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Sociology Program Information

Mission Sociology

Our mission in the sociology concentration at Towson University is to prepare students to be critical consumers of information related to social interaction and society and to be insightful social observers, capable of enriching the workplaces, communities, and institutions of higher learning to which they graduate.  Through their course of study, students learn to use a variety of theoretical and methodological tools to analyze and interpret social data, to think creatively and communicate effectively about social issues and problems, and to engage their communities as active and responsible citizens oriented towards the welfare of society.  The foci of study are social structures and institutions, social processes and interaction, and awareness of inequality and appreciation for diversity in an increasingly complex world.  Sociology students develop the ability to adapt to ongoing change in a knowledge-based society and work environment.  They are prepared to enter into a wide range of graduate programs and career settings, such as the corporate workplace, government, social services, research institutes, and nonprofit and community organizations.

Major Overview

The Department of Sociology, Anthropology and Criminal Justice offers an undergraduate major degree in sociology-anthropology (called SOAN), with a choice of three different concentrations for study: sociology, anthropology, or criminal justice.   All students in the major are exposed to social science methods and perspectives needed to understand culture and society.  Then within each discipline, students learn valuable content knowledge and also develop important problem solving, critical thinking, interpretive, and analytical skills.  At the time they declare the major, each student selects and specifies a concentration of study.  Each concentration consists of a specialized and distinct curriculum.  Students complete the SOAN major by completing any of the three concentrations.  To meet the requirements for the SOAN major with a concentration in sociology or anthropology, a minimum of 39 units of study are required, and 21 of these units must be completed at Towson University.  To complete the requirements for the SOAN major with a concentration in criminal justice, a minimum of 42 units of study are required, and 24 of these units must be completed at Towson University.  A grade of “C” or better must also be earned in all major courses.  At the present time, all department courses run under an ANTH or SOCI course code, including all criminal justice courses.  A CRMJ course code is forthcoming Fall 2006.  Currently the department consists of about 40 full and part time faculty with approximately 650 majors distributed across our three concentrations. 

Career Choices and Opportunities

Sociology concentration

Students receive excellent preparation for entry-level positions in settings such as the corporate workplace, social services, research institutes, government or politics, journalism or the mass media, and nonprofit and community organizations.  Examples of career options (some requiring a graduate degree) routinely pursued by sociology students include

• University or College Professor

• Research Director

• Policy Analyst

• Survey or Interview Researcher

• Demographer or Statistician

• Organizational Consultant

• Public Relations Specialist

• Human Resource Professional

• Social Service Program Manager

• Urban and Environmental Planner

• Community Organizer

• Lawyer

Double or Combined Major Options

Students who would like to combine the study of sociology or anthropology with geopgraphy or psychology may choose a double or combined major option involving these disciplines, with a concentration in either sociology or anthropology.  Either double major allows students to pursue an integrated curriculum of two majors that requires fewer units than the pursuit of the two majors separately.  Further information can be obtained from the Undergraduate Catalog or from either of the sponsoring departments.  Ask specifically about the combined double major options.  There is no combined or condensed double major option available at this time for students in the criminal justice concentration.

Minor Options

Currently the department offers minors in the disciplines of sociology or anthropology, but there is no minor available in the study of criminal justice.  Both minors require the completion of a minimum of 24 units of study, or eight courses total.  To meet the requirements for either minor, 15 units or five courses total must be taken at Towson University, 12 units must be upper level (300 or higher) courses, and a grade of “C” or better must be earned in all minor courses.  Many students interested in the study of criminal justice can complete either the sociology or anthropology minor and select varied crime content courses as their electives.  This is a popular option among students.

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