1. College Success

• COLLG 110 College Success (3 credits)

• Course purpose: A foundational course to explore and affirm a career choice and build upon the skills, knowledge, and resources that will support you at Pierce College and beyond.

2. English Composition I

• ENGL& 101 English Composition I (5 credits)

• Course purpose: Career pathways in Sociology require you to effectively read, write, and communicate to a variety of audiences in diverse ways.

3. Introduction to Sociology

• SOC& 101 Introduction to Sociology (5 credits)

• Course purpose: An introduction to sociology, the study of society and human interaction. You will learn the systematic, or scientific, study of social phenomena, developing one’s “sociological imagination” and exploring human relationships.

Action Item: Meet with Advisor

Use your Success Network! In your first quarter, meet with your advisor to revisit your career and transfer path, make adjustments to your goals as needed, and plan for your next steps.

4. Research Essentials

• INFO 101 Research Essentials (2 credits)

• Course purpose: Sociologists need strong skills in finding, critically analyzing and using research to complete sociological literature reviews.

5. Math Course Recommendation

The math course you select will depend on the transfer institution you plan to attend and your math placement.  Your advisor will assist you in selecting the appropriate course(s).

Mathematics Course Distribution List   

6. General Psychology

• PSYC& 100 General Psychology (5 credits)

• Course purpose: Sociologists need an understanding of human behavior, experience, emotions, cognition, etc. 

7. Natural Science Course Recommendation

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• BIOL& 100 Survey of Biology (5 credits)
• GEOL& 101 Introduction to Physical Geology (5 credits)

8. Social Science Course Recommendation

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• SOC& 201 Social Problems (5 credits)

• Course purpose: Sociologists need an understanding of systemic issues impacting society, including sex, gender, race, ethnicity, and social stratification. This course explores some of the socio-culturally defined problems today.

• POLS& 101 Introduction to Political Science (5 credits)

• Course purpose: Sociologists need a comparative understanding of various forms of government. Government and politics are critical elements of institutional processes and structure.

9. English Composition II

• ENGL& 102 Composition II: Argumentation and Research (5 credits)

• Course purpose: Sociologists need to be able to research best practices and be able to write and communicate in argumentative discourse. This course also reinforces APA and MLA style of documentation and provides you with research tools.

10. Communication Course Recommendation

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• CMST& 101 Introduction to Communications (5 credits)

• Course purpose: Sociologists need to be effective oral communicators. This course provides a broad overview of communication.

• CMST& 220 Public Speaking (5 credits)

• Course purpose: Sociologists are professionals who are frequently called upon to give oral presentations. The ability to feel confident about public speaking is an important element for success in the field.

Action Item: Apply for Graduation

Way to go! It is time to apply for graduation. Visit the Pierce College Graduation website for details. https://www.pierce.ctc.edu/graduation

11. Nutrition

• NUTR& 101 Nutrition (5 credits)

• Course purpose: Sociologists need an understanding of epidemiology and the role of human health. This course examines human health with respect to essential nutrients, factors that affect eating habits, food advertising, and disease. The course may offer background to sociology of health and medicine.

12. Family and Intimate Relationships

• SOC 211 Family and Intimate Relationships (5 credits)

• Course purpose: Sociologists need an understanding of family, marriage, and intimate relationships. This course explores the cultural and historical factors that have and continue to shape the institution of family.

13. Lifespan Psychology

• PSYC& 200 Lifespan Psychology (5 credits)

• Course purpose: Sociologists need an understanding of human development from birth to elderly. Sociologists can benefit from more micro-level analyses and this informs one of the classic theoretical paradigms in sociology – symbolic-interactionism.

14. Humanities Course Recommendation

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• PHIL& 101 Introduction to Philosophy (5 credits)

• Course purpose: Sociologists would benefit from existential inquiry and thought.

• PHIL& 115 Critical Thinking (5 credits)

• Course purpose: Sociologists would benefit from developing critical thinking skills. Critical thinking includes observation, analysis, interpretation, reflection, evaluation, explanation, problem solving, and decision making. These are essential skills used in the discipline of sociology and related careers.

• PHIL 150 Introduction to Ethics (5 credits)

• Course purpose: Sociologists need to have an understanding of ethics and human nature.

• PHIL 160 Introduction to the Philosophy of Science (5 credits)

• Course purpose: Sociologists can benefit from understanding what is scientific inquiry and how theories help explain some phenomenon.

15. Art Appreciation

• ART& 100 Art Appreciation (5 credits)

• Course purpose: Sociologists need an understanding of art as a form of expression across history and societies. Art is reflective of cultural expression across various historical contexts, societies, and people. This provides another way of understanding culture and expression.

16. Natural Science Recommendation

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• ENVS& 100 Survey of Environmental Science (5 credits)

• Course purpose: Sociologists need an understanding of environmental concepts and issues. This course covers ecosystems, pollution, population, urbanization, and other environmental issues.

• GEOG 205 Physical Geography (5 credits)

17. Social Science Course Recommendation

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• ECON 110 Survey of Economics (5 credits)

• Course purpose: Sociologists need to understand the polarities and tradeoffs of economic systems and its important contributions to societal functions.

• POLS& 202 American Government (5 credits)

• Course purpose: Sociologists need an understanding of the institutions, processes, and ideas that make up the American political and governmental system.

18. Sociology/Language Course Recommendation

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• SOC 235 Race and Ethnicity (5 credits)

• Course purpose: Sociologists need an understanding of race and ethnicity in contemporary society. This course examines the dynamics of racism – power and inequality; prejudice and discrimination, identity, stratification, segregation, institutional racism, etc.

19. Social Science Course Recommendations

Choose one

• HIST& 214 Pacific Northwest History (5 credits)
• HIST 260 History of Russia and the Soviet Union (5 credits)
• HIST 270 Introduction to the Far East (5 credits)
• HIST 272 Survey of Middle East History (5 credits)

Total Credits: 90

Last Revision: August 2018