Skills You’ll Learn

The WSU Department of Sociology develops student skills in critical thinking, quantitative and symbolic reasoning, research methods, information literacy, communication and life-long learning.

You will also develop an understanding of key aspects of society — including patterns of inequality and social diversity, the challenges of social order, and the relationship between society and the environment. These insights prepare students to adapt to a rapidly evolving workforce.

Student Learning Outcomes:

Critical & Creative Thinking

Analyze the connections between social problems and personal issues; identify, analyze, and explain social problems; identify how groups, organizations, and societies are set up, interrelated, and change; identify structural and cultural factors that contribute to social and individual outcomes; identify connections between human and organizational behavior and their changing social environments; identify, analyze, and explain the contribution of social institutions (e.g., education, family, work) to social order; identify, analyze, and explain the causes and consequences of social inequality across multiple dimensions (e.g., gender, race, SES) and institutions (e.g., education, family, work).

Quantitative and Symbolic Reasoning

Understand and apply basic statistics to social issues; interpret and draw appropriate conclusions from social science data presented in tables, charts, and graphs; apply quantitative knowledge to present social science data in various forms (graphs, tables, words).

Communication

Clearly communicate sociological concepts, theories, and findings through writing and speaking; follow appropriate norms of small group and classroom discussion interactions by listening actively and responding appropriately; communicate scientific information to broad audiences.

Evaluating/Conducting Empirical Research

Identify, assess, explain, and conduct components of social science research including research design, data collection, sampling, and measurement.

Information Literacy

 Identify sources of social science research; assess social science research reported in both professional and popular publications; use social science to develop informed judgements about significant social issues.

General Life Skills

Students will develop skills including civility, punctuality, responsibility, and organization; develop an appreciation for life-long learning, understand how to effectively collaborate to develop, build, and maintain relationships to work toward common goals; develop problem-solving for communities, organizations, and clients.