Department of Sociology
Concentration in Social Science and Medicine (Bachelor of Arts in Sociology)
Students on Summer 2025, Fall 2025, or Spring 2026 requirements SSMEDCON
Requirements
The concentration requires at least 12 credit hours, including the requirements listed below.
- Concentration Core. One (1) course:
- SOC-S 101 Social Problems and Policies (Approved topics: "MEDICINE IN AMERICA - SOCIAL PROBLEMS AND POLICIES" (TPC 23))
SOC-S 101 Social Problems and Policies
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- None
- Description
- Introduces sociology through in-depth study of a major social problem; examines research on the problem; and explores alternative policies. Problems treated vary by section. Examples include the environment; women, men, and work; medicine in America; the sociology of sport; alcohol and drug use.
- Repeatability
- May be repeated with different topics for a maximum of 15 credit hours. May be counted only once in the major toward departmental requirements.
- Spring 2026CASE SHcourseFall 2025CASE SHcourse
- Concentration Electives. Three (3) courses:
- SOC-S 324 Sociology of Mental Illness
- SOC-S 358 Social Inequalities in Health and Health Care
- SOC-S 360 Topics in Social Policy
- SOC-S 365 Health and Society: Sociology for Health Professionals
- SOC-S 410 Topics in Social Organization (approved topics only; see academic advisor)
SOC-S 324 Sociology of Mental Illness
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- None
- Description
- Social factors in mental illness: incidence and prevalence by social and cultural categories; variations in societal reaction; social organization of treatment institutions.
- Spring 2026CASE SHcourseFall 2025CASE SHcourse
SOC-S 358 Social Inequalities in Health and Health Care
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- None
- Description
- Examines the sociological aspects of health, illness, patienthood, medical professionals, and health care systems. What factors create inequalities in health and in medical treatment? Expands understanding of health and illness and of conventional medical and insurance practices, and explores ways to improve health care in America.
- Spring 2026CASE DUScourseFall 2025CASE DUScourse
- Spring 2026CASE SHcourseFall 2025CASE SHcourse
SOC-S 360 Topics in Social Policy
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- None
- Description
- Specific topics announced each semester; examples include environmental affairs, urban problems, poverty, and population problems.
- Repeatability
- May be repeated four times for credit with a different topic.
- Spring 2026CASE SHcourseFall 2025CASE SHcourse
SOC-S 365 Health and Society: Sociology for Health Professionals
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- None
- Description
- Designed for all students, this course is particularly relevant for those planning a career in health care. Explores current events and social problems, such as the re-emergence of childhood infectious diseases. Uses these examples to discuss sociological topics on the new Medical College Admission Test (MCAT).
- Spring 2026CASE SHcourseFall 2025CASE SHcourse
SOC-S 410 Topics in Social Organization
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- At least junior standing
- Description
- Specific topics announced each semester, e.g., social stratification, formal organizations, urban social organization, education, religion, politics, demography, social power, social conflict, social change, comparative social systems.
- Repeatability
- May be repeated three times for credit with a different topic.
- Spring 2026CASE SHcourseFall 2025CASE SHcourse
- Concentration GPA, Hours, and Minimum Grade Requirements.
- Concentration GPA. A GPA of at least 2.000 for all courses taken in the concentration—including those where a grade lower than C- is earned—is required.
- Concentration Minimum Grade. Except for the GPA requirement, a grade of C- or higher is required for a course to count toward a requirement in the concentration.
- Concentration Upper Division Credit Hours. At least 9 credit hours in the concentration must be completed at the 300–499 level.
Concentration Area Courses
-
Courses that may apply toward the Credit Hours and GPA requirements in this academic program include all courses listed on the requirement course lists at the time the course was taken as well as any other courses that are deemed functionally equivalent.
Exceptions to and substitutions for concentration requirements may be made with the approval of the unit's Director of Undergraduate Studies, subject to final approval by the College of Arts and Sciences.