COURSE CURRICULUM

The Bachelor of Arts in Sociology at San José State University is a 120-unit program designed to provide students with a strong understanding of social behavior, institutions, inequality, and social change, along with the research and analytical skills needed to study society systematically. The degree combines general education, sociology core courses, upper-division specialization, and a large portion of elective flexibility or the option to pursue a minor. Students begin with foundational coursework in introductory sociology and social problems, followed by essential training in sociological theory, quantitative research methods, qualitative research methods, and global society. A writing workshop in sociology strengthens academic writing and disciplinary communication skills. Students also complete a statistics requirement to support their ability to analyze social data, along with advanced coursework in either qualitative methods or a sociology capstone course that integrates their learning. The program emphasizes both theoretical understanding and applied research skills, preparing students to critically examine issues such as inequality, social justice, globalization, and institutional change. In the upper-division portion, students select from a wide range of elective courses that allow them to explore specialized topics such as race and ethnic relations, media, immigration, medical sociology, education, social change, family dynamics, gender and sexuality, urban life, and political sociology. This flexibility enables students to tailor the degree to their academic interests and career goals. A significant portion of the program is dedicated to university electives or completing a minor, providing additional academic breadth. Overall, the BA in Sociology prepares students for diverse career paths in fields such as social services, education, public policy, criminal justice, human resources, research, and nonprofit work, as well as for graduate study in sociology and related disciplines.