COURSE CURRICULUM

The Bachelor’s in Sociology at the University at Albany is designed to provide students with a strong understanding of how societies function, how social behavior is shaped, and how institutions influence everyday life. With guidance from nationally recognized faculty engaged in both research and public service, students explore major areas of sociological inquiry such as crime and deviance, demography and health policy, aging, work, education, and social organizations. The program emphasizes both theoretical understanding and empirical research, preparing students to analyze social structures and patterns using rigorous academic methods. A key feature of the curriculum is its focus on research training, where students learn to develop and test sociological theories using quantitative and qualitative methods. Core requirements include Introduction to Sociology, Social Research Methods, Statistics for Sociologists, and Sociological Theory, which together build a foundation in critical thinking and data analysis. Students also complete a 400-level Selected Topics Seminar that provides advanced, focused study in a small classroom setting, often culminating in a research-oriented capstone experience. In addition, students take at least 18 elective credits in sociology, allowing them to explore specialized areas aligned with their interests and career goals. The program also requires a course in social inequalities, with options such as Sociology of Gender, Race and Ethnicity, Sociology of Race, Gender, and Class, or Social Inequality, ensuring students gain a deep understanding of structural inequality in society. Overall, the program requires a minimum of 36 credits in sociology, with at least 24 credits at the upper-division level, and prepares students for careers in research, public policy, social services, education, and other fields that require strong analytical and sociological insight, as well as for graduate study in sociology and related disciplines.