This certificate equips students with the knowledge, skills, and practical experience necessary to engage in rigorous and meaningful research within the social sciences. This program offers an interdisciplinary approach to research methods and ethics, allowing students to explore a wide range of topics, perspectives, and research methodologies; culminating in the ability for students to conduct and evaluate their own research to study a broad range of topics across the social sciences.
Program Requirements
Major Restricted Electives
Foundations of Social Research - Choose 4 Credit(s).
An introduction to the theory and practice of conducting research in communication and media.
Prerequisites:
none
This course reviews the fundamentals of social research methods. Students will learn about process of designing research studies and key methods of social science research; they will develop skills to read social science research articles and understand research findings. Students will also develop and practice research skills.
Prerequisites:
none
Foundations of Data - Choose 4 Credit(s).
Students will develop knowledge and understand the application of statistical concepts and quantitative methodologies to real-world social and political issues. Using social science data, students will analyze and interpret data to answer research questions relevant to the public and non-profit sectors.
Prerequisites:
none
Goal Areas:
GE-04
Develop knowledge and application of statistical concepts and methods to facilitate research in social sciences disciplines. Students learn to work with quantitative databases obtained from census, social surveys, and experiments. Develop data analysis skills and use of statistical software programs. Practice data interpretations and statistical decision-making as used in everyday government, non-profit/for-profit, healthcare, academic and research organizations.
Prerequisites:
none
Goal Areas:
GE-04
Major Unrestricted Electives
Upper Division Methods - Choose 8 Credit(s). SOC 490 can be taken when covering a research-related topic. SOC 490 may be repeated under different research related topics
The course will be an introduction to the analysis of spatial data using the concept of a geographic information system (GIS). Content of the course will be, to a great extent, based on the NCGIA core curriculum with assignments tailored to the data and software available within the department such as ArcGIS.
Prerequisites:
none
This course examines public opinion in American politics. Topics include the definition, nature and consequences of public opinion; political socialization; public opinion on selected issues; intergroup differences in public opinion, and public opinion polling methods.
Prerequisites:
none
This course will explore research design with emphasis related to the areas of recreation, parks, and leisure sciences. Basic overview of research methodologies commonly utilized in leisure sciences and approaches to RPLS research will be explored through review of original research. Students will be required to produce and revise scientific writing with specific focus on presenting material to audiences in the RPLS field. Team-based problem centered research questions will be developed and investigated using methodology with current RPLS-related issues.
Prerequisites:
none
This class brings a historical approach to the study of business, commodities, wealth, and corporations. Learn about some of today's most successful corporations and some of history's biggest business-related disasters.
Prerequisites:
none
Seminar and workshop on the principles and techniques of survey research, including but not limited to understanding survey resarch and designing questionaires; students wil work directly on a survey research project and present project findings.. Prerequisite: SOC 301W or similar research methods course with instructor permission.
Prerequisites:
none
Seminar and workshop on the principles and techniques of qualitative research, including but not limited to interviews and participant observation; students design and conduct original qualitative research projects, write and present analyses. Prerequisite: SOC 301W or similar research methods course with instructor permission.
Prerequisites:
none
Workshop topics vary as announced in class schedule. These workshops will be based on skill-building and career connections for sociology majors. May be retaken for credit.
Prerequisites:
none
This course will focus on ways that sociological concepts and research skills can be applied in practice settings to address human concerns and promote social justice. Students learn how sociological skills can be used to identify, investigate, and implement solutions to problems of social organization, social process, and social change. Through the course of the semester students will engage in experiential and/or project based learning, and collaborate in identifying and executing research in service of addressing a community problem or supporting a community organization.
Prerequisites:
SOC 301W or equivalent; Senior Standing.
Reviews processes and techniques related to evaluation of public programs.
Prerequisites:
none
Policies
A minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 is required in the certificate program.
