Sociology

As a sociologist, you'll investigate society from a grounded and critical perspective.

Student reading a magazine in the library

Do you want to change the world? First you have to understand it

You'll study everything from crime to religion, developing a unique understanding of what motivates human behavior. Our Students are encouraged to study abroad and apply your substantial training to the real world. The culture at Simmons is focused on community service and activism, giving you ample opportunities to connect and grow within our community.

Our faculty encourages diverse learning styles, offering many options for personalized courses of study and independent learning. You'll benefit from a well rounded liberal arts education with classes in specialties like women's and gender studies, Africana studies and international relations. 

With their technical and intellectual experience, our students find successful careers in community organizing, law, public policy, teaching, higher education and social work.

Required Courses

SOCI 101 Principles of Sociology 4
SOCI 239 Introduction to Social Research I 4
SOCI 249 Inequalities 4
SOCI 325 Applications of Sociological Theory 4
SOCI 330 Transnational Studies 4

Generally, SOCI 101 should be completed no later than the sophomore year, SOCI 239 and 268 in the sophomore or junior year, and SOCI 325 and SOCI 330 in the junior or senior year.

Students choose any three electives from the list below:

 
SOCI 210 Body Politics 4
SOCI 216 I Sing the Body Electric: Social Justice and the Expressive Arts 3
SOCI 220 Working for Social Justice 4
SOCI 222 Organizing for Social Change 4
SOCI 223 Mass Media and Popular Culture 4
SOCI 225 Social Movements 4
SOCI 232 Race, Gender & Health 4
SOCI 241 Health, Illness & Society 4
SOCI 245 Global Health 4
SOCI 262 Criminology 4
SOCI 267 Globalization 4
SOCI 270 South Asia, People & Power 4
SOCI 275 Birth and Death 4
SOCI 280 Sociology of the Law 4
SOCI 285 Drugs and Society 4
SOCI 301 Disability and Society 4
SOCI 321 Sociology of Food 4
SOCI 338M Cross Cultural Alliance Building 4
SOCI 339 Community Research 4
SOCI 344 Sociology of Poetry & Prose 4
SOCI 346 Gender and Islam 4
SOCI 347 Antiracism and Social Justice 4
SOCI 349 Directed Study 4
SOCI 350 Independent Study 4
SOCI 365 Intimate Family Violence 4

Capstone

Students may take one of the two following options:

Internship

Students may choose to complete an internship to fulfill the capstone requirement. Internships are completed in the spring semester of the student’s senior year. In the fall semester before the internship, each student works with the internship supervisor to design an 8-credit internship plan for the following semester. As part of this requirement, students also take the Internship seminar (SOCI 370). Students completing double majors who wish to do an internship will complete their internship through one of their departments.

Thesis

Students may choose to do an independent research and writing project that culminates in a 40–50 page thesis written under the supervision of a faculty member in the department.

Students submit a proposal by the second semester of their junior year and take SOCI 350 (Independent Study) in the first semester of their senior year and SOCI 355 (Thesis) in the second semester of their senior year. An honors designation is granted to meritorious theses. All theses are presented at an event organized by the department.

The minor in sociology consists of five courses.

One required course:

SOCI 101 Principles of Sociology 4

One of the following core courses:

SOCI 239 Introduction to Social Research I 4
SOCI 249 Inequalities 4
SOCI 325 Applications of Sociological Theory 4
SOCI 330 Transnational Studies 4

Three elective courses, selected from the lists of required and elective courses, after consulting with a faculty advisor in the department.

So you know that Simmons is a great place to be, you've learned about our programs, maybe even come for a visit...now you're ready to apply! Let's get started.

Offered As
  • Major
  • Minor
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Our Faculty

Dawna Thomas speaking at podium

Dawna Thomas

  • Professor and Chair of Critical Race, Gender, and Cultural Studies, and Chair of Public Health
Saher Selod photo

Saher Selod

  • Associate Professor and Chair of Sociology and Chair of Public Health