Oklahoma State University

1331

Sociology Sociology is the scientific study of human society and social behavior. Sociologists study a broad array of social phenomena ranging from the dynamics of social interaction to the composition and workings of entire societies. The diversity of the faculty is reflected in the many different types of undergraduate and graduate courses offered. Topics include environment; criminology; law and society; juvenile delinquency; social problems; social movements; social inequality; social psychology; race and ethnicity; gender; religion; and family. Students gain mastery of knowledge in topical areas as well as in the methods of social research, enabling them to pursue professional positions in a variety of occupational fields. Many undergraduate majors take advantage of the applied research option by selecting supervised work-related internships. Students at the graduate level may pursue the MS or PhD in Sociology. The Department of Sociology offers BA and BS degrees in general sociology and applied sociology. The Department also offers the BS in Sociology as a Pre-Law or Pre-Medical Science degree, enabling students to tailor their program of study for future careers in these fields. The general sociology degree provides students the opportunity to obtain a strong liberal arts degree with a maximum number of electives, and provides a good base for pursuing a professional or graduate degree in sociology and several other fields of study. Students may also choose to focus their Sociology degree by selecting an applied emphasis or the anthropology emphasis. The applied option enables students to focus their studies and educational experiences on law, crime and social justice; environment and society; or social services, and provides practical experience for work in a variety of settings. The option in anthropology provides students with a basic introduction into methods, theory and principles of cultural anthropology, archaeology and physical anthropology. Regular course offerings introduce students to past and present cultures within and outside the United States. Undergraduate Programs

as well as qualitative methods of social science research, further enhancing their opportunities in a wide array of career fields. Degree Requirements The MS in sociology thesis option requires a minimum of 31 hours of coursework. The MS in sociology non-thesis option requires 32 hours of coursework. For students pursuing the PhD, a minimum of 90 semester credit hours beyond the baccalaureate, or 60 hours beyond the master's degree, is required. Each PhD student is required to take six hours of sociological theory, and 15 hours of research methods/statistics. Detailed information on each program is available on the Departmental website. Faculty Sharon Bird, PhD—Professor and Department Head Regents Professors: Riley Dunlap, PhD (emeritus); Duane Gill, PhD; David Knottnerus, PhD (emeritus) Professors: Andrew Fullerton, PhD; Kenneth Kiser, PhD; Bin Liang, PhD; Tamara Mix, PhD; Jean Van Delinder, PhD Associate Professors: Mike Long, PhD; Stephen Perkins, PhD; Liesel Ritchie, PhD; Kelley Sittner, PhD Assistant Professors: Jonathan Coley, PhD; Chad Malone, PhD; Heather McLaughlin, PhD; Rachel Schmitz, PhD; Monica Whitham, PhD

• Sociology, BA (p. 1334) • Sociology, BS (p. 1336)

• Sociology: Anthropology, BA (p. 1338) • Sociology: Anthropology, BS (p. 1341) • Sociology: Applied Sociology, BA (p. 1344) • Sociology: Applied Sociology, BS (p. 1347) • Sociology: Pre-Law, BS (p. 1350) • Sociology: Pre-Medical Science, BS (p. 1352)

• Anthropology (ANTH), Minor (p. 1332) • Sociology (SOC), Minor (p. 1333) Graduate Programs

The Department of Sociology offers the Master of Science degree with thesis or non-thesis (terminal degree) options, and the Doctor of Philosophy degree. Programs are designed to prepare students for appointments to the faculties of colleges and universities, to work in private industry and social service agencies, and research positions in business and government. The department offers concentrations in environmental sociology, social inequality, social movements, deviance and criminology and social psychology. The Department provides excellent training and research opportunities for students in quantitative