Sociology Students
Sociology Students
Sociology focuses on exploring and understanding human attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors. Using the scientific method, sociologists study patterns of social relations, social inequality, and social interaction. The substantive areas of interest to sociologists include family, gender, religion, crime and deviance, education, race, ethnicity, culture, globalization, and politics among others. As a sociology major, you will learn to do the following:
- Describe major sociological theories, concepts, and social trends.
- Locate, organize, and evaluate sociological information.
- Think critically about and explain the social world using sociological perspectives.
- Conduct evidence-based analysis using appropriate methods and statistics.
- Use sociological knowledge and skills to engage with and improve a diverse world.
How will sociology prepare me for my future?
Approximately 85% of executives believe students who complete a significant project before graduation that demonstrates their depth of knowledge in their major AND their acquisition of analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills will be better prepared for success.
- As a sociology major, you will plan, conduct, and compose written reports on two extensive research projects. By completing these projects, you will become an expert in specific areas of your choosing and have in-depth experience applying the analytical tools used by social scientists.
Approximately 80% of employers think that students who develop the skills to research questions in their field and develop evidence-based analyses will be better prepared for success.
- As part of a Research Methods course, students will learn to collect and evaluate scientific data and use it to answer their own sociological questions.
Approximately 60% of employers believe that expecting students to learn about cultural and ethnic diversity will help prepare them for success.
- Few disciplines will better prepare you to interact with diverse cultures and ideas more than sociology. As students take classes in Anthropology, Race and Ethnicity, and Social Inequalities, they will be exposed to many new ideas and diverse perspectives.
Half of the employers surveyed responded that students could better prepare for success by taking courses that explore big challenges facing society, such as environmental sustainability, public health, or human rights.
- As sociology majors, students will directly address challenges faced in society in classes such as Social Problems, Sociology of Health, Sociology of the Family, Criminology, Law and Society, and many others.
Approximately 90% of executives think universities should place more emphasis on helping students develop the ability to effectively communicate orally and in writing.
- Almost every class offered in the Sociology Department requires students to write papers and present ideas and arguments to the class. This helps students to develop their communication skills. Additionally, all sociology majors are required to complete a high quality undergraduate project as the culmination of their major coursework.
Approximately 80% of employers would like to see more focus on helping students develop critical thinking and analytical reasoning skills.
- Sociology majors will learn to critique and evaluate complex information. In the Sociological Explorations course, students will develop their critical thinking skills as they learn about the "sociological imagination" and apply new ways of thinking to their study and the social world.
More than 7 out of 10 executives want students with teamwork skills and the ability to collaborate with others in diverse group settings.
- Most courses offered by the Sociology Department provide students with collaborative learning opportunities such as group projects and presentations.
Internships
The internship experience in Sociology is designed as a capstone experience for majors and is one of two methods of completing this requirement for graduation. If you are planning on attending graduate school in Sociology or another research oriented discipline, you will want to complete the senior research capstone experience instead (Soc 495). If you are planning on entering the work force upon graduation or plan on attending graduate school in an applied disciplinary program such as law school, social work, or counseling, an internship experience (Soc 498) may be the desired avenue to complete the internship capstone requirement for graduation. Students are allowed to take both courses if they wish.
If you have further questions regarding the internship experience, contact the internship department coordinator.
Internships
The internship experience in Sociology is designed as a capstone experience for majors and is one of two methods of completing this requirement for graduation. If you are planning on attending graduate school in Sociology or another research oriented discipline, you will want to complete the senior research capstone experience instead (Soc 495). If you are planning on entering the work force upon graduation or plan on attending graduate school in an applied disciplinary program such as law school, social work, or counseling, an internship experience (Soc 498) may be the desired avenue to complete the internship capstone requirement for graduation. Students are allowed to take both courses if they wish.
If you have further questions regarding the internship experience, contact the internship department coordinator.
Requirements for a Sociology internship and the approval process
1. Approval from the department internship coordinator.
2. The internship must consist of 10 hours a week (minimum) of internship experience throughout the duration of the internship.
3. The internship experience must be conducted during 7 weeks (minimum) of a BYUI semester.
4. The student will complete a journal of their experiences to be submitted at the end of the internship to the department coordinator.
5. The student must submit confirmation of hours completed to the department internship coordinator at the conclusion of the experience.
6. The student must submit a theoretical analysis of their internship at the end of their experience to the department coordinator.
The internship approval process
1. Contact potential internship placement sites.
2. Once a site has voiced their desire to have you as an intern, fill out the internship approval form online.
3. Bring 3 copies of the completed internship form to the internship department coordinator.
4. Once signed by the internship department coordinator, submit the signed copy to the Academic Discover Center in Hinckley 309. Once they have given their approval, they will authorize you to register for the internship course.
Sociology Society
The Sociology Society is open to any BYU-Idaho student who is interested in Sociology. As a member of the society, you will have opportunities to socialize with other students and participate in activities designed to help you prepare both academically and professionally. Interested students can also gain valuable leadership experience as they help organize and manage the society.
Contact