Sociology and Family Studies
Steve Wages, Chair Phone: 325-674-2306 Faculty Majors: Family Studies (BS) Minors: Family Studies The Department of Sociology and Family Studies offers the Bachelor of Science degree in family studies, sociology, and sociology with an emphasis in criminal justice. A minor in sociology, criminal justice or family studies may be added to other majors. The department also offers a certificate program in gerontology (see the Gerontology Program section of this catalog). Introduction The Department of Sociology and Family Studies builds upon the University’s mission to educate students for Christian service and leadership by equipping students to address contemporary family and social issues in a variety of community settings. Within this focus, students may choose family studies, criminal justice, or sociology as a major concentration. Study Abroad Expectations All students are encouraged to participate in ACU’s Study Abroad program. Classes offered at Study Abroad sites vary depending on the site. Academic advisors can assist students in planning ahead for their Study Abroad experience and should be consulted during the freshman year. The Bachelor of Science Degree in Family Studies is designed to equip students to serve the needs of children and families in a variety of community settings. For those with a strong desire to help improve people’s lives, the program equips students to provide social services and educational programs designed to improve the functioning of children and their families, to help strengthen family relationships, and to solve personal and family problems. Taught from a Christian perspective, the program prepares students for a variety of careers serving children and families such as: social service providers, family service workers, child life specialists, child and adult protective service providers, youth services and program directors, child development center directors, and family life educators. The Family Studies major requirements examine ten content or subject areas prescribed by the National Council on Family Relations (NCFR). Students use recommended electives to build a specific area of study or concentration based on their professional interests such as child life, marriage and family, counseling, child and family ministry, gerontology, etc. Upon graduation students will have completed the course content necessary to take the NCFR Certified Family Life Educator (CFLE) examination if desired. Majors in Family Studies should be people-oriented, sensitive to the concerns of children and families, effective in communication and listening skills, and strong in potential for leadership and management. Bachelor of Science Degree (BS) Admission Requirements |
| BS: FAMILY STUDIES DEGREE PLAN (FAM) |
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UNIVERSITY REQUIREMENTS |
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Please see the University Requirements section of this catalog. |
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MAJOR REQUIREMENTS |
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Courses required for provisional CFLE certification: FAM 251 Introduction to Family Studies FAM 265 Introduction to Child Development FAM 356 Human Intimacy FAM 432 Family Finances FAM 452 Parenting and Family Skills FAM 453 Family Crisis and Resilency FAM 470 Family Life Education Methodology FAM 495 Family Studies Practicum (writing-intensive course) COMS 376 Family Communication GERO 352 Adult Development and Aging SOCI 362 Families in Society SOCI 460 Ethics and Social Issues Other courses required for major: FAM 454 Aging and the Family FAM 455 Ministry to Fathers TOTAL
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3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3
3 3 42 |
| ELECTIVES | |
Minimum | 30 |
TOTAL MAJOR HOURS | 72 |
OTHER GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS |
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Minimum grade for each course in major Minimum GPA in major Minimum GPA for graduation Minimum advanced hours Minimum total hours Courses numbered 0** do not count in minimum hours required for degree. | C 2.25 2.00 33 128 |
| MINOR: FAMILY STUDIES (FAM) | |
FAM 251 Introduction to Family Studies COMS 376 Family Communication FAM 452 Parenting and Family Skills Electives (Choose 9 hours) FAM 265 Child Development FAM 453 Family Crises and Resiliency FAM 454 Aging and the Family FAM 455 Ministry to Fathers TOTAL | 3 3 3 9
18 |
The primary goal of the sociology program is to provide a quality educational experience within a Christian, liberal arts perspective. Students will be prepared to assume entry level careers of service and leadership in communities or continue graduate studies in related fields of study. Sociology is devoted to understanding our social world – how and why it is changing and how to make it better. Its primary subject matter is the group, not the individual. Sociology attempts to give people an insight into intergroup relationships at work, in the family, the church, the community and the world. Since all human activity is social, our subject matter ranges from family relationships to mob violence, from religion to organized crime, from divisions over gender, race and social class to consensus on basic values, from the sociology of work to the sociology of sports. In fact, few fields of study have such a global scope and relevance for so many applications. Because sociology offers special training in a broad range of social issues and competency in gathering, organizing and evaluating data, a degree in sociology helps open numerous job opportunities in our information-oriented society. At the baccalaureate level, sociology majors acquire positions in such diverse occupational settings as social service agencies, management, criminal justice, community research, gerontology, public relations, medical facilities, church ministries, case workers, lobbyists, community planning, public school teaching, legal offices, public/social policy, and numerous others. Many undergraduates in sociology pursue their master’s and doctorates in specialized fields of sociology. Others use their sociology training in diverse graduate fields such as community studies and development, family therapy, social work, urban planning, church ministry and missions. Sociology also provides excellent preparation for law school by exposing students to critical thinking and research skills, interpersonal and organizational dynamics, and social policy issues. Criminal Justice Bachelor of Science Degrees (BS) Admission Requirements |
BS: SOCIOLOGY DEGREE PLAN (SOCI) |
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UNIVERSITY REQUIREMENTS | |
Please see the University Requirements section of this catalog. | |
MAJOR REQUIREMENTS |
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Sociology SOCI 111 Introduction to Sociology SOCI 205 Introduction to Criminal Justice SOCI 222 Social Problems SOCI 350 Sociology of Aging SOCI 362 Families in Society SOCI 385 Social Theory (writing-intensive course) SOCI 415 Social Research (writing-intensive course) SOCI 416 Social Statistics SOCI 442 Cultural Diversity SOCI 460 Ethics and Social Issues SOCI 480 Inequality and Social Justice SOCI 498 Sociological Practice I Advanced hours SOCI /GERO /FAM TOTAL 1Hours (in parenthesis) may also fulfill university requirements and are not included in total major hours |
(3)1 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 6 39 |
| ELECTIVES | |
Minimum | 33 |
TOTAL MAJOR HOURS | 72 |
| OTHER GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS | |
Minimum grade for each course in major Minimum GPA in major Minimum GPA for graduation Minimum advanced hours Minimum total hours Courses numbered 0** do not count in minimum hours required for degree. | C 2.25 2.00 33 128 |
SOCIOLOGY (BS) (Criminal Justice Emphasis)
BS: SOCIOLOGY WITH CRIMINAL JUSTICE EMPHASIS DEGREE PLAN (SOCJ) LAW, DEVIANCE AND SOCIAL CONTROL | |
| UNIVERSITY REQUIREMENTS | |
Please see the University Requirements section of this catalog. | |
| MAJOR REQUIREMENTS | |
Sociology SOCI 111 Introduction to Sociology SOCI 205 Introduction to Criminal Justice SOCI 222 Social Problems SOCI 355 Social Deviance SOCI 388 Crime and Delinquency SOCI 410 The Sociology of Social Control and Law SOCI 415 Social Research (writing-intensive course) SOCI 416 Social Statistics SOCI 442 Cultural Diversity SOCI 460 Ethics and Social Issues SOCI 480 Inequality and Social Justice SOCI 498 Sociological Practice I Social Work/Psychology Political Science POLS 384 American Judicial Process POLS 431 Constitutional Law: Powers or POLS 432 Constitutional Law: Civil Rights TOTAL 1Hours (in parenthesis) may also fulfill university requirements and are not included in total major hours |
(3)1 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3
3
3
3 42 |
| ELECTIVES | |
Minimum | 30 |
TOTAL MAJOR HOURS | 72 |
OTHER GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS |
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Statement of professional competence from internship sponsor Exit interview Minimum grade for each course in major Minimum GPA in major Minimum GPA for graduation Minimum advanced hours Minimum total hours Courses numbered 0** do not count in minimum hours required for degree. |
C 2.25 2.00 33 128 |
| MINOR: SOCIOLOGY (SOCI) | |
SOCI 111 Introduction to Sociology SOCI 222 Social Problems SOCI 385 Social Theory SOCI 415 Social Research SOCI 442 Cultural Diversity Choose from: SOCI 300-499 TOTAL | 3 3 3 3 3 3 18 |
Minor in Sociology (Criminal Justice Emphasis)
MINOR: SOCIOLOGY WITH AN EMPHASIS IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE (SOCJ) | |
SOCI 205 Introduction to Criminal Justice SOCI 355 Social Deviance SOCI 388 Crime and Delinquency SOCI 410 Sociology of Social Control and Law SOCI 415 Social Research SOCI 442 Cultural Diversity TOTAL | 3 3 3 3 3 3 18 |
CERTIFICATE IN GERONTOLOGY (BS) The undergraduate Certificate of Studies in Gerontology requires 15 semester hours. See the Gerontology section in Interdisciplinary Programs for specific requirements. Course Descriptions Please see the Course Descriptions section of this catalog. Courses offered by the Department of Sociology and Family Studies include those with the following designations: FAM, GERO, SOCI. |
