies. Instruction focuses on schools of thought and methodological skills within the sociological tradition by enhancing students: understanding of the major strands of sociological thought; skill to apply sociological methods; and ability to place the development and practice of sociology within a social and historical context. The program offers a broad general background for careers in government, business, non-profit, education, and social services, as well as, provides a solid basis for advanced graduate training.
Tell
me more about this field of study.
Sociology is the scientific study of social life, social
organization, and the social causes and consequences
of human behavior. It studies groups of all sizes, from
individual families to entire societies. Sociology's
subject matter ranges from the intimate family to the
hostile mob, from crime to religion, from the divisions
of race and social class to the shared beliefs of a
common culture, from the sociology of work to the sociology
of sport. In fact, few fields have such broad scope
and relevance. An understanding of self, others, and
history requires knowledge of the social environment.
There are two aspects of the sociological perspective:
looking beyond the individual to the structure and dynamics
of human groups rather than the nature of the individuals
within these groups, and looking at the individual and
society as they are interrelated. Sociology studies
people, or more precisely, their interactions within
a social setting. The discipline's ultimate aim is to
develop a refined body of knowledge that can explain,
and in some cases predict, social phenomena. Because
sociology seems to offer something for everyone, it
may seem surprising that its career potential is just
beginning to be tapped.
Tell
me more about specializations in this field.
Sociology has specializations that cross into a variety of interests and fields. For example, that aspect of sociology which focuses primarily on the interaction between individuals and the behavior of small groups is usually referred to as "social psychology". On the other hand, a specialization in "social organization" involves studying characteristics of larger social institutions, agencies, occupations, and associations. “Human Ecology” is that branch of sociology that looks at the spatial distribution of social behavior with reference to its environment. "Demographers" are primarily concerned with population processes; they study birth and death rates, migration and mobility, and the changing distribution of age, sex, marital statuses, etc. As a last important example, it is possible to specialize in the methods of sociological research as a subject in its own right. The "methodologist" is generally concerned with designing and assessing new research procedures. This often involves considerable quantitative or statistical knowledge, but there are also experts on qualitative research concerned with techniques of interviewing, careful observation, and the use of historical documents.
What
common major or minor combinations from other departments
complement this major?
Some common combinations are African/African-American Studies, American Studies, Anthropology, Asian Studies, Communication Studies, Economics, English, Human Services, Gerontology, International Affairs, Justice Studies, Latin American Studies, Modern Foreign Languages, Political Communication, Political Science, Psychology, Statistics, Technical and Scientific Communication or Women's Studies.
CHARACTERISTICS
OF SUCCESSFUL STUDENTS
Students enrolled in the Sociology program develop strong research, writing, analytical and oral communication skills. They develop abilities to problem solve and do independent research. In addition, they are able to see problems in perspective.
CAREERS
Many graduates choose typical career paths associated
with this major. However, some graduates choose unrelated
careers that utilize skills and experiences developed
during their years in college. Keep in mind, that some
fields will require graduate study or further training.
The listing below offers examples of possible career
paths and is not meant to be comprehensive.
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