Bachelor of Arts in Sociology

at Shorelight Group - Cleveland State University USA

Virtually everywhere one finds evidence for human societies, both historically and geographically, one finds evidence of religion. Religions identify and describe transcendent forces said to give shape to the world and thus to humanity’s experience within it. By explaining the past and imagining what is to come in the future, religions identify the meaning and purpose of present experience, and even of existence itself, for the groups and individuals who adhere to them. Consequently, religions have been and remain fundamental to the way people construct cultures, organize societies, determine “truths,” define values, and imagine themselves in relation to others. Perhaps most remarkably, different religious cultures do all this with an incredible and frequently conflicting variety of beliefs and practices.

The Art History concentration exposes students to a wide range of artistic forms and traditions and to a broad diversity of cultures and issues. Art History students begin with introductory survey courses in Western, Asian, and African Art, and continue with courses in these areas along with Modern, American, AfricanAmerican, and Islamic Art. Advanced seminars in Art History draw on the faculty’s research interests: recent topics include Jewish-American Artists, Medieval Artistic Materials and Processes of Making, and Center and Periphery in African Art. As well as preparing students for graduate study in Art History and related fields, the Art History program provides students with the skills that employers want in college graduates including critical thinking, problem solving, information gathering, and effective oral and written communication.

Finance is concerned with the process, institutions, markets,and instruments involved with the transfer of money among individuals, businesses and governments. The Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) in Finance introduces students to the theories, concepts, practices and advances in financial analysis and financial management.

Students graduating with a major in Finance can qualify for positions in the financial departments of industrial and commercial enterprises, banks, savings and loan associations, real estate firms, insurance companies, other financial institutions and government and public agencies.

Our students enjoy a high rate of employment in public or private corporations, not-for-profit organizations, and government. Finance majors typically embark on careers in asset management, commercial banking, corporate finance, financial planning, investments, insurance, real estate, or risk management.

Electrical engineers design, develop, test, and supervise the manufacturing of electrical equipment, such as electric motors, radar and navigation systems, communications systems, and power generation equipment. Electronics engineers also design and develop electronic equipment, such as broadcast and communications systems—from portable music players to global positioning systems (GPSs).

Sociologists study human behavior in industrialized societies. Sometimes this behavior involves personal relationships, perhaps among teenagers or the elderly, sometimes the difficulties facing the urban poor or drug addicts, sometimes the development of modern nation-states and political conflict. Sociology open new windows--challenging conventional wisdom, dissolving myths about social reality, illuminating how the world is socially constructed and clarifying our options and choices.

Sociology students at Cleveland State University are taught to analyze modern social problems scientifically. In addition, they are taught how to do research about these issues using statistics, interviews and participant observation. Good research requires a grasp of the "sociological imagination"--the connections between historical, large-scale social forces and biography, the ways in which people live and understand their lives.

Majors in sociology develop the critical thinking and writing skills basic to a sound liberal arts education; they learn research skills and an understanding of the sociological perspective. This prepares them for a wide range of careers: some students use the degree as preparation for graduate work in one of the social sciences or law, others work in human resource management, social service, criminal justice, corporations or schools.

The Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Music degree is designed for students whose interests are not fully encompassed by any of the more specialized degree tracks. Students have the same core requirements as other students in Music theory, Musicianship, Piano skills, and History, but have fewer applied requirements. It is usually the case that students in this degree program have other interests that will shape their studies. These may include business, arts management, psychology, communications, or any other field of study. The BA in music is designed to accommodate this diversity while still providing a thorough grounding in fundamental musical skills.

The Women’s & Gender Studies (WGS) program address a wide-ranging selection of issues, not only women’s issues, but issues related more broadly to gender and sexuality. WGS courses examine how categories of identity (e.g., sexuality, race, class, gender, age, ability, etc.) and structures of inequality are connected and should be examined and understood in relationship to one another. You will explore the diversity of women’s lives, their distinctive roles and contributions in society, and the social constructions of gender. You become aware of the diversity of our social experiences of gender as well as the systems of inequality in which we live.

Why study Women’s & Gender Studies?
Employers are looking for critical thinking, writing, presentation and problem-solving skills. A major or minor in Women’s and Gender studies gives you transferable skills for future job(s). Women’s and Gender Studies students may find employment in a variety of areas depending on their skills and experience. Some students find work
in the area of advocacy or social services-related positions, community development, business, and government. Others find work in education, health care, and/or law.

The Women’s & Gender Studies (WGS) program address a wide-ranging selection of issues, not only women’s issues, but issues related more broadly to gender and sexuality. WGS courses examine how categories of identity (e.g., sexuality, race, class, gender, age, ability, etc.) and structures of inequality are connected and should be examined and understood in relationship to one another. You will explore the diversity of women’s lives, their distinctive roles and contributions in society, and the social constructions of gender. You become aware of the diversity of our social experiences of gender as well as the systems of inequality in which we live.

Why study Women’s & Gender Studies?
Employers are looking for critical thinking, writing, presentation and problem-solving skills. A major or minor in Women’s and Gender studies gives you transferable skills for future job(s). Women’s and Gender Studies students may find employment in a variety of areas depending on their skills and experience. Some students find work
in the area of advocacy or social services-related positions, community development, business, and government. Others find work in education, health care, and/or law.

Finance is concerned with the process, institutions, markets,and instruments involved with the transfer of money among individuals, businesses and governments. The Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) in Finance introduces students to the theories, concepts, practices and advances in financial analysis and financial management.

Students graduating with a major in Finance can qualify for positions in the financial departments of industrial and commercial enterprises, banks, savings and loan associations, real estate firms, insurance companies, other financial institutions and government and public agencies.

Our students enjoy a high rate of employment in public or private corporations, not-for-profit organizations, and government. Finance majors typically embark on careers in asset management, commercial banking, corporate finance, financial planning, investments, insurance, real estate, or risk management.

The primary goal of the Economic Development program is to provide students with a firm, evidence-based grounding in economic development principles and public policy issues.  In gaining this critical knowledge individuals will be better equipped to address the various issues and problems they will encounter in their economic development professions.  The curriculum provides a direct path for degree completion in a timely fashion through a rigorous course of study.