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Lasell University
Lasell University

School of Humanities, Education, Justice & Social Sciences

B.A. in Sociology

Sociology Students

Sociology Major at Lasell

The B.A. in Sociology degree focuses on the study of all social relationships among people – everything from how two individuals have a conversation to how cultures spread across the globe.

At Lasell, the focus is on applied sociology, which means that there is an emphasis on thinking critically about social problems, oppression and social injustices, and on developing skills that can be applied to bring about positive social change.

Students investigate the relationship between individuals and society with a particular focus on inequalities related to race or ethnicity, social class, gender, disability, sexuality and other socially constructed identities.

Program Features

  • Build your professional resume with at least five accomplishments in the field.
  • Students complete at least two hands-on courses involving group projects for a public interest cause such civil rights, the environment, or children’s issues.
  • Students create two small independent research, advocacy, or public education projects, connected to courses of their choosing offering opportunities to connect with legislators, journalists, and other professional.
  • A capstone experience senior year offers a two-semester, intensive internship placement skills in a mission-driven nonprofit, legislative office or human services agency.
  • Students have the opportunity to link service-learning, social justice activism, intergenerational studies, or research across the curriculum  to their coursework.
  • In the Action & Social Justice (SOC307) class, students design and carry out a group campaign to promote social justice. For instance, a class researched the implications and injustices of human trafficking and led a protest for stronger laws.
  • In conjunction with Lasell Fashion program, students in the Beauty Myth (HON305) course analyzed the practice of Chinese foot binding.

What You'll Learn

From your first day, you’ll take courses in your major and advance towards graduation with a yearly plan. Not sure what classes to take? We’ll help you create the perfect plan. 

Learning Outcomes

    • Understand social and cultural systems and understand professional codes of ethics.
    • Address social justice issues and be able raise awareness and advocate for change.
    • Recognize and analyze issues that cause social and economic disparities.
    • Be able to understand research methodology, statistics and develop a substantiated argument including writing a preliminary grant proposal and delivering a professional presentation.

    For a complete list of courses and Learrning outcomes, view the Academic Catalog >>


    Accelerated Master's Program

    Save time and money — earn your graduate degree in just 1 year with the Accelerated Master's program. Learn more and how to apply >>

    Undergraduate alumni return to Lasell for second (or third!) degrees 
    Read their stories >>

    Career Success with a Sociology Degree

    Lasell’s degree in Sociology major prepares students for careers in social services, politics and policy development, education, community organizing, social research, advocacy, public relations, and nonprofit administration and program development, or to continue onto graduate school.

    Our students have interned with:

    • Internships
    • Alzheimer’s Association
    • Grassroots
    • State Representative Kay Kahn
    • NARAL
    • Environment Massachusetts

     

     

     

     

     

     

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    HS415 - Advanced Internship I

    Seniors who have met program requirements spend 125 hours in an approved supervised internship. Prerequisites: HS 215, HS 217, with a grade of C or better; and permission of the Internship Coordinator; Co-requisite: HS 417.

    HS417 - Field Intervention Strategies

    This seminar is taken concurrently with Advanced Internship I (HS 415). Students integrate theory learned throughout their college career with their fieldwork experience. The seminar further develops professional behaviors such as record keeping, creating and maintaining supervisory relationships, conflict resolution, and job effectiveness. Students are also offered an opportunity to analyze cases and tasks assigned to them in their field placements, providing a theoretical framework for understanding them. There is an intensive examination of the ethical considerations involved in working with clients. Students identify and develop a research topic and conduct an extensive review of current literature on a topic related to their internship. This is a writing intensive course. Prerequisites: HS 215, HS 217 with a grade of C or better, and permission of the Internship Coordinator; Co-requisite: HS 415.

    HS425 - Advanced Internship II

    This seminar is a continuation of HS 415. Students spend 125 hours working in an approved supervised field site. Prerequisite: HS 415 with a grade of C or better; Co-requisite: HS 427.

    HS427 - Systems & Organizational Change

    This capstone seminar is a continuation of Field Intervention Strategies (HS417) and is taken concurrently with Advanced Internship II (HS425). Building on knowledge and skills gained throughout the Social Sciences program, students continue to integrate theory with practice through seminar discussion and internship-related experiences. There is an increased focus on the delivery of services, examination of ethical dilemmas, and analysis of the broader systems in which services are delivered and policies are formulated. Students also have an opportunity to explore career development issues through examination of the graduate school and employment processes. This course has been designated as a writing intensive course and also has a strong public speaking component. Prerequisites: HS 415, HS 417 with a grade of C or better; and either PSYC 331 or SOC 331. Corequisite: HS 425.

    MATH208 - Statistics

    This is an introductory course in descriptive and inferential statistics. Topics include: data analysis, and graphical methods of describing data, measures of central tendency and variability, probability, the normal distribution, sampling distributions, confidence intervals, hypothesis testing, correlation, and regression analysis. Prerequisites: MATH 106 with a grade of C or better or demonstrated competency through placement testing and ENG 102.

    PSYC220 - Social Psychology

    This is an introduction to the study of social interactions from a psychological perspective. Research reviewed focuses on topics such as: social perception, group interaction, attitude formation, attitudinal change, aggression, conflict, and pro-social behavior. Prerequisite: PSYC 101.

    SOC101 - Sociological Imagination (KP)

    In this course we explore our awareness of the relationship between our experience and broader society. How are our lives shaped by our social positions in society – our social class, race, gender, sexual orientation, age, and more? How do the members of different groups view each other and interact with each other? Why do inequalities exist and how do these affect us? How does culture shape our behavior, and why do religions, schools, families, and other institutions remain stable but also change over time?

    SOC221 - Contemporary Social Problems

    ?This course examines conditions and issues that result in tension and disorder. Examples are drawn primarily from American society include immigrants’ struggles, race and class inequities in the education system, oppression of people of color, poverty, violence, ageism, and ecological concerns. Prerequisite: SOC101.

    SOC223 - Social Movements

    You are breathing clean air right now thanks to the environmental movement. Maybe you can vote thanks to the Civil Rights or women’s suffrage movement. And don’t forget the labor movement, the folks who brought you the weekend! What inequities and crises in today's society will social movements address next? In this course, students will study the solutions that can be found by people gathering together into movements for change. This course will bring past and current US and global movements to life through videos, photos, stories, interactive exercises, writing and discussion. By the end of the course, students will understand the strategic choices that contribute to movement success or failure in solving social problems.

    SOC301 - Race & Ethnicity

    This course examines race, ethnicity and racism in the United States. Topics include public opinion on racial controversies; the historical roots of the social construction of races; the racial wealth gap; institutionalized racism in the criminal justice system, schools and other social institutions; hate crimes; and anti-racist practices including bystander interventions and social movements. Pre-requisites: PSYC101, SOC101, POLS101 OR CJ201

    SOC307 - Action & Social Justice

    In this course, all the students pick one social problem and together design and carry out a brief activist campaign to move towards a winnable solution. Students learn and practice skills in networking and coalitions, event planning, lobbying, creative public demonstrations, research into public/institutional policy, recruitment, publicity via social media and earned media, and messaging with art and graphics.?Can a small group make a difference in just three months? Yes, history shows that brief, single-issue campaigns waged by small groups of students have contributed to the success of many social movements. The course will give you real-world experience in activist skills?and?invite you to think critically about social change strategies.?

    SOC310 - Sociological Perspectives

    This course introduces classical and contemporary perspectives in sociology. Theories are examined as explanatory tools in the understanding of social structure and social change, and as reflections of the societal conditions from which they emerged. Theories are evaluated in terms of their applicability to contemporary issues in society. Prerequisites: Any 200 level Sociology course and Junior or Senior standing.

    SOC331 - Research Methods in the Social Sciences

    This laboratory course introduces students to the basic methods used in sociological research. Topics include scientific method, measurement, sampling, experiments, survey research, and qualitative approaches such as content analysis and participatory and observational research, and ethical issues in conducting research. As part of the lab, students learn to use statistical software to perform statistical analysis and to access and draw upon large data sets. Students learn to use professional online search procedures and write reports in accepted professional formats. Prerequisites: MATH208 and either PSYC101 or SOC101 or approval of Program Chair.