You are in the official 1996-97 General Catalog
for California State University, Fresno.

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Sociology

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School of Social Sciences
Department of Sociology
ELIZABETH N. NELSON, Chair
Social Science Building, Room 227
(559) 278-2234

B.A. in Sociology

Minor in Sociology

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Sociology is the study of social life and the social causes and consequences of human behavior. Sociology's subject matter ranges from the intimate family to the hostile mob, from crime to religion, from the divisions of race and social class to the shared beliefs of a common culture, from the sociology of work to the sociology of sport. In fact, few fields have such broad scope and relevance.

Training in sociology provides students with a special perspective on human development and social life which is an especially important part of a liberal education. Theory and research methods provide the foundation for study in sociology. On this foundation, different programs of electives can be built to meet the needs of students with different goals and interests.

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Faculty and Facilities

All full-time faculty hold Ph.D. degrees and share a commitment to excellence in teaching. Their areas of special interest are diverse, including social change, deviance, women in society, social stratification, social psychology, social theory, and research methods. Most of the faculty are actively involved in research. Recent faculty research has included studies of opinions on women's issues, willingness to pay additional taxes, prayer, stereotypes and ethnic prejudice, and the social organization of sport.

The department encourages students to gain research experience. Some students conduct their own research projects; other students assist faculty members or work with the university's Social Research Laboratory. The laboratory conducts applied research on a variety of topics of regional interest. It regularly conducts the Fresno Area Study examining the quality of life in the San Joaquin Valley. Other projects have examined cancer clusters, residents' perceptions of community problems and solutions, taxes, and local issues. The opportunity to gain practical research experience while working closely with faculty members can add a special dimension to education in sociology at California State University, Fresno. Students can also apply their sociological training through internships with local counseling or social service agencies.

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Career Opportunities

Students trained in sociology at California State University, Fresno have entered a wide variety of occupations. Although only a few students plan to become professional sociologists, training in sociology provides a solid background for a variety of careers. The research emphasis of this department provides training in data gathering, analysis, and report writing which is valuable in many careers. In addition, an understanding of the relationships between individuals and groups can prove useful in work, as well as in everyday life.

A few of our students have become professional sociologists. After completing graduate school, they became university professors. While most professional sociologists teach, an increasing number hold research positions in a variety of organizations. Many more students have found sociology to be an excellent preparation for law school. Still, other California State University, Fresno graduates have taken graduate training and entered other professions, including anthropology, library science, social work, counseling, criminology, rehabilitation counseling, and public administration. Those students who begin work after completing a bachelor's degree in sociology usually enter careers in business and management, in the administration of public and private social service agencies, or as human services workers or research analysts in a variety of organizations.

Sociology - Degrees

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