Sociology, Major

Sociology, Major, B.A. 

The following is a sample degree plan, based on the current catalog. It is based on the 120-credit graduation requirement and assumes no transferred credits, no requirements waived by placement tests, no courses taken in the summer or winter, no repeated courses, and no remedial courses that may be required. This sample degree plan is intended for first-year students entering UW-Eau Claire in the fall semester. Your own degree plan may differ depending on the course of study selected (second major, minor, etc.). UW-Eau Claire cannot guarantee all courses will be offered as shown, but will provide a range of courses that may enable prepared students to fulfill their requirements in a timely period. This sample degree plan is just a guide. Please consult your advisor, your degree audit, and the catalog to create your own degree plan. Note: In order to earn the required minimum of 120 credits for the degree in four years, you should plan to take 15 credits each semester or 30 credits each year.

To earn a degree, students must fulfill all University Graduation Requirements, including the Liberal Education (LE) Core.  LE Core course work in the following sample degree plan uses abbreviations such as LE-K1, LE-S2, LE-R3, and LE-I1 to represent the learning outcomes students will meet via completion of their liberal education course work.  Please click here for a description of the Liberal Education Core outcomes and requirements. Note that the LE Core may be completed through both course and non-course experiences.

Students in this major have the option to pursue either a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) or a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree.  The degrees are distinguished by foreign language competency for the B.A. and a higher level of mathematics competency for the B.S.

FIRST YEAR
FIRST SEMESTER
SOC 101Introduction to Sociology ((LE-K2, LE-R1) (Pre-req. for 300- and 400-level SOC) )3
WRIT 114Intensive Blugold Seminar in Critical Reading and Writing (LE-S1)5
or WRIT 116 Blugold Seminar in Critical Reading and Writing
LE Option: Knowledge 3 (K3) Humanities3
LE Option: Responsibility 2 (R2) Global Perspectives3
SECOND SEMESTER
SOC Elective3
MATH 104Finite Mathematics with Applications (or any course meeting Math competency-LE-S2)4
LE Option: Skills 1 (S1) Written and Oral Communication3
LE Option: Knowledge 4 (K4) Fine Arts3
LE Option: Responsibility 3 (R3) Civic and Environmental Issues3
TOTAL30
SECOND YEAR
FIRST SEMESTER
SOC 328Sociological Data Analysis (Fall only: Pre-req is Math competency)3
SOC Elective3
Minor3
LE Option: Knowledge 2 (K2) Social Sciences3
Language 100-Level3
SECOND SEMESTER
SOC Elective3
SOC Elective3
Minor3
LE Option: Knowledge 1 (K1) Natural Sciences3
Language 102-Level3
TOTAL30
THIRD YEAR
FIRST SEMESTER
SOC 330Sociological Theory (Fall only)3
SOC Elective3
Minor3
LE Option: Responsibility 1 (R1, DDIV) Equity, Diversity, and Inclusivity with Design for Diversity3
LE Option: Skills 3 (S3) Creativity3
SECOND SEMESTER
SOC 332Sociological Research Methods (Spring only: Pre-Req for SOC 490)4
SOC Elective3
Minor3
LE Option: Knowledge 1 (K1L) Natural Sciences with Lab3
LE Option: Knowledge 3 (K3) Humanities3
TOTAL31
FOURTH YEAR
FIRST SEMESTER
SOC 490Sociology Capstone (LE-I1, Fall only)3
Minor3
Minor3
LE Option: Integration (I1)3
Elective3
SECOND SEMESTER
SOC Elective3
Minor3
Minor3
Elective3
Elective3
TOTAL30
Minimum total for the baccalaureate degree = 120 credits

Note:  All students must complete the 30-hour Service-Learning Requirement via a non-credit or credit option (see Undergraduate Graduation Requirements).

PROGRAM INFORMATION
Sociology Major Requirements
Thirty-six semester credits, including:
SOC 101 Introduction to Sociology (3) (Fall, Spring, Summer)
SOC 328 Sociological Data Analysis (3) (Fall)
SOC 330 Sociological Theory (3) (Fall)
SOC 332 Sociological Research Methods (4) (Spring)
SOC 490 Sociology Capstone (3) (Fall)
Sociology electives (20)
Note 1: Majors are strongly encouraged to enroll in SOC 330 no later than the first semester of their junior year.
Note 2: A maximum of nine credits earned in SOC 395, SOC 399, SOC 496, SOC 497, SOC 498, and/or SOC 499 may count toward major.
Note 3: A sum total of nine credits in SOC 291 and SOC 491 courses may be counted toward the major.
Note 4: Sociology electives may include CRMJ 103 and/or CRMJ 302.

Overlap between Sociology and LE Core
• K2–SOC 101 Introduction to Sociology, SOC 164 Family and Intimate Relationships, SOC 264 Social Gerontology, SOC 301 Environmental Sociology, SOC 304 Sociology of the Middle East
• R1–SOC 101 Introduction to Sociology, SOC 202/WGSS 202 Sociology of Gender, SOC 312 Race and Ethnicity in the US (also DDIV), SOC 314 Social Class and Inequality (also DDIV), SOC 316 Sociology of Family
• R2–SOC 304 Sociology of the Middle East
• R3–SOC 242 Social Problems, SOC 301 Environmental Sociology, SOC 317 Sociology of Food and Agriculture
​• S3–SOC 332 Sociological Research Methods
• I1–SOC 360 Sociology of Culture, SOC 490 Sociology Capstone

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR HIGH IMPACT PRACTICES (HIPs)
The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire encourages all students to participate in High Impact Practices. The following information identifies any specific recommendations that faculty in this major have concerning which HIPs might be most beneficial to students, and any recommendations about when those HIPs best fit into the degree plan. Students should also consult their faculty advisor for information on HIPs. There are many additional high impact opportunities available. Talk to your academic advisor for more information about incorporating HIPs like Study Abroad, Intercultural Immersion, Internship, and/or Student/Faculty Collaborative Research into your time at UW-Eau Claire.

Liberal Education (LE) Core Guidance

Liberal Education Core (LE Core) 

The LE Core comprises 17 learning experiences across 11 learning outcomes. Students must complete a minimum of 36 credits in courses approved for the LE Core. 

  • K1 – Natural Sciences; two experiences (one lab science experience is required in K1 or K2). 

  • K2 – Social Sciences; two experiences (one lab science experience is required in K1 or K2). 

  • K3 – Humanities; two experiences. 

  • K4 – Fine Arts; one experience. 

  • S1 – Written and Oral Communication; two experiences (one experience must satisfy the University writing requirement). 

  • S2 – Mathematics; one experience (must satisfy the University math competency requirement). 

  • S3 – Creativity; one experience (can be fulfilled in a student’s major). 

  • R1 – Equity, Diversity, and Inclusivity; two experiences (one experience must meet the UW System Design for Diversity (DD) requirement). 

  • R2 – Global Perspectives; one experience. 

  • R3 – Civic and Environmental Issues; one experience. 

  • I1 – Integration; two experiences (one experience can be fulfilled in a student’s major). 

  • SL—Service Learning; 30 hours 

Additional LE Core Information 

  • Most LE Core learning experiences are course based, and many courses meet more than one learning outcome (e.g., K3 and R2 or K1 and R3). 

  • Some learning experiences can also be met outside of a traditional course (e.g., undergraduate research (S3), study abroad (I1)). 

  • S1 – An English placement score that fulfills the University writing requirement fulfills one S1 experience. 

  • S1 – A foreign Language placement score that qualifies the student to enter the 102 level satisfies one S1 experience. 

  • S1, R2 – A foreign language placement score that qualifies the student to enter the 202 level satisfies one experience in S1 and the R2 experience. 

  • S2 – A math placement score that qualifies the student to enter Math 111, 112, 113 or 114 fulfills the S2 experience. 

  • S3 – Completion of two credits from any approved music ensemble fulfills the S3 experience. 

  • I1 – Any semester long study abroad program can fulfill one I1 experience.