Sociology

Chair: Teresa M. Cooney
Program Assistant: Rachel M. Gallegos
Office: Lawrence Street Center, Suite 420
Telephone: 303-315-2148
Fax: 303-315-2149

Faculty

Professors:
Teresa M. Cooney, PhD, The Pennsylvania State University

Associate Professors:
Candan Duran-Aydintug, PhD, Washington State University
Keith Guzik, PhD, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Jennifer A. Reich, PhD, University of California, Davis

Assistant Professors:
Stacey Bosick, PhD, Harvard University
Akihiko Hirose, PhD, University of California, Riverside

Senior Instructor:
Kari Alexander, PhD, University of Colorado Boulder

Instructors:
Andrea Haar, MA, University of Colorado Denver
Carlos Reali, MA, University of Colorado Denver
Maren T. Scull, PhD, Indiana University

Professors Emeritus:
Sharon K. Araji, PhD, Washington State University
Karl H. Flaming, PhD, Syracuse University

Associate Professor Emeritus:
Richard H. Anderson, PhD, University of Oregon

Undergraduate Information

Sociology is the scientific study of groups, social process and behavior. The major in sociology is designed to familiarize the student with these areas through an understanding of theory, method and statistical procedures employed within them. Concentration is possible at the undergraduate level. However, the faculty believes the undergraduate should have a foundation in the basics of the discipline upon which to build a future specialization. Such specialization is more appropriate at the advanced levels.

Many career opportunities combine a foundation in sociology with business, computer science or community development. Opportunities within the field of sociology proper usually require graduate study. The major will prepare the student for such advanced work as well as for pursuit of career options with the BA degree. For example, graduates with a sociology BA are employed in the human services field and with state and local government agencies.

The department has developed the following rationale for courses offered:

Lower-division courses (for majors and non-majors)
1. 1000-level courses provide an introduction to the broad sociological perspective as it applies to social life, social systems and society.
2. 2000-level courses introduce the student to somewhat more specific content areas: social psychology and social inequalities, etc.
Upper-division courses (3000 and 4000)
1. 3000-level courses serve as advanced surveys of some specific area of concentration. They are designed to acquaint the student with the issues, methods, concepts and theoretical frameworks employed in the content area. Such courses as urban sociology, race and ethnicity, etc. are offered at this level. Many of these courses are open courses, in that students from other departments and colleges are encouraged to enroll in them.
2. 4000-level courses are devoted to a more detailed in-depth examination of specific issues, approaches and concepts within the previously identified content areas. These are advanced courses and are geared more directly to sociology and social science majors.
3. Undergraduate students can enroll in a course at the 4000/5000 level only if they are classified at junior or senior standing.

Click here to learn about the requirements for the Major in Sociology.

Click here to learn about the requirements for the Minor in Sociology.

Departmental Honors

Students wishing to graduate with departmental honors in sociology (cum laude, magna cum laude, or summa cum laude) must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 (while enrolled at the University of Colorado Denver) and a 3.2 or higher in all sociology courses. Additional requirements are available in the sociology office. Qualified students are encouraged to apply for the honors program no later than the beginning of their senior year.

Graduate Information

Please go to the Graduate catalog to read about our graduate programs.