This is an archived copy of the 2023-2024 catalog. To access the most recent version of the catalog, please visit http://coursecatalog.bucknell.edu.

Sociology (SOCI)

The department encompasses two disciplines, sociology and anthropology, and offers separate majors and minors in each.

Sociology is the study of human social action. It emphasizes an appreciation of human diversity, social inequality and the processes that govern groups, organizations, communities, cultures and nation states. Because these areas of study are integral to a liberal arts education, the department encourages students with diverse majors to take courses at all levels.

Among other things, a major in sociology can assist those interested in graduate work. It also offers a background for careers in law, journalism, government and international affairs, teaching, social work and public service.

Honors

The department strongly encourages qualified majors to consider working for honors in sociology. Such students should consult in their junior year with one or more members of the faculty of the department to begin defining a research topic and writing a proposal. Normally, during the senior year, an honors student will enroll in SOCI 319 Honors Course in Sociology and, if agreed to by the academic adviser, a second semester in SOCI 320 Honors Course in Sociology. The honors proposal is to be approved by the department chairperson and submitted to the Honors Council by the honors program calendar deadline posted online. Further information can be obtained from the student’s academic adviser, the department chairperson and from the Honors Council.