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Overview
Deciding to major in Sociology at College of Western Idaho (CWI) will provide you the opportunity to lay a foundation of understanding for human interaction and group behaviors. Your knowledge in this discipline will give you the ability to conduct research, as well as analyze and solve problems. Specific courses in the Sociology degree program will expose you to cultures, social change, social problems, and race and ethnic relations from both historical and contemporary perspectives.
This program is a first step toward a bachelor’s degree, preparing you to enter careers such as social work, urban planning, law, public health, and government service.
Mission
The Sociology program is intended to serve several purposes. The primary mission of the Sociology program is to provide Sociology majors with the first two years of course work generally associated with a four year bachelor's degree in the discipline. The Sociology program will provide students with the academic foundation to excel in these programs when they transfer to a four year college or university. Additionally, the Sociology program contributes to a well-rounded education by providing options to non-majors to fulfill the Social and Behavioral Ways of Knowing (GEM 6) component of the general education requirements for all degrees and some certificates offered at CWI. Regardless of the students' path, the Sociology program engages students with concepts and ideas that will provide useful insights into the relationships between the social organization of group life and its subsequent impacts upon the thinking, acting, and interaction patterns of individuals.
Why This Program
A Sociology degree prepares students to transfer into a variety of social science programs at the four-year college and university level. While primarily geared toward transferring into other sociology programs, this degree can also lead to majors in social work, criminal justice, anthropology, psychology, or political science. Sociology majors gain a general background in social science and complete the first two years of course work toward a four year bachelor's degree.
What You Will Learn to Do
- Define sociology, identify the basic components of the sociological perspective, and understand the major sociological theories.
- Become familiar with the historical development of sociology.
- Understand the normative systems and the impact of culture upon human behavior.
- Identify the importance of a global perspective and the interdependence of our world’s nations and peoples.
- Understand the major features of social stratification systems.
- Define various forms of social organizations and understand the relationship between social structure and human behavior.
Additional Opportunities
In addition to learning in the classroom, the Sociology program provides students with opportunities such as:
- The Sociology Club, a student group that works to serve the community while offering its members the ability to gain deeper insight into the discipline. Membership is open to all students and there is no fee to join.
- Presentations by Guest Speakers
- Networking with Community Agencies
- Participation in Annual SHR Department Symposium
- Service Learning
- Additional opportunities to engage in civic and cultural development are available and can be accessed through Sociology faculty members
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Requirements and Costs
Degrees and Certificates
Important Dates for Credit Programs
Summer 2023 | Fall 2023 | Spring 2024 | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
Priority Registration Begins1 | N/A | April 10 | Nov. 13, 2023 | |
Open Registration Begins | Feb. 27 | April 17 | Nov. 20, 2023 | |
Financial Aid Priority Deadline | May 13 | July 29 | Dec. 16, 2023 | |
Admission Deadline2 | May 27 | Aug. 12 | Jan. 6 | |
Last Day to Register for Classes | June 2 | Aug. 18 | Jan. 12 | |
Tuition and Fees Due | June 2 | Aug. 18 | Jan. 12 | |
Classes Begin3 | June 5 | Aug. 21 | Jan. 16 | |
1 Priority registration is limited to continuing students. Students are assigned a registration time based on their cumulative credits earned. Students should check myCWI and their CWI email to learn their assigned registration time. Students may register online anytime on or after their assigned registration time. | ||||
2 The admission deadline for international students is earlier than the deadline for non-international students and is only available during the fall and spring semesters. Please consult the Academic Calendar for the international student admission deadlines for the fall and spring semesters. | ||||
3 Classes in shorter sessions (including 4-, 5-, and 8-week sessions) may begin before or after this date. Please refer to the Registration and Refund Deadlines by Class Section Dates (located beneath each semester) of the Academic Calendar for more information. |
Advising
Navigating your way through college can be confusing, especially if you try to go it alone. CWI offers advising assistance to help in deciding which courses you need to take to reach your education and career goals. Visit Advising or contact One Stop Student Services for more information.
1. English is a crucial course to take the first semester. Completion of ENGL 101 in the first semester, and ENGL 102 in the second semester (or the equivalent through testing) will help build critical writing skills necessary for success in other courses.
2. Sociology majors are encouraged to take math and science classes immediately rather than waiting. Take the Math Diagnostic for math placement upon acceptance to CWI. The placement test will inform the student if a review course such as MATH 095 is needed prior to entering MATH 130 (Finite Math), MATH 143 (College Algebra), or MATH 153 (Elementary Statistics).
3. MATH 130, MATH 143, or MATH 153 is required to complete your Sociology degree. Each of these courses have prerequisites:
- MATH 130: Units 1-12 of MATH 095 or equivalent placement score
- MATH 143: Units 1-12 of MATH 095 or equivalent placement score
- MATH 153: Units 1-6 of MATH 095 or equivalent placement score
4. Sociology majors are encouraged to take the following courses:
- To fulfill the Scientific Ways of Knowing (GEM 4) requirement:
- ENVI 100 & ENVI 100L - Environmental Science and Lab
- PHYS 100 & PHYS 100L - Survey of Physics and Lab
- To fulfill the Humanistic and Artistic Ways of Knowing (GEM 5) requirement:
- PHIL 101 - Introduction to Philosophy (also fulfills the Ethical Reasoning requirement)
- HIST 101 - Western Civilization
- To fulfill the Social and Behavioral Ways of Knowing (GEM 6) requirement:
- ANTH 102 - Cultural Anthropology
- To fulfill the Elective requirement (always consult your intended transfer institution when making course selections):
- ARTS 101 - Art History 1
- ARTS 102 - Art History 2
- CRIJ 103 - Introduction to Law and Justice
- POLS 101 - American National Government
- POLS 102 - Introduction to Political Science
Connecting With Ideas
Connecting With Ideas (CWI 101) is the first semester student success course designed to help CWI students become engaged members of the academic community and cultivate habits for lifelong achievement and success. Each semester, students can select from a variety of themes. More information about next semesters CWI 101 themes
Transfer
Look beyond your degree at CWI and plan for continuing your education by working closely with CWI advising and representatives of your intended transfer school. Planning before you transfer can save you time and money. Visit Transfer Information for more information or contact One Stop Student Services.
Faculty in the Sociology program work closely with the following four-year schools to assist students with transfer. For additional information on agreements with Idaho schools, see Transfer and Articulation in the course catalog.
- Boise State University
- University of Idaho
- Idaho State University
- Northwest Nazarene University
- College of Idaho
Financial Aid Available
Did you know that as a student in this program you may be eligible for financial aid? Through grants, scholarships, and loans, more than 60 percent of first-time, full-time CWI students receive some form of financial assistance. To learn more about financial aid options and whether you may be eligible, visit Financial Aid.
Tuition and Fees
Tuition for a full-time CWI student averages half the cost of a state university and a third of the cost of a private college. Tuition and fees vary based on program and residence. Visit Tuition and Fees for more information.
Career Info
Sociology as a discipline provides a strong foundation for many careers. Visit the MyPlan Career Assessment tool, and create a free account to search for careers for which sociology has application. MyPlan also offers an assessment of your interest, personality, values, and skills to help you recognize careers available to you as a Sociology major and discover the educational path that will lead you to those careers.
Read more about sociology-related careers: What are they Doing with a Bachelor's Degree in Sociology?
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Program Department Chair
Instructor(s)
Respectful Community
The College of Western Idaho is committed to maintaining a Respectful Community by providing equal opportunity for all individuals and does not discriminate in services, benefits, or activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability status, veteran status, age, or any other legally protected status. More on Title IX
News and Blogs

Congratulations to Professor of Sociology, Charles Dickinson, College of Western Idaho’s Faculty of Distinction for May 2022.

Professor of Sociology, Charles Dickinson, is recognized for the transformative and life-changing nature of his teaching.

Congratulations to the inaugural group of CWI faculty who now hold the rank title of Professor.

Congratulations to CWI instructors, Liza Long, Anna Gamboa, Cathy Carson, Hollie Leavitt, Joel Gladd, and Charles Dickinson!

CWI student, Kaw Paw, who came to America from a Thailand refugee camp, is pursuing an education to help herself, her family, and others.

“Regardless of age, background, or past experiences, CWI gives people an opportunity to be successful in college, become educated, and flourish.”
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