Contact Information
Britt Rhodes
Professor of Social Work
Sociology, Anthropology, and Social Work Department Head
Office
Koren 318
700 College Drive
Decorah, Iowa 52101
Phone: 563-387-1623
Sociologists study human behavior in groups, the interactions between people, and the patterned structure of relationships that result. Criminal and deviant behavior, racism, inequality, gender, the environment, and social movements are just a few of the social structures we study.
By studying sociology, you’ll learn about classical sociological ideas and their application to our increasingly global and rapidly changing, diverse societies.
You’ll also gain the ability to:
- Describe the interaction between the individual and society by developing a sociological eye
- Explain the social construction of reality and culture
- Describe major sociological perspectives
- Critically analyze the society and society in which you live
- Present sociological argument in both oral and written forms
- Critically analyze and synthesize sociological theory and research
- Develop proficiency in the use of both quantitative and qualitative research methods
- Conduct scholarly research
Senior Project
In sociology, the senior project is taken very seriously and requires students to take the initiative. You should meet with your senior project advisor very early in the semester to discuss a topic and to get you motivated. If you haven’t chosen an advisor, you may contact any one of the Sociology faculty. This is your responsibility.
The topic for the senior project is selected by the student. Your topic should be one that you have an interest in, possibly something that you have studied before or in some depth. It should be something that motivates you and that is within your reach. One way to proceed is to come up with a topic and consult with a Sociology professor whose field of theoretical expertise is related to the topic. Once you pick a topic, you will want to formulate a question and choose the most appropriate methodology to research that question.
Senior project deadlines for Sociology are loose, so check with the advisor you will be working with. A general guideline might be:
- Project proposal due (Topic, Question, Method) by Week 4.
- Data collected due by Week 8.
- Rough draft due Week 12.
- Presentation due last week of semester.
Luther’s final deadline is rigid! Senior projects are due in the Registrar’s Office by 5:00 p.m. on the due date —see the Academic Calendar for the date.
Your paper is read by two readers: your advisor and an additional Sociology professor. The two readers will meet to discuss the merits and concerns about the paper and mutually decide upon a grade. If there is a dispute between the two readers, they will consult the third member of the department to reach consensus concerning the grade.
Evaluation is based on the paper’s organization, conceptualization, and analysis (see Rubric form). The senior paper is the culmination of your knowledge—from topic selection, research methods, statistical applications (if appropriate), and data analysis. You must analyze data. The quality of data analysis is the primary emphasis of evaluation. This means that you may collect your own data or analyze previously collected data. Data collection may take the form of any sociological methodology including ethnographic observation, field research, unobtrusive research, existing sources, survey, or experimental methods. If you use human subjects you must obtain approval from the Luther Human Subjects Review Board. See your advisor about obtaining the forms!
Acceptable research is that which generates new ideas or presents old ideas in a new way, remaining sociological in scope. While method and subject may vary widely, it is the perspective that makes your project sociological.
Your senior project is expected to be journal article length, which is about 25 pages (typed and double-spaced with one inch margins).
Although the format is flexible, a traditional paper would be as follows: an introduction with a thesis statement, methods section, data results and analysis, and conclusion.
You will be unable to graduate without completing the senior project.
Senior projects become the property of the department at the time they are submitted and are retained by the department. Comments about the paper may be returned to you under separate cover at the discretion of the advisor, or a consultation with your advisor will be scheduled. See your advisor for details.
Careers
A bachelor’s degree in sociology is excellent preparation for future graduate work in sociology in order to become a professor, researcher, or applied sociologist. The undergraduate degree provides a strong liberal arts preparation for entry-level positions throughout the business, social service, and government worlds. Employers look for people with the skills that an undergraduate education in sociology provides.
Since its subject matter is intrinsically fascinating, sociology offers valuable preparation for careers in journalism, politics, public relations, business, or public administration—fields that involve investigative skills and working with diverse groups.
Many students choose sociology because they see it as a broad liberal arts base for professions such as law, education, medicine, social work, and counseling. Sociology provides a rich fund of knowledge that directly concerns each of these fields.
Visit the American Sociological Association’s website for career resources.
Sociology Associations
Discussions
Contact Information
Britt Rhodes
Professor of Social Work
Sociology, Anthropology, and Social Work Department Head
Office
Koren 318
700 College Drive
Decorah, Iowa 52101
Phone: 563-387-1623