Department of Sociology
The Department of Sociology at Texas Southern University offers the Master of Arts degree with an emphasis on urban/applied sociology. Consistent with the University’s focus on “urban programming” the Master of Arts Degree in Sociology emphasizes research into the complex social problems experienced by diverse urban populations, public responses to these problems in America and elsewhere, and the practical application of data in ameliorating or improving the condition of urban populations. Although students are trained with an emphasis on sociological theory and methods, this program intensely addresses substantive topics such as social stratification in education, employment and health as well as poverty, discrimination, and the role of media in these conversations. In addition to coursework in urban/applied, optional coursework is offered which emphasizes the training of students who will apply their sociological skills in nonacademic professions on the local, state, and national levels. Ultimately, the Master of Arts Degree in Sociology at Texas Southern University emphasizes research in urban environments which produce data to be used in understanding and addressing the living condition of varied urban populations. Toward that end, this program seeks to accomplish the following objectives:
- Prepare graduates for successful transition into doctoral programs.
- Prepare graduates for careers in applied sociology professions.
- Provide graduates with the requisite skills for conducting sociological research in urban areas.
Degree Requirements
- Thesis option: Completion of thirty-six (36) semester hours of graduate work, which includes twelve (12) semester credit hours of required courses, with a grade point average of at least 3.0; eighteen (18) semester credit hours of electives, with a grade point average of at least 3.0; successful completion of six (6) thesis hours; the successful completion of a written comprehensive examination; and the successful defense of a thesis.
- Non-thesis Option: Completion of thirty-six (36) semester credit hours of graduate work, which includes twelve (12) semester credit hours of required courses with a grade point average of at least 3.0; eighteen (18) semester credit hours of electives, with a grade point average of at least 3.0; successful completion of six (6) internship hours; and successful completion of a written comprehensive examination.
FUNDAMENTALS OF SOCIOLOGY (3) Introduction to central concepts, methods, and professional practices in sociology; development of basic skills used in theoretical and empirical work; and orientation to the discipline and this Department of Sociology.
College/School: Liberal Arts & Behavioral Scie
Department: Dept of Sociology
TOPICAL SEMINAR (3) An analysis of contemporary sociological issues affecting individuals and groups in a rapidly changing society.
College/School: Liberal Arts & Behavioral Scie
Department: Dept of Sociology
SOCIOLOGY OF RELIGION (3) Examination of social dimensions of religion, the relationship between religion and society, sociological theories of religion, religious organizations and behavior, religion and social change, secularization and the future of religion.
College/School: Liberal Arts & Behavioral Scie
Department: Dept of Sociology
SEMINAR IN URBAN SOCIOLOGY (3) Social and demographic characterization and organization of urban communities with emphasis on techniques of identifying structures, institutions, systems and leadership.
College/School: Liberal Arts & Behavioral Scie
Department: Dept of Sociology
SOCIOLOGY OF THE FAMILY (3) Key concepts and processes of family sociology with application to sexuality, partner selection, transition to parenthood, parenting and children, housework and paid work, domestic violence and child abuse, divorce and marriage, grandparenting, care giving, and alternative families.
College/School: Liberal Arts & Behavioral Scie
Department: Dept of Sociology
ADVANCED SOCIOLOGICAL STATISTICS (3) Advanced statistical methods with emphasis on multiple regression techniques.
College/School: Liberal Arts & Behavioral Scie
Department: Dept of Sociology
ADVANCED SOCIOLOGICAL THEORY (3) Examination of the major theoretical orientations in sociology, with special attention given to the early history of conflict theory, functionalism, and symbolic interaction.
College/School: Liberal Arts & Behavioral Scie
Department: Dept of Sociology
URBAN RESEARCH METHODS (3) Examination of urban indicators, research design, and field problems in urban research.
College/School: Liberal Arts & Behavioral Scie
Department: Dept of Sociology
SEMINAR IN SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY (3) Examination of selected social psychological theories and their current role and status.
College/School: Liberal Arts & Behavioral Scie
Department: Dept of Sociology
BLACK SOCIOLOGY (3) Examination of African and African American contributions to the development of social scientific knowledge.
College/School: Liberal Arts & Behavioral Scie
Department: Dept of Sociology
CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND THE URBAN COMMUNITY (3) Critical analysis of the subsystems of the criminal justice system and their impact on the urban community.
College/School: Liberal Arts & Behavioral Scie
Department: Dept of Sociology
SEMINAR IN URBAN POLITICAL SOCIOLOGY (3) The application of sociological theory and analysis to political processes and systems in urban settings.
College/School: Liberal Arts & Behavioral Scie
Department: Dept of Sociology
SOC 655A INTERNSHIP (3) Supervised work and instruction in formal organizations relevant to the student’s area of specialization. Must take parts A and B for credit. SOC 655B INTERNSHIP (3) Supervised work and instruction in formal organizations relevant to the student’s area of specialization. Must complete parts A and B for credit
College/School: Liberal Arts & Behavioral Scie
Department: Dept of Sociology
SEMINAR IN SOCIAL STRATIFICATION (3) Theoretical analysis of how social class, status, and power shape social relations, determine life chances, and affect attitudes, opinions, and political choices of individuals and groups, all of which perpetuate systems of class, gender, and race inequality, and degree of social mobility in societies.
College/School: Liberal Arts & Behavioral Scie
Department: Dept of Sociology
SOCIOLOGY OF LEARNING (3) Examination of schools and classrooms as social environments and sociocultural principles for desired teaching strategies and learning.
College/School: Liberal Arts & Behavioral Scie
Department: Dept of Sociology
SEMINAR IN CLINICAL SOCIOLOGY (3) Presentation and analysis of the creation of sociological knowledge and the clinical application of that knowledge to various settings of group life.
College/School: Liberal Arts & Behavioral Scie
Department: Dept of Sociology
SEMINAR IN PUBLIC AND SOCIAL POLICY (3) Policy analysis, design and implementation issues related.
College/School: Liberal Arts & Behavioral Scie
Department: Dept of Sociology
RACE and ETHNICITY (3) Analysis of social factors affecting racial and ethnic groups.
College/School: Liberal Arts & Behavioral Scie
Department: Dept of Sociology
FAMILY THERAPY AND FAMILY RELATIONS (3) Analysis of various issues in family relations and of the various therapeutic approaches in marital and family therapy.
College/School: Liberal Arts & Behavioral Scie
Department: Dept of Sociology
SEMINAR IN GERONTOLOGY (3) Examination of sociological theories and analyses relevant to various socio-cultural components of aging.
College/School: Liberal Arts & Behavioral Scie
Department: Dept of Sociology
ADVANCED SOCIOLOGICAL THEORY (3) Advanced analysis of recent developments in sociological theory, including the relationship of theory to empirical research.
College/School: Liberal Arts & Behavioral Scie
Department: Dept of Sociology
ADVANCED PROJECT DESIGN (3) Research and project problem defi nition, research and project design.
College/School: Liberal Arts & Behavioral Scie
Department: Dept of Sociology
SOCIOLOGY OF HEALTH AND MEDICINE (3) The analysis of present and emerging sociological conceptualizations designed to understand the development, functions, organization and processes involved in contemporary systems of health and medicine.
College/School: Liberal Arts & Behavioral Scie
Department: Dept of Sociology
ENVIRONMENTAL SOCIOLOGY (3) Critical analysis of the relationships between various modes and patterns of social organization and man environment relations.
College/School: Liberal Arts & Behavioral Scie
Department: Dept of Sociology
INDUSTRIAL SOCIOLOGY (3) Planning, organizational, and infrastructural development for effective analysis of industrial planning, organizational and infrastructural development at the macro level and application and application of sociological principles of resource acquisition, processing, and product distribution.
College/School: Liberal Arts & Behavioral Scie
Department: Dept of Sociology
THESIS (3) Project development, data collection and analysis.
College/School: Liberal Arts & Behavioral Scie
Department: Dept of Sociology
SOCIOLOGY OF EDUCATION (3) Mainstream and critical theories of how society shapes the purposes, processes, and organization of schools; current policy issues and sources of national education data, with primary focus on United States elementary, secondary schools, and post secondary schools.
College/School: Liberal Arts & Behavioral Scie
Department: Dept of Sociology
SEMINAR IN SOCIOTHERAPY AND PSYCHOTHERAPY (3) Examination of the social system approaches and the implications for diagnosis, therapeutic intervention and change.
College/School: Liberal Arts & Behavioral Scie
Department: Dept of Sociology