Sociology: Understanding Human Behavior through Data
If you’ve ever wondered about the relationship between food and cultural identity, the impact of media on behavior, or even how marriage has changed across regions or countries, then sociology could be the field for you.
Jessica Pearce, PhD, associate professor for sociology at the ѻý, says the study of human behavior is as rich as it is complex, with a myriad of applications.
“We’re looking at the culture that people grow up in, the historical period people are living in, the groups they belong to — whether that’s race, religion, gender, social class — and how that affects their behavior and their experiences,” she says.
Dr. Pearce was drawn to sociology by a desire to create meaningful change, uncovering insights that both explain and improve the world.
Now, she’s helping a new population of students as the College of Liberal Arts adds the option for students to complete their B.A. in Sociology 100% online.
Over the course of her career, Dr. Pearce has researched everything from gender and work to online communities, bringing that data into the courses she teaches online and on campus in the ѻý’s sociology degree program.
She says whether students enroll online or on campus, the course content and degree outcomes are the same.
Like all bachelor’s degree programs, students must complete 120 credit hours of coursework, including transfer credits. The sociology curriculum allows students to focus on topics that align with their interests and professional goals, with courses exploring marriage and family dynamics, social movements, gender and sexuality, politics, religion, race, criminology, and even death and dying.
Dr. Pearce says students can also expect to build competencies in data, research, and writing.
“We’re not just sharing general ideas; people have done research, collected observations, and examined large data sets to come to these conclusions,” says Dr. Pearce. “That’s why I emphasize data collection, knowing how to do a study, and how to write.”
“Those are skills they can take with them into any career.”
Through the sociology program, students gain the perspective to succeed in a range of fields and industries, from law and criminal justice to management and social work.
“We’re providing a foundational understanding that goes beyond what some disciplines focus on, providing information related to larger groups of people, how everyone’s connected, and the kinds of characteristics or needs of certain groups based on data analysis,” says Dr. Pearce.
Lay the groundwork for a thriving career through the bachelor’s in sociology degree online. Request information to learn more.
