Sociology Undergraduate Major Orientation

1. Sociology Undergraduate Major Orientation Fall 2009

2. To many, Sociology is: • A social science • An organized school of thought directed toward making social change. • The intellectual link between individuals, groups, and society as well as the relationships between the three. • Is really broad! We can almost study anything you can think of sociologically. • Well practiced at SIUE with world renown scholars, major research and teaching awardees, & authors of dozens of books and articles. • And much more – ask us!

3. Learning Goals for Majors • The ability to understand and use social theory. • The ability to understand and use social research methods. • The ability to define a question appropriate for sociological research. • The ability to generate appropriate sociological data. • The ability to propose logical solutions and/or social policy implications to the problem based on an accurate interpretation of data. • The ability to integrate relevant sociological scholarly literature. • The ability to understand diversity and its impact on society, social theory, and social research. • The ability to communicate effectively in speech and writing.

4. Theory/Methods/Substantive Areas/Policy Relationships

5. Theory, Methods, and Statistics (301,302, & 303) • You must earn a C or better in each of these courses. • 302 and 303 can only be taken after successful completion of 301. • 495 and 433 can only be taken after successful completion of all three of the above. You must earn at least a C in these courses. • Logic: How can one develop a capstone research project or integrative internship experience/paper without a solid grounding in theory, methods, and statistics, the foundations of social science! 495 and 433 products require you to bring the substance of these courses to your project.

6. General Sociology and the Employment Relations Concentration • Employment Relations is more applied (directed toward palpable and specific real world issues in a number of areas, especially work/labor). Two additional courses are required (338 and 431). The capstone experience is an internship accompanied by a scholarly paper. • General Sociology has two less required courses (but with more electives) with a research project within 495 as a capstone experience.

7. Starting January 2010, Sociology majors will be advised by professional advisors through the College of Arts and Sciences. • These advisors will provide you with advice and guidance on course and progression toward the degree as well as practical information (e.g., PINS for registration). • BUT, we want to help you succeed as well, so feel free to come to the faculty with questions!

8. Careers in Sociology Check out these resources for information about careers in sociology: http://www.abacon.com/socsite/careers.html , http://www.asanet.org/cs/root/leftnav/careers_and_jobs/careers_and_jobs_home, and http://www.jsu.edu/depart/soc/jobs_for_sociologists.html

9. Contact information • www.siue.edu/sociology - Almost everything you need to know about the sociology major, the faculty, courses, etc… • Dr. Kauzlarich (Chair) dkauzla@siue.edu (any and all questions) • Drs. Finkelstein and Markowitz mfinkel@siue.edu and lmarkow@siue.edu (Specific Employment Relations questions) Or your sociology instructor/professor!