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B.A. Sociology

Department of Sociology

Requirements * for the Bachelor of Arts, Major in Sociology, are divided into four categories: general education courses; sociology major courses; cognate, minor, or double major courses; and free electives.   Within these categories, some specific courses are required and other courses are selected by the student from groups of courses.

Sociology majors must choose one of three major options or concentrations.  They include a general program in sociology (General Option), a program oriented toward criminology and criminal justice (Criminology and Criminal Justice Option), and a program concentrated around courses relevant to human services organizations and processes (Human Services Option).  In addition, the student will select either a minor area of study, a cognate which consists of four upper-level courses outside the discipline of sociology, or double major.   More information on these options and other requirements for the degree can be found in the USC Aiken Bulletin and USC Aiken Sociology Major Handbook.

USC Aiken general education program requires that all students attend two intercultural enrichment (ICE) events each fall and spring semesters of enrollment.  Students who begin their college career at USC Aiken must enroll in AFCI 101- Critical Inquiry in their first semester.

* Requirements presented here are for students entering AY 2017-18



  Credits

1. General Education Requirements


53 - 56


 

A. Knowledge of Human Cultures and the Physical and Natural World 34 - 37
  At least 3 hours must be in Non-Western World Studies, unless an approved non-Western world studies course has been completed elsewhere in the student’s degree program. See definition and list of approved courses in the Undergraduate and Graduate Programs Bulletin.
 

1. Natural Sciences


Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Geology, Astronomy (1 lab)

7 - 8
 

2. History of Civilization


(HIST 101 or HIST 102)

3
 

3. Social and Behavioral Sciences (two areas)


Psychology, Sociology, Anthropology, Economics, Political Science, Geography

9
 

4. Languages


(Two (2) semesters of the same language required.)

6 - 8
 

5. Humanities (at least two areas)1


Communications (last two digits must be in 50s or 60s), History, Art History, Music History, Theatre History, Literature, Philosophy (other than logic), Religion, Selected Language courses, Humanities (HSSI acronym), Honors (HONS acronym)

9

 

B. Intellectual and Practical Skills 16
 

1. Critical Inquiry


Freshmen must take Critical Inquiry in their first semester of enrollment at USC Aiken. Students in degree programs which require more than 16 credit hours in the first semester of enrollment may complete Critical Inquiry during their second academic semester. Transfer students are not required to take the Critical Inquiry course; however, the one credit hour requirement will still need to be completed within the degree requirements.

1
 

2. English 101 and 102


Students should take English in their first semester of enrollment at USC Aiken (unless they have received credit for ENGL 101 and 102 through concurrent enrollment, AP, etc.). Students must complete English 101 and English 102 with a grade of C or better in order to fulfill general education requirements and before taking Writing Intensive courses (see #6) and other English courses.

6
 

3. Oral Communication


(COMM 201, COMM 241)

3
 

4. Math/Statistics/Logic


PSYC 325 or STAT 201 and 1 additional course in Math or Logic are required.  "C" or better in STAT 201 or PSYC 325 required.


Students should take math in their first year of enrollment at USC Aiken (unless they have already completed general education requirements for math through concurrent enrollment, AP, etc.). MATH 221 and MATH 222 cannot be used for General Education math credit EXCEPT by students graduating with degrees in Elementary, Early Childhood or Special Education.

6
 

5. Satisfactory completion of Writing Proficiency Requirement

 
 

6. Satisfactory completion of three courses designated as Writing Intensive, at least one of which is in the student’s major.

 
  C. Personal and Social Responsibility 3
 

1. American Political Institutions


(POLI 201, HIST 201, or HIST 202)

3
 

2. Inter-Curricular Enrichment Program (ICE)


Two approved events in each semester of enrollment.

 

 

D. Integrative Learning  
 

While there are no specific course requirements in this category, students are strongly encouraged to include one or more integrative learning experiences in their academic programs, such as linked courses, study abroad internship, service learning, faculty-mentored research, capstone.