ABOUT MAJOR(ing) - TRACKS - COURSEWORK - CAREER INFO
ABOUT SOCIOLOGY AT BU
Sociology is a diverse social science that brings both qualitative and quantitative ("scientific") methods to bear on understanding human and group or institutional behavior. The focus is on understanding the impact of social, cultural or interactional contexts on behavior (i.e., it's an "environmental" science that looks at how contextual factors guide or structure the choices people and groups make).
Students who major in sociology at BU have the opportunity to look at various substantive areas in the discipline and so have ample opportunity to explore personal interests. Faculty specialization and teaching interests include economic stratification, race and ethnicity, crime and deviance, family dynamics, the workplace, sports, community, mass media, population, and environmental problems (see comprehensive list of Courses here).
TRACKS: Majors in sociology can choose either a GENERAL SOCIOLOGY track or an APPLIED SOCIOLOGY track. “Applied Sociology" is the branch of sociology focused on solving real-world problems for groups, organizations and communities (as opposed to basic sociological research which ostensibly aims to simply advance understanding of an issue or process in society). An internship is a requirement for the applied sociology option, but is recommended for all majors that do not go on to graduate school in sociology.
COURSEWORK: The courses required for the major and the applied sociology option are well explained in the BU Catalog. A listing and description of the courses offered by the department can be found there as well. Click here to visit the BU Catalogs page. Once there, select the appropriate volume and then find Sociology in the list on the "Programs" or "Course Descriptions" pages (we're in the College of Liberal Arts, and our numeric course designation is 45).
CAREER INFO: Career options for students obtaining a bachelor’s degree in sociology are diverse. It is the basis for pursuing a Master’s or Doctorate degree in sociology, leading to careers in academia, research or applied sociology. Students with a bachelor’s degree in Sociology also find themselves in entry level corporate, non-profit organization and government agency jobs. The American Sociological Association is an excellent source of information about the value of majoring in sociology. They have two websites worth examining: “Careers in Sociology” and “Sociology Major – Preparation for Careers.”