Sociology, A.A.

Program Description

The Sociology, A.A. program is designed to prepare graduates to transfer to sociology and social sciences-related programs at the bachelor’s degree level. In this program, students describe the major concepts, historical origins, empirical findings, and foundational theoretical perspectives of sociology, including Conflict Theory, Interactionism, Structural Functionalism, and Feminist Theory. Additionally, students analyze sociological phenomena such as changes in the economy, demographics, stratification, and mobility through the scientific method.  Furthermore, throughout the curriculum, students evaluate ethical issues in sociological research, while becoming more accustomed with collaborating effectively with individuals from varying socioeconomic and/or racial/ethnic backgrounds.

Program Outcomes

Graduates of the Sociology, A.A. program will be able to:

1. Describe the major concepts, historical origins, empirical findings, and foundational theoretical perspectives of sociology, including Conflict Theory, Interactionism, Structural Functionalism, and Feminist Theory.
2. Analyze sociological phenomena such as changes in the economy, demographics, stratification, and mobility through the scientific method.
3. Use Explain sociological terminology appropriately in oral and written communication.
4. Collaborate effectively with individuals from varying subpopulations, including those from diverse socioeconomic and/or racial/ethnic backgrounds.
5. Evaluate ethical issues in sociological research.

Sequence of Study

Below are the required courses for your program arranged in a suggested sequence. Please note that the sequence does not include developmental coursework. See Academic Preparation  for the developmental course sequence if applicable to you.

Required Courses (in expected order)

• PAS-1000 First Year Experience Credits: 1 (Institutional Requirement)
• EGL-1010 Composition I: Expository Writing Credits: 3 (English Gen. Ed. Requirement)
• SOC-1010 Introduction to Sociology Credits: 3 (Program Requirement)
• PSY-1010 General Psychology Credits: 3 (Program Requirement)

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• COM-1010 Foundations of Communication Credits: 3 (Arts/Humanities Gen. Ed. Elective)  or
• COM-1090 Interpersonal Communication Credits: 3 (Arts/Humanities Gen. Ed. Elective) 

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• MAT-1140 Introduction to Statistics Credits: 3 (Mathematics Gen. Ed. Requirement)
• EGL-1100 Composition II: Writing About Issues and Ideas Credits: 3 (English Gen. Ed. Requirement)
• SOC-2010 Social Problems Credits: 3 (Program Requirement; Critical Course)
• INT-1010 Introduction to Information Technology Credits: 3 (Institutional Requirement)
• SOC-2020 Marriage and Family Credits: 3 (Program Requirement)

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• BIO-1010 General Biology Credits: 4 (Science w/ Lab Gen. Ed. Elective) or
• GEO-1010 Physical Geography Credits: 3 (Science w/ Lab Gen. Ed. Elective) AND
• GEO-1020 Physical Geography Lab Credits: 1 (Science w/ Lab Gen. Ed. Elective)

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• HST-1510 History of African Americans to 1877 Credits: 3 (Social Science Gen. Ed. Elective) or
• HST-1530 History of African Americans since 1877 Credits: 3 (Social Science Gen. Ed. Elective)

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• SOC-2090 Sociology of Minorities Credits: 3 (Program Requirement)
• SOC-2030 Criminology Credits: 3 (Program Requirement)
• PHL-1010 Introduction to Philosophy: The Art of Questioning Credits: 3 (Arts/Humanities Gen. Ed. Requirement)
• HUS-1010 Introduction to Human Services Credits: 3 (Program Requirement)
• HUS-2040 Introduction to Social Work Credits: 3 (Program Requirement)
• SOC-2400 Introduction to Public Health and Health Care Policy Credits: 3 (Program Requirement)

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• NTR-1010 Introductory Nutrition Credits: 3 (Science No Lab Gen. Ed. Elective)  or

• GEO-1010 Physical Geography  Credits: 3 (Science No Lab Gen. Ed. Elective)

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• POS-1010 American National Government Credits: 3 (Social Science Gen. Ed. Elective) or
• ANT-1030 Introduction to Cultural Anthropology Credits: 3 (Social Science Gen. Ed. Elective)

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• BMT-1500 Developing a Professional Image Credits: 1 (Program Requirement)

Program Total: 60 Credits

Transferability

Credit earned at any public institution in the state shall be transferable to any other institution if the:

• Credit is from a college or university parallel course or program;
• Grades in the block of courses transferred average 2.00 or higher; and
• Acceptance of the credit is consistent with the policies of the receiving institution governing students following the  same program. Refer to ARTSYS at artweb.usmd.edu and the receiving institution’s catalog to select transferable courses.

Need Help?

For help selecting an academic program or courses, consider using Career Coach, available at www.pgcc.edu/go/careercoach.