Sociology, Sociology of Aging Concentration, B.A.

Overview

Demographic trends point to an aging of the population locally, nationally, and globally. Our concentration on aging is intended to give students an understanding of what this trend means to our society and to prepare students to both engage and work in current and emerging fields related to aging. Students concentrating in Sociology of Aging will have an understanding of the aging process, the institutional requirements, and organizational shifts needed to support an aging society.

Requirements

Program Description

Demographic trends point to an aging of the population locally, nationally, and globally. Our concentration on aging is intended to give students an understanding of what this trend means to our society and to prepare students to both engage and work in current and emerging fields related to aging. Students concentrating in Sociology of Aging will have an understanding of the aging process, the institutional requirements, and organizational shifts needed to support an aging society.

Sociology Core Courses - 18-21 Credits
  • SOCI 0101 - Principles of Sociology
  • SOCI 0250 - Research Methods I
  • or CRJU 0231 - Research Methods in Criminal Justice Credits: 3
  • SOCI 0251 - Research Methods II: Quantitative Methods
  • or CRJU 0313 - Statistics in Criminal Justice Credits: 3or GPS 0246 - Quantitative Methods for Social and Physical Science Credits: 3
  •  Students who double major in Psychology and Sociology may have SOCI 0250 and SOCI 0251 waived if they complete PSYC 0219, PSYC 0308, and PSYC 0319 with a B average and permission from the chair of the sociology department. Students who double major in Social Work and Sociology may have SOCI 0250 and SOCI 0251 waived if they complete SOCW 0204 and SOCW 0301 with a B average and permission from the chair of the sociology department.  
  • SOCI 0300 - Internship in Sociology
  • or SOCI 0301 - Applied Sociology
  • GERO 0370 may be used to fulfill SOCI 0300 for students who minor in Gerontology. Internship requirement can also be met through a cognate department with approval of the Sociology Internship Coordinator. 
  • SOCI 0335 - Sociological Theory
  • SOCI 0390 - Capstone in Sociology
  • or equivalent work in cognate field with approval from the Sociology Capstone Coordinator (Additional work may be required to meet the equivalency for sociology)
Sociology of Aging Concentration - 18 Credits
Additional Graduation Requirements

All students must meet the University Graduation Requirements and complete a common core of studies, distributed among the different academic areas as detailed in the Common Core.

Learning Outcomes

Facilitate our students to grow into active, constructive, productive and energetic members of a just and prosperous society by enabling their sufficient analytical and language skill, accurate understanding about social reality, deep knowledge in the professional fields, strong drive for social justice and social progress, built-in cross-cultural sense and sensibility.

Westfield State students in discussion