Sociology
If you sometimes wonder about why people act the way they act or think the way they think, you might consider majoring in sociology. Courses in sociology expose students to a variety of views of social life. Graduates from Central’s sociology program have gone on to law enforcement and to work against domestic violence, as well as become housing directors, social workers, lawyers and employment specialists for nonprofits.
Strengths of Central's sociology program
- Small classes permit faculty to give more feedback and individual attention to each student.
- Classes are designed to engage students in the development of their discussion, writing, presentation and collaboration skills — skills that are valuable in the workplace.
- Opportunities for service-learning and internships provide real world, career-related experience.
- Faculty are easily available and eager to help students to select courses that develop their potential and prepare them for their chosen career.
- Professor Reece won Central’s highest award for teaching excellence in 2009.
- Professor Witt won Central’s award for professional development in 2009.
- Professor Witt’s new introduction to sociology textbook, titled SOC, is being used in more than 50 colleges and universities from Hawaii to Florida.
- Faculty members’ number one priority is to teaching.
Faculty
- Dale De Wild, professor of sociology, dewildd@central.edu,
areas of interest: crime, criminal justice, conflict resolution
- Dawn Reece, associate professor of sociology, reeced@central.edu,
areas of interest: gender issues, motherhood, family and communities studies
- Jonathan Witt, associate professor of sociology, wittj@central.edu, areas of interest: religion, science, gender/race/class and community studies
Successful Careers
- Social worker, Polk County Department of Human Services, Des Moines, Iowa
- Clinical supervisor, Rock County Jail, Janesville, Wis.
- Graduate student, Drake Law School, Des Moines, Iowa
- Research analyst, Washington State Legislature, Olympia, Wash.
- Applied sociology graduate student, Ball State University, Muncie, Ind.
- Social worker, program supervisor, New Choices, Inc., Bettendorf, Iowa
- Police officer, Indianola Police Department, Indianola, Iowa
- Director of day habilitation, Easter Seals, Des Moines, Iowa
Internships
Central offers plenty of opportunity to get practical experience. The sociology department has established internships where students can learn social work by observing professionals in the field. Internships normally last 10 weeks. Recent internships sites include:
- Iowa Department of Criminal Investigation
- Marion County Department of Human Services Office
- Iowa Adult Probation Service
- Jasper County Youth Shelter
- Bethany Christian Services
- Illinois State Attorney’s office
- Newton Correctional Facility
A popular option is the Chicago Metropolitan Program, where students spend 10 weeks living, working and attending classes in the city. Past Chicago internships have included social work in correctional institutions, schools and an inner-city church.
Learn more about internships at Central.
Courses
Because there are so many aspects of human interaction, Central’s sociology program provides a broad range of elective courses. This allows students to select course offerings that capture their imagination. Courses in theories and methods are required, but the other courses completed depend on student interests. Sociology courses include:
- Principles of sociology
- Social problems
- Urban sociology
- Minority groups
- The criminal justice system
- Crime and delinquency
- Sociology of the family
- Science, technology and society
- Sociology of gender
- Status and inequality in social life
- Sociology of religion
- Conflict resolution
- Sociological theory
- Introduction to statistics
- Fundamentals of statistics
- Methods of social research
- Methods of political research
Sample Schedule
Freshman year
- Principles of sociology (or the sociological perspective)
- Sociology and anthropology electives-200 level
- Introduction to computer applications
- Core courses and/or electives
Sophomore year
- Sociology and anthropology electives 200-300 level
- Core courses and/or electives
- Study abroad
Junior year
- Introduction to statistics
- Methods of social research
- Sociology and anthropology electives 200-400 level
- Core courses and/or electives
Senior year
- Internship
- Sociological theory
- Sociology and anthropology 300-400 level electives
- Senior seminar
- Core courses and/or electives
Get more details from the course catalog! (Note: this is a PDF file)
Facilities
Central College is one of the most beautiful college campuses you'll find. A perfect mix of old and new, our buildings reflect our history and our future. Our state-of-the-art facilities include:
- Vermeer Science Center — $20-million renovation and addition completed fall 2003 earned Iowa’s first LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) rating, a silver medal, from the U.S. Green Building Council.
- New apartment-style residence hall opened fall 2003, with new wing completed in 2005, earned Central’s second LEED rating, a gold medal.
- New education and psychology building top open fall 2009.
- Weller Center for Business and International Studies.
- Central Market, Iowa’s most original dining hall with
unique European market place design.
- Geisler Library with 230,000 volumes and worldwide
electronic access.
- Café@Geisler offers espresso, coffee, snacks and
wireless Internet.
Organizations
No matter what your interests are, Central has a student group or organization that you’ll want to join! Sociology students might be interested in Central’s Sociology and Anthropology Club.
Study Abroad
Students are encouraged to study abroad with one of Central’s eight international programs to enhance their development as global citizens, or with Central’s Chicago program and the Washington, D.C., program. Learn more about Central’s study abroad programs.
