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Ronda Priest, Ph.D.
rpriest@usi.edu
(812) 465-1092

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Download Checksheet for the University Core Curriculum

In addition to the departmental degree requirements, a minimum of 50 hours in the University Core Curriculum must be met.


Sociology Major Download Checksheet for Major in Sociology

Students interested in sociology may elect a major or a minor as part of the liberal arts program leading to the Bachelor of Arts degree or Bachelor of Science degree. The Bachelor of Arts degree requires 12 hours of a foreign language.

What can I do with a sociology degree?

39 semester hours

Required courses ~ 18 hours

  • SOC 121-Principles of Sociology, 3 hrs.
  • SOC 370-Seminar in Sociology, 3 hrs.
  • SOC 371-Classical Sociological Theory, 3 hrs.
  • SOC 372-Contemporary Sociological Theory, 3 hrs.
  • SOC 391-Introduction to Sociological Research, 3 hrs.
  • SOC 392-Statistics for Social Research, 3 hrs.

Elective courses ~ 21 hours

Twelve hours from the following list:

  • SOC 341-Sociology of Medicine, 3 hrs.
  • SOC 343-Sociology of Death and Dying, 3 hrs.
  • SOC 345-Simulated Games of Society, 3 hrs.
  • SOC 370-Seminar in Sociology (different topic than one applied to above required courses), 3 hrs.
  • SOC 375-Social Change, 3 hrs.
  • SOC 415-Sociology of the Environment, 3 hrs.
  • SOC 421-Race and Ethnicity, 3 hrs.
  • SOC 424-Population, 3 hrs.
  • SOC 426-Sociology of Deviant Behavior, 3 hrs.
  • SOC 431-Gender and Society, 3hrs.
  • SOC 441-Social Movements, 3 hrs.
  • SOC 461-Sociological Issues in Education, 3 hrs.
  • SOC 463-Wealth and Poverty, 3 hrs.
  • ANTH 333-Cultural Anthropology, 3 hrs.

Nine hours of directed electives (maximum of 6 hours in anthropology):

  • SOC 200-Special Topics in Sociology, 3 hrs.
  • SOC 221-Computer Applications in Sociology, 3 hrs.
  • SOC 225-Criminology, 3 hrs.
  • SOC 231-Social Problems, 3 hrs.
  • SOC 235-Juvenile Delinquency, 3 hrs.
  • SOC 251-Principles of Social Psychology, 3 hrs.
  • SOC 261-Marriage and Family, 3 hrs.
  • SOC 489-Independent Study in Sociology 1-3 hrs.
  • SOC 499-Internship in Sociology
  • ANTH 101-Introduction to Anthropology, 3 hrs.
  • ANTH 200-Special Topics in Anthropology, 3 hrs.
  • ANTH 251-Peoples of Latin America, 3 hrs.
  • ANTH 255-The Cultures of Asia, 3 hrs.
  • ANTH 261-Introduction to Archaeology, 3 hrs.
  • ANTH 262-Archaeology of North America, 3 hrs.
  • ANTH 305-Indians of North America, 3 hrs.
  • ANTH 333-Cultural Anthropology, 3 hrs.
  • ANTH 353-Human Origins, 3 hrs.
  • ANTH 407-Psychological Anthropology, 3 hrs.

Sociology Minor Download Checksheet for Minor in Sociology

18 semester hours

Required courses ~ 9 hours

  • SOC 121-Principles of Sociology, 3 hrs.
  • SOC 370-Seminar in Sociology, 3 hrs.
  • one 300/400 level sociology course

Elective courses ~ 9 hours

  • Three three-hour sociology courses as directed by advisor. One course in anthropology can be used toward the minor.

Anthropology Minor Download Checksheet for Minor in Anthropology

A minor is available in the field of anthropology. The minor consists of 18 credit hours. Coursework is directed toward either cultural anthropology or archaeology. Six hours of anthropology may be applied to sociology major or to University Core Curriculum, but not both. Six hours must be 300/400 level.

18 semester hours

Required courses ~ 9 hours

  • ANTH 101-Introduction to Anthropology, 3 hrs.
  • ANTH 261-Introduction to Archaeology, 3 hrs.
  • ANTH 333-Cultural Anthropology, 3 hrs.

Elective courses ~ 9 hours from the list below as directed by an advisor:

  • ANTH 200-Special Topics in Anthropology, 3 hrs.
  • ANTH 251-Peoples of Latin America, 3 hrs.
  • ANTH 255-The Cultures of Asia, 3 hrs.
  • ANTH 262-Archaeology of North America, 3 hrs.
  • ANTH 305-Indians of North America, 3 hrs.
  • ANTH 353-Human Origins, 3 hrs.
  • ANTH 370-Seminar in Anthropology, 3 hrs.
  • ANTH 397-Archaeological Field School
  • ANTH 407-Psychological Anthropology, 3 hrs.
  • ANTH 489-Independent Study in Anthropology, 3 hrs.
  • ANTH 499-Internship in Anthropology
  • ENG  313-Introduction to Linguistics (Prerequisite: ENG 201)

Criminal Justice Minor Download Checksheet for Minor in Criminal Justice

A minor is available in the field of criminal justice. It is intended for students interested in careers in criminal justice or as a supplement to their major. Nine hours of sociology courses in the minor also may count toward a sociology major.

24 Semester hours: 12 of these hours must be at the 300/400 level

Required courses ~  9 hours

  • SOC 121-Principles of Sociology, 3 hrs.
  • CRIM 141-Introduction to Criminal Justice, 3 hrs.
  • SOC 225-Criminology, 3 hrs.

Elective courses ~ 12 hours from the following:

  • SOC 235-Juvenile Delinquency, 3 hrs.
  • SOC 426-Sociology of Deviant Behavior, 3 hrs.
  • CRIM 200-Special Topics in Criminal Justice, 3 hrs.
  • CRIM 244-Police & Society, 3 hrs.
  • CRIM 301-Criminal Justice Administration, 3 hrs.
  • CRIM 302-Criminal Law, 3 hrs.
  • CRIM 370-Seminar in Criminal Justice, 3 hrs.
  • SOC 370-Seminar in Sociology: Hate Groups and Hate Crimes, 3 hrs.
  • CRIM 401-Probation & Parole, 3 hrs.
  • CRIM 489-Independent Study, 3 hrs.
  • CRIM 499-Internship, 3 hrs.
  • POLS 208-Law, Courts & Justice, 3 hrs.
  • POLS 405-Constitutional Law, 3 hrs.
  • POLS 406-Constitutional Rights, 3 hrs.

Three hours from the following:


Gerontology Concentration Download Checksheet Gerontology Concentration

(may be pursued as a sociology major is completed)

15 semester hours

Required courses ~ 9 hours

  • SOCW 223-Introduction to Gerontology, 3 hrs.
  • SOC 499-Internship in Sociology, 3 hrs.
  • GERO 315-Health Care Aspects of Gerontology, 3 hrs.

Elective courses ~ 6 hours from the following:

  • SOC 343-Sociology of Death & Dying, 3 hrs.
  • SOCW 323-Social Work Practice with the Aged, 3 hrs. /or/
    PSY 261-Lifespan Developmental Psychology, 3 hrs.
  • Other recommended courses for study:
    • SOC 261-Marriage and Family, 3 hrs.
    • SOC 421-Race and Ethnicity, 3 hrs.
    • PSY 201-Introduction to Psychology, 3 hrs.
    • BIOL 105-Biology of Human Concern, 3 hrs.
    • BIOL 276-, 3 hrs.

Sociology (Teacher Education)

Students who intend to teach history, government, economics, psychology or sociology at the secondary school (high school) level must declare a Social Science Secondary Education Major.


Social Science Associate

The Social Science Associate degree program in social sciences is designed for students who anticipate the need for only two years of college education. Basically it reflects the training received in the first two years of a regular four-year program, and a student may, if he or she desires, continue on to a baccalaureate degree. At the same time a student with an associate degree will have the satisfaction of having recognition for his or her efforts, and will be able to produce a tangible certification for prospective employers.  This degree does not qualify the student to teach high school. Certification for high school teachers requires completion of the Social Science Secondary Education degree.