Sociology is the study of society and how individuals' lives are shaped by the larger social structure. Sociologists study a wide range of topics, including inequality, race, gender and sexuality, family, media, crime and deviance, government, social policy, and religion. Students who obtain the Associate in Arts in Sociology for Transfer (AA-T) will fulfill general education and transfer requirements that prepare students for further study in sociology and related fields.

“The first wisdom of sociology is this – things are not what they seem.” –Peter Berger

Associate Degrees in Sociology

Sociology is the study of society and how individuals’ lives are shaped by the larger social structure. Sociologists study a wide range of topics, including inequality, race, gender and sexuality, family, media, crime and deviance, government, social policy, and religion. Sociology provides students with career opportunities in education, criminology and law, social work, urban planning, and public policy. Most career options require more than two years of college study.

Students who obtain the Associate in Arts in Sociology for Transfer (AA-T) will fulfill general education and transfer requirements that prepare students for further study in sociology and related fields. This degree aligns with both the CSU and UC Transfer Pathways.

To obtain the Associate in Arts in Sociology for Transfer (AA-T) , students must:
fulfill CSU GE-Breadth or IGETC requirements;
complete 60 units of CSU transferable coursework;
maintain a minimum overall GPA of 2.0, and
complete all courses in the major with a grade of C or better (or a P)

Note that all courses required for the major are CSU/UC transferable and can also count towards the 60 units and the GE-Breadth or IGETC requirements.

Program MapOpen PDF

Program maps suggest courses to take by semester and include career and transfer information when available.

Required Courses for this major (19 Total Units)^†

Required Core Courses (10 Units)

All of the following

SOCIL1 Introduction To Sociology (3 Units)

SOCIL2 Social Problems (3 Units)

STAT1 Introduction To Statistical Methods (4 Units)

Major Electives (choose three) (9 Units)

PSYCH22 Social Psychology (3 Units)
SOCIL5 Sociology of Race and Ethnicity (3 Units)
SOCIL6 Sociology of Sex and Gender (3 Units)
SOCIL8 Social Science Research Methods (3 Units)
SOCIL10 Sociology of Marriage and Family (3 Units)

^†Additional courses are required to earn your degree. Talk to a counselor to learn more.

Woodland Campus

Courses in Sociology

SOCIL1 (3 units)

Introduction To Sociology

SOCIL2 (3 units)

Social Problems

SOCIL5 (3 units)

Sociology of Race and Ethnicity

SOCIL6 (3 units)

Sociology of Sex and Gender

SOCIL8 (3 units)

Social Science Research Methods

SOCIL10 (3 units)

Sociology of Marriage and Family

SOCIL class schedules

All other class schedules

Courses in Sociology

SOCIL1 Introduction To Sociology

3 units

This course provides a broad introduction to the basic principles and concepts of sociology including theories and methods, culture, socialization, organizations, institutions, stratification, collective behavior and social change.

Transferable to both UC and CSU

This course satisfies these GE requirements:

WCC Graduation: Area B

CSU GE: D0

IGETC: 4J

UC-TCA: UC-B

C-ID: SOCI 110

SOCIL2 Social Problems

3 units

This course uses a sociological perspective to identify structural causes, consequences, and solutions to social issues that affect everyday life. Topics covered include unemployment, food and housing insecurity, structural racism, gender discrimination, environmental policy, and systemic inequality in institutions such as education, healthcare, and criminal justice.

Transferable to both UC and CSU

This course satisfies these GE requirements:

WCC Graduation: Area B

CSU GE: D0

IGETC: 4J

UC-TCA: UC-B

C-ID: SOCI 115

SOCIL5 Sociology of Race and Ethnicity

3 units

This course focuses on critical analysis of how social construction of race and ethnicity impacts everyday life through institutions such as the labor market, education system, environmental racism, healthcare, media, political system, and the criminal justice system. The course contextualizes US race and ethnic relations in the context of global migration and colonization, applying sociological theories and evidence to explore strategies to dismantle systemic racism.

Transferable to both UC and CSU

This course satisfies these GE requirements:

WCC Graduation: Area B, Multicultural Graduation Requirement

CSU GE: D3

IGETC: 4J

UC-TCA: UC-B

C-ID: SOCI 150

SOCIL6 Sociology of Sex and Gender

3 units

This class focuses on sociological analysis of the construction, reproduction, and consequences of biological sex categories, sexuality, and gender roles and identities. The class explores gender and sexual identities as part of a spectrum, focusing on how individuals' lives are impacted by the social construction of gender, biological sex, and sexuality as binary. Topics include inequality in relationships, education and the workplace, law and public policy, and popular cultural representations.

Transferable to both UC and CSU

This course satisfies these GE requirements:

WCC Graduation: Area B

CSU GE: D4

IGETC: 4D

UC-TCA: UC-B

C-ID: SOCI 140

SOCIL8 Social Science Research Methods

3 units

Covers basic issues in the design and implementation of social science research. Topics covered include the scientific method, ethics, research design, basic descriptive and inferential statistics, and qualitative and quantitative methodologies. Student will conduct and present original research projects.

Course Details:

Letter Grade Only

Lecture Hours: 54

Prerequisites:

Satisfactory completion of SOCIL1 Recommended completion of STAT1 and additional social science major courses prior to enrollment.

Transferable to both UC and CSU

This course satisfies these GE requirements:

WCC Graduation: Area D2

CSU GE: D7

IGETC: 4G

UC-TCA: UC-B

C-ID: SOCI 120

SOCIL10 Sociology of Marriage and Family

3 units

This course examines social factors that impact our private lives and challenges mainstream assumptions about what marriage and family should be. Sociological analysis of family includes historical and cross-cultural comparisons of family form and function, family values, gender roles, childhood and parenting, marriage and divorce, and contemporary debates about the meaning and purpose of family.

Transferable to both UC and CSU

This course satisfies these GE requirements:

WCC Graduation: Area B

CSU GE: D0, D4

IGETC: 4J

UC-TCA: UC-B

C-ID: SOCI 130

Learn more about Sociology

The Sociology Program at WCC offers a transfer degree and a range of courses that fulfill general education and transfer requirements and prepare students for further study in sociology and related fields.

Join the Sociology Program Canvas community
View sociology student research in our annual Symposium event

What is sociology?
Sociology is the study of society and how individuals’ lives are shaped by the larger social context. Sociologists study a wide range of topics, including: