Sociology is the scientific or systematic study of human groups and societies and patterns of interaction in real life settings. It uses a variety of research and theoretical perspectives to analyze and explain human social behavior and social change. As all human behavior is essentially social, sociology students examine a wide range of human interactions. These include, but are not limited to, families and close relationships such as divorce and cohabitation; crime and deviance in relation to terrorism, corporate crime and gang behavior; culture and social change as in social networking sites, the dot com implosion, economic crises and post-industrial society; group processes and interactions having to do with class, race and gender; diversity and globalization; social stratification and mobility; and social movements.
Foothill College's sociology program includes a range of courses that analyze these and other sociological topics and enable students to develop and apply a Sociological Imagination or the ability to examine the broader connections between personal life, public issues and the social structure. Sociology, with its extensive scope of subject matter, provides a valuable major for a diverse range of career paths.
Foothill College offers students of sociology three curricular options: a General Sociology Associate in Art program, a Certificate of Proficiency in Social Welfare and a Certificate of Proficiency in Sociology.

A major in sociology prepares students to seek employment in various employment sectors. The level of education completed influences the range of career opportunities offered. Advanced degrees in sociology broaden students' career paths to include high school through university teaching, research, consulting, business, politics, journalism, public relations, and public administration ñ all fields that require strong analytical skills and attention to issues of diversity. As a liberal arts major, sociology also provides a foundation for various professions such as social welfare, law, marketing, non-profit management, and counseling. The Certificate of Proficiency in Social Welfare may be used to gain entry level employment in areas such as probation and parole assistance, drug and alcohol counseling, children's and civil rights, and welfare services in both non-profit and government agencies. The Certificate of Achievement in Sociology provides a basic understanding of the field that students can use to demonstrate a beginning level concentration of studies in sociology. Regardless of focus, all sociology students should become proficient in writing and speaking, research techniques, and technology.

• English proficiency: ENGL 1A, ESL 26 or equivalent.
• Mathematics proficiency: MATH 105 or equivalent.
A minimum of 90 units required to include:
• All General Education requirements
• SOC 1 Introduction to Sociology (5 Units)
• Core courses (12 Units)
• Support courses (13 Units)
• Electives & other graduation requirements as appropriate.

NOTE: All courses pertaining to the major must be taken for a letter grade. In addition, a GPA of 2.0 or higher is required in all Core and Support courses for the Degree or Certificates. 55% of certificate course work must be completed at Foothill College.

AA = Associate in Arts Degree.

NOTE: Students having difficulty attaining an Associate in Arts Degree because of timing or availability of classes should consult with a counselor to submit a petition for course substitution.

SOC 8 Popular Culture (4 units)
SOC 10 Introduction to Social Research (4 units)
SOC 11 Introduction to Social Welfare (5 units)
SOC 15 Law & Society (4 units)
SOC 19 Alcohol & Drug Abuse (4 units)
SOC 20 Major Social Problems (4 units)
SOC 23 Race & Ethnic Relations (4 units)
SOC 30 Social Psychology (4 units)
SOC 40 Aspects of Marriage & Family (4 units)
SOC 57 Child Advocacy (4 units)

ANTH 2A Cultural Anthropology (4 units)
ECON 1A Principles of Macroeconomics (5 units)
GEOG 10 World Regional Geography (4 units)
HIST 4A History of Western Civilization I (4 units)
or HIST 4B History of Western Civilization II (4 units)
or HIST 4C History of Western Civilization III (4 units)
or HIST 4CH Honors History of Western Civilization (4 units)
MATH 10 Elementary Statistics (5 units)
PHIL 1 Critical Thinking & Writing (5 units)
PSYC 22 Psychology of Prejudice (4 units)
SOC 34H Honors Institute Seminar in Sociology (1 unit)
SOC 35 Department Honors Projects in Sociology (1 unit)
SOC 36 Special Projects in Sociology (1 unit)
WMN 5 Introduction to Women's Studies (4 units)
WMN 21 Psychology of Women: Sex & Gender Differences (4 units)

For certificate request forms please visit: http://www.foothill.edu/bss/cert/index.php

Required Course (5 Units)
SOC 1 Introduction to Sociology (5 units)
Core Courses (4 Units)
SOC 8 Popular Culture (4 units)
SOC 10 Introduction to Social Research (4 units)
SOC 11 Introduction to Social Welfare (5 units)
SOC 15 Law & Society (4 units)
SOC 19 Alcohol & Drug Abuse (4 units)
SOC 20 Major Social Problems (4 units)
SOC 23 Race & Ethnic Relations (4 units)
SOC 30 Social Psychology (4 units)
SOC 40 Aspects of Marriage & Family (4 units)
Support Courses (4 Units)
ANTH 2A Cultural Anthropology (4 units)
ECON 1A Principles of Macroeconomics (5 units)
GEOG 10 World Regional Geography (4 units)
HIST 4A History of Western Civilization I (4 units)
or HIST 4B History of Western Civilization II (4 units)
or HIST 4C History of Western Civilization III (4 units)
orr HIST 4CH Honors History of Western Civilization (4 units)
MATH 10 Elementary Statistics (5 units)
PHIL 1 Critical Thinking (5 units)
PSYC 22 Psychology of Prejudice (4 units)
WMN 5 Introduction to Women's Studies (4 units)
WMN 21 Psychology of Women: Sex & Gender Differences (4 units)

Required Courses (9 Units)
SOC 11 Introduction to Social Welfare (5 units)
SOC 19 Alcohol & Drug Abuse (4 units)
Core Courses (12 Units)
SOC 1 Introduction to Sociology (5 units)
SOC 8 Popular Culture (4 units)
SOC 15 Law & Society (4 units)
SOC 20 Major Social Problems (4 units)
SOC 23 Race & Ethnic Relations (4 units)
SOC 40 Aspects of Marriage & Family (4 units)
SOC 57 Child Advocacy (4 units)
Support Courses (5 Units)
BUSI 18 Business Law I (4 units)
HLTH 21 Health Education (3 units)
PSYC 22 Psychology of Prejudice (4 units)
SOC 30 Social Psychology (4 units)
SOSC 36 Special Projects in Social Science (1 - 4 units)
COMM 12 Intercultural Communication (4 units)
WMN 5 Introduction to Women's Studies (4 units)