Program Description
About the discipline
Sociology courses at Spring Arbor University provide students with an understanding of social order, social conflict and social change. Significant social issues are confronted by integrating sociological principles and theories with Christian faith. Students majoring in sociology will develop skills in social analysis and intervention that are applicable to families and small groups as well as complex organizations and communities.
At least 18 of the 30 credits in the major are upper-division courses. It is highly recommended that a sociology major consider spending a semester in one of the following locations: 1) Council for Christian Colleges and Universities: Washington, D.C. or Costa Rica; 2) Chicago: Chicago Semester; 3) Voice of Calvary: Jackson, Mississippi. If a sociology major takes one of these semester programs, six elective sociology credits can be earned which would be applied to the major.
Career opportunities
The sociology major is designed to provide a solid foundation for graduate studies in sociology. Students planning to enter social work, teaching, business, communications, law and Christian ministry could also benefit greatly from a major or minor in sociology.
Program strengths and emphases
The department of sociology offers two programs leading to the baccalaureate degrees in sociology. The traditional sociology major is recommended for students planning to pursue graduate studies in sociology. This program provides a solid liberal arts foundation in social issues and social theory that can also be useful for students interested in public service, law, ministry and many other fields where a traditional liberal arts degree is valued. For students with specific interests in social change, the Clinical Sociology major is recommended. This program is designed to prepare the undergraduate student for a career in planned change, as it relates to social systems.
Concentrations in specific areas will allow the student to develop specialized skills and practical experience that will make the student better prepared for critical participation in the affairs of the contemporary world. Concentrations are available in social justice, community development, and international change and development. Concentrations in specific areas will allow the student to develop specialized skills and practical experience that will make the student better prepared to function as an effective agent of change in the contemporary world.