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Transfer majors 
Complete your Associate in Arts degree and transfer to a four-year institution to study sociology. Take core classes along with courses in sociology, the family in contemporary society, topics in social science, race and ethnicity, social problems and more.
Harper College is a great place to study sociology. Attend lectures and participate in travel study opportunities to explore the sociology field and identify future career opportunities. Gain additional experience by getting involved in one of Harper’s 60+ student organizations.
This program offers you a convenient and affordable way to begin your college education by earning the first two years of your bachelor’s degree at Harper. Academic advisors will help you choose courses that meet the specific requirements of the four-year college or university you plan to attend.
This sample transfer planning guide meets the requirements of the Associate in Arts degree and follows the Illinois Articulation Initiative sociology baccalaureate major recommendations. Students choosing to follow this sample plan need to choose the major of Associate in Arts if needing financial aid. Transfer institution requirements may vary - students should check individual college/university requirements before completing the sample plan as outlined. Baccalaureate admission may be competitive. Completion of these courses alone does not guarantee admission.
| Number | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
First Semester | Hours | |
| ENG 101 | Composition I | 3 |
Description: Emphasizes the writing of expository prose. Introduction to the critical reading of nonfiction prose. IAI C1 900 Prerequisite: ENG 096 with a grade of P or other placement options. https://www.harpercollege.edu/testing/english-placement-grid.php ESL students need one of the following options: ESL 073 and ESL 074 with grades of B or better; ESL 073 with a grade of B or better and required writing placement test score; or ESL 074 with a grade of B or better and required reading placement test score. Lecture Hours: 3 Lab Hours: N/A Contact Hours: 3 Class Schedule: Spring 2025 | Summer 2025 | Fall 2025 | ||
| FYS 101 | First Year Seminar | 3 |
Description: Please note: FYS sections are specific to a student's Area of Interest (AoI); please make sure that you are registering for the correct one. Thank you! Focuses on developing critical thinking and information literacy skills to make better-informed decisions regarding college and career planning. Special emphasis is given to the questions, methods, and career and college options relating to an area of academic or thematic interest. Additional information about material to be covered will be available with pre-registration materials each time that the course is offered. Lecture Hours: 3 Lab Hours: 0 Contact Hours: 3 Class Schedule: Spring 2025 | Summer 2025 | Fall 2025 | ||
| Humanities and Fine Arts 1 | 3 | |
| MTH 124 | Finite Mathematics | 3 |
Description: Develops the mathematics of simple models in behavioral, social and management sciences. Studies applications of set theory, vectors and matrices, linear programming, probability rules, and Markov chains with computer assistance. IAI M1 906 Prerequisite: MTH 103 (College Algebra) with a grade of C or better, or other placement options. Click here for Math placement information: https://www.harpercollege.edu/testing/mathplacement.php Lecture Hours: 3 Lab Hours: 0 Contact Hours: 3 Class Schedule: Spring 2025 | Summer 2025 | Fall 2025 | ||
| or MTH 165 | or Elementary Statistics | |
Description: Focuses on statistical reasoning and the solving of problems using real world data rather than on computational skills. The use of technology-based computations (more advanced than a basic scientific calculator, such as graphing calculators with a statistical package, spreadsheets or statistical computing software) is required with an emphasis on interpretation and evaluation of statistical results. Topics must include data collection processes (observational studies, experimental design, sampling techniques, bias), descriptive methods using quantitative and qualitative data, bivariate data, correlation, and least squares regression, basic probability theory, probability distributions (normal distributions and normal curve, binomial distribution), confidence intervals and hypothesis tests using p-values. (Credit will be given for either MTH 162 or MTH 165 or MTH 225, but not for more than one of these courses.) IAI M1 902 Prerequisite: Placement into college-level mathematics without support. https://www.harpercollege.edu/testing/mathplacement.php Lecture Hours: 4 Lab Hours: 0 Contact Hours: 4 Class Schedule: Spring 2025 | Summer 2025 | Fall 2025 | ||
| SOC 101 | Introduction to Sociology + | 3 |
Description: Analysis and description of the structure and dynamics of human society. Application of scientific methods to the observation and analysis of social norms, groups, intergroup relations, social change, social stratification and institutions. IAI S7 900 Lecture Hours: 3 Lab Hours: N/A Contact Hours: 3 Class Schedule: Spring 2025 | Summer 2025 | Fall 2025 | ||
| Hours | 15 | |
Second Semester | ||
| ENG 102 | Composition II | 3 |
Description: Continues ENG 101. Reading literature and writing of various types of prose. Introduces methods used in writing investigative papers. IAI C1 901R Prerequisite: ENG 101 with a grade of C or better, or consent of instructor or department chair. Lecture Hours: 3 Lab Hours: N/A Contact Hours: 3 Class Schedule: Spring 2025 | Summer 2025 | Fall 2025 | ||
| Humanities and Fine Arts 1 | 3 | |
| Physical and Life Science 2 | 3 | |
| SOC 120 | Family in Contemporary Society | 3 |
Description: Examines the family as a social institution and as a dynamic interactive system. Topics include courtship, marriage, family systems, parenting, non-traditional forms of the family. IAI S7 902 Lecture Hours: 3 Lab Hours: N/A Contact Hours: 3 Class Schedule: Spring 2025 | Summer 2025 | Fall 2025 | ||
| Social and Behavioral Science 3 | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
Third Semester | ||
| ANT 101 | Introduction to Anthropology | 3 |
Description: Addresses such central questions as 'What does it mean to be human?" and "How did we get to be the way we are?" Among the topics to be examined will be human, physical and cultural evolution, the origin of culture, language, religion, kinship, economics and the impact of contemporary life on the world's populations. IAI S1 900N Lecture Hours: 3 Lab Hours: N/A Contact Hours: 3 Class Schedule: Spring 2025 | Summer 2025 | Fall 2025 | ||
| or ANT 202 | or Cultural Anthropology | |
Description: Describes and analyzes how people throughout the world define and resolve the problems of life that are found everywhere. Some of the specific topics studied will be religion, social structure, law, "the unknown," economics and the formation of behavior within particular groups. IAI S1 901N Lecture Hours: 3 Lab Hours: N/A Contact Hours: 3 Class Schedule: Spring 2025 | Summer 2025 | Fall 2025 | ||
| Humanities and Fine Arts 1 | 3 | |
| Physical and Life Science 2 | 4 | |
| SOC 205 | Social Problems | 3 |
Description: Analysis of contemporary social problems. Investigation of theories dealing with conformity and deviance, racial and minority group prejudice, crime and delinquency, personality problems, urbanization and fundamental institutional problems due to social change. IAI S7 901 Lecture Hours: 3 Lab Hours: N/A Contact Hours: 3 Class Schedule: Spring 2025 | Summer 2025 | Fall 2025 | ||
| SOC 230 | Sociology of Sex and Gender | 3 |
Description: Examines the social processes in society which translate biological differences (sex) between men and women into social and psychological categories or gender roles. Various theories will be considered in an attempt to understand the existence of gender inequality and how the process of socialization influences the proper "place" for men and women in society. Gender roles and power are considered when analyzing the marketplace, politics, marriage and family, or in considering issues such as the feminization of poverty, violence in the home, and male sensitivity. IAI S7 904D Lecture Hours: 3 Lab Hours: N/A Contact Hours: 3 Class Schedule: Spring 2025 | Summer 2025 | Fall 2025 | ||
| Hours | 16 | |
Fourth Semester | ||
| Major Discipline and Transfer Elective | 8 | |
| SOC 235 | Race and Ethnicity | 3 |
Description: Examines differential power relations between racial and ethnic groups. Analyzes the economic, political and cultural structures that produce and reproduce these power differences. Focuses on cultural diversity and various dimensions of prejudice and discrimination including an analysis of racial and ethnic inequality and its origins, conditions under which these forms of inequalities are (re)produced. IAI S7 903D Lecture Hours: 3 Lab Hours: N/A Contact Hours: 3 Class Schedule: Spring 2025 | Summer 2025 | Fall 2025 | ||
| SPE 101 | Fundamentals of Speech Communication | 3 |
Description: Theory and practice of oral communications. Development of poise, confidence and skill in speech organization and delivery. Emphasis on frequent speaking, development of standards of criticism and selection and organization of material. IAI C2 900 Lecture Hours: 3 Lab Hours: N/A Contact Hours: 3 Class Schedule: Spring 2025 | Summer 2025 | Fall 2025 | ||
| Hours | 14 | |
| Total Hours | 60 | |
Select one course from Humanities and one from Fine Arts. Interdisciplinary courses may count in either category. Refer to the Associate in Arts degree for approved courses in this category.
This course meets the World Culture and Diversity graduation requirement.
Select at least one Physical and one Life Science. One course must include a lab. Refer to the Associate in Arts degree for the approved courses in this category.
Refer to the Associate in Arts degree for approved courses in this category.
For more information about studying sociology at Harper, contact Admission Outreach at 847.925.6700, or submit a request information form. You can also apply online.