Undergraduate Catalog

2010-11 Academic Year

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Department of Sociology

Departmental Office
Chilton Hall, Room 300
Mailing address:
1155 Union Circle #311157
Denton, TX 76203-5017
940-565-2296

Web site: www.unt.edu/soci

Sociology Degree Planning Office
Chilton Hall, Room 289E
940-565-4115

Sandra Terrell, Interim Chair

Faculty

Cready, Dash, Eve, Ignatow, Ingman, Lawson, Lusky, Moore, Rodeheaver, Seward, Swan, Williamson, Yancey, Yeatts, Zafirovski

Introduction

The Department of Sociology offers a variety of degrees, including a Bachelor of Arts (BA) with a major in sociology; a Master of Arts (MA) and Master of Science (MS), both with majors in sociology and in long-term care, housing and aging services; and a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) with a major in sociology. In addition, students may minor in both sociology and applied gerontology at the undergraduate level.

Faculty teach and conduct research in a variety of areas, including sustainable societies, applied gerontology, sociology of disaster, medical sociology, sociology of the family, sociology of culture, environmental sociology, economic sociology, sociology of religion, and other topics.

The undergraduate degree with a major in sociology focuses on developing a core set of marketable skills required by all sociologists and then allows students to investigate specific social institutions or structures of interest. Through a combination of required and elective courses, students develop well-rounded skills, allowing them to understand theory and research methods. These skills and interests all come together in the sociology capstone course, in which students apply what they have learned to a real-world social problem by focusing on data collection, data analysis and community outreach.

The program is designed to prepare students for graduate study in sociology or for professional careers in a number of fields, including research, education, social service, probation, law enforcement, aging and government. A minor in sociology provides useful background for those pursuing a degree in such areas as business, psychology, art, communications, education and music.

Programs of Study

The department offers undergraduate and graduate programs in the following areas:

Bachelor of Arts with a major in sociology;
Master of Arts, and
Master of Science, both with majors in sociology and in long-term care, and senior housing and aging services; and
Doctor of Philosophy with a major in sociology.

Bachelor of Arts

Major in Sociology Degree Requirements

1. Hours Required and General/College Requirements: A minimum of 120 semester hours, of which 42 must be advanced, and fulfillment of degree requirements for the Bachelor of Arts degree as specified in the “General University Requirements” in the Academics section of this catalog and the College of Public Affairs and Community Service requirements.

2. Major Requirements: 39 hours in sociology, of which 30 must be advanced, including the sociology core curriculum (SOCI 1510, SOCI 3200, SOCI 3220, SOCI 3240, SOCI 3280 and SOCI 4990), plus 21 additional hours in sociology, of which 12 must be taken at UNT and at the advanced level (3000 or 4000). Note: Students must receive a C or better in sociology core curriculum courses.

3. Minor: None required.

4. Electives: 31-38 hours (18 advanced).

5. Other Requirements:

Students must have a cumulative UNT grade point average or transfer grade point average of 2.3 to declare sociology as a major.
Minimum sociology grade point average of 2.5 is required for graduation.
A total of 42 hours upper-division work (advanced courses).
31-hour residence requirement.
A maximum of 36 hours of correspondence, extension, credit by examination and/or military service credit is allowed toward degree.

Degree Plan

Degree plans are worked out in consultation with the Office of Student Services. Call 940-565-2840.

Minors

Applied Gerontology

Undergraduate students majoring in such compatible fields as social and behavioral sciences, merchandising and hospitality management, recreation or business may develop a multidisciplinary minor (18 semester hours) in applied gerontology in consultation with an advisor. AGER 3480, AGER 4550 and AGER 4780 are required for the minor.

Sociology

A minor in sociology requires a minimum of 18 hours, including 6 advanced and SOCI 1510.

Teacher Certification

Students who expect to teach sociology in secondary schools must meet the requirements of the State of Texas for teacher certification as listed in the College of Education section of this catalog. This will include all sociology courses that are required and recommended above.

Graduate Degrees

The department offers graduate degree programs leading to the Master of Arts, Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy. Graduate courses in aging and sociology are also open to students in master’s and doctoral programs in related fields. Graduate students in related fields may minor in sociology or applied gerontology. For further information, consult the Graduate Catalog.

Courses of Instruction

All Courses of Instruction are located in one section at the back of this catalog.

Course and Subject Guide

The “Course and Subject Guide,” found in the Courses of Instruction section of this book, serves as a table of contents and provides quick access to subject areas and prefixes.

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