Sociology Department Adds New Classes, Capstone Requirement to Major
- August 30, 2016
Sociology majors at Cal State East Bay will see a change to their requirements starting in fall 2018 when semester conversion is finalized.
According to Pat Jennings, professor and chair of sociology and social services, the department has reorganized the major in a way that enhances student learning. The sociology core will continue to include theory and methods, and a senior capstone course will be added. Jennings said the capstone course enriches learning by bringing together theory and methods in an original research project. The core diversity requirement has also been improved with the addition of new and updated diversity courses.
The conversion process coupled with the hire of three new faculty over the past four years has allowed the sociology department to refresh and update its curriculum and add several new courses. For instance, Jennings said faculty and students are excited about the addition of Sexualities, Environmental Sociology, Animals and Society, Global Brazil and a community engagement course.
It also provided faculty with the opportunity to reflect on pedagogical approaches that will enhance students’ intellectual abilities and skill development. As a result, the course revisions reflect a commitment to high-impact practices, Jennings said.
Although students will take fewer electives under the new major, courses were designed to improve students’ ability to understand abstract concepts, develop a better ability to reason, compare and contrast academic arguments, and to improve reading comprehension and writing skills.
“High-impact practices will mean more class projects, more writing, more hands-on applied class work and a deeper engagement with the materials,” Jennings said, adding that she hopes the high-impact practices will also encourage more engaged learning.
When asked about the types of jobs students enter into after graduation, Jennings explained that the major does not train students to enter a specific profession since it is not a professional degree, per se. Instead, it is a liberal arts degree that prepares students to pursue a range of career options.
A large number of sociology majors do go on for a professional graduate degree in social work or graduate degrees in other fields. Some enter into teaching, both in K-12 as well as at the college level once they complete a graduate degree. Others who earn a bachelor’s degree may seek employment as research assistants in various organizations including community-based agencies. Some students enter into nonprofit work and others work in a variety of positions in the private sector.