Sociology (Minor)

What is sociology?

Sociology is the study of society, or the way groups of people in a community, large or small, interact. This includes the ways in which a group or organization can affect individual decisions and behaviors, as well as the ways in which an individual can influence the group. In the sociology minor, you’ll study topics such as racism and gender inequality, communities and the environment, families, religion, drug addiction and mental health. Combine the minor with a major in the liberal arts, health and human services, or business to enhance your future career opportunities or graduate studies.

Why study sociology at UNH?

The sociology program at UNH will prepare you to succeed in an increasingly diverse, global and technologically driven world. The program promotes scientific inquiry, digital literacy and cultural awareness. It will help you hone your creative thinking and written and verbal communication skills. You’ll also have opportunities to work closely with faculty on their own research projects and through independent study. Perspectives, the student-run digital journal on sociology, publishes student work each spring. We’ll encourage you to expand your horizons through study abroad in one of the many UNH-approved programs, including the UNH Budapest program, which is run by UNH faculty and focuses on justice studies.

Potential career areas

Business or data analyst
Criminologist
Criminal investigator
District attorney
Family counselor
Guidance counselor
Lawyer
Market or survey researcher
Policy analyst
Public relations specialist
Social worker
Teacher

Find Courses

View Course Catalog

Curriculum & Requirements

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Minoring in sociology provides a foundation in analytical thinking and writing, and skills in collecting and analyzing data. Students learn diverse theoretical approaches to the social world and acquire tools for conducting and understanding social science research. Course topics include family and work; environmental sociology; social policy; inequalities of race, class and gender; criminology, social control and deviant behavior; medical sociology and mental health; and religion.

Undergraduate training in sociology is an excellent background for a variety of careers, including the business world, working in marketing and sales or human resources; government and nonprofit services, working in education, health services, social welfare or criminal justice; and research. A minor in sociology is also excellent preparation for graduate work in law, social work, criminal justice, counseling, public administration, public health, business administration, urban planning and other fields.

A minor consists of any five 4-credit courses in sociology with a C- or better in each course and a grade-point average of 2.0 or better in these courses.

Course List
Code	Title	Credits
Select five elective courses from the following:		20
SOC 400	Introductory Sociology	4
SOC 402	Statistics	4
SOC 444A	Honors/Society in the Arctic	4
SOC 450	Contemporary Social Problems	4
SOC 515	Introductory Criminology	4
SOC 520	Family	4
SOC 525	Juvenile Crime and Delinquency	4
SOC 530	Race and Racism	4
SOC 535	Homicide	4
SOC 565	Environment and Society	4
SOC 570	Sexual Behavior	4
SOC 595	Independent Reading and Research	2-8
SOC #597	Special Topics	4
SOC 599	Sociological Analysis	4
SOC 601	Methods of Social Research	4
SOC 611	Sociological Theory	4
SOC 620	Drugs and Society	4
SOC 625	Mental Health and Society	4
SOC 635W	Medical Sociology	4
SOC 645	Class, Status and Power	4
SOC 647	Sociology of Work and Well-Being	4
SOC 665	Environmental Sociology	4
SOC 693	Global Change and Social Sustainability	4
SOC 697	Special Topics	4
SOC 725	Social Demography	4
SOC 730	Communities and the Environment	4
SOC 740	Sociology of Mental Health	4
SOC 745	Race, Ethnicity, and Inequality	4
SOC #788	Advanced Medical Sociology	4
SOC 792	Internship Independent Study	2-8
SOC #797	Special Topics	4
SOC 799	Senior Thesis	4 or 8
SOC 799H	Senior Honors Thesis	4 or 8