Sociology Major
Sociology is the study of social life and the social causes and consequences of human behavior. The subject matter of sociology ranges from the intimate family to the hostile mob, from crime to religion, and from the divisions of race and social class to the shared beliefs of a common culture. In fact, few fields have such a broad scope and relevance.
Both academic sociology and Christian faith offer perspectives on human behavior and social life—partner perspectives in a dialogue meant to express a more complete and unified picture of the truth about social reality and human experience. Biblical insights and values clarify understanding of sociology, and sociology in turn teaches more about Christian faith.
“Christian sociology” provides an intellectual and spiritual foundation for both personal development and service. Self-understanding comes from discovering connections with other people. It is through interaction in families, schools, churches, and communities that individuals develop as persons, and it is this mutual dependence that forms the basis for moral life. The heart for service, an important outcome of dependence on God and relationships with others, is practically manifested and modeled as God’s love through the actions of those who serve.
The program has the following educational objectives for students:
- To understand and evaluate sociological research, and also to develop well-designed research projects
- To discern the influence of race, class, gender, religion, and ethnicity on human behaviour and social conditions.
- To utilize the comparative and historical perspective to evaluate the effects of the social context on cultural beliefs, values, attitudes, and practices.
- To gain a new perspective on the social order—including social structures and institutional practices—that empowers one to act in response to the scriptural mandate to work for peace and justice
Benefits and Distinctives
- Excellent preparation for graduate school and professional positions in education, ministry, and various social services
- Students develop an advanced ability to conduct independent and group research.
Career Opportunities
A strong liberal arts major, sociology provides several options for students who complete their B.A. degree.- A B.A. in sociology is excellent preparation for future graduate work in sociology in order to become a professor, researcher, or applied sociologist.
- The undergraduate degree provides a strong liberal arts preparation for entry-level positions throughout the education, business, social service, and government arenas. Employers look for people with the skills that an undergraduate education in sociology provides.
- Sociology offers valuable preparation for careers in ministry, teaching, journalism, politics, public relations, business, criminal justice, or public administration – fields that involve investigative skills and working with diverse groups.
- Many students choose sociology because they see it as a broad liberal arts base for professions such as law, education, medicine, social work, and counseling. Sociology provides a rich fund of knowledge that directly pertains to each of these fields.
What About Internship and Graduate School Opportunities?
Sociology students have held internships at church youth programs, summer camps, children’s social services, high school athletic programs, and social research assistance. Many graduates continue to pursue higher education at APU, while others have attended such prestigious institutions as the University of California, Los Angeles; Fuller Theological Seminary; Loma Linda University; the University of Southern California; Washington State University; and California State University, Long Beach.
“The sociology major at APU gave me a well-rounded education, providing me with the opportunity to both read about and research the people and social systems that make up the world around me. There was not a day that went by in my sociology classes that I was not challenged by the faculty to expand my way of thinking and relating with the world.”
Alayna Goins ’05
Sociology
