Take sociology courses at Inver Hills and apply it toward transfer at any Minnesota State university
Sociology

Sociology at Inver Hills offers courses that cover a multitude of sociological topics, including religion, gender, genocide, family, class, race, sport and deviant behavior as well as the relationship between mind, self and society.

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Sociology

Department Contact

Vicky Knickerbocker

VKnickerbocker@inverhills.edu
651-450-3745
LA 119

Admissions Team

admissions@inverhills.edu
651-450-3000
College Center

According to the American Sociological Association (ASA), sociology can be defined as follows:

  • Sociology is the study of society.
  • Sociology is the social science focused on studying the social lives of people, groups and societies.
  • Sociology examines our behavior as social beings, covering everything from analyzing brief contacts between anonymous individuals to the investigation of social processes on a global scale.
  • Sociology is the scientific study of social aggregations, the entities human beings traverse throughout their lives.
  • Sociology is the overarching unification of all studies of humankind, including history, psychology and economics.

Degree

A.A., Sociology Transfer Pathway – 60 credits

The Sociology Transfer Pathway A.A. offers students a powerful option: the opportunity to complete an Associate of Arts degree with course credits that directly transfer to designated Sociology bachelor’s degree programs at Minnesota State Universities. The curriculum has been specifically designed so that students completing the pathway degree and transferring to one of the seven Minnesota State Universities* enter the university with junior-year status. All courses in the Transfer Pathway associate degree will directly transfer and apply to the designated bachelor's degree programs in a related field.

The Sociology Pathway consists of the Required Pathway Curriculum, the Minnesota Transfer Curriculum (MnTC), and the Health and Physical Fitness Requirement, to bring your credit total to 60 credits.

* Universities within the Minnesota State system include Bemidji State University; Metropolitan State University; Minnesota State University, Mankato; Minnesota State University Moorhead; Southwest Minnesota State University; St. Cloud State University; and Winona State University.

Coursework   Program Planning Guide

Required Sociology Pathway Curriculum – 10 Credits

The courses below must be completed successfully according to the university's grade standards AND address the required outcomes in the transfer pathway for Sociology. Sociology courses beyond the requirements are not guaranteed to transfer into a Sociology major at a Minnesota State university; however, they may be taken to fulfill college and university electives

Course Number Title Credits
Introduction to Sociology - 4 credits
SOC 1100 Introduction to Sociology (Goal 5, 9) 4 cr
Organizations and Institution - 3 credits
SOC 1130 Family and Society (Goal 5, 7) 3 cr
Sociology Elective: Social Inequality and Stratification - 3 credits
Choose one of the following courses:
SOC 1127 Social Inequalities: Race Class & Gender (Goal 5, 7)
SOC 1145 Gender in Society (Goal 5,7)
SOC 2010 Sociology of Genocide (Goal 5, 9)

Electives - 18 credits

Electives may be courses numbered 1000 level or higher from any discipline. This may include additional courses from Sociology or the MnTC. Examples of non-MnTC courses that may be taken include the following disciplines: ACCT, BUS, CS, CRDV, EDU, EMS, ENGR, HLTH, HSER, ITC, PA and PE.

Health/Physical Education - 2 credits

For a list of the requirements and courses, go to: inverhills.edu/MnTC

Course Number Title Credits
Health   1 cr
Physical Education   1 cr

Additional General Education Requirements – 30 credits

The Minnesota Transfer Curriculum (MnTC) requires a minimum of 40 credits, some of which will be satisfied by the required pathway curriculum. You must complete the MnTC courses that are specifically designated below. You may choose the other courses from each goal area from the list located at: inverhills.edu/MnTC

To streamline your degree, you are encouraged to choose MnTC Goal 1-6 courses that also meet MnTC Goal areas 7-10.

Goal Description Credits
Goal 1 Communication
  • Goal 1a: ENGL 1108 Writing & Research Skills
  • Goal 1b: ENG 1111, 1114 OR 1130
  • Goal 1c: COMM 1100, 1110 OR 2230
3 courses
Goal 2 Critical Thinking
  • Satisfied by First Year Experience course or MnTC completion
  
Goal 3 Natural Science (1 course must include lab)
  • Goal 3a (Life Science) course
  • Goal 3b (Physical Sciences) course
 2 courses
Goal 4 Mathematical/Logical Reasoning
  • Goal 4 course (MATH 1103 recommended)
 1 courses
Goal 5 History/Social Sciences/Behavioral Sciences
  • First SOC course - Satisfied by Transfer Pathway
  • Second SOC course - Satisfied by Transfer Pathway
  • Any additional Goal 5 (non-SOC) coursey
 3 courses
Goal 6 Humanities/Fine Arts/Literature
  • Goal 6a (Fine Arts) course
  • Goal 6b (Humanities/Literature) course
  • Any additional Goal 6 course
 3 courses
Goal 7 Human Diversity
  • Satisfied by Transfer Pathway
  
Goal 8 Global Perspective
  • Goal 8 course
1 course
Goal 9 Ethical and Civic Responsibility
  • Satisfied by Transfer Pathway
 
Goal 10 People and the Environment
  • Goal 10 course
1 course
Total Credits: 30

Recommended Full-Time Course Of Study

Note: Not all courses will be available every semester. For a complete list of Minnesota Transfer Curriculum (MnTC) Goal Area course choices, please visit: www.inverhills.edu/MnTC

Semester 1 - 15-16 credits

Course Number Title Credits
First Year Experience Course (Goal 2)   1-2 cr
SOC 1100 Introduction to Sociology (Goal 5, 9)* 4 cr
ENG 1108 Writing & Research Skills (Goal 1a, 2) 4 cr
COMM 1100 OR
COMM 1110 OR
COMM 2230 		Interpersonal Communication (Goal 1, 7) OR
Public Speaking (Goal 1, 2) OR
Small Group Communication (Goal 1, 2) 		3 cr
MnTC Goal 6a   3 cr
Total Credits: 15-16

Semester 2 - 15 credits

Course Number Title Credits
SOC 1130 Family and Society (Goal 5, 7)* 3 cr
ENG 1111 OR
ENG 1114 OR
ENG 1130 		Research Writing (Goal 1b) OR
The Research Paper OR
Writing & Research for the Professions 		2-3 cr
MnTC Goal 4 MATH 1103 recommended 3-4 cr
MnTC Goal 6b   3 cr
MnTC Goal 81   3 cr
Total Credits: 15

Semester 3 - 15 credits

Course Number Title Credits
SOC Elective *   3 cr
MnTC Goal 3a   3 cr
MnTC Goal 6c   3 cr
MnTC Goal 101   3 cr
General Electives2   3 cr
Total Credits: 15

Semester 4 - 14-15 credits

Course Number Title Credits
MnTC Goal 3b   3-4 cr
MnTC Goal 5 (non-SOC) course   3-4 cr
HLTH 1155 Lifetime Fitness and Wellness (Health/PE) 2 cr
General Electives2   6-7 cr
Total Credits: 14-15

*Course required for major
1 These credits may be taken as electives if Goal Areas 8 and 10 are completed as part of another course.
2 Electives may be 1000 level courses from any discipline, including additional MnTC Courses. Examples of non-MnTC courses that may be taken include the following disciplines: ACCT, BUS, CS, CRDV, EDU, EMS, ENG, HLTH, HSER, ITC, PA and PE.

Recommended Part-Time Course Of Study

Note: Not all courses will be available every semester. For a complete list of Minnesota Transfer Curriculum (MnTC) Goal Area course choices, please visit: www.inverhills.edu/MnTC

Semester 1 - 9-10 credits

Course Number Title Credits
First Year Experience course (Goal 2)   1-2 cr
SOC 1100 Introduction to Sociology (Goal 5, 9)* 4 cr
ENG 1108 Writing & Research Skills (Goal 1a, 2) 4 cr
Total Credits: 9-10

Semester 2 - 9 credits

Course Number Title Credits
SOC 1130 Family and Society (Goal 5, 7)* 1-2 cr
ENG 1111 OR
ENG 1114 OR
ENG 1130 		Research Writing (Goal 1b) OR
The Research Paper OR
Writing & Research for the Professions 		2-3 cr
MnTC Goal 3a   3-4 cr
Total Credits: 9

Semester 3 - 9 credits

Course Number Title Credits
SOC Elective*   3 cr
MnTC Goal 3b   4 cr
HLTH 1155 Lifetime Fitness and Wellness (Health/PE) 2
Total Credits: 9

Semester 4 - 9 credits

Course Number Title Credits
MnTC Goal 81   3 cr
MnTC Goal 6a   3 cr
COMM 1100 OR
COMM 1110 OR
COMM 2230 		Interpersonal Communication (Goal 1, 7) OR
Public Speaking (Goal 1, 2) OR
Small Group Communication (Goal 1, 2) 		3 cr
Total Credits: 9

Semester 5 - 9-10 credits

Course Number Title Credits
MnTC Goal 4 MATH 1103 recommended 3-4 cr
MnTC Goal 6b   3 cr
MnTC Goal 5 (non-SOC) course   3 cr
Total Credits: 9-10

Semester 6 - 9 credits

Course Number Title Credits
MnTC Goal 101   3 cr
MnTC Goal 6c   3 cr
General Electives2   3 cr
Total Credits: 9

Semester 7 - 4-6 credits

Course Number Title Credits
General Electives2 elective   4-6 cr
Total Credits: 4-6

*Course required for major
1 These credits may be taken as electives if Goal Areas 8 and 10 are completed as part of another course.
2Electives may be 1000 level courses from any discipline, including additional MnTC Courses. Examples of non-MnTC courses that may be taken include the following disciplines: ACCT, BUS, CS, CRDV, EDU, EMS, ENG, HLTH, HSER, ITC, PA and PE.

Course Descriptions

SOC 1100  Introduction to Sociology   4.0 cr

Course Outline for SOC 1100

Emphasizes methods, basic concepts, terminology, and perspectives used by sociologists in analysis of social relationships. Sociological analysis will focus on American government, family, education, religion, and the economy.

SOC 1126  Sociology of Deviance   3.0 cr

Course Outline for SOC 1126

Examines sociological theories explaining deviance, its pertinence to the construction of social order as well as identity, and the application of these theories to the problems of crime, drug use, and mental illness. This course also examines the relationship between creativity and deviance.

SOC 1127  Social Inequalities: Race, Class, & Gender   3.0 cr

Course Outline for SOC 1127

Describes and analyzes selected inequality relationships in the United States. Topic areas will include economic inequality-poverty; ethnic inequality-racism; and gender inequality-sexism. This course is open to all students and meets the Minnesota Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board (PELSB) 8710.3200, Subp. 3, Standard 12a, b, c, d, e, f, g, h, i, j.

SOC 1130  Family and Society   3.0 cr

Course Outline for SOC 1130

Surveys human relationships from both the sociological and practical perspectives. Areas of study will include: love, dating, sexuality, singleness, marriage, conflict, parenting, relationship violence, divorce, and other relevant topics.

SOC 1145  Gender in Society   3.0 cr

Course Outline for SOC 1145

Explores gender from a sociological perspective that seeks to promote knowledge of how we construct male and female identities and what the consequences of these constructions are. Sociological theories, research, and current issues related to gender in society are presented. Topics may include gender as it relates to media, family, work, politics,power and inequality, education, religion, socioeconomic forces, race/ethnicity, sexuality, social movements, and social change.

SOC 2010  Sociology of Genocide   3.0 cr

Course Outline for SOC 2010

Explores the cultural, historical and sociological factors that have led to the haunting problem of genocide in the 20th and 21st centuries and promotes knowledge of how to prevent future genocides based on scholarly research, media analyses, case studies, and first-hand testimonials. This course seeks to address what can be done to make the frequent quote, "Never Again" a greater reality.

SOC 2020  Sociology of Sport   3.0 cr

Course Outline for SOC 2020

Examines the mechanisms through which sport and leisure institutions and practices are created, maintained, and transformed. Particular attention is paid to the relationship between sport and leisure institutions and other social systems such as the family, religion, politics, education, and economics. This course places a strong emphasis on exploring the ways in which gender, race, and class intersect with sport and leisure institutions. Prerequisites: Recommended SOC 1100.

SOC 2030  Environmental Sociology   3.0 cr

Course Outline for SOC 2030

Explores the ways in which societies have created ecological problems; the human dimensions of climate change; and how institutional arrangements are evolving to deal with environmental challenges. In addressing these topics the course will make linkages between local, national and global processes. Prerequisites: Recommended SOC 1100.

SOC 2140  Religions and Society   3.0 cr

Course Outline for SOC 2140

A practical observational approach to studying specific religious groups. This course uses field work (participant observation) to help students understand religions such as Islam Buddhism, Catholicism, Protestantism, Confucianism, Unification Church, Jehovah Witness and others. (One-third of the class time is reserved for site visits.) Prereq: SOC 1100 is recommended.

SOC 2142  Mind, Self, and Society   3.0 cr

Course Outline for SOC 2142

Focuses on the individual in relationship to the social structure. Offers a sociological perspective on social psychology. Topics include the development of the "social self," the social impact of individual attitudes and behaviors, social interactions, interpersonal relations, small groups. Major theories and methods used in the field are addressed throughout.

SOC 2250  Special Topics   3.0 cr

Course Outline for SOC 2250

Studies a topic, issue or controversy through a sociological lens by examining sociological perspectives, relationships and/or interactions. This course may be repeated under different topics.

SOC 2251  Special Topics Global Perspective   3.0 cr

Course Outline for SOC 2251

Studies a topic, issue or controversy through a sociological lens by examining sociological perspectives, relationships and/or interactions with a global perspective. This course may be repeated under different topics.
Transfer Opportunities

Transfer Pathways

With this transfer pathway, you will be able to transfer to the following majors at:




Meet the Faculty
Sociology Faculty

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Employment Information

Finding social solutions

As a sociology major you will explore human behavior at different levels, from studying single individuals to families to income or ethic groups to vast societies. Human interaction is incredibly complex. People are influenced by numerous factors, including religion, system of government, culture and so much more. As a sociologist, you can apply sociological learning toward reaching practical solutions that can benefit real people.

Sociology is an umbrella science, covering a range of disciplines in the social sciences, including anthropology, archaeology, law, economics, psychology and history. Sociologists often focus on specific human behavior related to class, social status, immigration, criminal activity, civil disorder, cultural trends and open warfare.

Potential job titles for sociology majors

Business and industry

  • Banker
  • Consumer relations professional
  • Market analyst
  • Project manager
  • Technical writer

Community and social services

  • Case manager
  • Community organizer
  • Hospital administrator
  • Public health supervisor
  • Substance abuse counselor

Education

  • Affirmative action coordinator
  • Extension service specialist
  • Guidance counselor
  • College dean
  • Teacher

Government

  • Foreign service officer
  • Human rights specialist
  • Information techologist
  • Legislative aide
  • Urban planner

Justice System

  • Correctional counselor
  • Criminal investigator
  • Parole officer
  • Police officer
  • Special agent

Research

  • Census researcher
  • Criminologist
  • Data analyst
  • Social research manager
  • Statistician

Below are just a few examples of possible career paths that can start by taking Sociology courses at Inver Hills.

Why Inver Hills?

Completing your Sociology course obligations at Inver Hills is smart on several key levels:

  1. You will receive an outstanding education with one-on-one interactions with Sociology faculty
  2. You will develop the strong foundation you need to select a career path that best meets your interests
  3. You will save money and continue your academic and professional careers with less student debt *

* On a national scale, student loan debt has mushroomed to $1.2 trillion, which is greater than credit card debt and auto loan debt combined. In Minnesota, the average debt for four-year grads tops $30,000; 70 percent carry a student debt load.

Tuition and fees for one year at Inver Hills costs a little less than $5,300. Compare that to $15,000 to $20,000 at a for-profit college, or $40,000 to $50,000 at a private college or university. You can complete your first two years at Inver getting a topflight education firsthand from Ph.D. instructors and then transfer to a four-year as a junior all while saving thousands of dollars. It's a no-brainer.

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