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Contact Person:

Sociology Program Coordinator
Paul Derby
802-468-1469
paul.derby@castleton.edu

For more information and application materials, contact:
ADMISSIONS
Wright House
Castleton State College
Castleton, Vermont 05735
(802) 468-1213
info@castleton.edu

Sociology Information as a PDF

Course listings as a PDF: Anthropology; Sociology

Sociology Links

Faculty

Sociology

Sociology plays an important role in our world. Through the scientific study of society and culture, the program will prepare you for the changing conditions to which we are all exposed. The required major courses in sociological research and social theory are supplemented with many options enabling you to reach an understanding of the social forces that surround us.

Careers in Sociology
Graduates with a B.A. in Sociology are prepared for a variety of professional careers ranging from teaching, to business, to government jobs, to development projects in foreign countries. A sampling of recent graduates revealed that most obtained positions they sought and are satisfied with their jobs. Careers of our recent graduates include working in industry, education, state and federal governments, non-governmental agencies, community development, and as social and political activists. An increasing number of students go to graduate school to study sociology, anthropology, social work, law, or criminal justice.

Faculty
Areas of interests include qualitative and quantitative research, sociological theory, cultural anthropology, religion, environmentalism, social movements, community studies, globalization and social change, music, film making, criminology, aging, mental health, health care, women’s studies, sociology of education, race and ethnic relations. The Sociology faculty is committed to teaching and learning, and several faculty members have received awards for teaching excellence over the last five years including multiple “Outstanding Faculty” awards from the Student Association at Castleton and the award for “Excellence in Teaching for Innovative Use of Community-based Learning” from Vermont Campus Compact. 

Bachelor of Arts Degree in Sociology (BA.SOC)

All majors must complete 31 credits in Sociology to include:

SOC 1010 Introduction to Sociology 3 cr
SOC 3910 Research Methods 4 cr
SOC 4020 Sociological Theory 3 cr
SOC 4720 Coordinating Seminar 3 cr
and complete 18 additional credits of SOC courses chosen in consultation with the departmental advisor.
and complete 12 credits in related work to be approved by the coordinator.

Sociology also offers several Concentrations that allow students to focus in chosen areas:

1. Concentration in Cultural Anthropology (BA.SOC.CAN)

This concentration focuses on the rich diversity of human cultures through cross-cultural analysis of a wide variety of topics and perspectives including religion, music, food, environmental studies, gender, South Asian studies, symbolic systems, culture change and globalization. 

Complete Degree requirements for a major in Sociology and

ANT 1010 Introduction to Cultural Anthropology 3 cr

and three of the following five courses:

ANT 2210 Anthropology of the Environment 3 cr
ANT 3210 Anthropology of Food 3 cr
SOC 3140 Sociology of Popular Music 3 cr
SOC 3160 Anthropology of Religion 3 cr
SOC 4910 Independent Study 3 cr
and 12 credits in related work to be approved by the coordinator.

2. Concentration in Community Studies (BA.SOC.CMS).

This concentration will actively engage students in community organization and civic participation. By combining the traditional classroom setting with service-learning and community service internships, students will obtain the conceptual tools and practical

field experiences necessary for civic leadership and active participation in democratic communities. Students will also gain experience in grant writing and will work with Castleton’s Stafford Center for the Support and Study of the Community.

Complete Degree requirements for a major in Sociology and

SOC 1030 Social Problems 3 cr
SOC 2130 Community in American Society 3 cr
SOC 3310 Community Action Seminar 3 cr
SOC 4810 Internship in Sociology 3 cr
and 12 credits in related work to be approved by the coordinator.

3. Concentration in Power and Conflict (BA.SOC.PWC)

At the core of this concentration is an analysis of the structures of power and the resulting oppression. The concentration will examine the interplay between race, class and gender.

Complete Degree requirements for a major in Sociology and

SOC 1030 The Study of Social Problems 3 cr
SOC 2040 Race, Ethnicity, Class and Gender 3 cr
SOC 3220 Social Movements of the 1960s 3 cr

and one of the following three courses: 3 cr

CRJ 3050 Law and Society
SOC 2240 The Changing Family
SOC 3120 Sociology of Education

and one of the following two courses: 3 cr

SOC 2170 Gender Studies
WMS 1020 Introduction to Women’s Studies

and 12 credits in related work to be approved by the coordinator.

5. Concentration in Criminology (BA.SOC.CRM)

This concentration focuses attention on applications of Sociological research and theory to the study of crime including its etiology, the police, courts, corrections, victims and law. In addition to the Sociology courses required for the Sociology major, the following courses must be taken in lieu of other sociology electives to a total of 31 credits in Sociology.

CRJ 3010 Crime Prevention 3 cr
CRJ 3050 Law and Society 3 cr
SOC 2040 Race, Ethnicity, Class and Gender 3 cr
SOC 2210 Deviant Behavior 3 cr
SOC 3210 Criminology 3 cr

and 12 credits in related work to be approved by the coordinator.

6. Honors Program in Sociology (BA.SOC.HON)

The program is designed to increase the depth of the superior student’s work in Sociology through a rigorous academic curriculum, greater individual contact with faculty and the performance of original research.

Eligibility:
1. GPA of 3.0 or better in Sociology and overall course work.

2. Recommendation by at least two faculty members from the Sociology, Social Work, and Criminal Justice Department. The student should make formal application to the department chair at the end of the sophomore year. At this time an individual program will be designed and agreed upon by the student and department chair. It will include, at a minimum, the following requirements:

Complete Degree requirements for a major in Sociology andan 18 additional credits of SOC courses chosen in consultation with thedepartment advisorand

MAT 2011 Statistics I 3 cr
MAT 2012 Statistics II 3 cr

and 12 credits in related work to be approved by the coordinator.

3. Complete a senior thesis through Independent Study or Seminar.

4. Attain a GPA of at least 3.0.

5. Recommendations of departmental honors are made on the basis of performance in course work and the senior thesis. It is strongly recommended is an intermediate proficiency in a foreign or computer language.

7. Women’s Studies Minor

The Women’s Studies minor is an interdisciplinary academic program that is grounded in the study of the social construction of gender and gender oppression.