The Bachelor of Arts in sociology presents a general program to prepare students for a wide variety of positions in business, industry, government, health-related services, or social services. The sociology minor enables students to focus on areas of sociological interest.
The minor in Deviance explores the nature of transgressive behavior and related theoretical perspectives and societal reactions.
The minor in Environment and Society offers comprehensive interdisciplinary study of human-environment interactions, providing the skills to think holistically about environmental problems and solutions.
To declare Sociology as your major or to add one of our minors, please stop by Cassety Hall Room 146 and talk to speak with a faculty or staff member.
Major and Minors
Major: Bachelor of Arts in Sociology (BA)
The B.A. degree in sociology presents a general program to prepare students for a wide variety of positions in business, industry, government, health-related services, or social services. It is also designed to prepare undergraduate students for graduate work in the study of sociology, law, public administration, media studies, demography, crime/deviance, or other social science disciplines. Its emphasis upon scholarly research culminates in Senior Seminar (SOC490). The freedom of choice in selection of courses permits students to develop a particular specialty within sociology, either to meet special career interests or to meet graduate program requirements.
Sociology majors are prepared for careers in community organizations, criminal justice units, and government agencies as advisers, internal or external consultants, and counselors. Students who attend graduate school usually pursue sociology, anthropology, education, business, or law.
Graduates have been hired as site managers for social service agencies, college admissions counselors, research assistants, counselors, police officers, case workers, and skills-development specialists for the developmentally disabled. Typical hiring firms include social service agencies, nonprofit advocacy organizations, and businesses requiring individuals with analytical thinking and problem-solving skills.
Recent graduates have been hired by companies and agencies such as Ingram Micro, U.S. Customs Service, Crisis Services, Niagara Mohawk, People Inc., KidsPeace, Niagara County Department of Social Services, Gateway-Longview, Research Institute on Addictions, Compass House, Buffalo Urban League, Stepping Stones Learning Center, and Bailey Delavan Community Services.
As part of the 120 credit hour requirement to earn a degree from SUNY Buffalo State, Sociology students must complete the requirements for the BA in Sociology. A semester-by-semester Academic Roadmap of suggested courses is available.
Minor in Sociology
The Minor in Sociology Program introduces students to the basic coursework and concepts in the discipline. By requiring an introductory course and emphasizing sociological theory, the program provides a structured introduction and the freedom to select three elective courses.
Program Requirements
Required Courses (9 credit hours)
SOC 100 INTRODUCTION TO SOCIOLOGY 3
SOC 204 FOUNDATIONS OF SOCIOLOGICAL THOUGHT 3
SOC 330 SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY 3
or SOC 350 POWER, CLASS, AND INEQUALITY
Electives (9 credit hours )
May be fulfilled by any SOC courses not already taken 9
Total Credit Hours 18
Minor in Deviance
The Minor in Deviance Program introduces students to the sociological analysis of deviance. The program emphasizes courses directly related to deviant behavior and social institutions.
Required Courses (6 credit hours)
SOC 100 INTRODUCTION TO SOCIOLOGY 3
SOC 370 SOCIOLOGY OF DEVIANT BEHAVIOR 3
Deviance Electives (9 credit hours)
Select 9 credit hours from the following: 9
SOC 380 SOCIOLOGY OF CRIME
SOC 381 SOCIOLOGY OF VIOLENCE
SOC 382 SOCIOLOGY OF LAW
SOC 383 SOCIOLOGY OF PUNISHMENT AND CORRECTIONS
SOC 390 SOCIOLOGY OF JUVENILE DELINQUENCY
SOC 392 SOCIOLOGY OF SEXUAL BEHAVIOR
SOC 393 SOCIOLOGY OF MENTAL ILLNESS
Sociology Electives (3 credit hours)
Select 3 credit hours from the following: 3
SOC 240 ANALYZING SOCIAL PROBLEMS
SOC 330 SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY
SOC 340 SOCIOLOGY OF THE CITY
SOC 350 POWER, CLASS, AND INEQUALITY
SOC 351 SOCIOLOGY OF RACE AND ETHNICITY
Total Credit Hours 18
Minor in Environment and Society
The Minor in Environment and Society offers students an opportunity for comprehensive interdisciplinary study of "human-environment" interactions, providing the skills to think holistically about environmental problems and solutions. The "Core" courses are particularly geared toward developing an understanding of the environment as socially constructed and interactive rather than as an objective reality.
Required Courses (9 credit hours)
SOC 353 ENVIRONMENT AND SOCIETY 3
HIS 330 U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL HISTORY 3
ENG 247 NATURE WRITING 3
Social Science Electives (6 credit hours)
Select two from the following:
ANT 367 CULTURE AND ECOLOGY
PSC 305 ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY
PSC 306 POLITICS OF ENERGY
ECO 355 THE ECONOMICS OF ENERGY AND THE ENVIRONMENT
PSY 370 ENVIRONMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY I
Natural Science Electives (3 credit hours)
Select one from the following:
BIO 104 ENVIRONMENTAL BIOLOGY
BIO 213 INTRODUCTION TO ECOLOGY, EVOLUTION, AND BEHAVIOR (4)
ENS 300 ENVIRONMENTAL CASE STUDIES
ENS 100 URBAN ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
GEG 101 WORLD NATURAL ENVIRONMENTS
GEG 307 CONSERVATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
GEG 478 GLOBAL CHANGE
GES 101 INTRODUCTORY GEOLOGY
GES 223 ENVIRONMENTAL EARTH SCIENCE
GES 460 ENVIRONMENTAL FIELD METHODS AND ANALYSIS
Total Credit Hours 18