About

Sociologists observe, describe, explain and predict human social behavior. The Sociology (BS) - Families and Intimate Relationships degree in Appalachian State University’s Department of Sociology focuses on family as a primary institution in our lives — affecting well-being, socialization, the transmission of rights and obligations, and the conferral of advantages and disadvantages.

Students in this concentration will explore a range of family experiences in order to understand the causes and consequences of social, political and economic change for family life and how these changes impact the status of contemporary families.

In this degree, students will learn effective writing and communication skills and practical application of theory. These skills are useful in a range of jobs, such as business, teaching and government.

After Graduation

Employment: Students are prepared for entry-level jobs in child advocacy, family planning, conflict resolution, work with at-risk youth and families, and child development programs. Graduates often work for the Department of Social Services, Public Health and other family-assistance non-profit programs.

Graduate School: Some graduates of this concentration go into graduate programs in sociology, counseling, family law, demography, health care, political science, criminal justice and women’s, gender, and sexuality studies.

Career Exploration website

People

• 

  Student Profile: Tatum Schwartz

  Tatum Schwartz decided to major in sociology after taking an introductory course. She counts the Department of Sociology’s inspiring faculty and service-learning and undergraduate research opportunities among her most meaningful experiences.

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  Alumna Profile: Emily Hatem ’19

  Emily Hatem ’19 started her career with AmeriCorps and will soon head to graduate school with important lessons learned — including how to work with young people and how to stay flexible and adaptable.

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  Faculty Profile: Dr. Ellen Lamont

  “A better understanding of our social world enables students to move beyond individualistic interpretations of behavior to a more empathetic outlook that emphasizes how social, political and economic processes impact the well-being of families.”

  – Dr. Ellen Lamont, assistant professor of sociology

Related Programs

• Sociology (BA)
• Sociology (BS) - Applied Research Methods
• Sociology (BS) - Criminology
• Sociology (BS) – Sociology of Health and Aging
• Sociology (BS) - Individually Designed
• Sociology (BS) - Social Inequalities

Minors

A minor is not required. Suggested minors include:

• Child Development
• Communication
• Criminal Justice
• Family and Consumer Sciences
• Gender, Women’s, and Sexuality Studies
• Girls’ Studies
• Health and Aging
• Human Resource Management
• LGBT Studies
• Non-profit Organizations
• Psychology
• Public Health
• Social Work
• Statistics

View all minors

Engagement Outside the Classroom

Sociology Club - a student-led organization devoted to service learning, fundraising and hosting events for the betterment of students inspired by the discipline of sociology.

Alpha Kappa Delta - an international sociology honors society, formed with the intent to acknowledge and promote excellence in the scholarship in the study of sociology, the research of social problems, and such other social and intellectual activities as will lead to improvement in the human condition.

The North Carolina Sociological Association - open to all practicing sociologists (whether in academic, government or applied settings) as well as to sociology students at the undergraduate and graduate level.

Southern Sociological Society - open to all sociology students and professionals across the southern United States.

American Sociological Association - a national organization dedicated to sociology and its pursuit of investigating human behavior, social interaction and social structures.

Global Learning

Appalachian is committed to introducing students to different cultures and teaching them how to live and interact in a global society.

Department of Sociology faculty lead summer study abroad opportunities. Past program titles have included Studying War in Europe, and Religious and Ethnic Conflict in Ireland and Spain.

Admission Requirements

There are no admission requirements beyond admission to Appalachian State University. In order to maintain progress in this degree, students must receive a grade of C (2.0) or higher in the following required classes:

• SOC 1000 - The Sociological Perspective (3) *
• SOC 3885 - Research Methods (3) [WID] *
• SOC 3895 - Social Statistics and Data Analysis (3) *
• SOC 3950 - Classical Sociological Theory (3) *

• SOC 3960 - Contemporary Sociological Theory (3) [WID] *
• SOC 4390 - Applied Sociology Seminar (3) *
• SOC 4450 - Senior Capstone (3) [CAP] *
• SOC 4900 - Internship (3-6)