Program Mission

The mission of the Sociology Program at Minot State is to prepare our students with the knowledge and critical perspectives to navigate a rapidly changing world and shape it into a more just, equal, and inclusive place. We seek to do this by providing a personalized approach in research, theory, data analysis, and writing tailored to each student’s interests and career goals. Our mission is also to serve our regional and local community through sharing knowledge and informed action on pressing social problems.

Student Learning Goals and Student Learning Outcomes

Student Learning Goals	Student Learning Outcomes
SLG 1: Demonstrate advanced sociological knowledge including theories, methods, perspectives, and other content.	SLO 1.1: Articulate major research methods, sociological theories, and approaches to inquiry and/or schools of practice. SLO 1.2: Illustrate both their application and their relationship to allied fields.
SLG 2: Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the sociology’s profession contributions and the challenges facing the discipline.	SLO 2.1: Assess the contribution of major sociologists. SLO 2.2: Describe major methodologies and/or practices in sociology. SLO 2.3: Articulate a full range of challenges involved in practicing sociology as a profession.
SLG 3: Communicate effectively both in writing and orally about any topics from a sociological perspective.	SLO 3.1: Use clear and consistent organizational pattern to present content cohesively (Organization). SLO 3.2: Choose memorable and appropriate language to enhance the effectiveness of the presentation (Language). SLO 3.3: Select different and effective types of delivery techniques to make presentation of work compelling, polished, and confident (Delivery). SLO 3.4: Use different types of materials to significantly support the presentation and establish the presenter’s credibility/authority on the topic (Supporting Materials). SLO 3.5: Deliver a compelling central message (Central Message).
SLG 4: Demonstrate critical thinking by systematically exploring issues, ideas, artifacts, and events before accepting or formulating an opinion or conclusion.	SLO 4.1: Clearly state the issues/problem that needs to be considered critically (Explanation of Issues). SLO 4.2: Thoroughly interpret and evaluate the information taken from sources(s) to develop a comprehensive analysis or synthesis (Evidence). SLO 4.3: Thoroughly analyze their own and others’ assumptions that takes into account the complexities of and issue (Influence of Context and Assumptions). SLO 4.4: Conclusions, consequences, and implications are logical and reflect informed evaluation and ability to place evidence and perspectives discussed in priority order (Conclusions and Related Outcomes).
SLG 5: Demonstrate cultural company through appropriate interaction in a variety of cultural contexts	SLO 5.1: Employ ethnocentrism and cultural relativism to articulate their own cultural rules and biases, as well as demonstrate sophisticated understanding of the complexity of their own and other culture’s social structure. SLO 5.2: Interpret intercultural experience from their own perspectives as well as more than one worldview while acting in a supportive manner that acknowledges the perspective of another cultural group.
SLG 6: Apply sociological knowledge and skills to systematically understand the world based on the collection and analysis of data driven evidence.	SLO 6.1: Identify a creative, focused, and manageable topic that addresses potentially significant yet previously less-explored aspects of an issue. SLO 6.2: Synthesize in-depth information from relevant sources representing various points of view/approaches. SLO 6.3: Demonstrate fluency in the tools of the development, implication and decimation of an original research project.

Bachelor of Arts with a Major in Sociology

General Education
General Education courses		38
Required Core		19
SOC 110	Introduction to Sociology	3
or SOC 201	Social Problems
or SOC 200H	Idea of Society
SOC 111	Sociology as a Vocation	1
PSY 241	Introduction to Statistics	4
or DATA 211	Applied Statistics and Data Visualization
or MATH 210	Elementary Statistics
SOC 278	Social Research Methods	3
SOC 178	Introduction to Applied Research	2
SOC 477	Sociological Theory	3
Required Sociology Elective Courses		18
Students must select a minimum of 2 courses at 300 level and 1 course at the 400 level. 400 level course CAN NOT include 401. Students may focus on a specific area, however it is not required.
Areas of Focus
APPLIED SOCIOLOGY
SOC 201	Social Problems
SOC 210	Introduction to Anthropology
SOC 236	Sociology of Sport
SOC 255	Diversity in Families
SOC 279	Aging and Life Course
SOC 298	Sociology of Education
SOC 345	Critical Media Analysis
SOC 369	Studies in Deviance
SOC 381	Sociology of Health and Illness
SOC 463	Sociology of Gender
CULTURE & MEDIA
SOC 202	Popular Culture and Society
SOC 236	Sociology of Sport
SOC 255	Diversity in Families
SOC 269	Culture and Sexuality
SOC 275	Contemporary Community Issues
or POLS 275	Contemporary Community Issues
SOC 345	Critical Media Analysis
SOC 357	Sociology of Religion
SOC 374	Cultural Studies
SOC 425	Society and the Graphic Novel
Additional Electives		6
CJ 330	Criminological Theory
CJ 332	Restorative Justice
CJ 362	Gender Issues in Criminal Justice
CJ 395	Victims and Victimology
COMM 219	Mass Media and Society
COMM 315	Persuasion and Argumentation
COMM 413	Gender Communication
COMM 425	Crisis Communication
CSCI 111	Introductory Programming and Big Data
CSCI 331	Technology and Society
DATA 211	Applied Statistics and Data Visualization
DATA 240	Programming for Data Science
GEOG 340	Human Geography
GEOG 380	Cultural Geography
GS 225	Intro to Gender/Women's Studies
HIST 261	American Indian History
HIST 315	History of American Women
HIST 365	Peoples and Cultures of Native North America
PHIL 100	Critical Thinking
PHIL 101	Introduction to Philosophy
PHIL 102	Philosophy of Human Nature
POLS 115	American Government
SWK 428	Crisis Intervention
Required Senior Capstone		3
SOC 401	Research/Practicum/Internship
or SOC 399	Senior Readings
Second Major or Minor and/or Concentration(s)		34-36

Sociology Minor (Non-Teaching)

Required Core (10 cr.)
SOC 110	Introduction to Sociology	3
or SOC 200H	Idea of Society
or SOC 201	Social Problems
SOC 111	Sociology as a Vocation	1
SOC 278	Social Research Methods	3
SOC 477	Sociological Theory	3
Required Sociology Elective Courses		12
Any 4 Sociology Courses
Total Hours		22

Sociology Minor (Teaching)

Required Core:
SOC 110	Introduction to Sociology	3
or SOC 200H	Idea of Society
or SOC 201	Social Problems
SOC 278	Social Research Methods	3
SOC 298	Sociology of Education	3
SOC 477	Sociological Theory	3
HIST 391	Secondary History/Social Science Teaching Methods	3
Required Sociology Elective Courses		6
Any 2 Sociology Elective Courses
Total Hours		21

Sociology Concentration

SOC 110	Introduction to Sociology	3
SOC electives (200-400 level)		9
Total Hours		12

Media Literacy Concentration

Required Courses:
COMM 219	Mass Media and Society	3
SOC 345	Critical Media Analysis	3
Choose 2 of the following:
BADM 321		3
BADM 422		3
COMM 220	Broadcast Advertising and Applications	3
COMM 315	Persuasion and Argumentation	3
ENGL 367	Media Literacy	3
GS 225	Intro to Gender/Women's Studies	3
SOC 325	Environmental Sociology	3
SOC 374	Cultural Studies	3
Total		12