Department of Sociology
801 22nd Street, NW, Suite 409
Washington, DC 20052

Phone: (202) 994-6345
Fax: (202) 994-3239
soc@gwu.edu

Steve Tuch, Chair
Ivy Ken, Graduate Studies
Daina Eglitis, Undergraduate Studies
Emily Morrison, Human Services
Octavia Kelsey, Dept. Operations Supervisor

BA in Sociology

 

See also, the Sociology Undergraduate Handbook for additional details.

Bachelor of Arts with a major in sociology—The following requirements must be fulfilled:

1. The general requirements stated under Columbian College of Arts and Sciences.

2. Prerequisite course—Soc 1001.

3. Required courses in the major—Soc 2101, 2102, 2103, 2104, 4197, and seven additional 100-level sociology courses including at least two courses chosen from the 160s or 170s groups. It is recommended that Soc 2101 and 2102 be taken by the junior year.

Bachelor of Arts with a major in criminal justice—The following requirements must be fulfilled:

1. The general requirements stated under Columbian College of Arts and Sciences.

2. Prerequisite course—Soc 1001.

3. Required courses in the major—Soc 1003, 2101, 2102, 2136, 2145, 2192; PAd 2117; and five courses chosen from Soc 2135, 2167, 2178, 2184, 2189, 0785; Psyc 2011, 2154; ForS 2103–4; PSc 2113, 2115; Anth 2150; Hist 2175; Econ 2167. Of the five courses, at least one sociology course and at least one non-sociology course must be taken; students must verify that they have met any prerequisites before registering. Soc 2101 and 2102 should be taken by the junior year.

Minor in sociology—18 hours of course work are required, including Soc 1001, either Soc 2103 or 2104, plus 12 hours of electives in sociology courses at the 100 level, excluding Soc 4192 and 4197.

Note: A student majoring in sociology may not declare a second major or a minor in criminal justice, or vice versa. Students in all three departmental majors are required to earn a grade of C– or better in any course specifically required in the major. If a student receives a grade of D+, D, or D– in a required course, the student may either (1) repeat the course, in which case the grade in the repeated course must be no lower than a C–, and grades for both the original and repeated courses will appear on the student’s transcript; or (2) take a 100-level course in the same department, in addition to the minimum number of courses required for the major, and receive a grade no lower than C–. Option 1 must be approved by the department chair in writing before the student may register for a course a second time.

 

1001 Introduction to Sociology (3) Staff
  A broad overview of the “sociological imagination” as a way of understanding social events and personal experience; sociology’s place among the social sciences; basic elements of sociological perspectives.    (Fall and spring)
1003 Introduction to Criminal Justice (3) Kubrin, Weitzer, Buntman
  An introduction to the study of criminal justice. The historical development of criminal justice and its evolution into modern legal systems. The impact of different forms of criminal justice on society and the individual.    (Fall)
2101 Social Research Methods (3) Kubrin, Tuch, Ishizawa
  Lecture (3 hours), laboratory (1 hour). Introduction to basic research methods in sociology. Topics include research design, sampling, measurement, and analysis of survey data via computer application.    (Fall)
2102 Techniques of Data Analysis (3) Tuch, Ishizawa
  Continuation of Soc 101. Examination of a range of topics in the statistical analysis of sociological data, with a strong emphasis on computer applications. Prerequisite: Soc 101.    (Spring)
2103 Classical Sociological Theory (3) Kennelly, Eglitis
  Development of social thought from 1840 to 1940. Major emphasis on Comte, Marx, Durkheim, Simmel, Weber, Martineau, DuBois, Addams, and Mead.    (Fall)
2104 Contemporary Sociological Theory (3) Kennelly, Eglitis
  A systematic study of the work of selected social theories of the post–World War II era. Emphasis on Parsons, Merton, Mills, Giddens, Smith, Blumer, Goffman, Berger, Gramsci, Beauvoir, Wallerstein, Foucault, and Butler.    (Spring)
2105 Social Problems in American Society (3) Squires, Kubrin
  Introduction to critical social problems (e.g., unemployment, poverty, crime, discrimination) in the United States and how they are, and have historically been, researched and understood by the academic and non-academic worlds. Concepts, theories, and methods of sociological research; examination of the field of social problems generally, emphasizing contemporary social problems.
2111 Field Research (3) Chambliss, Weitzer
  Examination of the logic of qualitative inquiry and techniques of qualitative data collection and analysis. Various research methods are covered, with an emphasis on intensive interviewing, participant observation in field settings, and focus groups.
  (Spring)
2112 Evaluation Research (3) Staff
  Introduction to the evaluation of public programs designed to address the impact of social problems on individuals, households, and larger collective groups. Application of social science theory and research methods to the assessment of impact benefits and costs of such programs.    (Fall)
2135 Youth and Delinquency (3) Chambliss, Kubrin
  Analysis of historical, economic, and social conditions affecting both difficulties in socializing youth and the evolution of the state’s formal systems of control.    (Spring)
2136 Criminology (3) Chambliss, Weitzer
  Nature and distribution of crime as related to the development and operation of criminal law and various social and legal institutions. Analysis of the historical, social, legal, and cultural conditions affecting the nature of crime, criminality, and the development of state responses made to it.    (Spring)
2145 Criminal Law (3) Chambliss, Buntman
  Introduction to the sources and fundamental principles of criminal law and procedure using major sociological perspectives as interpretive tools.    (Spring)
2150 Sociology of Sport (3) Zamoff
  Sport as a social institution; the role, consequences, and functions of sport in U.S. society. Relationships between sport and the institutions that impact our lives: education, mass media, economics, politics, etc.
2151 Jackie Robinson: Race, Sport, and the American Dream (3) Zamoff
  How Jackie Robinson’s struggles and accomplishments can help in understanding current issues in race, sport, and U.S. society. The background leading to, and the impact emanating from, Robinson’s entry into major league baseball.
2161 Sociology of Complex Organizations (3) Staff
  Review of sociological approaches to the study of complex organizations. Selected and comparative emphasis on bureaucratic organization in both government and private sectors.    (Spring)
2162 Sociology of the Family (3) Staff
  An examination of the stages of family life: birth, childhood, premarital relationships, marriage and sex roles in marriage, retirement and old age. Special emphasis on development and maintenance of interpersonal relations.    (Fall)
2163 Sociology of Education (3) Staff
  Analysis of educational systems from historical–comparative, institutional, and micro-sociological perspectives. Emphasis on educational systems in relation to the religious, cultural, economic, and political forces shaping their character; the role of formal education in modern society.    (Spring)
2165 Sociology of Religion (3) Yeide
  Analysis of the relationships between religion and society. Topics include the contribution of religion to social integration, social change, and social inequality; the nature of religious experience; religious symbolism; the basis of religious communities.    (Spring)
2167 Sociology of Law (3) Chambliss, Buntman
  Law as a social phenomenon and agency of social control. Special emphasis is placed on study of the sources of and challenges to the legitimacy of law.    (Fall)
2168 Economic Sociology (3) Staff
  Sociological approach to the study of micro- and macroeconomic behavior. Historical and comparative analyses informed by the literature of sociology and other social sciences. Critical review of economic policy in developing, post-communist and advanced market societies.    (Spring)
2169 Urban Sociology (3) Squires, Ishizawa
  Analysis of the city from a sociological perspective. Topics include a focus on the social change and inequality associated with urban growth, neighborhood change, and suburbanization; residential segregation; the issue of whether community exists in cities; urban poverty and homelessness.
2170 Class and Inequality (3) Tuch, Eglitis
  Analysis of distribution of resources and opportunities for participation, education, and social mobility. International comparisons; analysis of public policies that affect these distributions.    (Fall)
2173 Social Movements (3) Staff
  General survey of the various forms of collective behavior (fads, panics, riots, social movements, etc.), and a more detailed study of the genesis, development, and decay of social movements and social revolutions.    (Spring)
2175 Sociology of Sex and Gender (3) Kennelly, Eglitis
  The roles of women and men from social structural and social psychological perspectives. Analysis of gender inequality in such areas as the family, the workforce, the media, politics, law, religion, and education.
2178 Deviance and Control (3) Weitzer, Kubrin
  Examination of deviant behavior and its control. Topics include theoretical perspectives, changing societal conceptions of deviance, deviant behavior and identity, and the dynamics of control agencies.    (Fall)
2179 Race and Minority Relations (3) Tuch, Squires
  Analysis of relationships between dominant and minority groups in society; nature and range of problems; analysis of the phenomenon of prejudice.    (Spring)
2181 Special Topics in Sociology (3) Staff
  Analysis and examination of various processes in society of general importance to the field of sociology, e.g., social conflict, socialization, social change. Topic changes each semester; may be repeated once for credit.    (Fall and spring)
2184 Violence and the Family (3) Staff
  Comparative approach to power and violence in family systems. Analysis of devaluation of family relations. Critical survey of explanations of violence and responses made to it.    (Fall)
2189 Special Topics in Criminal Justice (3) Staff
  Analysis and examination of various processes and problems of general importance to the field of criminal justice. Topic changes each semester; may be repeated once for credit.    (Fall and spring)
4192 Advanced Seminar in Criminal Justice (6) Chambliss, Weitzer
  Restricted to seniors majoring in criminal justice. Internship in a criminal justice agency; field placement in consultation with a faculty member is required before registration. Weekly seminar meetings, presentations, journal, and a paper are required. Prerequisite: Soc 2136 or 2145.    (Fall and spring)
3195 Research (1 to 3) Staff
  Independent study and special projects. Open only to selected undergraduates with promising academic records. Prerequisite: Students must submit a written proposal of their plan of study for the approval of the member of the department who will direct the research. May be repeated for credit to a maximum of 6 credits. (Fall, spring, and summer)
4197 Advanced Seminar in Sociology (6) Eglitis
  Restricted to seniors majoring in sociology. Students spend at least 12 hours a week in an approved community agency or organization in metropolitan Washington. Field placement in consultation with a faculty member is required before registration. Weekly seminar meetings, reports, a journal, and a written paper are required. (Fall and spring)

 

 

Meet a Professor: Ruth Wallace

Professor Emeritus Ruth Wallace has taught for 31 years at the George Washington University, where she has cultivated her interests in theory, gender, and religion. She is the recipient of several awards and honors: The American Sociological Association's Jessie Bernard Award for scholarly work on the role of women in society, the District of Columbia Sociological Society's Stuart Rice Award for Outstanding Contributions to Sociology, the Religious Research Association's H. Paul Douglass Lecturer, Marquette University's Joseph McGee Lecturer, and Santa Clara University's Distinguished Visiting Scholar.

undergraduate admissions

The Neighborhood: A Link to Teen Obesity?

When it comes to adolescent obesity, Assistant Professor of Sociology Antwan Jones thinks neighborhoods may be one of many factors in its root cause. Armed with a two-year grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, Jones is studying characteristics of neighborhoods, such as proximity to fast food restaurants and open spaces, to determine if they elevate the risk of obesity. He’s also examining whether the act of moving to a new neighborhood, which may break long-established networks of friends, also adds to the risk.

“The stress of moving and the loss of community connectedness work in tandem to discourage adolescents from familiarizing themselves to the neighborhood amenities that exist in their new areas,” explained Jones. “Thus, they may be less likely to engage in exercise at nearby parks or [they may] rely on convenient, but unhealthy, foods at chain restaurants or neighborhood stores.”

For more, check out the full article by clicking on the title above (or go to: http://columbian.gwu.edu/newsevents/articles/the-neighborhood-a-link-to-teen-obesity)