Dorothy Donahoe Hall, AA209
(661) 664-2368
(661) 665-6909 (fax)
email: mhilton@csub.edu
http://www.csub.edu/GradStudies/soc.html

Program Coordinator: Gonzalo Santos
Dorothy Donahoe Hall, AA205
(661) 664-2191
email: gsantos@csub.edu

Program Description

The MA in Sociology program engages graduates in the study of human systems, organizations, and interactions through a three-track approach: thesis, special project, or teaching track. This two-year program prepares graduates to conduct institutional research for a wide variety of social service organizations and prepares graduates for teaching positions in the community colleges. The program of study is enhanced by a state-of-the-art Geographic Information Systems (GIS) lab and the Applied Research Center (ARC).
 

REQUIREMENTS FOR MASTER OF ARTS IN SOCIOLOGY

The Department of Sociology offers a program leading to the Master of Arts in Sociology. A person with this degree would be able to teach at the Community College level, and/or obtain professional positions in survey and market research, and human resource management. The program provides an excellent preparation for studies at the doctoral level.

Requirements for Admission

Admission to the Master of Arts in Sociology program requires that the following basic criteria be met:

1. Baccalaureate degree.
2. GPA of 2.5 overall and 3.0 in the major and 1400 combined score in the three areas on the GRE test, with no less than 450 in any one test area.
3. In lieu of the requirements listed in 2. above, a student may petition the Graduate Program Coordinator for an exception.

1. Complete the application for admission to the University.
2. Complete the application for admission to the Department.
3. File a formal letter of intent with the Department.
4. Provide transcripts to the University and Department for all previous college level work.
5. Have three letters of reference sent to the Department.
6. Take the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) and have the scores sent to the Department.
7. Provide an example of writing ability (published paper, conference paper, term paper, etc.).

Standing -- Students who meet the admission requirements will be admitted as Classified Graduate Students.

Students lacking substantial admission requirements or needing prerequisite coursework may be admitted to the University as Unclassified Graduate Students. Upon completion of prerequisite work, the student then must formally apply to the program.

Transfer of Credit -- A student may transfer up to 13-quarter units of credit from another school. A student may apply, with the approval of his/her committee, up to 10-quarter units of credit taken at CSUB while an Unclassified Graduate Student.

Academic Advising -- Until an advisor is selected, the Graduate Program Coordinator will serve as interim advisor. Upon admission, however, the student should select an advisor as soon as possible. Failure to do this may result in the Graduate Program Coordinator assigning the student an advisor.

Continuation -- Continuation in the program is dependent upon the following:

1. The maintenance of a GPA of 3.0 or higher in all graduate work at CSUB.
2. chieving no grade less than a C (2.0) in any course applied to the MA in Sociology, and no more than one course with a grade of C (2.0) will be accepted toward the MA in Sociology.
3. Continuous enrollment (being registered for credit-bearing study for three out of four consecutive academic quarters). Students who have not completed all requirements for the thesis must register every quarter.
4. Students failing to meet these stipulations may be dropped from the program. To re-enter, a student would have to reapply to the program.
5. Prior to completion of 20 units, a student must complete the following:
1. Select an advisor, form a committee (of at least three faculty members), and file the completed and approved "Declaration of Committee" form with the Department.
2. File an approved "Requirements and Plan of Study" with the Department.

1. Classified status.
2. Completion of 25-quarter units of graduate work applied toward the MA in Sociology all of which are at least at the 500 level or above, with a GPA of 3.0 or better in graduate course work at CSUB.
3. A Thesis Proposal approved by the Thesis Committee and filed with the Department; or a Project Proposal approved by the student’s committee and filed with the Department; or an approved proposal for the Teaching Track Option. Handout available in the Department of Sociology office.

1. Completion of the Plan of Study.
2. GPA of 3.0 or better in graduate work at CSUB applied toward the MA in Sociology, at least a C in all courses; no more than one course with a grade of C (2.0) will be accepted toward the MA in Sociology.
3. Completion of all culminating experience requirements as stipulated under the Thesis or Non-Thesis Options, below.
4. All requirements for the MA in Sociology must be completed before the student may participate in graduation ceremonies.

The Department of Sociology offers three tracks for the MA in Sociology: the Thesis Option, the Teaching Track, and the Special Project. Three courses are required of all Masters students (BEHS 500 Quantitative Methods in the Behavioral Sciences; BEHS 501 Advanced Research Design and Analysis; and SOC 502 Advanced Sociological Theory) with the remaining units being comprised of course work established in the Plan of Study developed by the student and his/her committee. Only five independent study units can be applied to the student’s Plan of Study. Students should consult the Thesis Option and Non-Thesis Options Handout available in the Department of Sociology office.
 

Thesis Option: 45 Total Units

Required Course Work: 15 Units

BEHS 500 Quantitative Methods in the Behavioral Sciences
BEHS 501 Advanced Research Design and Analysis
SOC 502 Advanced Sociological Theory

These units, 10 of which must be at the 500-level (exclusive of SOC 695 Master’s Thesis in Sociology), and the remaining at the 400 level or above, will be selected based on the advice and recommendation of the student’s advisor and faculty committee.

Teaching Track: 50 Total Units

Required Course Work: 25 Units

BEHS 500 Quantitative Methods in the Behavioral Sciences
BEHS 501 Advanced Research Design and Analysis
SOC 502 Advanced Sociological Theory
SOC 597 Special Issues in Teaching Sociology *
SOC 598 Directed Study in Teaching Sociology*
SOC 693 Culminating Experience in Teaching Sociology

* In collaboration with a community college in area.

In addition, all students will be required to serve as a teaching assistant for a lower division sociology class at CSUB for which they will not earn any academic credits.

These units, 10 of which must be at the 500-level or above, will be selected based on the advice and recommendation of the student’s advisor and faculty committee.

Students must prepare the following:

1. Detailed syllabi for two sociology classes, one of which must be introductory sociology class and the other a course agreed upon with the student’s advisor.
2. A detailed list of books and reading materials that could be used in the two classes above.
3. A detailed outline of tests, paper topics and guidelines, homework exercises and other items by which students who are enrolled in the above mentioned classes might be evaluated.
4. A research paper on a topic of relevance to the elective class.
5. A sample class lecture on the same topic open to faculty and students-at-large.

Special Project: 50 Total Units

Required Course Work: 20 units

BEHS 500 Quantitative Methods in the Behavioral Sciences
BEHS 501 Advanced Research Design and Analysis
SOC 502 Advanced Sociological Theory
SOC 694 Culminating Experience in Special Projects

These units, 15 of which must be at the 500-level or above, must be approved by the student’s advisor and faculty committee.

1. Agency-Based Project
1. Submit for approval to the student’s faculty committee a prospectus for the Proposed Project which shall include a description of the intended project, its objectives, methods that will be used, the scholarly literature that will be consulted, and the timetable proposed for all the stages of the project.
2. Present and defend a Final Report on the project to the student’s faculty committee in a meeting open to faculty and students-at-large.

 
2. Mastery of Two Areas of Sociology
1. a. Submit for approval to the student’s faculty committee a prospectus for two area papers, which shall include the identification of the two areas of sociology the student intends to demonstrate mastery over, two lists of proposed readings, and a timetable for the preparation, writing, and submission of each area paper.
2. b. Examination of student on each area by his/her faculty committee in a meeting open to the faculty and students-at-large.

COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

BEHS 500 Quantitative Methods in the Behavioral Sciences (5)

(For course description, see listing under "Interdisciplinary Courses.") [F]

BEHS 501 Advanced Research Design and Analysis (5)

(For course description, see listing under "Interdisciplinary Courses.") [W]

SOC 502 Advanced Sociological Theory (5)

Examination of current sociological theorizing, including contemporary formulations of classical theory and new theoretical innovations and applications. Introduction to theory construction and formal theoretical expressions. Prerequisite: SOC 301, or its equivalent. [S]

SOC 506 The Modern World-System (5)

Advanced seminar on the structural processes, history, current condition, and future trends of the five-century-old modern world-system. Topics include a discussion on what constitutes historical social systems, the origins and expansion of the modern world-system, cycles of hegemony and economic expansion, the core, semiperiphery and periphery, the interstate system, the interenterprise system, the global transformations of the post-world-war period, and the role and impact of the antisystemic movements over the last three centuries. [W]

BEHS 512 Advanced Social Psychology (5)

(For course description, see listing under "Interdisciplinary Courses.") [S]

SOC 524 Seminar on Deviance (5)

An in-depth examination of major theoretical positions advanced in the sociology of deviance. Emphasis is placed on the research and policy implications, which follow from these statements. Prerequisite: SOC 324. [F]

SOC 527 Advanced Theories of Race, Nation, and Ethnicity (5)

Advanced seminar on the theories of race, nation, and ethnicity, and their effectiveness in understanding the historical transformations of peoplehood in the modern world-system up to the present time. The approach will be global and interdisciplinary, comparing and contrasting selected cases. [W]

SOC 540 Social Organization (5)

Examines theories of societal organization, the major social institutions characteristic of modern societies, and the interrelationships among these institutions. [F]

SOC 541 Complex Organizations (5)

Examination of organizations which have people as their primary product. Analysis includes consideration of both formal and informal structure, the effect of the organization and its goals on both the staff and the people being served, as well as the implications for the larger society. [S]

SOC 555 Seminar on Alcohol and Drugs (5)

An examination of current issues concerning alcohol and drugs, including controversial theoretical perspectives, the implications of social policy decisions, and the individual and social consequences of alcohol and drug addiction. Selected demographic patterns of alcohol and drug use and abuse will be covered, including a specific focus on alcohol and drug use in different ethnic groups. Some consideration is also given to alcohol and drug use in other countries. [F]

SOC 564 Sociology of Family (5)

An analysis of the family as it appears in different social class and ethnic groups in the United States. Specific attention will be given to Latino, African-American, and Asian families. Demographic trends in household composition, divorce, remarriage, immigration, and fertility and the impact of these trends on the family will be addressed. Some consideration may also be given to family systems in other countries. The intent of the course is to provide a critical and informed look at the family and its sociological significance as a central social institution. [W]

SOC 565 Seminar in Sexual Inequality (5)

In this seminar we will explore the social organization of sex and gender, and sexual inequality, from diverse sociological and empirical perspectives. The course contents will include a variety of readings dealing with and exploring the role of women in various societies; sex and gender stratification systems; the feminization of poverty; and gender differences in personality, cognition and emotion. Throughout the seminar we will focus on how being a woman effects chances for survival and well-being both within the United States and cross culturally. The seminar carries a significant reading load and students are expected to actively participate in seminar discussions.

SOC 577 Advanced Topics in Sociology (1-5)

Exploration at an advanced level of selected topics in sociology. May be repeated for different course content.

SOC 597 Special Issues in Teaching Sociology (1)

This is a practicum course designed to prepare students to teach sociology. Topics covered include managing large classes, facilitating small group discussions, encouraging in-class presentations, incorporating technology in the classroom, selecting films, teaching about non-western societies, and teaching sensitive topics.

SOC 598 Directed Study in Teaching Sociology (5)

This is a practicum course to be conducted under the supervision of a faculty mentor from a community college in CSUB’s service region. Weekly meetings with faculty sponsor and supervised experience which may include administering and developing examinations, course development, discussion group leadership, selected lectures, and in-depth directed readings of relevant topics. Prerequisite: SOC 597 and consent of instructor who will serve as sponsor, and approval by Chair of Department of Sociology and Anthropology.

SOC 693 Culminating Experience in Teaching Sociology (4)

Students who have completed all other prerequisites for the MA in Sociology—Teaching Track must culminate their graduate program by taking and passing this course. Upon satisfactorily preparing, completing, and presenting the following tasks to the student’s faculty committee, the student will be granted the MA in Sociology: a detailed syllabus for two sociology classes, one of which must be an introductory sociology and the other should be in a substantive area of the student’s choosing; a detailed list of books and reading materials that should be used in these two classes; a detailed outline of tests, paper topics and guidelines, homework exercises and other items by which students who are enrolled in the these classes might be evaluated; a critical literature review on a topic of relevance to the elective class; and, finally, deliver a sample class lecture to the faculty committee on the same topic in a session open to faculty and students-at-large. Offered on a credit, no-credit basis only.

SOC 694 Culminating Experience in Special Projects (5)

Students who have completed all other prerequisites for the MA in Sociology—Special Projects Track must culminate their graduate program by taking and passing this course. There are two ways of passing this course: (a) by performing an agency-based project or (b) by demonstrating mastery of two areas of sociology. Upon satisfactorily preparing, completing, and presenting the tasks associated with either type of special project to the student’s faculty committee, the student will be granted the MA in Sociology. Offered on a credit, no-credit basis only.

SOC 695 Master’s Thesis in Sociology (1-9)

SOC 699 Individual Graduate Study (1-5)

Investigation of an approved project leading to a written report. Project selected in conference with professor in area of major interest; regular meetings to be arranged with professor.