Learning Outcomes for Undergraduate Sociology Majors

Students who complete the Sociology (BA) Program will demonstrate significant progress toward the following learning outcomes:

An understanding of the social relationship and experience between humans and
the physical environments.
The ability to examine the aesthetic qualities of works of literature and art in socio-
historical context.

The acquisition of knowledge about cultures, cultural innovations, cultural diffusion and
 cultural universals.
An understanding of the social structures that support or impede social change and
 cultural maintenance. 
The ability to analyze social institutions cross-culturally and to examine inter-ethnic
 collaborations, conflicts, and social problems.
An understanding of the diverse cultural groups represented in the Americas.

An awareness of the relationship between humans and the natural world.
An awareness of how human cultures have shaped ecologies and ecological frontiers
 which have, in turn, affected human cultures.
An understanding of how cultures have interacted with their environment.
The ability to apply sociological perspectives in assessing the ecological consequences of
 economic and political decisions. 

The ability to construct critical interpretation and analyses.
The ability to present ideas and conclusions in a variety of forms (e.g., oral, written, and
 technological).
The ability to interact respectfully with others who hold divergent sociological and
 cultural perspectives.
The ability to work in groups to collect, analyze, synthesize, and present information.

An awareness of a variety of ethical issues that have impacted all human societies.
The ability to examine a variety of ethical issues from an awareness of past ideas and
 events in the research setting.
The ability to engage diverse sociological perspectives in a sensitive manner.

The ability to search databases and resource systems in order to collect useful
 information.
The ability to communicate effectively using technology such as word processing, e-mail,
 the Internet, and quantitative analysis procedures.
The ability to summarize quantitative analysis and interpret findings.

The ability to critically analyze a variety of sociological texts.
The ability to critically differentiate between primary and secondary sources.
The ability to connect the study of sociology and other disciplines.
The ability to critically formulate interpretations through syntheses of material from
 diverse texts, contexts, and sources.

The ability to evaluate critically the utility of a variety of technological systems and
 resources.
The ability to search databases and resource systems in order to collect useful
 information.

The acquisition of an enhanced understanding of diverse cultures and of shared human
 achievements.
The acquisition of a sense of sociological consciousness, an understanding of forces,
 ideas, events, movements, persons, and culturally specific social consciousness.

1. Evaluate key concepts and theoretical perspectives in sociology.
2. Complete both qualitative and quantitative research projects.
3. Summarize knowledge gained from experiential learning in a term paper.
4. Describe the relationship between the major branches of sociology.
5. Perform objective assessments of social situations.

1. Employ the conventions of standard written English.
2. Select a topic, and develop it for a specific audience and purpose, with respect for diverse perspectives.
3. Select, organize, and relate ideas and information with coherence, clarity, and unity.

1. Select and organize information.
2. Identify assumptions and underlying relationships.
3. Synthesize information, and draw reasoned inferences.
4. Formulate an appropriate problem solving strategy.
5. Evaluate the feasibility of the strategy.