current social issues with regular discussion and debate
Sociology focuses on the structure of technologically advanced societies, their related social problems and the many ways these problems affect the individual. As societies continually grow more complex and ethnic and cultural differences collide within the modern world, understanding social behavior becomes essential for the business executive, professional and citizen alike.
Sociology majors learn to think sociologically so that they may understand, interpret and analyze the social world. They will learn to think critically about societal issues and problems, understand basic and applied research in the discipline, conduct their own sociological research, and share and use their sociological knowledge in their everyday lives. All sociology courses deal with current social issues and feature regular discussion and debate. Courses represent diverse aspects of the field; no one theory or doctrine is emphasized at the expense of others. All courses make extensive use of visual media.
Faculty
Jacqueline Clark
Professor of Sociology, Helen Swift Neilson Professor of Cultural Studies and Chair of Sociology and Anthropology (Fall 24Semester)
Marc Eaton
Professor of Sociology, Chair of Sociology, Anthropology Department and Chair of Sociology and Anthropology (Spring 2025 Semester)
Total Credits:
36 credits
Prerequisites:
SOC 110 Introduction to Sociological Imagination, ANT 215 Ethnographic Field Methods, SOC 315 Sociological Theories, SOC 401 Methods of Social Research and SOC 502 Senior Seminar: Social Research
Electives:
Electives (16 credits): Twelve other credits in sociology and four required credits in anthropology at the 200-level or higher
Sociology Courses:
110 Introduction to Sociological Imagination, 201 Social Problems, 204 Sociology of Jobs and Work, 205 Sociology of Deviance, 210 Special Topics, 216 Consumer Culture, 300 Departmental Studies, 301 Social Movements, 302 Sociology of Health and Medicine, 303 Death, Dying and Bereavement, 304 Sociology of Inequalities, 305 Self and Society, 306 Criminology, 308 Public Sociology and Activism, 309 Sociology of Religion, 312 Sociology Through Film, 315 Sociological Theories, 401 Methods of Social Research. 502 Senior Seminar: Social Research
Anthropology Courses 200 +:
ANT 200 Departmental Studies, 215 Ethnographic Field Methods, 222 Anthropology and Contemporary Global Issues 224 Gender, Sex, and Sexuality: Cross-Cultural Views, 232 Medical Anthropology, 241 Societies of Africa, 275 Africa and Human Rights, 300 Departmental Studies, 314 Religion, Magic, and Witchcraft, 327 Global Youth Cultures, 335 Urban Anthropology, 502 Seminar in Anthropological
Additional Criteria:
Students interested in teaching sociology need to complete the secondary education major and the social studies education licensure requirements which include: a history major or minor including 8 credits of World History, 8 credits of American History, and at least 8 credits at the 300 level or above and HIS 295; The following courses to ENV 120, PSC 110, POL 220, POL 335, ECO 211 or 212, ANT 110 or SOC 110, and EDU 323. Courses counted for credit toward the sociology major may not also be counted for credit toward the anthropology major except for ANT 215 and SOC 315. Courses counted for credit toward the sociology major may not also count for credit toward the anthropology minor except for ANT 215. Courses counted for credit toward the anthropology major may not also count for credit toward the sociology minor except for SOC 315. Courses counted toward the sociology major or minor may not also count for credit toward the criminal justice minor except for SOC 110.
Total Credits:
20 credits
Prerequisites:
SOC 110 Introduction to Sociological Imagination
Elective Courses:
Sixteen other credits in sociology, to be selected in consultation with your sociology advisor.
Additional Criteria:
Courses counted for credit toward the sociology major may not also be counted for credit toward the anthropology major except for ANT 215 and SOC 315. Courses counted for credit toward the sociology major may not also count for credit toward the anthropology minor except for ANT 215. Courses counted for credit toward the anthropology major may not also count for credit toward the sociology minor except for SOC 315. Courses counted toward the sociology major or minor may not also count for credit toward the criminal justice minor except for SOC 110. Students interested in teaching sociology need to complete the secondary education major and the social studies education licensure requirements which include: a history major or minor including 8 credits of World History, 8 credits of American History, and at least 8 credits at the 300 level or above and HIS 295; The following courses to ENV 120, PSC 110, POL 220, POL 335, ECO 211 or 212, ANT 110 or SOC 110, and EDU 323.
Career Tracks
Students who earn a degree in sociology can pursue careers in a wide variety of fields, including business, criminal justice and law enforcement, health and medicine, law, nonprofit community services, public policy research and social work. Graduates also can obtain employment in research and teaching in university and collegiate settings. It provides a background for further work in other disciplines of the social sciences, humanities and biological sciences.
Recent graduates are working for employers such as the Bureau of Milwaukee Child Welfare, Chicago Public Schools, Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin, Massachusetts Executive Office of Public Safety, Menasha Public Works, Mount Royal College, Peace Corps, Saint Norbert College, St. Andrew’s School, The Nielsen Co. and the Wisconsin Early Autism Project.
Unique Opportunities
Through the Department of Educational Studies, certification in sociology and in broadfield social studies are available in early adolescence/adolescence (grades 6-12).
Advising
Ripon College faculty and professional staff are dedicated to helping you reach your goals, whatever they may be and however often they may change along the way. It’s part of our value statement to you.
As a student at Ripon, you will be assigned a faculty adviser based on your area(s) of interest. You will meet with your faculty adviser throughout your time as a student to discuss your current aspirations, plan your course schedule and plot a future trajectory. We also work collaboratively with Ripon College Career and Professional Development to help match your interests and skills to concrete goals and construct a plan for professional success offering personalized career counseling, off-campus learning opportunities and an online job board with potential to connect with local, national and international employers.
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