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Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the Sociology major, a student will have demonstrated a command of the theoretical and methodological approaches of contemporary sociology, the ability to complete a sustained research project, and the ability to present their work in writing and in discussion. Majors will be able to:

1. Demonstrate command of the theoretical and methodological approaches of contemporary sociology:
   • Identify and formulate questions appropriate to contemporary sociology, and locate these questions in their broader context;
   • Analyze, discuss, and evaluate the theoretical and methodological underpinnings of existing scholarship in the field of sociology and related social science disciplines;
   • Compare and assess quantitative and qualitative approaches to sociological data analysis and acquisition; 
   • Demonstrate competency in introductory statistical analysis and data manipulation
   • Assess impact of existing research on the field
   • Articulate future possible avenues for research that build on existing work
2. Execute and defend a sustained independent research project:
   • Choose and define a research topic from the field, and independently investigate that topic with the support of an advisor;
   • Develop and pursue a rigorous method appropriate to the research topic;
   • Demonstrate broad knowledge of their research area and contextualize this research within it;
   • Collect and analyze data;
   • Produce a well-written, referenced and thorough document that contributes to a subfield in sociology
3. Communicate work done
   • Write a clear and coherent document that is substantially longer than a traditional term paper or project and formatted in a style appropriate to the approach
   • Orally present, discuss and defend work done

The primary assessment tool for learning in the major at ½ñÈÕ³Ô¹Ï and the level of student achievement in the major area is the senior thesis; the junior qualifying examination, which assesses a student's readiness for thesis, provides a second assessment tool. For more information, see our description of the thesis, the major and Junior Qualifying Exam, and the academic program.