Sociology

Sociology is the study of social life, social change, and the social causes and consequences of human behavior. Sociologists investigate the structure of groups, organizations and societies and how people interact within these contexts. Sociologists study how deviance, crime, marriage, family, politics, education, race, gender and religion affect individuals. The AA in Sociology allows students to choose from two degree tracks, the Associate of Arts in Traditional Sociology or the Associate of Arts in Applied Sociology. For both tracks, the student will receive an AA in Sociology. For the Applied Sociology track, students will receive an AA in Sociology, field training in a concentration of their choice and a Certification in Applied Sociology awarded by the National Association of Applied and Clinical Sociology.

The subject matter of sociology ranges from the intimate, interpersonal level (microsociology) to the institutional, national level (macrosociology). Examples can include Sociology of: the family; intergroup relations; civil rights, labor rights or other aspects of the law; minority experiences; sports; gender, sex and sexuality; the workplace; technology; medicine and nursing; media; and computers, digital technology, information security and the development and use of the internet over time. Sociology is capable of moving from the individual level to the collective level in all of its fields. In fact, few fields have such broad scope and relevance for research, theory and application of knowledge.

Some important differences between Traditional and Applied Sociology include the following:

• ​Applied Sociology:
  • Is an interdisciplinary, highly customizable field that lends itself to the student's interests, future education or as a transfer major
  • Is a client-centered field in which practitioners utilize research, analysis and application of sociological skills and concepts to work towards a client-defined goal.
  • Is capable of working in the private, public, nonprofit or community-oriented sectors
  • Is action-oriented, focusing on administration, advocacy and adjustments that foster client and organization success
  • Provides clients with real world, local and national solutions to problems and challenges
  • Design and implement practical projects, policies or solutions for their clients
• Traditional Sociology:
  • Investigates the social world in order to provide solutions to social problems.
  • Focuses on a research and data-oriented approach, where data is collected, analyzed and shared with the academic and local community
  • Utilized a combination of the scientific method and sociological theory in order to deeply understand social problems, social entities, their functions and their dysfunctions
  • Approaches the world from an interdisciplinary perspective in order to understand social interactions, social problems and social harmony
  • Works with policy makers, community members and academics to instill change in society

Sociology is an excellent transfer program. Since the study of Sociology covers the basic structures of human society with its cultures and stratifications, it is a popular major among those who want to enter career fields that address social change and social support. It provides a strong foundation for those working within other Social Science fields and provides required knowledge for those entering Pre-Med, Nursing, and Epidemiology. Examples include: human resources, human services, public relations, government agencies, psychology and social psychology, teaching, medical care, human rights, community relations, census work and research, business trends and any other institution that requires knowledge of social science research.

Program Learning Outcomes

1. Students will: (1) Collect and analyze no less than three current events, and (2) identify and summarize Classical European and Early American Sociological theories, and apply these theories to current events.
2. Students will identify and summarize the importance of research evidence in understanding the social world and how to use systematic and scientific inquiry to investigate direct research questions.
3. Students will identify and summarize Sociological analytical tools to structure and organize assessments of social institutions, groups, and behaviors.
4. Students will identify and summarize historical and contemporary sociological concepts used to analyze social inequality as pertains to: minority groups, gender, race, culture, poverty, and immigration.
5. Students will identify and summarize the Macro and Micro levels of research used to critically deconstruct institutional, familial, cultural, and interactive practices in the United States.

Sociology Program Requirements

TSI Liable

¹

Courses taken to fulfill field of study requirements must not duplicate courses taken to fulfill Core Curriculum Requirements.

²

The listed Directive Elective options are for students pursuing to transfer to The University of Texas at Rio Grande Valley. Students pursuing a different transfer institution should see an advisor for selection of Directed Electives. 

³

In addition to the courses in the Field of Study, the student is required to take 42 credit hours from the STC Core Curriculum. 

⁴

Designated core curriculum course in the Field of Study for the Texas Direct Transfer Degree. 

TSI Liable

100% Online

Recommended Course Sequence - General Track

¹

The Directive Elective options are for students pursuing to transfer to The University of Texas at Rio Grande Valley. Students pursuing a different transfer institution should see an advisor for selection of Directed Electives. 

²

Students following the General Sociology Track who select a 3 credit hour Mathematics course to fulfill the Mathematics component of the Core Curriculum must take 4 credit hours to complete the Component Area Option for the Core Curriculum.

TSI Liable

Recommended Course Sequence - Applied and Clinical Sociology Track ​