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
Jennifer A. Reich, PhD, University of California, Davis

Associate Professors:
Stacey Bosick, PhD, Harvard University
Candan Duran-Aydintug, PhD, Washington State University
Keith Guzik, PhD, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Assistant Professors:
Edelina Burciaga, PhD, University of California-Irvine
Adam Lippert, PhD, The Pennsylvania State University
Esther Sullivan, PhD, University of Texas at Austin

Assistant Professor, Clinical Teaching Track:
Maren T. Scull, PhD, Indiana University

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

Instructors:
Carlos Reali, MA, University of Colorado Denver

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 processes, social institutions and behavior. The major in sociology is designed to familiarize students with these areas through an understanding of theory, methods and data analytic procedures employed within them. Three certificate options at the undergraduate level allow students interested in gaining concentrated study in a sub-area of sociology to do so. They include: Criminology; Families and Social Welfare; and Sociology of Health and Medicine. All students majoring in sociology, regardless of whether they pursue a certificate (or multiple certificates), develop a strong foundation in the basics of the discipline, including the use of qualitative and quantitative research methodologies and theory.

The major prepares students for either graduate study or the pursuit of a career immediately upon completion of the BA degree. The required Senior Capstone course is a critical resource in preparing for either option. Graduates with a Sociology BA are employed in a variety of professional areas, including the criminal justice system, education, health and social services, 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 students to somewhat more specific content areas: social psychology, deviant behavior 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 students with the issues, methods, concepts and theoretical frameworks employed in the content area. Such courses as medical sociology, criminology, sociology of family, and race and ethnicity 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. Sophomore standing is required for enrollment in all non-core 3000-level courses, and junior standing is required for enrollment in 4000-level courses.

The department requires that SOCY 1001 be completed prior to any of the major’s core requirements (SOCY 2001, SOCY 3115, SOCY 3119, SOCY 3140 and SOCY 4830).

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

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

Click here to learn about the requirements for the Undergraduate Certificate in Criminology.

Click here to learn about the requirements for the Undergraduate Certificate in Families and Social Welfare.

Click here to learn about the requirements for the Undergradaute Certificate in Sociology of Health and Medicine.

Click here to learn about the 4+1 BA to MA program.

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.