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2022-2023 Catalog: September 2022 Edition
Irvine Valley College
   
    Mar 28, 2024  
2022-2023 Catalog: September 2022 Edition 
    
2022-2023 Catalog: September 2022 Edition [ARCHIVED]

Sociology


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Dean: Traci Fahimi, EdD
Academic Chair: Robert Hollenbaugh, PhD
Faculty: Robert Hollenbaugh, PhD

Courses

Sociology focuses on patterns of human behavior within social contexts, seeking to understand both the forces that mold us as individuals and the elements that govern our social existence. Sociology’s subject arena ranges from the intimate family to the hostile mob, from crime to religion, from the divisions of race, gender, and social class to the shared beliefs of a common culture. Courses offered in the curriculum may be taken to fulfill general education requirements in the social sciences, and they may be applied toward an Associate in Arts degree in Sociology for Transfer or the departmental Associate in Arts degree with a major in sociology.

Major

In studying sociology, students develop an understanding of the cultural and social influences that interact in the world and that affect people’s lives. Thus those who are considering careers in such professions as law, business, education, architecture, medicine, social work, politics, public administration, or related areas will find that the sociology major provides a rich fund of knowledge directly concerning each of these fields.

Program Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the sociology program, students will be able to

  • Discuss human behavior using the sociological perspective.
  • Articulate the role of theory in sociology.
  • Articulate the role of social research methods in sociology.
  • Define and illustrate key sociological concepts.
  • Summarize basic knowledge, questions, and issues in substantive areas of sociology.
  • Communicate effectively about sociology.

Potential Careers (For Non-Transfer Degree Recipients)

According to the American Sociological Association, a bachelor’s (BA/BS) degree in sociology provides an excellent liberal arts foundation. Undergraduate training in sociology can open a variety of doors in business and the human services. Sociology majors who enter the business world work in sales, marketing, customer relations, or human resources. Those who enter human services work with youths at risk, the elderly, or people experiencing problems related to poverty, substance abuse, or the justice system. 

An advanced degree (MA, MS or PhD) qualifies a student to compete for a position teaching and/or conducting research in academic settings, or for a wide variety of research, policy, and applied sociology positions in the private and public sectors.

Examples of specific industries in which a graduate of sociology may choose to work are the following: 

  • Business
  • Business Consultation
  • Child Welfare
  • City Management
  • Consulting-Education
  • Criminal Justice
  • Education-Administration
  • Evaluation Research
  • Federal Government
  • Gerontology
  • Healthcare
  • International Relations
  • Law
  • Military
  • Public Relations
  • Seminar and Workshop Consultations
  • State Agencies
  • State Government
  • Urban Social Work

Programs

    Associate in ArtsAssociate in Arts for Transfer

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