Current Emphasis Areas, Majors and Minors Offered by the Sociology Department
By providing students with a broad background in criminological theory, the criminal justice system, and the interconnections between legal, judicial and enforcement practices and problems. Students studying Criminology and Deviance will be prepared for careers in law enforcement, corrections, the juvenile justice system, the judicial sector, municipal management, and nonprofits organizations.
Examining issues facing families of all forms, and communities broadly defined, students studying Family and Community Services enter careers in social work and social services, community development and organization, child and youth services, and family education and advocacy. Our department's recent graduates are among the many members participating in such communities and we value the continued partnership and collaboration available to explore, examine, and serve the needs of local community interests.
With increasing complexity in the rapidly changing healthcare field, students studying Medicine and Healthcare Systems will explore the social patterning of health, experience of illness, production of medical and health-related knowledge, along with an understanding of dynamics with other social institutions. Our students have opportunities for independent study or collaborative research while at Augustana and enter careers in medicine and healthcare practice, policy, advocacy, management, research, technology, business, and reporting. Graduate school and professional fields include nursing, medicine, dental/oral health, physical therapy, epidemiology, public health, engineering, and translational science.
“I believe my sociology background has prepared me to be a mindful and critically aware medical student. My research project at Augustana on the formation of the South Dakota State Medical Association contributed to an understanding of the impact of policy decisions and how health disparities arise. Further, I feel comfortable recognizing how social determinants can effect patient health outcomes and the importance of taking a holistic approach to treating patients.”
Jordan Cardenas ('19 Sociology & GOvernment and International Affairs), former Staff assistant, office of senator john thune, current law school student at the university of st. Thomas speaks about the benefits oF Having sociological skills:
“Sociology has given me the tools to think critically in the world of politics and has prepared me to pursue my passion for law. For example, I learned how behavior becomes defined as deviant and how deviance can be relative. It is important to understand the social norms that create the rules of our society in order to ensure all people are treated with fairness and justice. I look forward to applying my knowledge of the law and deviance in order to help those who need it most in our society.”
Sample of Special Topics Elective Courses
- Beer, Wine, and "Spirits:" Alcohol in American History and Culture
- Brexit, the Great Divorce: Britain and the European Union
- Dying to Know: Dying as Personal Journey in a Social Context
- Food for Thought: Pathways From Farm to Table
- Gender and Mass Media
- Gender, Sex, and Sexuality
- Nonprofit Organizations in Theory and Practice
- Pop Culture, Celebrity, and Fandom
- Social Conflict and Reconciliation in Ireland and Northern Ireland
- The Injustice of Social Justice
- The Citizen and the State in the Age of Genocide