As you prepare for your education, you might wonder what subjects you will study in an online bachelor’s in sociology degree program. Most sociology degree programs combine general and specialized coursework in the social sciences. There’s also a variety of liberal arts courses to provide an extensive and comprehensive education. Students might also have the opportunity to pursue a specialization in an area of academic and professional interest.
Liberal Arts Courses
As a discipline, sociology falls under the category of the liberal arts, according to the American Sociological Association. This means that students in an online bachelor’s in sociology degree program study a wide range of subjects to develop a breadth of knowledge and skills. Among the most common subjects included in a liberal arts curriculum are:
- mathematics
- natural science
- history
- art
- humanities
- literature
- languages
- cultures
In many ways, it’s not so much what liberal arts subjects you study in an online bachelor’s in sociology degree program, but what you learn from them. By studying these topics, rather than taking strictly major courses, prospective sociology professionals learn how to think critically and communicate effectively. They become well-rounded individuals with a global view of society, which will help them in their professional and social interactions with others.
Sociology Classes
Sociology is the study of human society, social interactions and social problems. Naturally, a good deal of the coursework you will study in an online bachelor’s in sociology degree program revolves saround the study of:
- social groups
- social situations
- the social sciences
Sociology majors often begin taking introductory sociology courses as well as courses in qualitative and quantitative research methods. They may also study:
- social issues
- ethical issues in the study of sociology
- family issues and social change
- race and ethnic relations
- social problems
- social psychology
Throughout their education, sociology students will take courses that look at the formation of social groups and subgroups. They will study the values that shape social order and social interactions among individuals and small groups.
Some sociology and social science courses have a general focus. Others offer a specialized education in an area of concentration. Often, students can develop an academic concentration or specialization by taking the right combination of related coursework. Some popular sociology concentrations include:
- crime and social deviance
- family
- cultural diversity
- medical sociology
- social psychology
- social inequality
- organizational and social change
Often, a well-rounded sociology education extends beyond the classroom. You may gain valuable social sciences experience while completing an internship in your field or participating in an extracurricular experience, like a virtual sociology club. Some schools and degree programs encourage sociology majors to expand their personal and academic horizons by studying abroad.
When you choose to study in an online bachelor’s in sociology degree program, be prepared for an education that offers both a breadth of college-level knowledge and a depth of familiarity with the field of sociology.
Related Resources: