Course Requirements
Those students desiring to complete the Thesis Option are required to take
SOC 500 Thesis Research as one of their twelve courses.
Students entering without an undergraduate course in introductory statistics with a grade of B- or better are required to take
SOC 402 STATISTICS FOR THE SOCIAL SCIENCES. SOC 402 carries graduate credit and can be counted among the 12 courses for the degree.
Students receiving more than two incompletes will not be allowed to register for courses until the incompletes are resolved.
The Writing Project
Master of Arts in Sociology with Thesis
The design for the thesis project may be developed in SOC 411 and SOC 412 or SOC 413. A student selects a faculty mentor and together they set up a committee with two additional faculty members. A thesis proposal hearing is required at the start of the project and an oral presentation at its completion.
Master of Arts in Sociology with Research Project
Students design and carry out a research project and prepare a final research report. The student selects a faculty mentor and a second reader. This project can be based on research begun in SOC 412, SOC 413, or a substantive course.
Master of Arts in Sociology with Literature Review or Analytical Essay
The student prepares a literature review or analytical essay indicating mastery of a body of literature. It is often started in conjunction with one of the specialized courses. The student selects a faculty mentor and a second reader. This project can be developed in SOC 414 Literature Review Writing Project.
SOC 404
CLASSICAL AND MODERN THEORY
Covers classical social theory (Marx, Durkheim, and Weber) and social theory through the 1960s.
SOC 405
SOCIOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVES
Examines sociological theories, methods and concepts through a study of the work of contemporary sociologists.
SOC 411
SOCIAL RESEARCH
This course focuses on the logic of sociological inquiry, ethical issues of research, the various methods social scientists use, and research in applied settings. For Sociology MA students only.
Prerequisites:
Status as a SOC Graduate student is a prerequisite for this class.SOC 412
DATA ANALYSIS
The implementation of a research project. Analytic techniques, data processing and the preparation of a written research report.
Prerequisites:
SOC 411 is a prerequisite for this class.SOC 413
QUALITATIVE METHODS
An examination of qualitative methods in sociology: data collection and analysis, field research, life histories, unobtrusive measures and visual methods employing video and film equipment are emphasized.
SOC 402
STATISTICS FOR THE SOCIAL SCIENCES
Introduction to quantitative and statistical reasoning in the social sciences, quantitative data analysis, and computer software.
SOC 414
LITERATURE REVIEW WRITING PROJECT
This course requires students to complete a paper reviewing the sociological literature on a topic of their choice. Successful completion of the literature review paper is one of the ways in which students may fulfill the final project requirement leading to the master's degree.
SOC 500
THESIS RESEARCH
The thesis research should culminate in the acceptance of a thesis. Four quarter hours, one registration.