The University of St. Thomas

Minor in Sociology

Minor in Sociology open book View Catalog Entry

Department Description:

Sociology & Criminal Justice at St. Thomas

Sociology is the scientific study of human behavior whose unique contribution is understanding the influence of external social forces beyond the control of individuals as manifested in groups, organizations, and social processes such as inequality and socialization or how we come to know the ways of society.  A major in sociology enables students to observe and analyze social life. Sociology provides knowledge and skills applicable to a variety of careers, as well as everyday life.

Auguste Comte coined the term sociology in the 1800's and was motivated, in part, to understand the upheaval of the French revolution. Today, sociology is a broad discipline with a variety of sub fields including criminology, sexuality, family, gender, politics, social movements, social psychology, education, social inequality, deviance, and aging to name just a few. In fact, the American Sociological Association lists over 44 current sections reflecting a wide range of teaching and research interests.

Here at St. Thomas, dedicated faculty are actively involved in engaging students both inside and outside the classroom with problem-based learning, research opportunities, and an active sociology and criminal justice student club.

Description of Minor

Minor in Sociology

  • SOCI 100 Introduction to Sociology (4 credits)

    Plus at least four credits from the following:
  • SOCI 210 Research Methods in Sociology (4 credits)
  • SOCI 220 Sociological Analysis (4 credits)
  • SOCI 350 Social Inequality: Privilege and Power (4 credits)
  • SOCI 365 Social Psychology (4 credits)
  • SOCI 366 Self and Society (4 credits)
  • SOCI 370 Sociological Theory (4 credits)
  • SOCI 474 Seminar is Sociology (4 credits)

    Plus twelve additional credits from the list above or below:
  • SOCI 110 Social Problems (4 credits)
  • SOCI 130 Homicide (4 credits)
  • SOCI 251 Race and Ethnicity (4 credits)
  • SOCI 304 Adolescence in Society (4 credits)
  • SOCI 312 Crime and Delinquency 
  • SOCI 321 Marriages and Families (4 credits)
  • SOCI 330 Religion and Society (4 credits)
  • SOCI 332 Urban Sociology (4 credits)
  • SOCI 341 Work, Organizations, and Society (4 credits)
  • SOCI 344 Police and Society (4 credits)
  • SOCI 346 Corrections in America:  Prisons, Probation and Parole (4 credits)
  • SOCI 353 Global Perspective on Gender (4 credits)
  • SOCI 354 Sex in Society (4 credits)
  • SOCI 380 Cross-Cultural Perspectives on Religion (4 credits)
  • SOCI 498 Individual Study (4 credits)
    Students wishing to combine a Sociology minor with a Criminal Justice minor may do so but only 8 credits may count towards both. Neither SOCI 200 or SOCI 301 may count towards the sociology minor.
Study Abroad Opportunities:

Study Abroad Opportunities

Students majoring in Sociology or Criminal have opportunities to spend a semester or year abroad. Because sociology courses are offered at virtually every university, students studying abroad can usually satisfy some of their major requirements. See International Education for more information on study abroad opportunities.

Research Opportunities:
There are opportunities for students to do independent research in colloboration with a faculty member and to present findings at a professional meeting such as the Midwest Sociological Society. See a faculty member if interested.
Typical Careers:

Jobs, Internships, & Career Information

Job Star

Career Choices for Sociology Majors: Allyn & Bacon

Career Information for CJ Majors

Career Choices and Graduate School: What are UST SOC Graduates Doing?

Career Resources for Sociology Majors

UST Career Development Center

What Can I Do with This Major?

 

Contact Information:

Contact Us

Department Address

    University of St. Thomas
    Department of Sociology
    Mail # 5021
    2115 Summit Ave.
    St. Paul, MN 55105-1096

Department Location

    University of St. Thomas
    St. Paul Campus   (campus maps)
    O'Shaughnessy Educational Center
    4th Floor, room 431

Contact Information

   Email: sociologycj@stthomas.edu   
   Office: (651) 962-5630
    Fax:  (651) 962-5682

Stacy Janke is the Administrative Assistant for the Sociology and Economics Departments. The office is open from 8:00 am - 4:00 pm during the academic year with modified office hours during the summer.

Email: sljanke@stthomas.edu

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