Sociology majors typically take the following courses in the fall semester of their first year:
First-Year Experience Learning Community Courses
We will register you in these courses.
- Philosophy (PHIL 201)
- English Composition (ENG 101) OR Theology (TRS 201)
Why am I taking these classes? Honors students take equivalent honors courses.
Major and Elective Courses
You will need to choose and register for these courses.
- Introduction to Sociology (SOC 101) or Sociology of Crime and Justice (SOC 205)
- A foreign language (see below)
-
A liberal arts foundations course; a course toward a minor, certificate, or other focus area; or a free elective
Language placement
Your major requires you to complete the study of a foreign language through the intermediate level. Catholic University teaches the following languages that satisfy this requirement: Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Greek, Irish, Italian, Latin, and Spanish. If you are interested in learning a language not listed here, consult with your advisor.
If you have previously studied a foreign language and are interested in continuing with that same language, or if you can demonstrate fluency in a foreign language, you should complete the language placement exam.
About Your First Semester Courses
This area of study focuses on the root causes and implications of crime in societies, the preventative strategies that could control such social behavior, and approaches the study of crime from an evidence-based and Catholic social justice perspective. Since first year courses are rooted in this liberal arts perspective, courses in Sociology and the First Year Experience complement each other well.
Criminology majors should enroll in Introduction to Sociology (SOC 101) or Sociology of Crime and Justice (SOC 205). Either will serve as an entry to the sociological approaches used in later criminology courses.
For your fifth course, you can choose what you like. You can take a liberal arts elective or a free elective course in a subject of your interest. Or, you may wish to begin study in a secondary subject area, perhaps for a minor or certificate. In particular, Criminology students are encouraged to take courses reinforcing writing, analytical, and research skills.
To learn more about the Criminology major, consult the Sociology Department’s website.
Know which courses you want? Get registered.