explore the complexities of social behavior

Are you a people watcher? Does human social behavior fascinate you? UNE’s Bachelor of Arts in Sociology program focuses on the origins and evolution of human social interaction. Through hands-on learning opportunities, including fieldwork, research, and internships, you will learn about a range of social challenges; consider their cultural, global, and political implications; and find out how to be part of the solution. You’ll leave the program ready to pursue a career in social service or a graduate degree in sociology, social work, law, economics, environmental studies, public health, or many other disciplines.

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Why UNE for Your B.A. in Sociology

Because student engagement is a high priority, we offer research opportunities, guest speakers, fieldwork, and hands-on classroom experiences that get you excited about sociology. This focus on learning by doing not only makes for richer student experiences but gives you an edge when applying for employment or graduate study.

  • Emphasis on engaging fieldwork, internships, and capstone experience
  • Personalized academic support
  • Travel abroad opportunities
  • Strong job and graduate school placement rates
Headshot of Arthur Anderson

Arthur Anderson, Ph.D., Assistant Lecturer, Department of Society, Culture, and Languages

I grew up in Portland but did my undergraduate, graduate, and Ph.D. work in the U.K. and moved back to Portland in 2012. I made my way into the adjunct circuit for a little while and wound up at UNE. I primarily study what we refer to as the protohistoric period, and in Maine, that means looking at those earliest moments of contact along the coast.

I look at the end of the pre-historic period and the emergence of this European presence, which turns into a horrific story at the underpinnings of the world we live in today. It’s an important moment to study, but it's also archeologically tricky to zoom in on that fifty-year period of really ephemeral contact between cultures. It’s hard, but it's important.

There is a lot of student involvement and a lot of opportunities with archeology at UNE, particularly across departments. The quality of undergraduate students that I get to work with and the quality of research that they're able to do because we're a primarily undergraduate institution is unique. It comes down to them and what they want to do. They get out what they put into it, and they really step up in pretty amazing ways. Those opportunities for undergraduate students to do research here are consistently amazing for me.

Exceptional Teaching and Learning

On campus at UNE — I would argue — is one of Maine’s most important archaeological sites. It is located right behind the Marine Science Center [MSC]. The site is one of the earliest moments of contact between European and indigenous people. We have European descriptions that we can compare to the archaeological record in order to start to understand some of the biases implicit in the very earliest European records of indigenous people here.

When the MSC was built, an archeology company was hired to do the work to get permission to build because of the known existence of a site. At the very least, some basic boundaries of archeological preservation had to be established so that the MSC could be placed in a way to not disturb the land. That work is helping us now, part of our project is getting artifacts from then into the UNE Special Collections. We want to correlate that earlier work, using it to inform how we want to undertake targeted excavations now to try to answer outstanding questions.

We offer an archaeology course every summer. Any undergraduate student can take it; there are no prerequisites. After the first few days, we put you in a hole and hand you a trowel. That’s the only way to really learn it. It’s an opportunity for these students to get out and do hands-on field research that is applicable, like working as a team to collect data. Whatever the students go on and do after, they have this experience and these skills. It’s valuable. Also, for a lot of students, it’s a moment of connecting the social sciences with the material world and with the act of discovery.

Those opportunities for undergraduate students to do research here are consistently amazing for me.

What Will You Study? Sociology Degree Curriculum Overview

B.A. in Sociology Courses

The following are examples of the exciting courses that the Sociology major offers:

  • Society in Latin America
  • Sociology of Food, Health, and Society
  • Societies of the Future Through Science Fiction Cinema
  • Medical Sociology
  • Sociology of Law
  • A Just Society

We offer qualified students the option of graduating with Honors. This includes significant research, scholarship or creative activity under the direction of a faculty member. Interested students should consult with their advisor.

Meet Cam, a Sociology Major With a Passion for Videography

He plans to use visual storytelling to engage the public and inspire action around important issues — like protecting our oceans and fisheries. Cam is one of the many UNE students who are gaining the skills and knowledge to make an impact and be of service.

Career Paths for Sociology Majors

A deep and nuanced understanding of human social behavior is an advantage in virtually every profession. While your degree in Sociology will position you to pursue advanced graduate study in a variety of fields -- from social work, counseling, and public health to criminology, law, and medicine -- there are many careers you may consider, including:

  • Lawyer
  • Public Relations/Advertising Specialist
  • Market Researcher
  • Journalist
  • ESL/ELL teacher
  • Mediator
  • Social Justice Advocate
  • Youth Services Administrator
  • U.S. Government Civil Servant

Career Advising for Sociology Students

Whether you have a specific career goal in mind or a vague idea of the field that interests you, Career Advising is here to help you plan your next step.

Taking Sociology Beyond the Classroom

International Medical Missions

As a Sociology major, you may opt to travel to Latin America as part of the IMM(UNE) club, which conducts medical volunteer missions in places like Guatemala and Ecuador.

Experiential Learning in the Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology Program

The Sociology major’s focus on applied, hands-on learning gets you out in the community, elbow-to-elbow with a variety of professionals in real-world settings.

Internships for Sociology Majors

Our database of more than 900 internship sites allows you to gain valuable professional experience in a field you want to explore. Our graduates have interned with legal services organizations, international charities, downtown community organizations, public access television stations, and many other groups.

For more information, contact Sam McReynolds, Ph.D., at (207) 602-2765 or smcreynolds@theabsolutelongestwebdomainnameinthewholegoddamnfuckinguniverse.com.

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Senior Capstone Experience

As an Applied Social student, you choose a capstone experience to widen the scope of your expertise. There are three ways to fulfill the applied capstone experience (ACE).

Internship

You may take between 9 and 16 credits to complete this ACE. You may select from more than 800 sites in the departmental database. This learning opportunity should parallel your area of interest and help you gain experience, skills, and knowledge of how systems work and how to develop options in a given field.

Thesis

You may take between 9 and 16 credits to complete this ACE. The thesis should build on the work you have done in the Sociology major. This academic work should prepare you for graduate study in disciplines that have been incorporated into your study.

Study Abroad

It typically takes 15-16 credits to complete a study abroad experience. While studying in a foreign society and culture is important, the primary focus is to take courses from the new institution that will help you to develop your areas of interest as it relates to your major. In short, there needs to be an integrated social science experience that drives the study abroad learning as well as the opportunity to explore a new society and culture for this to be a successful experience. All study abroad experiences should first be cleared with the department chair to see if they qualify to meet the requirement for the capstone.

Bachelor of Arts in Sociology FAQ