Sociology
Sociology provides a variety of courses to meet the needs of students majoring in sociology as well as students seeking to satisfy their general studies requirements. Sociology is an important part of a liberal arts education, and students interested in elective courses to complete their degree requirements will find many upper-division sociology courses that complement courses offered in other departments. Sociology is a social science that is concerned primarily with studying social behavior and human groups. Among other things, sociology looks at how groups influence individual behavior, how groups cooperate or conflict with one another, and how societies are established and change. Sociologists are also concerned with social problems that occur in societies such as crime, discrimination, poverty, and inadequate health care. Sociology emphasizes how society (rather than bad people ) contribute to problems such as these. Gallaudet offers a general major in sociology as well as a major in sociology with a concentration in criminology. Minors are available in sociology and criminology. A major in sociology provides a basis for graduate study in sociology, law, criminology, and related fields. Undergraduate training in sociology is also valuable for students interested in social work, secondary school teaching, business careers, and careers in public service.
Alpha Kappa Delta International Sociology Honor Society:
Founded in 1920, the name Alpha Kappa Delta was chosen because the letters represent the first letters of the three classical Greek words that embody the function of the society. They are anthropos, meaning mankind; katamanthano, meaning to examine more closely or acquire knowledge, and diakoneo meaning to do service. Thus, the motto of AKD is "To investigate humanity for the purpose of service." To be initiated into AKD a student majoring in sociology must be junior or senior, have completed at least four sociology courses, have a 3.0 overall GPA, be in the top 35% of their class, and have a 3.0 GPA in their sociology courses.
Declaring a Major
Requirements for Admission to a Major in Sociology or Sociology with a Concentration in Criminology
Students planning to major in Sociology or Sociology with a Concentration in Criminology require the signature of the Program Coordinator. Students must have a grade of "C" or better in SOC 101. For continuation in the major, students can have no more than one grade of "D+" or lower in a major required course or major elective course.
Undergraduate Majors and Minors offered: