Overview

What is Sociology?

Sociology is the systematic study of people and their institutions.  It is one of the most broad and diverse social science disciplines in academia whereby virtually every social domain is critically examined and analyzed.  Sociologists study marriage and romantic relationships, interpersonal communication, social psychology, poverty and inequality, race and ethnicity, religion, culture, aging, the media, sports, health care, crime and deviance, nationalism, social movements, and globalization just to name a few topics.

To help sociologists make sense of the social world, sociologists deploy an array of theories and research methods collecting and analyzing data from participant observations, group interviews, surveys, historical documents, and even laboratory experiments.  In the end, sociology is a discipline that attempts to move us beyond common everyday understandings of reality and illuminate how people and their institutions shape, and are shaped by, social mechanisms and processes.

If I major in Sociology, what kind of job can I get?

Sociology not only contributes to a liberal arts education, it is a practical major that enables students to enter fields that are as diverse as the discipline itself.  Sociology provides a strong foundation in law, business, social work, education, criminal justice, health care, government service, human resources, counseling, public policy research, and much more.  If any of these fields interest you, sociology is a good place to start!

If I receive an AA degree in Sociology, can I transfer to a four-year college?

Yes!  Cañada College offers everything you need to finish an AA degree in sociology as well as to transfer to a four-year college or university. 

Program Learning Outcomes:

Students completing this program will be able to:

• Analyze social science concepts and theories.
• Evaluate diverse viewpoints related to the human experience.
• Produce evidence-based arguments.