About

Sociologists observe, describe, explain and predict human social behavior. The Sociology (BS) – Power and Social Change degree at Appalachian State University examines how power serves to structure human relationships and how the contestation of power leads to a variety of social changes. Students in this concentration will learn not only about institutionalized power relationships, such as those pertaining to elections, political parties and policy-making, but also about less conventional power struggles, such as those involving social movements and war. To help students better understand the U.S. experience, many of these issues are placed in comparative and global contexts.

By developing effective written and oral communication skills, as well as through the practical experience of an internship, students will lay the groundwork for successful employment in government, community-based organizations and social advocacy groups. The concentration also provides the skills and knowledge for graduate study in sociology and related fields.

After Graduation

Employment: Graduates will have the skills necessary for entry-level positions in local government, social movement organizations and non-profit community development agencies. Possibilities in the private sector include jobs in human resources, organizational planning and community relations.

Graduate School: Graduates will be prepared to enter graduate-level programs in sociology, as well as related fields such as political science, public administration, law and social work.

Career Exploration website

People

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  Faculty Profile: Dr. Pavel Osinsky

  Sociology professor Dr. Pavel Osinsky joined App State’s Department of Sociology faculty in 2008 and regularly teaches courses in Sociological Theory, Global Sociology, and Sociology of War. He is co-author of the book “War: Contemporary Perspectives on Armed Conflicts around the World,” which examines various arguments about the causes and consequences of war — with chapters on how culture shapes meanings of war, military participation and its consequences, and more. Learn more

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  Faculty Profile: Dr. Brad Nash

  Dr. Brad Nash, professor in the Department of Sociology, teaches courses in areas that include Sociology of Work and Organizations, Sociological Theory, and Social Movements. His research focuses on labor union, political policy and comparative-historical analysis. In 2019, Nash was selected to chair the American Sociological Association’s History of Sociology section’s Distinguished Scholarly Publication Award Committee. Learn more

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  Faculty Profile: Dr. Johnnie Lotesta

  Dr. Johnnie Lotesta, a political and cultural sociologist, joined App State’s Department of Sociology as a professor in fall 2021. Her interests include political parties, labor and social movements, public policy and American politics. As part of a recent project, Lotesta is working with a team of social scientists to understand how youth organizers in the U.S. think about and work toward social change. Learn more

  More sociology faculty

Related Programs

• Sociology (BA)
• Sociology (BS) - Applied Research Methods
• Sociology (BS) - Families and Intimate Relationships
• Sociology (BS) – Sociology of Health and Aging
• Sociology (BS) - Individually Designed
• Sociology (BS) - Social Inequalities

Minors

A minor is optional. Suggested minors include:

• Anthropology
• Community and Regional Planning
• Global Studies
• History
• Non-Profit Organizations
• Philosophy
• Political Science
• Psychology

View all minors

Engagement Outside the Classroom

Sociology Club - a student-led organization devoted to service learning, fundraising and hosting events for the betterment of students inspired by the discipline of sociology.

Alpha Kappa Delta - an international sociology honors society, formed with the intent to acknowledge and promote excellence in the scholarship in the study of sociology, the research of social problems, and such other social and intellectual activities as will lead to improvement in the human condition.

The North Carolina Sociological Association - open to all practicing sociologists (whether in academic, government or applied settings) as well as to sociology students at the undergraduate and graduate level.

Southern Sociological Society - open to all sociology students and professionals across the southern United States.

American Sociological Association - a national organization dedicated to sociology and its pursuit of investigating human behavior, social interaction and social structures.

Global Learning

Appalachian is committed to introducing students to different cultures and teaching them how to live and interact in a global society.

Department of Sociology faculty lead summer study abroad opportunities. Past program titles have included Studying War in Europe, and Religious and Ethnic Conflict in Ireland and Spain.

Admission Requirements

There are no admission requirements beyond admission to Appalachian State University. In order to maintain progress in this degree, students must receive a grade of C (2.0) or higher in the following required classes:

• SOC 1000 - The Sociological Perspective (3) [GenEd: SS]
• SOC 3885 - Research Methods (3) [WID]
• SOC 3895 - Social Statistics and Data Analysis (3)
• SOC 3950 - Classical Sociological Theory (3)

• SOC 3960 - Contemporary Sociological Theory (3) [WID]
• SOC 4390 - Applied Sociology Seminar (3)
• SOC 4450 - Senior Capstone (3) [CAP]