Sociology

"Philosophers have only interpreted the world in various ways; the point, however, is to change it."
Karl Marx, Thesis on Feuerbach XI

Why Sociology?

Sociology is the study of group life. As a social science, it combines scientific and humanistic perspectives in the study of urban and rural life, family patterns and relationships, social change, inter-group relations, social class, environment, technology and communications, health care and illness, social movements, community responses to disasters, and pressing contemporary social issues. 

Sociology at UAS

At the University of Alaska Southeast, many courses are offered which demonstrate the breadth and depth of the discipline of sociology. You can take courses in deviant behavior and criminology; in close relationships and men, women, and change; in medicine and education; and in race, ethnicity and American multiculture. Sociology provides many distinctive ways of looking at the world that generates new ideas and reassesses old ones.

Program Opportunities

• Internships and Practical Experiences

Students with an emphasis in sociology have participated in internships working with state legislators, and the State of Alaska Departments of Health and Human Services, Corrections, and Education. Sociology students can also gain practical experience through working in policy research, administration and management, and in clinical and applied settings.

• Exchange Programs

Students may study for a year at another U.S. or Canadian university or in Europe or Latin America.

Minors

Within the Bachelor of Arts in Social Science, you pursue a minor field of study. Minors at UAS that complement sociology are:

• Alaska Native Studies
• Women's and Gender Studies
• Business

These programs combine with sociology to create a focus on diversity in society. They also provide you with a strong background to enter careers in various business enterprises and social services with a focus on working with people.

    “The hope of a secure and livable world lies with disciplined nonconformists who are dedicated to justice, peace and brotherhood.”
Martin Luther King Jr.

Careers in Sociology

Sociology is a valuable social science major for students planning careers in a variety of fields, including:

• Social Research
• Social Psychology
• Criminology
• Demography
• Gerontology
• Education
• Public Administration
• Social Work
• Market Research

Many students who study sociology as undergraduates later pursue careers in law, business, medicine, community planning, architecture, and government.

Bachelor of Arts in Social Science

The B.A. degree in Social Science with an emphasis in a social science discipline enables students to engage in advanced course work in at least three social science disciplines as well as experience a rich interdisciplinary focus pursuing their degree. Concentration areas include: Anthropology, Economics, Government/Political Science, History, Psychology, Sociology.

To view details of the program, visit the social science program Web site.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

After admission to UAS and declaring a social science major, applicants are admitted to the B.A. in Social Science program and assigned a faculty advisor.

DEGREE REQUIREMENTS (2008-2009 CATALOG)

Candidates must complete the General Education Requirements (GERs) as well as the specific program requirements listed below for a minimum of 120 credit hours. Specific requirements for GERs in Social Science are listed below. Students must select one primary and two secondary concentration areas. The degree must include 42 credits of upper-division (300 or above) courses, 24 of which must be completed at UAS.

The Student Assessment Portfolio Program (SAP): The SAP in Social Science is a portfolio assessment requirement for degree completion. The following related course is taken in the freshman or sophomore year with presentation of the completed portfolio in the fall semester of the student's senior year:

• SSCI S210, First Portfolio Review

Specific requirements of the portfolio are available from the Assessment Coordinator for the Social Sciences SAP.

Minimum credit hours			120
General Education Requirement			35
Computational Skills
Select one from the following (4 credits)
STAT	S107	Survey of Statistics	4
MATH	S107	College Algebra	4
Social Science Skills
SSCI	S101	Self, Culture and Society	3
SSCI	S102	Reading/Writing in the Social Sciences	2
SSCI	S210	First Portfolio Review Class	1
World Language Recommendation			8
___	S__	Language courses*	8
*8 credits in a 1-year sequence of a single world or Alaska Native language
Electives			23-25
___	S__	Advisor-approved electives
Primary Concentration Requirements			24-25
Secondary Concentration Requirements			30-31
Social Science Primary Concentrations
Choose one. If a course is taken as a GER, substitution of an equal or higher course level and number of credits in same discipline must be taken to fulfill the primary concentration requirement.
Anthropology
Primary Concentration Requirements			24
ANTH	S202	Cultural Anthropology	3
ANTH	S205	Biological Anthropology	3
ANTH	S__	Electives*	18
*At least 12 credits must be upper division
Economics
Primary Concentration Requirements			24-25
ECON	S201	Principles of Economics I: Macroeconomics	3
ECON	S202	Principles of Economics II: Microeconomics	3
SSCI	S300	Research Methods in Social Science	3
ECON	S__	Electives*	12-13
*At least 9 credits must be upper division.
Select one from the following (3 credits)
ECON	S321	Intermediate Microeconomic Theory	3
ECON	S324	Intermediate Macroeconomic Theory	3
Government/Political Science
Primary Concentration Requirements			24
GOVT	S230	Introduction to Political Philosophy	3
GOVT	S491	Legislative Internship	9
GOVT	S492A	Legislative Internship Seminar	3
GOVT	S300	Research Methods in Social Science	3
Select one from the following (3 credits)
GOVT	S101	Introduction to American Government	3
GOVT	S102	Introduction to Political Science	3
Select one from the following (3 credits)
GOVT	S313	Alaska Politics and Government	3
GOVT	S359	European Politics	3
GOVT	S393	ST: Latin Amercian Politics	3
History
Primary Concentration Requirements			24
HIST	S300	Historiography and Historical Methods	3
HIST	S492	Seminar in History: Selected Topics	3
HIST	S__	Any two 100/200 level history courses except HIST 133	6
HIST	S__	Any two 300/400 level history courses*	6
*Courses selected must not be taken as GERs
select both**
HIST	S131	U.S. History I	3
HIST	S132	U.S. History II	3
or both
HIST	S105	World History I	3
HIST	S106	World History II	3
or both
HIST	S227	Early Modern Europe 1400-1815	3
HIST	S228	Modern Europe 1815-2000	3
**Courses selected must not be taken as GERs
Psychology
Primary Concentration Requirements			24
PSY	S101	Introduction to Psychology	3
PSY	S__	Any one 200 level psychology course	3
PSY	S340	Abnormal Psychology	3
PSY	S300	Research Methods in Social Science	3
PSY	S__	Electives*	9
*6 credits must be upper division.
Select one from the following (3 credits)
PSY	S302	Social Psychology	3
PSY	S430	Clinical and Counselling Psychology	3
Sociology			24
Primary Emphasis Requirements
SOC	S101	Introduction to Sociology	3
SOC	S300	Research Methods in Social Science	3
SOC	S__	Electives*	18
*At least 15 credits must be upper division.
Social Science Secondary Concentrations
Choose two disciplines different from your primary concentration area and complete 15-16 credit course sequencing for both. If course taken as a GER, substitution of an equal or higher course level and number of credits in the same discipline must be taken to fulfill the secondary concentration requirement.
Anthropology
Secondary Concentration Requirements			15
ANTH	S202	Cultural Anthropology	3
ANTH	S__	Electives*	12
*At least 9 credits must be upper division.
Economics
Secondary Emphasis Requirements			15-16
ECON	S201	Principles of Economics I: Macro	3
ECON	S202	Principles of Economics II: Micro	3
ECON	S__	Electives*	9-10
*At least 6 credits must be upper division.
Government/Political Science
Secondary Emphasis Requirements			15
GOVT	S230	Introduction to Political Philosophy	3
GOVT	S313	Alaska Politics and Government	3
GOVT	S359	European Politics	3
LAWS	S434	Constitutional Law	3
Select one from the following (3 credits)
GOVT	S101	Introduction to American Government	3
GOVT	S102	Introduction to Political Science	3
History
Secondary Emphasis Requirements			15
select both*
HIST	S131	History of the U.S. I	3
HIST	S132	History of the U.S. II	3
or both*
HIST	S105	World History I	3
HIST	S106	World History II	3
or both
HIST	S227	Early Modern Europe 1400-1815	3
HIST	S228	Modern Europe 1815-2000	3
HIST	S__	Electives**	9
*Courses selected must not be taken as GERs.
**Minimum of 6 credits must be upper-division. HIST S133 will not be counted toward this degree
Psychology
Secondary Concentration Requirements			15
PSY	S101	Introduction to Psychology	3
PSY	S__	Electives*	12
*6 credits must be upper division
Sociology
Secondary Emphasis Requirements			15
SOC	S101	Introduction to Sociology	3
SOC	S__	Electives	12

INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

The UAS Career Services Office provides a current listing of internship opportunities available to UAS students. These internships are funded by Alaskan, federal, national and international organizations and businesses. Changes occur frequently. If you have an interest in internships please contact Career Services for assistance. If admitted to a degree program you can also speak with a faculty member if you are interested in an internship for academic credit.

CONTACT INFORMATION

University of Alaska Southeast
11120 Glacier Highway
Juneau, Alaska 99801
Ph: 907-796-6100
Ph: 877-465-4827 ext. 6350 (toll free)
Program Web site: www.uas.alaska.edu/socsci/index.html
Email: admissions@uas.alaska.edu

UAS Sociology Faculty