Sociology courses deal with the structure and functioning of societies, the nature of social interaction, the relationship between the individual and society, and the nature of change in human societies.
We here at the Sociology Department strive to give our students a diverse exposure to and understanding of sociology. We therefore offer a wide variety of classes with topics ranging from Environmental Sociology to the History and Sociology of Rock 'n' Roll. Be sure to check out a list of the courses that we offer, and a short description of each of them by clicking the "Courses" link at the top. If you want to take a closer look at a course, just click on the "Syllabi" link to see the syllabus for the course that interests you.
A culmination of this diverse major is the senior thesis. Anyone is welcome to attend the presentations, so swing by if you have a chance! We are housed in the Maxey Hall of Social Sciences here at Whitman College. Take a tour of the college to find out more about where we are located.
The Sociology major: Sociology 117, 207, 367, 490, either 492 or 498; additional work in sociology to make a total of 36 credits.
The Sociology minor: Sociology 117, 207, 367; additional work in sociology for a minimum of 18 credits.
The Sociology-Environmental Studies combined major: Sociology 117, 207, 367; one course chosen from either Sociology 307, 309, 317, 348, or 350 (chosen from whichever were not taken as a basic background course); one course selected from: Sociology 257, 347, 369, 490, 492, or 498. For more information about this option, please visit the Environmental Studies section of the Whitman catalog.
Those students interested in teaching sociology at the high school level should take Sociology 330, and a selection of advanced problems courses (numbered 257 through 317) as electives. Those interested in community organization should take Sociology 259, 260, 267, 300, 307, 317, 347, 350. Recommended courses for students going on in social work or other social service organizations include: Economics 107, History 368, Philosophy 127, and 128, Psychology 110, 210, 240, 260, and 330, and Sociology 117, 257, 267, 300, 307, 317, 330, and 350. For more information regarding this issue, please see the Careers and Professions portion of the Whitman catalog.
In teaching and mentoring students, the faculty members of the Whitman College Department of Sociology strive to achieve a total of ten goals. Seven of these objectives are taken more-or-less directly from a document published by our major professional organization, The American Sociological Association - Kathleen McKinney et al.'s Liberal Learning and the Sociology Major Updated (2004).
According to this document, all sociology majors should demonstrate understanding of the following:
1. The discipline of sociology and its role in contributing to our understanding of social reality, such that the student will be able to: (a) describe how sociology differs from and is similar to other social sciences and to give examples of these differences; (b) describe how sociology contributes to a liberal arts understanding of social reality; and (c) apply the sociological imagination, sociological principles, and concepts to his/her own life.
2. The role of theory in sociology, such that the student will be able to: (a) define theory and describe its role in building sociological knowledge; (b) compare and contrast basic theoretical orientations; (c) show how theories reflect the historical context of the times and cultures in which they were developed; and (d) describe and apply some basic theories or theoretical orientations in at least one area of social reality.
3. The role of evidence and qualitative and quantitative methods in sociology, such that the stuent will be able to: (a) identify basic methodological approaches and describe the general role of methods in building sociological knowledge; (b) compare and contrast the basic methodological approaches for gathering data; (c) design a research study in an area of choice and explain why carious decisions were made; and (d) critically assess a published research repot and explain how the student could have been improved.
4. The technical skills involved in retrieving information and data from the Internet and using computers appropriately for data analysis. The major should also be able to do (social) scientific technical writing athat accurately conveys data findings and to show an understanding and application of principles of ethical practice as a sociologist.
5. Basic concepts in sociology and their fundamental theorectical interrelations, such that the student will be able to define, give examples, and demonstrate the relevance of culture; social change; socialization; stratification; social structure; institutions; and differently by race/ethnicity, gender, age, and class. Students majoring in Environmental Studies - Sociology apply the aforementioned concepts to the causes and consequences of environmental problems (Department of Sociology wording).
6. The internal diversity of American society and its place in the international context, such that the student will be able to describe: (a) the significance of variations by race, class, gender, and age; and (b) will know how to appropriately generalize or resist generalizations across groups.
7. To think critically, such that the student will be able to: (a) move easily from recall analysis and application to synthesis and evaluation; (b) identify underlying assumptions in particular theoretical orientations or arguments; (c) identify underlying assumptions in particular methodological approaches to an issue; (d) show how patterns of thought and knowlege are directly influenced by political-economic social structures; (e) present opposing viewpoints and alternative hypotheses on various issues; and (f) engage in teamwork where many or different viewpoints are presented.
In addition to these larger disciplinary objectives, the Sociology Department also has several addtitional goals that articulate what we see as goals for learning in the environment of a liberal arts college mroe generally:
8. To provide students with basic skills to analytic and critical written expression, and effective verbal communication.
9. To provide sociology majors with training in professional standards and opportunities for undergraduate participation which allows for their meaningful participation in professional events and activities of their discipline.
10. To encourage the development of attitudes and predispositions among students that contribute to effective and responsible leandership and citizenship, and to foster healthy maturation and self-growth mroe generally.
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