Sociology Program

Overview

Fairmont State Sociology majors study:

• How social policy intersects with culture and values
• How norms are formed and influence our behavior
• What problems face our society, and how we can use the scientific method to learn about and attempt to correct them
• How society is organized and what our place in it means for our lived experiences

The Fairmont State Sociology courses provide knowledge of:

• Substantive areas of sociological and anthropological inquiry such as race, class, geography, culture, and communication.
• The application of the scientific method and statistical analysis  for sociological inquiry.
• The historical evolution of sociological theory describing the competing explanations for the function and organization of society.

Students can earn a degree with an emphasis on population studies, take sociology as a minor or earn their undergraduate degree to go on to graduate school.

Career Opportunities

Students with a B.S. degree in Sociology continue on to graduate school, or frequently find employment in entry-level positions within social science research, public administration, advertising, business, social service agencies, health services, community planning, and teaching.  Positions include:

• Research assistant
• Counselor
• Journalist
• Youth service worker
• Public relations officer
• Lawyer
• Teacher

Behavioral Analytics Concentration

This Concentration in Behavioral Analytics offers students who major in sociology the opportunity to expand their skills in manipulating and analyzing data on a larger scale to become competitive in a job market that is increasingly focused on the use of “Big Data”. This specialization is an add-on to the sociology degree, and is to be completed in addition to all sociology major requirements in place of free electives. It is recommended that students who are interested in this specialization possess at least an ACT math score of 21 or above, or its equivalent, in order be able to register for the required courses.

View Concentration Requirements

Model Schedule

• Sociology Program

Mission

The mission of the Sociology Program at Fairmont State University is to support students in developing sensitivity to matters of local and global justice, understanding their responsibilities as citizens in a democracy by engaging with the community, and cultivating an ethical view that respects the life, property, opinions, and feelings of others. This will be done by providing students training in a broad range of sociological content, a firm foundation in statistical analysis and the scientific method, and a critical understanding of both historical and contemporary social theory. 

Goals

The Sociology Program at Fairmont State University strives to meet the needs of the local community and broader society by preparing all majors for immediate entry into social service positions and graduate programs that develop specializations across the many fields of sociology. (Graduation rates and alumni surveys)

The program supports the Scientist-Practitioner model by providing experiences for all majors in the broad spectrum of scientist and practitioner roles in academics, business, criminal justice, education, and many social service fields.

Outcomes

1. Students will demonstrate familiarity with the major concepts, theoretical perspectives, empirical findings, and historical trends in sociology.
2. Students will be aware of basic research methods in sociology, including research design, data analysis, and interpretation.
3. Students will respect and use critical and creative thinking, skeptical inquiry, and, when possible, the scientific approach to solve problems related to behavior and group processes.
4. Students will understand and apply sociological principles to personal, social, and organizational issues.
5. Students will be able to weigh evidence, tolerate ambiguity, act ethically, and reflect other values that are the underpinnings of sociology as a science.
6. Students will develop insight into their own and others’ behavior and mental processes and apply effective strategies for self-management and self-improvement.