Morris campus
 
Morris Campus

Sociology Minor

Division of Social Sciences - Adm
Division of Social Sciences
  • Program Type: Undergraduate minor related to major
  • Requirements for this program are current for Fall 2023
  • Required credits in this minor: 24
The sociology curriculum (with support from anthropology courses) is designed to acquaint students with the concerns, theories, and methods of the science that deals with groups, culture, and interpersonal relations of human beings. In addition to an introduction to sociology as a science, an effort is made to relate human values to the theories, methods, and data of sociology. Courses are designed to meet the needs of liberal arts students, as well as students preparing for graduate school.
Program Delivery
This program is available:
  • via classroom (the majority of instruction is face-to-face)
Minor Requirements
Up to 4 credits of coursework with a grade of D or D+ may be used to meet the minor requirements if offset by an equivalent number of credits of A or B. Courses may not be taken S/N unless offered S/N only. A minimum GPA of 2.00 is required in the minor to graduate. The GPA includes all, and only, University of Minnesota coursework. Grades of "F" are included in GPA calculation until they are replaced.
Required Courses
SOC 1101 - Introductory Sociology [SS] (4.0 cr)
SOC 3403 - Sociological Theory (4.0 cr)
Research Methods
IS 2303 - Quantitative Research Methods [SS] (2.0-4.0 cr)
or IS 2304 - Qualitative Research Methods [SS] (2.0-4.0 cr)
Elective Courses
An additional 12 credits of electives. At least 8 credits in Anth and Soc. Up to 4 credits can be from classes outside of Anth or Soc, with approval of the sociology faculty, if they have substantial sociological content, or are in related fields. No more than 4 credits can be from IS 3796. SOC 4991 is strongly recommended.
Take 12 or more credit(s) from the following:
Sociology and Anthropology Electives
Take 8 or more credit(s) from the following:
· ANTH 1111W - Introductory Cultural Anthropology [SS] (4.0 cr)
· ANTH 2206 - Sex, Marriage, and Family [HDIV] (4.0 cr)
· ANTH 2501 - Medical Anthropology-An Overview [SS] (2.0 cr)
· ANTH 2xxx
· ANTH 3001 - Theory in Cultural Anthropology (4.0 cr)
· ANTH 3204 - Culture, Food, and Agriculture [ENVT] (4.0 cr)
· ANTH 3402 - Representations from the Field: American Indian Ethnography and Ethnohistory [HDIV] (4.0 cr)
· ANTH 3455 - North American Archaeology [SS] (4.0 cr)
· ANTH 3502 - Latinos in the Midwest [SS] (4.0 cr)
· ANTH 3xxx
· ANTH 4411 - Project Development [E/CR] (4.0 cr)
· ANTH 4xxx
· SOC 2121 - Topics in Social Institutions [SS] (4.0 cr)
· SOC 2122 - Topics in Social Inequalities [SS] (4.0 cr)
· SOC 2xxx
· SOC 3112 - Sociology of the Environment and Social Development [ENVT] (4.0 cr)
· SOC 3121 - Sociology of Gender and Sexuality [HDIV] (4.0 cr)
· SOC 3122 - Sociology of Childhoods [HDIV] (4.0 cr)
· SOC 3141 - Sociology of Deviance [E/CR] (4.0 cr)
· SOC 3xxx
· SOC 4991 - Sociology Seminar (4.0 cr)
· SOC 4xxx
· Other Electives
With approval of the sociology faculty, additional classes outside of sociology and anthropology may count if they have substantial sociological content or are in related fields. No more than 4 credits can be from IS 3796.
Take at most 4 credit(s) from the following:
· IS 3796 - Interdisciplinary Internship in the Helping Professions (1.0-16.0 cr)
· PSY 3501 - Social Psychology (4.0 cr)
· PSY 3542 - Multicultural Psychology [HDIV] (4.0 cr)
 
More program views..
View college catalog(s):
· Division of Social Sciences

View sample plan(s):
· Sociology minor sample plan

View checkpoint chart:
· Sociology Minor
View PDF Version:
Search.
Search Programs

Search University Catalogs
Related links.

Division of Social Sciences

Morris Admissions

Morris Application

One Stop
for tuition, course registration, financial aid, academic calendars, and more
 
SOC 1101 - Introductory Sociology (SS)
Credits: 4.0 [max 4.0]
Typically offered: Every Fall & Spring
Introduction to the field of sociology, the exploration of societies, and how societies operate. Sociology broadens social insights, fosters critical thinking, guides analytical thinking, and develops writing skills. By actively thinking about issues facing societies today, students learn to examine life situations and the influence of societies and groups on people's lives, careers, hopes, fears, and personalities. Emphasis on how society is stratified: how organizations and institutions influence the way people think, talk, feel, and act and how different groups (e.g., racial and ethnic) and divisions (e.g., gender and social class) within society have different access to power and privilege. People live their lives in relation to social and physical environments; sociologists study these environments and their effects on people's experiences and behavior.
SOC 3403 - Sociological Theory
Credits: 4.0 [max 4.0]
Course Equivalencies: Soc 3401/Soc 3402/Soc 3403
Prerequisites: 1101; 4 addtl cr in Soc recommended
Typically offered: Every Fall
Survey of major developments in sociological theory, with attention to both classical and contemporary variants. Emphasis on sociological ideas in relation to the principal intellectual currents of European society, American society, and non-Western thought. prereq: 1101; 4 addtl cr in Soc recommended
IS 2303 - Quantitative Research Methods (SS)
Credits: 2.0 -4.0 [max 4.0]
Typically offered: Periodic Fall & Spring
An introduction to quantitative research methods including research design, ethics, data collection (for example: surveys, experiments, controlled observations, structured interviews, and document analysis), evaluation of academic literature/research, data analysis (including the use of professional software), statistical literacy, and communication of research findings (including appropriate citation forms). This class is appropriate for students across disciplines that use quantitative methods. prereq: any 1xxx level social science course
IS 2304 - Qualitative Research Methods (SS)
Credits: 2.0 -4.0 [max 4.0]
Typically offered: Periodic Fall & Spring
An introduction to qualitative research methods including research design, ethics, data collection (for example: interviews, focus groups, participant observation, and participatory action research), evaluation of academic literature/research, data analysis (including the use of professional software), and communication of research findings (including appropriate citation forms). This class is appropriate for students across disciplines that want exposure to qualitative human subjects research practices. prereq: any 1xxx social science course
ANTH 1111W - Introductory Cultural Anthropology (SS)
Credits: 4.0 [max 4.0]
Typically offered: Every Fall
Varieties and range of human behavior as revealed through the comparative study of cultures throughout the world. Concepts developed by anthropologists to explain both the unity and diversity of humankind.
ANTH 2206 - Sex, Marriage, and Family (HDIV)
Credits: 4.0 [max 4.0]
Typically offered: Periodic Fall & Spring
Introduction to classic anthropological theories of sexuality, kinship, and marriage. Consider how emotional and experiential aspects of sex, marriage, and family life--love and romance as well as conflict and control--are shaped by formal arrangements known as "social structure." Topics such as gift-exchange, cousin-marriage, patrilineal and matrilineal descent, incest, arranged marriage, and the concept of "blood" relations in North American families are addressed. Also explore recent anthropological work on such topics as transnational adoption, marriage migration, and new reproductive technologies.
ANTH 2501 - Medical Anthropology-An Overview (SS)
Credits: 2.0 [max 4.0]
Typically offered: Periodic Fall & Spring
Examination of cultural understandings of health, illness, and healing. Using cross-cultural examples and an anthropological perspective, issues such as medicalization, authoritative knowledge, and global inequalities are examined. Examples and case studies may include such diverse topics as childbirth, nutrition, mental health, disease prevention, and the role of medical institutions. prereq: 1111 or Soc 1101
ANTH 3001 - Theory in Cultural Anthropology
Credits: 4.0 [max 4.0]
Grading Basis: A-F only
Typically offered: Spring Even Year
Examines the historical development of cultural anthropological theory, influences that shaped historical and contemporary theories in cultural anthropology, and major debates regarding their interpretation. [Note: no credit for students who have received cr for Anth 4901] prereq: 1111
ANTH 3204 - Culture, Food, and Agriculture (ENVT)
Credits: 4.0 [max 4.0]
Typically offered: Periodic Fall & Spring
Examines food access, production, and consumption from an anthropological perspective. Emphasis on varying uses of and relationships to food including issues of sustainability, industrial food production systems, food as harmful or medicinal, religious meanings of food, social class, food marketing, gender, and nationalism. prereq: 1111 or Soc 1101 or Psy 1051 or instr consent
ANTH 3402 - Representations from the Field: American Indian Ethnography and Ethnohistory (HDIV)
Credits: 4.0 [max 4.0]
Course Equivalencies: Hist 3402/Anth 3402
Typically offered: Periodic Fall
Same as Hist 3402. An analysis of ethnographic and ethnohistoric materials focusing on specific American Indian cultures.
ANTH 3455 - North American Archaeology (SS)
Credits: 4.0 [max 4.0]
Typically offered: Periodic Fall & Spring
The archaeology of the societies located in the current United States and Canada prior to European colonization. Includes the earliest human colonization of North America (circa 12,000 years ago), early hunting and gathering societies, the development of agriculture, and the formation of complex chiefdoms. Emphasis on the diversity of cultures, languages, economies, and environments found throughout precontact North America.
ANTH 3502 - Latinos in the Midwest (SS)
Credits: 4.0 [max 4.0]
Typically offered: Periodic Fall & Spring
Explore the history and experiences of Latinos in the Midwest United States. Starting from a historical perspective, the course examines issues including (im)migration, undocumented status, language, religion, race/ethnicity, media, and economy. A comparative framework emphasizes the unique context of migration into (rather than out of) rural communities as well as those far from a national border. Given the context of the local Morris community, the focus is particularly on rural Latino experiences.
ANTH 4411 - Project Development (E/CR)
Credits: 4.0 [max 4.0]
Grading Basis: A-F only
Typically offered: Fall Even Year
Exploration and evaluation of methods used in cultural anthropology; qualitative methods; research ethics; and design of qualitative research project. prereq: 1111, 2001
SOC 2121 - Topics in Social Institutions (SS)
Credits: 4.0 [max 4.0]
Typically offered: Periodic Fall & Spring
Examines timely issues within particular social institutions from a sociological perspective.
SOC 2122 - Topics in Social Inequalities (SS)
Credits: 4.0 [max 4.0]
Typically offered: Periodic Fall & Spring
Examines timely issues regarding specific social inequalities from a sociological perspective.
SOC 3112 - Sociology of the Environment and Social Development (ENVT)
Credits: 4.0 [max 4.0]
Typically offered: Fall Odd Year
Introduces students to the sociological study of the environment and social development. Examines the impact of international environmental and development efforts on individuals at the local level. Focuses on grassroots environmental activism and social development work. Explores and discusses power relations and systems of inequality within the context of environmental and social development efforts. prereq: 1101 or instr consent
SOC 3121 - Sociology of Gender and Sexuality (HDIV)
Credits: 4.0 [max 4.0]
Typically offered: Every Fall
Introduces students to the sociological study of gender and sexuality. Focuses on gender difference and gender inequality. Analyzes the changing roles, opportunities, and expectations of women and men as their societies (and subsequently, gender relations and power) undergo change in today's world. Following a theoretical overview, examines how gender and sexuality affect everyday experiences. prereq: 1101 or Anth 1111 or instr consent
SOC 3122 - Sociology of Childhoods (HDIV)
Credits: 4.0 [max 4.0]
Typically offered: Spring Odd Year
Introduces students to the sociological study of childhoods. Examines the interaction between societies and their youngest members-how societies shape children's lives through social institutions such as families, education, and the state. Takes a close look at children's access to privileges and resources as determined by children's experiences of race, gender, class, nationality, and sexual orientation. prereq: 1101 or instr consent
SOC 3141 - Sociology of Deviance (E/CR)
Credits: 4.0 [max 4.0]
Typically offered: Fall Even Year
Introduces students to the sociological study of deviance. Explores the social reality of deviance within contemporary society and examines the social construction of deviant categories. Focuses on images of deviance as social constructs, rather than as intrinsic elements of human behavior. Investigates the complex relationships between individual behavior and social structure, with a focus on power, inequality, and oppression. Also, examines the socio-cultural definitions of morality and behavior. prereq: 1101 or instr consent
SOC 4991 - Sociology Seminar
Credits: 4.0 [max 4.0]
Course Equivalencies: Soc 4901/4902/Soc 4991
Typically offered: Every Spring
A capstone seminar to guide sociology majors in the completion of an independent study project, including selection and definition of a research project, designing and planning its execution, developing a literature review and bibliography, applying relevant theoretical perspectives to research materials, and organizing and writing a research paper. prereq: 3103, 3403
IS 3796 - Interdisciplinary Internship in the Helping Professions
Credits: 1.0 -16.0 [max 32.0]
Grading Basis: S-N only
Typically offered: Every Fall, Spring & Summer
One-semester educational experience providing field applications in the helping professions (social work, counseling, casework, child protection services, educational settings, human resource counseling, and the like) for the student's theoretical classroom learning experiences. Prereq-Psy 4102, approved internship form; Psy 4101 recommended.
PSY 3501 - Social Psychology
Credits: 4.0 [max 4.0]
Typically offered: Every Fall
Theories and research in the study of interpersonal behavior. Topics include prejudice, altruism, persuasion, group dynamics, and social influence. prereq: 1051 or Soc 1101 or instr consent
PSY 3542 - Multicultural Psychology (HDIV)
Credits: 4.0 [max 4.0]
Course Equivalencies: Psy 3541/Psy 3542
Typically offered: Every Spring
Theoretical and methodological approaches to multicultural psychology. Multicultural psychology is the systematic study of behavior, cognition, and affect settings where people of different backgrounds interact. Exploration of these interactions both within and outside of the United States. Topics may include worldviews, communication styles, acculturation, prejudice, white privilege, identity development, physical and mental health, and multicultural competencies. prereq: 1051