The Sociology Department encourages students to be self-directed in planning their academic careers. Faculty members are available to assist with this process, but advising cannot substitute for active student preparation. Sociology and Social Science majors select their own advisor. Students working toward the Multi-ethnic Studies B.A. and the Multi-ethnic Studies and Mexican-American Studies minors should see the Director of Multi-ethnic Studies, Dr. Romero. Students seeking the Education degrees should contact Dr. Bieter, the advisor for social science educators. Students are encouraged to select an advisor early in their academic careers, and to work with them throughout their time at Boise State.
Sociology Peer Advisers Weekly Schedule of office hours for Spring 2013 Location: Sociology conference room L-170 Joyce Bingham: Sociology@boisestate.edu Joycebingham@u.boisestate.edu Wednesday 2:00 – 4:00 Fridays 1:00 – 3:00Jacob Wardell: Sociology@boisestate.edu jacobwardell@u.boisestate.ed Tuesdays 10:20 to 11:50 Thursday 10:20 to 11:50 Location: Sociology conference room L 170 Begin by studying these Frequently Asked Questions, and they should continue to serve as your first point of reference.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I select an advisor?
If you have specific topical areas of interest, select an advisor who shares these. Email them to set up an appointment. To locate faculty advisor’s e-mail go to main menu and click on faculty.
How do I know which classes I need?
Students should be extremely familiar with the University Catalog. Study carefully the link entitled “Obtaining a Degree at Boise State University.” In addition, study carefully the degree table of you major. The department offers checklists, based on this year’s catalog, for each of the majors here. You should use the appropriate checklist to track your progress and develop your plans.
Students must learn to interpret their Academic Advisement Report (AAR) on BroncoWeb. The AAR shows the courses you have taken, the courses you have enrolled in, and how these apply toward your requirements for graduation. Information on generating and interpreting your AAR is available on the broncoweb home page, click on HELP
Finally, the Sociology Department is a participant in the University’s Finish in Four Program. Even if you did not declare a sociology or social science major as an incoming freshman, these suggested course schedules can assist you in developing their own course of study.
It is essential that students remain well-informed consumers of their college education. Become comfortable with the Catalog, the AAR, the checklists, and the Department’s Finish in Four schedules. If you do so, time spent with your faculty advisor can focus on issues of more specific concern to your academic and career plans, rather than on issues that students can easily resolve independently.
When should I take which classes?
Limited resources limit the frequency with which many courses can be offered. The University Catalog gives some indication, and every attempt is made to keep this current, but as faculty members leave or join the department this is inevitably somewhat out of date. Below is the schedule for the courses most important for completing the degrees.
- Offered every semester: SOC 101, 102, 210, 230, 290, 310, 311, 390, 490, 493, 498, and SOCSCI498
- Offered every fall only: SOC 201, 301, 332 and 471
- Offered every spring only: SOC 302, 305, 333 and 480
- Offered alternate years: SOC 306, 307, 312, 320, 325, 330, 331, 340, 361, 362, 371, 380, 390, 395, 403, 407, 410, 412, 415, 417, 421, 425, 431, 435, 440, 481 and 487
- Not regularly offered at this time: SOC 121, 278, 279, 351 and 370
Plan your schedule carefully around the required courses offered least frequently. Note especially that SOC 201 and 301 are offered only in the fall, and that SOC 302 and 480 are offered only in the spring.
The Department’s Finish in Four plans won’t work for everyone, but are good general guides. Note especially that Sociology majors should take 301, 302, 310 and 311 during their Junior year if possible. Social Science majors should take SOC 201 as early as possible after their Freshman year. SOC498, SOCSCI498, and your internship or practicum are taken during your final semester before graduation.
Which upper-division electives should I take?
You should take as upper-division electives those courses that best fit your specific interests and that will best prepare you for your future. However, since most electives are offered infrequently, some compromise must be made, balancing your academic, work, and family schedules. If you’re having trouble deciding which electives to take, your advisor can help you choose. Prepare a list of the courses you’d like to take given your overall schedule, and email your advisor.
What are Independent Studies?
Independent Studies allow students to pursue interests not covered through a regularly offered course. To participate in independent study, you must have achieved at least junior standing and have a GPA of 2.0 or higher. You may take up to 4 credits of independent study in any one semester, and up to 6 credits in a given academic year. You may apply no more than 9 credits of independent study toward your degree.
Social Science majors should note that only three credits of workshops, special topics, independent studies or internships may be applied to each of the two upper-division fields. If one of your upper-division areas is Communication, these limits can sometimes be waived – see your advisor.
If you are interested in completing an independent study, contact your advisor.
What’s an Internship? What’s the Practicum?
Internships are unpaid positions with public or private agencies that serve to further your education and to help you transition into a career. The Practicum, taken by Sociology majors, combines an internship some time in class. Qualified students may complete an internship by serving as a teaching or research assistant. More information on internships and the practicum can be found here.
What’s an Academic Adjustment?
Under certain rare circumstances, students may appeal for an exception to the requirements of the degree. Typically, these arise because students have taken a course at another institution that constitutes an acceptable substitute but was not recognized as such when their transfer report was prepared in the Registrar’s Office. Occasionally, a course taken that is not identified as a requirement may be substituted if it covered the same content.
If you believe you can make a case for an academic adjustment, prepare any documentation. Syllabi and course catalog descriptions from both the course you’d like to replace and from the course that you’ve completed provide the best supporting evidence. Once you’ve done this, bring this documentation and a printout of your AAR and consult with your advisor.
Appeals of general University requirements go directly to the Registrar’s Office. Appeals of University Core requirements are made to that Department (so, for example, if you’ve taken a Chemistry course at another University that you believe covers the same material as CHEM 101 at Boise State, file the appeal with the Chemistry Department, and this will be forwarded to the College of Arts and Sciences). Appeals of the requirements of the Sociology, Social Science and Multi-ethnic Studies majors are made to the Sociology Department, and if approved will be forwarded to the College of Social Sciences and Public Affairs.
Does the department offer career advising?
Yes. Our graduates have pursued a wide range of career paths in business, government and nonprofits. Many further their education by pursuing graduate degrees. Among the positions held by our graduates are community and labor organizers, investment advisor, student affairs directors, attorneys, university professional and administrative staff and sociology professors.
An excellent starting point is the American Sociological Association’s career guide, available here. Boise State University’s Career Center is an invaluable resource.
You should talk with your advisor early in your college career about your plans following graduation so that your coursework can be tailored to best prepare you to pursue your goals.
If you are considering graduate education, consult with your advisor during your Junior year so that you can begin the process of selecting graduate programs and preparing your application.
The Sociology Department at Boise State does not offer graduate degrees, but can assist you in designing a Master of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies program or a Master of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies. In addition, members of the sociology faculty often serve on thesis committees for students working toward graduate degrees in other departments.