Sociology
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Highlights
Sociology Subject Areas Criminology, gender, global studies
Criminology, gender, global studies, demography, deviant behavior, family, sexuality, social research, social inequality, social work, urban
Internships
Baltimore City Circuit Court, Johns Hopkins Hospital Oncology Social Work Department, Baltimore County State’s Attorney’s Office, Sheppard Pratt Hospital, Keswick Multicare Center, Maryland Department of Juvenile Services
Program Description
Sociology is grounded in the dual traditions of humanism and science. As a science, sociology looks objectively at individuals and groups to understand how people act in different social contexts. There are two general approaches within sociology — the macro level approach, focusing on the large scale, looking at how societies function and change over time, and the micro level, focusing on the small scale, looking at how individuals interact and the relationship between individual and society. Loyola's sociology major grounds students in both perspectives, exposing students to numerous theoretical and methodological approaches in the disciplines and providing opportunities for real-life application of sociological principles.
Curriculum
The sociology program at Loyola is designed to teach students how to study people and society from a scientific and humanistic perspective. Twelve sociology courses constitute the major; many students combine sociology with another discipline for an interdisciplinary major. The department gives its majors considerable freedom to design a program of study to match their academic interests and career aspirations. Building on the strengths of its faculty, the department offers courses in the areas of gender, neighborhood and community, deviance and criminology, sexuality, health, inequality, population studies, political sociology and others. Many courses examine the interaction of race, class and gender and how they influence the way we think, feel and act. Using this “sociological imagination,” some courses address specific issues of great personal importance, such as sexuality or the family, while other courses show how sociology can be used to better understand larger groups and even whole societies. Another focus is examination of society’s problems, such as crime, illness, poverty and discrimination, and to analyze the causes and potential solutions. All students complete an internship; research-oriented students are encouraged to work with faculty members on an Individual Study Project and to participate in the Undergraduate Research Colloquium.
Faculty
Humanistic and scientific traditions, macro and micro approaches — all are represented by Loyola’s sociology faculty. Specialties in the department include evolution of societies, demography, political sociology, sexuality, gender, criminology and criminal justice, health, community, and urban sociology. Beyond the classroom, individual faculty are involved with the U.S. Census, United Way of Central Maryland, the Asian-American communities and the Hispanic immigrant community, researching and publishing in such areas as residential patterns by race, political elites, community studies, diabetes self-management, social inclusion of people with disabilities, substance abuse, and sociology of everyday life.
- Michael G. Burton
- Professor, Director, Global Studies
- Ph.D., University of Texas (Austin)
- Specialties: comparative historical sociology, political sociology, social theory and social stratification.
- Currently: Engaged in research on the role of social elites
- M. Antonia Keane
- Associate Professor
- M.A., San Jose State University
- Specialties: criminology and penology, juvenile delinquency, and women's studies
- 1986 distinguished teacher.
- Currently: Enoch Pratt Free Library System Board of Trustees
- Mark F. Peyrot
- Professor
- Ph.D., University of California (Los Angeles)
- Specialties: deviant behavior, medical sociology, social psychology and research methods
- Received several research grants
- Currently: Studying personal and family adjustment to chronic illness.
- Former director of Loyola's Center for Social and Community Research
- Jai P. Ryu
- Professor
- Ph.D., University of Minnesota (Minneapolis)
- Specialties: demography, race relations, sociological theory, sociology of films and Asian-American communities
- Publications include a monograph on residential segregation of blacks in American cities and numerous articles on Asian Americans. Received a Fulbright-Hays Award in 1982
- Currently: President, Korean Resource Center; Executive Committee member, Board of Directors, United Way of Central Maryland
- H. Lovell Smith
- Assistant Professor
- Ph.D., University of Maryland
- Specialties: applied research, social class, and community and labor studies
- Currently: Board member, Friends of Benjamin Banneker
- Barbara H. Vann
- Associate Professor and Chair
- Ph.D., University of Arizona
- Specialties: gender, sociology of everyday life, social stratification and sexuality
- Co-author, Sociology in Everyday Life. Visiting Professor, Charles University, Prague, C.R., 2004-2005
- Currently: Collaborating with Czech colleagues on EU funded project involving individuals with intellectual disabilities in the Czech Republic; Director, Loyola Summer Study Abroad Program in Prague
Internships
All sociology majors participate in the Sociology Practicum and Seminar spring semester of their senior year. Students spend the semester as an intern with organizations such as the Baltimore course system, social service agencies, non-profit organizations and government agencies. Some students choose a research practicum, working with medical and other organizations, non-profits, etc. The seminar provides a capstone experience for senior sociology majors to share their pre-professional experiences.
Placement
- Loyola's graduates in sociology have taken government positions in law enforcement, health care, data analysis, education, the military, and social service and other people-related professions. Many have also taken jobs in business. They have successful careers in management, personnel, public relations and sales.
- A number of sociology majors attend graduate school, some pursuing a Masters in Social Work and others graduate study in sociology. The availability of fellowships, tuition waivers and teaching or research assistantships in the field continues to rise.
- Sociology also provides an excellent background for law school. In recent years, Loyola majors have studied law at Georgetown University, Hofstra University, University of Maryland and University of Baltimore. The sociology major also offers an excellent foundation for further study or a career path in urban planning, public policy, communications or business management.
Other Activities
The Department of Sociology sponsors a chapter of Alpha Kappa Delta, the international Sociology honor society. The group hosts speakers, presents seminars and conducts other academic enrichment programs. The Sociology Club, run completely by students, offers a venue for group participation in various activities. The club organizes social events, fundraisers, community service activities and an annual Career Night.
Course Sequence
1st year
self and Society
Societies and Institutions
Core courses (6)
General electives (2)
2nd year
Social Research Methodsa
Second methods course
Statistics
Sociology electives (2)
Core courses (5)
3rd year
Sociological Theory
Upper-level Sociology (2)
Sociology electives (2)
Core courses (2)
General electives (3)
4th year
Sociology Seminar
Internship and Practicum Seminar
Sociology electives (3)
Core course
General electives (4)
Recommended:
Introduction to Computers
Sociology electives include:
American Society
Child Welfare
Criminal Justice
Cultural Anthropology
Deviance and Social Control
Health and Society
Introduction to Gender Studies
Introduction to Social Work
Juvenile Delinquency
Magic, Religion, and Witchcraft
Neighborhood and Community in Urban America
Political Sociology
Populatio Studies
Protest! Legacy of the Sixties
Social Change
Social Inequality
Social Problems
Sociology of Race, Class and Gender
Sociology of Religion
Sociology of Sexuality
The Family
The Sociology of Crime and Criminals