The Sociology Department at Gettysburg College offers a major and minor in sociology, several topical major tracks, and a minor in educational studies. With numerous courses cross-listed across a variety of departments—including Africana Studies; Educational Studies; Environmental Studies; Latin American, Caribbean and Latino Studies; Management; Peace and Justice Studies; Public Health Policy; Public Policy; and Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies—students of sociology receive a multidisciplinary education strongly grounded in the liberal arts tradition.
Students who major in sociology take a minimum of (10) full-credit courses, including:
- (1) Introductory course (SOC 101, 102 or 103): a prerequisite for all other sociology courses, a grade of C or higher is a required for the major. These three courses are equivalent.
- (1) Inequalities course (SOC 202, 209, 217, 240, 243 or 244)
- (1) Introductory Theory course (SOC 296): requires a 200-level course as a prerequisite; grade of C or higher required to continue in the major
- (2) Methods courses (SOC 298 & SOC 299+ Lab)
- (1) Advanced Theory course (SOC 315 or 318): requires SOC 296 as a prerequisite
- (1) Capstone Seminar (SOC 400): SOC 296, SOC 298, and SOC 299 are prerequisites
- (3) 200- or 300-level electives: excludes SOC 325, SOC 366, SOC 46X, SOC 47X, and normally excluding Soc 45X courses. Students may take up to two sociology courses off-campus, or abroad, for credit as electives.
* Students who submit an AP score of 4 or 5 in Sociology may receive course credit for SOC 101, 102 or 103. Course credit for advanced placement will be lost if a student takes an introductory sociology course at Gettysburg.
Sociology Major flowchart.In addition to our standard, 10-course major in sociology, students can study in a more focused manner by completing a track in their field of interest. Students pursuing one of our four sociology tracks, listed below, will complete a minimum of (11) courses, including the (6) core courses of the major:
- (1) Introductory course (SOC 101, 102 or 103): a prerequisite for all other sociology courses, a grade of C or higher is a required for the major. These three courses are equivalent.
- Students who submit an AP score of 4 or 5 in Sociology may receive course credit for SOC 101, 102 or 103. Course credit for advanced placement will be lost if a student takes an introductory sociology course at Gettysburg.
- (1) Introductory Theory course (SOC 296): requires a 200-level course as a prerequisite; grade of C or higher required to continue in the major
- (2) Methods courses (SOC 298 & SOC 299+ Lab)
- (1) Advanced Theory course (SOC 315 or 318): requires SOC 296 as a prerequisite
- (1) Capstone Seminar (SOC 400): SOC 296, SOC 298, and SOC 299 are prerequisites
In addition, students will have the opportunity to choose (1) specific Inequalities course and at least (4) electives that address one of four areas of study:
Students who are double majoring in Sociology and Psychology or interested in pursuing degrees or employment in social work, social services, clinical psychology, or criminal justice are encouraged to pursue this track of study. The focus is our Communities and Social Work track on social inequality, family and community.
- (1) Inequalities course: SOC 202, SOC 209, SOC 217, or SOC 244
- (4) Approved Electives: SOC 202, SOC 206, SOC 209, SOC 212, SOC 217, SOC 220, SOC 224, SOC 239, SOC 244, SOC 318. Note that students can take additional inequalities courses as electives in this track. Students may take up to two sociology courses off-campus, or abroad, for credit as electives.
For students who would like to pursue a career in marketing or business management, this track is focused on the sociological underpinnings of our economic system and broad patterns of consumption. The Economic and Consumer Behavior track can be particularly useful for those who are minoring in Business or Economics or double majoring in Sociology and Business, Organizations and Management (BOM).
- (1) Inequalities course: SOC 202
- (4) Approved Electives: SOC 203, SOC 204, SOC 242, SOC 247, SOC 250, SOC 318. Students may take up to two sociology courses off-campus, or abroad, for credit as electives.
Those who are interested in or are double majoring in International and Global Studies, cultural or area studies, or a world language can focus their studies via this track in the major. Students hoping to pursue employment in public policy, immigration, or international relations should consider the Global and Transnational Sociology track.
- (1) Inequalities: SOC 244
- (4) Approved Electives: SOC 231, SOC 242, SOC 243, SOC 247, SOC 262, SOC 267, SOC 276. Students may take up to two sociology courses off-campus, or abroad, for credit as electives.
The Sociology of Education track focuses on courses and skill sets important to those students interested in a career in K-12 or higher education, school counseling, or athletic coaching in the educational setting. It can be combined with a minor in Educational Studies as well as teacher certification from OTEC.
- (1) Inequalities: SOC 209
- (4) Approved Electives: SOC 206, SOC 220, SOC 224, SOC 315; can include up to two electives from Educational Studies: EDUC 115, EDUC 332, EDUC 333, EDUC 377. Students may take up to two sociology courses off-campus, or abroad, for credit as electives.
Students who minor in sociology take a minimum of six full-credit courses, including:
- (1) Introductory course (SOC 101, 102 or 103): a grade of C or higher is required for the minor
- (1) Introductory Theory course (SOC 296): a 200-level course is required as a prerequisite
- (1) Methods course (SOC 298 or 299 + Lab)
- (3) 200- or 300-level electives: excludes SOC 325, SOC 366, SOC 46X, SOC 47X. Students may take up to two sociology courses off-campus, or abroad, for credit as electives.
Students who minor in educational studies take a minimum of six full-credit courses, including:
- (1) Introductory course (EDUC 115, EDUC 201, or MUS_CLAS 149)
- (2) Approved 300- or 400-level courses (any EDUC Courses at the 300-level or higher, or AFS 366; ES 335; HIST 334; MGT 370; MUS_CLAS 320, 410, 412, 440; PP 322 Topic: Urban Education; PSYCH 328)
- (3) Additional electives (any EDUC courses not satisfying a requirement above, or AFS 246, 264, 267, 290; ARTH 214; ENG 242; FYS 102-3, 112-2, 143-2, 179; HIST 248; IDS 121/221; MATH 215; MGT 270; PHIL 218, 219, 222, 224, 226 228; POL 101; PP 221; PSYCH 210, 214, 215, 222, 225, 226, 229, 236, 238; SOC 101/2/3, 202, 209, 224)
For more information, please visit Educational Studies.