Department of Sociology
Loyola University New Orleans
Program Goals and Learning Objectives
Understanding and Explaining the Sociological Perspective
- Appreciation for the discipline of sociology and its role in contributing to our understanding of social reality.
- Appreciation for “The Sociological Imagination.”
Understanding and Explaining Key Sociological Concepts
- Ability to define and demonstrate the relevance of core concepts such as, culture, socialization, stratification, social structure, institutions, roles, social control, human agency, and differentiations along the lines of race, ethnicity, gender, age, social class, and sexual orientation.
Understanding and Explaining Key Sociological Theories
- Understanding how core concepts relate to the development of theories.
- Understanding of the historical context of the development of sociological theories.
- Knowledge of major classical and contemporary theoretical paradigms.
- Ability to apply and evaluate various theoretical paradigms to particular social phenomena.
Understanding Sociological Research Methods
- Understanding of research design, measurement, data collection, data analysis, and drawing informed conclusions from quantitative and qualitative research.
- Understanding of ethical issues in sociological research.
Acquiring Intellectual and Professional Skills
- Ability to think critically about the social world.
- Competency in basic computer skills and information literacy needed to locate and communicate sociological knowledge.
- Proficiency in written and oral communication skills.
- Development of professional skills and standards of conduct.
Understanding Diversity and Global Issues
- Understanding the major socio-economic and cultural dimensions of diversity and inequality in contemporary society (within the U.S. and the world).
Developing a Sense of Social Responsibility
- Ability to identify and think critically about one’s own position and the positions of others on social justice issues and the ways in which they are pursued in the community through social action.
(February 2007)