You are in the official 1997-98 General Catalog
for California State University, Fresno.
Department of Sociology
School of Social Sciences
ELIZABETH N. NELSON, Chair
Social Science Building, Room 227
(559) 278-2234
Visit
our Web site
B.A. in Sociology
Minor in Sociology
Faculty
Elizabeth N. Nelson, Chair
Alfred J. Claassen
Robert D. Fischer
Beth Hartung Freimuth
Albert I. McLeod
Edward E. Nelson
Robert S. Palacio
John N. Tinker
Chandler Washburne
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.
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.
Facilities
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.
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.
