Sociology Requirements

Main Content

Sociology is the science of society. It explains how human groups, institutions, and social movements shape our lives. Sociology develops students’ insights into theoretical and practical aspects of life. Sociology students study such topics as deviance, sex and gender roles, social movements, social problems, large-scale business and government organizations, international development, and social change.

Training in sociology is basic both to creative living and to such practical tasks as the development and effective working of businesses, families, community service agencies, political movements and parties, churches, social clubs, government, industry, and schools.

Those with degrees in sociology find meaningful and rewarding employment as consultants to business and government, social change agents (e.g., community organizers), politicians, educators, and diplomats. Like other liberal arts students, sociology majors also enter the business world, particularly in the sales or personnel divisions of major corporations.

An undergraduate major in sociology is excellent preparation for those anticipating graduate study in law, social welfare, business administration, journalism, and many of the technical and scientific fields. In addition, many students have enjoyed the benefits of major-minor combinations between sociology and these other related fields.

The Sociology Major

The major is for students seeking a broad academic background in sociology. Those who want a general liberal arts education in the social sciences or those anticipating graduate study in one of the social sciences usually choose it.

Academic Advisement

A student planning to major or minor in sociology should consult the College of Liberal Arts advising office as early as possible. Subsequently the student will visit a college advisor each semester until all major requirements have been completed.

To graduate with a major in sociology the student must meet all the University Core Curriculum requirements and the requirements of the College of Liberal Arts. The major requires thirty-six hours of course work. Four courses are required: SOC 108, SOC 301, SOC 308 and SOC 312. Each student must also take three additional 400-level courses in sociology. These requirements are summarized below.

Transfer Students

Credits for some sociology courses taken at community colleges are transferable. Students should have their sociology credits evaluated by the program’s director of undergraduate studies at the earliest opportunity. At least 20 hours of sociology credit must be earned at Southern Illinois University Carbondale. The three 400-level courses must be taken at a senior level institution.

Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Sociology Degree Requirements

Degree RequirementsCredit Hours
University Core Curriculum Requirements 39
College of Liberal Arts Academic Requirements 11
Requirements for Major in Sociology 36
1) Sociology Requirements: SOC 108, SOC 301, SOC 308 and SOC 312 15
2) At least three additional sociology 400-level courses 9
3) Sociology course electives 12
Electives 34
Total 120

No more than nine hours of Sociology Core Curriculum courses, including SOC 108, can count toward both the University Core Curriculum requirements and the Sociology major.

Sociology Minor

A minor in sociology consists of a minimum of 15 hours, including SOC 108 and at least three more 300- or 400-level sociology courses at SIU Carbondale. An average GPA of 2.0 or higher must be achieved in sociology courses. No more than six hours of Sociology Core Curriculum courses, including Sociology 108, may count toward both the University Core Curriculum requirements and the sociology minor.

Social Justice Minor

The Social Justice Minor in Sociology is an interdisciplinary course of study in which students take an array of coursework in different topical areas on issues of social justice. A minor in Social Justice requires the successful completion of at least 15 credit hours of coursework, including Contemporary Social Problems (SOC 302), and at least three or more 300- or 400- level courses, all passed with a grade of C or better. The list of approved elective courses will be routinely updated to include special topics courses.

Courses taken at other institutions may apply toward the minor only if those courses are accepted for transfer credit by the home department that offers the course. No more than 2 transfer courses can count toward the minor. 

Social Justice Minor Courses:

AFR 209, AFR 215, AFR 311A or HIST 362A, AFR 311B or HIST 362B, AFR 499B, ANTH 202, ANTH 204, ANTH 440B, CMST 201, CMST 301I, CMST 412, CCJ 203, CCJ 310, CCJ 360, CCJ 306, CCJ 374, CCJ 410, CCJ 460 or SOC 461 or WGSS 476, CCJ 475, ENGL 225 or WGSS 225, ENGL 355A or AFR 355A, ENGL 355B or AFR 355B, HIST 324 or WGSS 348, HIST 358I, HIST 365, HIST 366, HIST 403, HIST 407, HIST 416, HIST 429, HIST 487 or AFR 497, PARL 105, PHIL 211, PHIL 309I, PHIL 314 or JRNL 399, PHIL 433, PHIL 435, PHIL 446A or WGSS 456A, POLS 215, POLS 332I, POLS 438 or WGSS 438, SOC 215, SOC 223, SOC 307 or WGSS 315, SOC 407 or WGSS 407, SOC 423 or WGSS 442, SOC 424, SOC 435, SOC 455, SOC 462 or CCJ 462, SOC 476 or POLS 476, WGSS 201, WGSS 320I or LING 320I

Other relevant courses may be substituted with program coordinator or designated faculty approval.

Honors Program in Sociology

The School offers a sociology honors program for academically outstanding sociology majors. Qualifications for acceptance into this program are: (1) an overall grade point average of at least 3.00; and (2) completion of 8 hours in sociology courses with a grade point average of at least 3.25 in all sociology courses taken at Southern Illinois University Carbondale, and the completion of no fewer than six, nor more than fourteen, semester hours in research or independent study which are counted toward the major. Successful completion of the honors program is noted on the academic record at the time the degree is recorded and on the diploma. For details, qualified students interested in this program should consult the program’s director of undergraduate studies. Concurrent participation in the University Honors Program is encouraged.