SOCIOLOGY
What is Sociology?
Sociology is the systematic study of people and their institutions. It is one of the most broad and diverse social science disciplines in academia whereby virtually every social domain is critically examined and analyzed. Sociologists study marriage and romantic relationships, interpersonal communication, social psychology, poverty and inequality, race and ethnicity, religion, culture, aging, the media, sports, health care, crime and deviance, nationalism, social movements, and globalization just to name a few topics.
To help sociologists make sense of the social world, sociologists deploy an array of theories and research methods collecting and analyzing data from participant observations, group interviews, surveys, historical documents, and even laboratory experiments. In the end, sociology is a discipline that attempts to move us beyond common everyday understandings of reality and illuminate how people and their institutions shape, and are shaped by, social mechanisms and processes.
If I major in Sociology, what kind of job can I get?
Sociology not only contributes to a liberal arts education, it is a practical major that enables students to enter fields that are as diverse as the discipline itself. Sociology provides a strong foundation in law, business, social work, education, criminal justice, health care, government service, human resources, counseling, public policy research, and much more. If any of these fields interest you, sociology is a good place to start!
If I receive an AA degree in Sociology, can I transfer to a four-year college?
Yes! Cañada College offers everything you need to finish an AA degree in sociology as well as to transfer to a four-year college or university.
Courses
Sociology 100—Introduction to Sociology
This is an introductory course on the identification and analysis of basic social structures and forces that motivate and direct social behavior. The course material includes an introduction to research methods as well as a survey and analysis of American social institutions with a focus on inequality and social change.
Sociology 105—Social Problems
This course is an overview of selected social problems in the United States viewed from a sociological perspective. Topics covered include poverty, globalization, the environment, health and health care, crime and deviance, racial inequality, and gender inequality. An emphasis will be placed on identifying the social causes of selected problems as well as developing practical solutions.
Sociology 141—Ethnicity and Race in Society
This course examines sociological theories of ethnicity and race as well as explores the contemporary experiences of racial and ethnic minorities in the US. Key concepts and theories are critically examined and contemporary sociological debates discussed. The future of ethnicity and race is also explored.
The Sociology Club
In 2007, students at Cañada College formed the Sociology Club. For information on how to get involved, please email leero@smccd.edu or call 650-306-3438.
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