The Sociology Major at Miami University is rooted in the liberal arts, and exposes students to the study of society, structures, social processes, and human interaction. It also includes a focus on important social institutions, including organizations, families, healthcare, the economy, and the law.

All students must take the following required courses:

• SOC 153: Sociology in a Global Context
• STA 261: Statistics
• SOC 262: Research Methods
• SOC 372: Social Stratification
• SOC 482: Sociological Theory
• SOC 459: Sociology Capstone OR
  SOC 470: Social and Political Activism

Students may fulfill the remaining requirements from the full list of sociology courses available in the General Bulletin, but at least 9 of these elective hours must be at the 300 level or above.

Scholarship Opportunities

Criminology

This track focuses on the sociology of crime, adult offenders, including an orientation to the social scientific study of crime, a critical examination of institutions in the criminal justice system, and a consideration of recent trends in the study of crime.

Required Courses

SOC 352 Criminology OR 

     CJS 271 Criminal Behavior

SOC 409 Systems of Justice

SOC 440C Internship in Criminology

Criminology Electives

SOC 201 Social Problems OR

     SOC 202 Social Deviance

SOC 323 Social Justice and Change

SOC 410 Topics in Criminology

SOC 412 Sociology of Law

SOC 413 Juvenile Delinquency

Additional electives can be found under the Sociology major in the Undergraduate General Bulletin from your year of admittance to Miami University

Areas of Focus

Sociology as a discipline lends itself to a wide variety of topics. Students in the sociology major who have specific intellectual and career interests can narrow down their electives roadmap by focusing on courses that are more in line with their interests and career goals. While the elective credit requirements can be met by taking additional SOC or SJS courses (list available from the CDA), the topics listed below can help students concentrate their studies to their future goals. 

Markets and Management

For students interested in human resource management, marketing, market research, management, or graduate school in business (MBA). The Markets and Management concentration provides coursework in social relations in the workplace, the dynamics of bureaucracies and other organizations, and the structures and processes that govern economies and market institutions. Electives include, but are not limited to:

SOC 225: Work and Occupational Justice

SOC 305: Sociology of Globalization

SOC 417: Economy and Society

SOC 454: Formal Organizations and Bureaucracy

Remaining hours to fulfill the major requirements can be completed with classes about Social Problems, Self and Society, Applied Sociological Research Methods, Sociology Field Experience (Internship).

Health, Medicine, and Society

For students interested in public health, health care administration, health and healthcare fields (especially when paired with a pre-med major). As recent changes in the MCAT make clear, medical schools and medial professions are increasingly interested in candidates who understand the social determinants of health and the social contexts in which health and health outcomes are produced. The Health, Medicine, and Society concentration provides coursework that covers these vital topics. Electives include, but are not limited to:

SOC 221: Sexualities

SOC 257: Population

SOC 272: Introduction to Disability Studies

SOC 357: Medical Sociology

Remaining hours to fulfill the major requirements can be completed with classes about Women and (Dis)ability, Aging and the Life Course, Sociology of Mental Disorders, (Dis)ability Allies, Formal Organizations and Bureaucracies, Sociology Field Experience (internship).

Identities and Inequalities

For students interested in advocacy, community and non-profit work, law. The identities and inequalities focuses on the major dimensions of stratification in the United States, and the social factors that shape individual experiences and outcomes. Electives include, but are not limited to:

SOC 203: Sociology of Gender Roles

SOC 221: Sexualities

SOC 258: Self and Society

SOC 348: Race and Ethnic Relations

Remaining hours to fulfill the major requirements can be completed with courses in Social Problems, African Americans in Sport, Sociology of Globalization, Aging and the Life Course, Social Justice and Change, Sociology of Law, Sociology Field Experience (internship).

Social Problems and Social Services

For students interested in law, social policy, and social work. The social problems and social services concentration offers coursework on the legal and social contexts of social groups and institutions, including the family and aging. Electives include, but are not limited to:

SOC 201: Social Problems

SOC 318: Sociology of Aging and the Life Course

SOC 363: Sociology of Families

SOC 451: Family Violence

SOC 260A: Internship: Applied Sociology

Remaining hours to fulfill the major requirements can be completed with courses in Self and Society, Intro. to Disability Studies, Sociology of Law, Formal Organizations and Bureaucracies, Gender and Aging.