Program Overview
Sociology is the scientific study of social life, social change and the causes and consequences of human behavior. Sociology seeks to challenge commonly accepted explanations for human actions and social happenings by looking beyond surface content and systematically attempting to understand why things happen as they do.
The sociology major at High Point University is designed to provide students with a broad-based understanding of human behavior. Through coursework and hands-on learning experiences, students learn how to apply sociological theory and methodologies in order to critically assess situations, beliefs, policies and practices in an effort to identify possible solutions to social problems and facilitate positive social change at both the organizational and societal levels.
A Focused Curriculum
While students are required to take courses in both social theory and research methods, there is an emphasis on practical application. Most importantly, the major provides students with the flexibility to choose courses that are consistent with their life ambitions. Students planning to enter the job market after graduation may take advantage of internship opportunities. Those planning to pursue a graduate degree are encouraged to write a senior thesis and take advantage of the opportunities to engage in research practicums or collaborative research experiences with faculty.
Courses within the sociology major include:
- Sociology of Mass Communication
- Social and Global Inequalities
- Visual Sociology and Social Documentation
- Race and Ethnicity
- International Migration
- Sociology of Work and Family
- Culture, Religion and Society
- The Social Construction of Deviance
- Health and Illness
- Environment and Society
Combined with careful planning and practical experiences, a bachelor’s degree in sociology opens up a world of possibilities to graduates. Whether in business, government, education or human services, the knowledge acquired through a broad-focused major like sociology provides for a competitive advantage in an ever-changing world. A bachelor’s degree in sociology is also useful for those considering graduate school whether in sociology, law, politics, social work or business. Recent HPU graduates with either a major or minor in sociology have or are currently pursuing graduate degrees at the following schools:
- North Carolina State University
- Villanova University
- Auburn University
- High Point University
- John Jay School of Criminal Justice
- University of Hawaii
- Norfolk State University
- Winston-Salem State University
- University of North Carolina at Greensboro
- Campbell University Law School
- University of New Mexico
“I chose to major in sociology because I find it very interesting and believe that it will help me excel in my career as a lawyer. Sociology is a broad study and it encompasses many different interesting theories and ideas which I believe help build a well-rounded individual.”
Katie Butts,
High Point University Graduate
The Department of Human Relations, Sociology, and Nonprofit Studies offers the B.A. degree in Sociology and Anthropology. To graduate from High Point University with this degree, students must complete the following:
B.A. in Sociology and Anthropology
| Major Requirements |
36 credits |
| University Core Requirements |
50 credits |
| Electives |
42 credits |
TOTAL
|
128 credits
|
Requirements for a B.A. in Sociology and Anthropology (36 credits):
SOA 1010. The Individual and Society (4)
SOA 1020. Cultural Anthropology (4)
SOA 3120. Ethnographic Studies (4) or SOA 3700. Research Methods in Sociology (4)
SOA 3800. History and Theory of Anthropology (4) or SOA 3900. Classical and Contemporary Sociological Theory (4)
One 4000-level SOA elective course. SOA 4020—Senior Thesis I (2) and SOA 4021—Senior Thesis II (2) may be substituted for a 4000-level course.
Sixteen hours of SOA electives selected from the following list:
- SOA 2020. Sociology of Mass Communication (4)
- SOA/WGS 2030. Sociology of the Family (4)
- SOA/WGS 2040. Race and Ethnicity (4)
- SOA 2070. Sociological Social Psychology (4)
- SOA/COM 2264. Black American Voices: Stories & Sounds (4)
- SOA 2270. Anthropology in Contemporary Society (4)
- SOA/WGS/COM 2274. Women, Gender, and Culture (4)
- SOA 2450. Introduction to Biological Anthropology (4)
- SOA/WGS 2850. Globalization and Poverty (4)
- SOA 2900. Ritual, Myth, & Meaning: The Anthropology of Religion (4)
- SOA 3020. Appalachian Society and Nonprofits (4)
- SOA 3030. Sociology of Health and Illness (4)
- SOA 3050. Sociology of Education (4)
- SOA 3070. The Social Construction of Deviance (4)
- SOA 3120. Ethnographic Studies (4)
- SOA/COM 3344. Media Representations: Race, Class and Gender (4)
- SOA/COM 3384. Hip-Hop Culture (4)
- SOA 3400. Economic Anthropology (4)
- SOA 3600. Language and Culture (4)
- SOA 3700. Research Methods in Sociology (4)
- SOA 3800. History and Theory of Anthropology (4)
- SOA 3900. Classical and Contemporary Sociological Theory (4)
- SOA/ENV 4000. Environment & Society (4)
- SOA 4010. Visual Sociology and Social Documentation (4)
- SOA/WGS 4015. Sociology of Work and Family (4)
- SOA 4018. Undergraduate Research (1-4)
- SOA 4020. Senior Thesis I (2)
- SOA 4021. Senior Thesis II (2)
- SOA 4040. Class, Consumption, and the American Dream (4)
- SOA/COM/WGS 4424. Gender Speak (4)
- SOA 4444. Independent Study (1-4)
- SOA 4810-4815. Student Internship (variable credit)
No more than 8 of the 16 elective hours can be fulfilled with the following cross-listed courses: SOA 2264, SOA 2274, SOA 3344, and SOA 3384.
No more than 4 hours of SOA 4810-4815 — Internship or SOA 4018 — Undergraduate Research can be counted toward fulfilling major requirements.
NOTE: Students majoring in Sociology and Anthropology may not minor in either Sociology or Anthropology.
