Department of Sociology

Return to: College of Social Sciences

Pafford 217 • 678-839-6505
http://www.westga.edu/sociology

Professors:

J. McCandless (Dean, College of Social Sciences), N. Noori

Associate Professor:

P. Kirk (College Fellow for Faculty and Staff Development)

Assistant Professors:

A. Irby-Shasanmi, A. Kazeem, C. Lee (Director of Graduate Studies), E. McKendry-Smith, W. Tripp (Director of the Data Analysis and Visualization Lab), J. Weber (Director of Women’s Studies)

Lecturers:

T. Parsons, V. Wood

Instructor:

F. Payne

Sociology is the scientific study of society and human behavior. Through the use of both research and theories, sociologists develop understandings of complex forms of human behavior. Students in the BS degree program in Sociology learn about the very fabric of social relations through courses in inequality, aging, gender, deviance, globalization, social psychology, race and ethnicity, the environment, the media and more. The Sociology program seeks to provide students with mastery of basic academic subject matter along with the learning skills necessary for enrichment and continued success in academic and workplace environments. Upon graduation students are prepared for advanced graduate and professional school education and for entrance into the job market in business, government, non-profit organizations, and social services work. Internships are available to provide onsite, practical experience. Students are encouraged to pursue independent research, collaborate with professors on their research, and present their work during UWG’s Social Science Research Day and at annual conferences, such as the Georgia Sociological Association and the Southeastern Undergraduate Sociology Symposium. The Sociological Collective provides students with fun and support, career information, opportunities for community service, speakers, and other activities. Students who qualify are also invited to join the national sociology honor society, Alpha Kappa Delta. The B.S. Degree in Sociology is available in both face-to-face and online.

Learning Outcomes

Students completing the B.S. degree with a major in Sociology should:

• Communicate how sociology contributes to an understanding of social reality
• Demonstrate an understanding of sociological theories
• Demonstrate an understanding of methodological approaches within sociology
• Demonstrate knowledge of basic concepts, perspectives, and their interpretive applications
• Demonstrate an understanding of the diversity in society

Undergraduate Certificates in Sociology

Several certificates of specialization are available to Sociology majors and minors. Non-Sociology majors who complete a certificate program will earn a minor in sociology.

Each certificate requires 15 hours in specific courses. SOCI 1101  is required of all the certificates. Courses taken to receive a certificate also count toward the sociology major and toward additional certificates. The certificate programs and the courses that can be taken to fulfill the requirements are below. 

Programs

• Sociology, B.S.

• Global and Comparative Studies Certificate
• Social Diversity Certificate
• Social Science Research Skills Certificate
• Social Services Certificate

• Sociology Minor
• Women’s Studies Minor

Return to: College of Social Sciences