Bachelor of Arts in Sociology - Racial and Ethnic Dynamics

The Bachelor of Arts in Sociology emphasizes the systematic study of human behavior in social groups. It focuses on how people coordinate their activities to achieve both individual and collective goals. Sociology is different from the other social and behavioral sciences in two important ways. First, it places primary importance on the social group within the larger society. Second, it seeks to explain the broad range of human behavior as it is influenced by the social context. Thus, sociology studies the major issues of our times and seeks to understand their complexity and predict their future. It investigates how patterns of social activity originate, what sustains them, why they take one form rather than another, and how they change. Depending on the particular interest of the student, an appropriate minor area of study is selected in consultation with the student’s advisor. In lieu of the traditional minor, the Department also offers a concentration in either Racial and Ethnic Dynamics or in Human Services. Our goal is to advance students’ intellectual preparation in macro and micro sociological concepts through rigorous, substantive, theoretical, and methodological coursework. The program provides opportunities for praxis-oriented internships, and on-going and continuous engagement with the program faculty’s teaching and research activities. Our graduates will have the personal and scholarly skills needed to face the challenges associated with social change, diversity of persons and ideas, and an evolving global economy.

An international applicant who just completed high school must have a GPA of at least 2.5 out of a 4.0 scale from a secondary school. An international applicant who attended any post-secondary institution must have a GPA of at least 2.4 (a “C” or better where “A” = 4.0) from a college or university with 60 semester (90 quarter) units completed. For an admission to a graduate program, applicants must have already earned a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.