Honors Program in Sociology

Program Details and Requirements

The Sociology Honors Program provides highly-motivated students with advanced training in key research, analytical and writing skills by guiding them through the process of preparing an independent research study and honors thesis. The program also offers one-on-one professional guidance for those who are planning to move onto graduate school or prepare for the job market.

Under the advisement of a faculty mentor, you will work on mastering the critical thinking, sociological knowledge, and practical skills you will need in a wide range of careers, including academia, business, social welfare, government, medicine, and law. The process of preparing and defending an Honors thesis can teach you to think critically about interpersonal relations, organizational structures and social inequality. It can help you to develop the basic skills you need to write effective fundraising grants; provide well-informed political commentary on social issues; put together strong business presentations and proposals; and issue critical legal briefs and official reports based on solid evidence. You will also be given the opportunity to work with a faculty member, who can serve as a resource for future recommendation letters and career guidance.


Courses

The Honors program is typically completed over three semesters (and in exceptional cases, two semesters), beginning with an Honors Research Proposal Seminar and ending with an independent Honors thesis.

  • Sociology 488W - Honors Research Proposal Seminar
    Typically taken in your junior year, this seminar will focus on the elements of designing a research project and creating a proposal. Topics will include how to design a research question, develop a theoretical argument, review relevant literature, collect and analyze data, and present results. The course will also include some discussion on researching, preparing for, and taking advantage of professional opportunities and post-graduate training using your Sociology degree and training.

    Depending on your individual needs, you will have a chance to consult with career advisors; get feedback on your resume and job/ professional school portfolio; and receive some guidance on your post-graduation plans. The course is taught or overseen by the Honors Director, who will assist each student in selecting a faculty mentor for the proposed thesis project the following semester(s).

    Note: The seminar is structured to meet all writing-intensive, oral discourse, and information literacy requirements. As a result, you may take this course to meet the 400-level capstone requirements of the Sociology major.
     
  • Sociology 498 - Senior Honors Thesis 
    Students who pass SOC 488 with an approved proposal will conduct their proposed research and write their Honors thesis in the fall and/or spring semester(s) of their senior year under the guidance of their selected faculty mentor. The specific deadlines may vary depending on the project and arrangement between student and faculty, but all Honors students are expected to provide periodic drafts and progress reports to their mentor throughout their senior year and present the finished thesis to both the mentor and Honors Director by the end of the spring semester. Students who successfully pass the Honors program will graduate with honors in Sociology.

 

Eligibility

You are eligible for the Sociology Honors program if you have a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.25. You must also be a declared major or double major in sociology with a major grade point average of at least 3.50 and have completed at least 12 credits of course work in sociology.
 

Contact

Please contact Professor Chung at [email protected] if you have questions about the Sociology Honors Program.
 

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Academic Information

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Are you enrolled in the University at Albany Honors College?
Are you enrolled in the joint Sociology BA/MA program?

Sociology Courses

Check all of the Sociology courses you have taken:
SOC 115 Introduction to Sociology
SOC 220 Introduction to Social Research
SOC 221 Statistics for Sociologists
SOC 235 Sociological Theory

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