Mission and Curricular Philosophy
Mission Statement
The mission of the Sociology department at California State University, San Marcos
is to provide undergraduate and graduate students with the knowledge, critical thinking,
research, and communication skills necessary to explore, understand, and improve their
social worlds. Our undergraduate curriculum enables students to develop core skills
in sociological theory and research methods and to apply and refine those skills in
a concentrated area of elective study. Our graduate curriculum provides a superior
academic and professional education to students interested in working with human services
and criminal justice agencies, teaching in a community college, or continuing study
for a Ph.D. Both curricula consistently promote awareness of the diversity of human
experiences and perspectives.
Curricular Philosophy
Four interrelated emphases underlie the Sociology curriculum at CSU San Marcos. The
first reflects the sociological concern with issues of inequality, and how inequality
is manifested across racial, ethnic, gender, class, age, and national lines. The second
emphasis is on the study of social problems. Third, we provide students with multiple
opportunities to engage in social research. Fourth, we encourage experiential education
through service to the community.
Many courses in our upper-division curriculum address issues of inequality, in social
status, privilege and prestige. These include: Inequality (SOC 311), Race/Ethnic Relations
(SOC 313), Sex Roles (SOC 315), Aging and Society (SOC 309), Social Stratification
and Classes (SOC 411), Sociology of Women (SOC 305), Latino Communities (SOC 345),
Afro-American Communities (SOC 347), and Community and Society (SOC 341).
Several other courses focus on a range of specific social problems that are also often
related to issues of inequality. Courses in this area include Juvenile Delinquency
(SOC 323), Criminology (SOC 325), American Society and Institutions (SOC 300), Social
Change and Social Movements (SOC 353), Social Organizations (SOC 431), Sociology of
Education (SOC 413), Social Gerontology (SOC 427), Sociology of Health and Illness
(SOC 421), and Law Enforcement (SOC 327).
Courses in social research methods (SOC 360, SOC 361, SOC 497) and statistics (SOC
201) provide training in quantitative and qualitative research strategies in design,
data collection, analysis, and dissemination. Within the quantitative component, particular
emphases are placed on the development of computer literacy, familiarity with statistical
software, and the progressive development of analytic skills. Within the qualitative
component, particular emphases are on participant observation, in-depth interviewing,
and analyses of textual material. This effort is enhanced and supported by the Social
and Behavioral Research Institute which provide students broader opportunities for
research training and participation. Students also have the option to carry out a
research internship (SOC 499) or independent research project (SOC 498).
One of the special features of the Sociology major is the capstone (SOC 495) internship
option. Internships in Community Service involve students working in an agency addressing
needs of specific sectors of the community. At the same time, students have the opportunity
to reflect on their experiences in close collaboration with other students and faculty
members.
The Sociology Program is poised to meet the educational needs of students and the
larger community in the 21st century. The Sociology faculty are committed to preparing
students able to address the demands of a world facing complex social problems. This
effort requires sensitivity to inequalities, multicultural diversities, and global
interdependencies, combined with the creativity and skill to understand problems and
pursue solutions.