Public Sociology Concentration

Public Sociology Concentration

Public Sociology involves taking sociology beyond the boundaries of the university: it is a sociology that "seeks to bring sociology to publics beyond the academy, promoting dialogue about issues that affect the fate of society" (Burawoy 2004). In the Public Sociology Program, students learn how to use sociology to inform real life social issues. 

1. University Studies requirements (see Undergraduate Catalogue)
2. Some general education requirements may be double-counted in the major. Please see your degree audit for information.
3. Core Courses (21 hours)
   • SOC 105 - Introduction to Sociology
   • SOC 360 - Social Theory (pre-req: SOC 105)
   • CRM/SOC 300 - Methods of Social Research (pre-req: CRM 105 or SOC 105; co-req: STT 215 or MAT 111
   • CRM/SOC 301 Sociological Data Analysis and Interpretation (pre-req: CRM/SOC 300 and STT 215/MAT 111)
   • SOC 391 - Public and Applied Sociology Seminar (pre-req: CRM/SOC 300, CRM/SOC 301 and SOC 360)
   • SOC 496 - Practicum in Public and Applied Sociology (6 hours)
   • SOC Electives (18 hours)

See full curriculum

The Public Sociology option requires a two semester sequential course offering: SOC 391 is taken in the fall semester where students identify a research topic to examine in the spring semester. This course includes writing a literature review and a research design to be implemented in the following spring.

This course is immediately followed by SOC 496 in the spring semester. This is a semester-long practicum (6 credit hours) in which students gain hands-on experience in applying sociology methods and theory by working in partnership with local community agencies and organizations and residents to address, through scholarly engagement, a critical social problem in the area.

Students present their research findings at the end of the spring semester to City Council and other relevant organizations, as well as at our annual Public Sociology Community Breakfast Research Symposium, every May.