Sociology

www.linnbenton.edu/sociology

The Associate of Science in Sociology is for students interested in completing a bachelor’s degree at Oregon State University in Sociology. Students interested in this major are strongly encouraged to enroll in the Degree Partnership Program (DPP) as there may be lower division courses required by their chosen discipline that are only offered at Oregon State University. Students interested in the general transfer degree, the AA(OT) should follow the guidelines for this degree in the front section of this catalog. If you know the college/university you will be attending, you should work with an advisor from that school to be sure you are taking appropriate courses at LBCC.

Sociologists explore how both individuals and collectivities construct, maintain, and alter social organization in various ways. Sociologists also ask about the sources and consequences of change in social arrangements and institutions, and about the satisfactions and difficulties of planning, accomplishing, and adapting to such change. Students with training in Sociology can pursue careers in policy research, teaching, educational and non-profit administration, social work, government, and a variety of other careers that involve a deep understanding of both societal problems and individual behavior.

The Sociology department at Oregon State University offers several paths for sociology majors, and so we offer two possible tracks as part of our Associate of Science degree. Students seeking general training in sociology should pursue the General Sociology Track. Students interested in a career in Criminal Justice (see the section in the catalog on Criminal Justice for more information) can pursue a bachelor’s degree in that field at Oregon State University by taking the Crime and Justice Track towards their Associate of Science.

Student Learning Outcomes

Students who successfully complete an Associate of Science degree in Sociology will:

• Articulate the interplay between social or natural forces and individuals.
• Apply analytical skills to social or natural phenomena to explain, evaluate, or predict human behavior.
• Understand and respect cultural differences by: articulating an understanding of the historical basis of cultural ideas, behavior, or issues of inequality, or by articulating how their cultural background influences their reactions to or interactions with others.
• Articulate an awareness of issues related to historical or contemporary inequities in U.S. society and propose methods that would facilitate a more equitable society.