Sociology Major

The main goal of the BA in Sociology is to introduce students to the basic skills involved in understanding sociological theory and sociological research, and to show how these skills are used in such applied areas of study as crime and deviance, family and gender studies, environmental and health issues, agriculture and food, technology and the information society, race and ethnic relations, organizations and bureaucracies as well as Canadian society and social change.

These courses are designed to enable students to think more reflexively about their own life experiences, and to think more critically and analytically about some of the pressing social and global issues of our age. Many of these courses will also help students to prepare for careers in such professional fields as management, human resource development, marketing, education, nursing, local government, non-government organizations, social work and counselling, law enforcement, urban planning and community development, and family and community services.

Athabasca University has developed program learning outcomes that describe the career options that may be available to you upon graduating. Students complete the program regulations in effect at the time of their enrolment.

Did you know? Athabasca University also offers:

• three-year BA Sociology Concentration
• Minor in Sociology (optional)

For specific degree requirements view each program page.

Requirements in addition to the general program requirements for the 4-year BA with Major:

Sept. 1, 2010 – Feb. 1, 2011 General Program Regulations

Feb. 2, 2011 – Aug. 31, 2011 General Program Regulations

1. A minimum of 45 credits from major courses including a minimum of 30 senior (300 or 400) level credits (including 12, 400-level credits).
2. 6 junior Sociology credits.
3. 6 senior credits in sociological theory.

   For example:

   SOCI 335	Classical Sociological Theory	(3)
   SOCI 337	Contemporary Sociological Theory	(3)

4. 3 senior credits in research methods.

   For example:

   SOSC 366

   Research Methods in the Social Sciences

   (3)

5. 3 senior credits in social organization.

   For example:

   SOCI 300	Organizations and Society: Making Sense of Modern Organizational Life or	(3)
   SOCI 381	The Sociology of Power and Inequality

Electives (27 credits)