BA/MA Sociology
1. Critical Thinking – demonstrated by student ability to: |
§ Identify premises in given arguments |
§ Recognize underlying assumptions |
§ Present opposing views |
§ Integrate materials |
§ Move from content to analysis to evaluation |
2. Effective Communication – demonstrated by student ability to: |
§ Write a clear and focused account of a social event, issue, topic, or problem |
§ Write a clear and appropriate analysis of sociological issues and concepts |
§ Write clear and appropriate evaluation of theoretical or empirical knowledge-claims |
§ Appropriately present or discuss theoretical or empirical knowledge-claims |
§ Summarize the results of a sociological research process in an articulate manner (verbally or in writing) |
3. Acquisition of the “Sociological Imagination” – demonstrated by student ability to: |
§ Understand that culture and social structure vary across time and place |
§ Comprehend the interplay between certain “vested interests” and a particular social order |
§ Describe how a person’s biography interrelates with social context, social structure, and historical period |
4. Apprehension of Sociology as a Discipline – demonstrated by student ability to: |
§ Distinguish between data and ideology |
§ Describe what is meant by social institutions and social systems |
§ Describe how sociology differs from other social and behavioral sciences |
5. Appreciation of how Social Structures Operate – demonstrated by student ability to: |
§ Provide examples of the impact of social institutions on human groups |
§ Understand that there is an interplay among social institutions |
§ Understand some of the processes by which inequalities are created and perpetuated |
§ Understand that broad factors (e.g., urbanization or population) affect social structures and individuals. |
6. Basic Understanding of the Dynamic Relationship between Individuals and Society – demonstrated by student ability to: |
§ Describe how individual and group social interaction influences society/social structure |
§ Describe how structural factors contribute to individual behavior and self-development |
7. Comprehension of Basic Concepts in Sociology – demonstrated by student ability to: |
§ Define and provide key examples of socialization |
§ Define and provide key examples of stratification, inequality, etc. |
§ Define and provide key examples of social structure, social institutions and social systems |
8. Comprehension of the Role of Theory in Sociology – demonstrated by student ability to: |
§ Understand what a theory is and how it contributes to sociological knowledge |
§ Apply theoretical perspective to social event or idea |
§ Describe basic aspects of key theoretical orientations (conflict, interactionist, structural-functionalist) |
9. Comprehension of the Role of Evidence in Sociology – demonstrated by student ability to: |
§ Recognize scientific method in sociology |
§ Describe the difference between dependent and independent variables |
§ Describe the general role of methods in social research |
§ Appropriately apply basic statistical tests |
§ Interpret sociological findings expressed through data |
§ Describe basic ethical issues pertinent in sociological research |
10. Enhanced sense of occupational/personal development – demonstrated by student ability to: |
§ Express broader concept of post-degree options |
§ Express greater awareness/understanding of engagement with one’s social environment |
§ Describe an awareness of the sociological imagination on a day-to-day basis |
§ Demonstrate facility with working in groups |