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Sociology Department

Studying sociology at Covenant includes the study of social interactions, concerns, and institutions. Graduates of the program will develop a Christian perspective on the complex relationship between individuals, groups, and the larger society, with the goal of better understanding what it means to live “in, but not of” the world.

The goals of the Sociology Department are:

1. To enable the student to develop a Christian perspective relating to humankind’s involvement in groups and in the larger society. This is accomplished in three main areas:

  • studying the various principles of interaction that govern human relationship (social interaction);
  • studying the various problems that face contemporary society (social concerns);
  • studying the basic institutions of society and their interdependence (social institutions).

2. To provide students the necessary methodological tools whereby they may uncover social reality in a variety of contexts (survey research, participant observation, and content analysis).

3. To demonstrate the practical relevance of the discipline by applying sociological insight and methodology to the work of God’s kingdom.

 

 

Sociology Coursework

Some of the course sociology students encounter include:

  • Adolescence in Sociological Perspective
  • Crime & Delinquency
  • The Family
  • Sociology of Emotion
  • Contemporary Social Thought

 

"How can we teach ourselves to treat people as image bearers in a world that largely treats them as objects?"
- Dr. Matt Vos | professor of sociology

 

Recent Student Internships

  • Bethany Christian Services
  • Standifer Place Nursing Home
  • Big Brothers/Big Sisters
  • Chattanooga Police Department
  • Thrive at Brow Wood/Senior Living Community

 

Recent Senior Capstone Projects

  • ”Joining the Conversation: How Young Adult Literature Encourages Discussion of Difficult Life Topics”
  • ”Seclusion or Exclusion?: Holiness in the Light of a Larger Culture”
  • “The Foster Care System and Family Reunification: Can Biology-Bias Do More Damage?”
  • “‘That’s What She Plead’: The Trivialization and Stigmatization of Trauma”

 

Where Our Alumni Are

  • Medical Operations Officer, Army National Guard
  • Site-Based Mentoring Director, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Chattanooga
  • Chaplain & Bereavement Coordinator, Crossroads Hospice
  • CEO, Choices Pregnancy Resource Center
  • Teen Suicide Prevention Specialist and Licensed Counselor, Sources of Strength

 

Departmental Events, Traditions, and Resources

  • Attending the annual Southern Sociological Society spring conference
  • “Social Work Career” dessert panel discussion each spring with 6-8 guests from a variety of social work fields
  • Christmas party at a faculty member’s home
  • Dr. Robinson’s “bottomless” open access office candy jar

 

Programs, Courses, and Requirements

Major and Concentrations

Minor

Graduate School of Education

Undergraduate Departments, Majors, Minors, Certificates, Concentrations, and Programs

Academic Certificates

  • Arts Administration
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Environmental Stewardship & Sustainability
  • Journalism and Society
  • Medical Ethics Consultation
  • Neuroscience
  • Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL)

Art

  • Art, 2-D Concentration 
  • Art, 3-D Concentration 
  • Art, Art History Concentration 
  • Art, Graphic Design Concentration 
  • Art, Photography Concentration 
  • Art minor
  • Art History minor

Biblical & Theological Studies

  • Biblical & Theological Studies 
  • Biblical & Theological Studies, Missions Concentration 
  • Biblical & Theological Studies minor
  • Biblical Languages minor
  • History of Christianity minor
  • Missions minor
  • Youth Ministry minor

Biology

  • Biology, Biomedical Concentration 
  • Biology, Environmental Concentration 
  • Biology, General 
  • Biology, Health Professions Concentration 
  • Biology minor

Business

  • Business 
  • Business, Accounting Concentration 
  • Business, Finance Concentration 
  • Business, Marketing Concentration 
  • Sport Management 
  • Business minor
  • Sport Management minor

Chemistry

  • Chemistry, Biochemistry Concentration 
  • Chemistry, General 
  • Biochemistry minor
  • Chemistry minor

Computer Science

  • Computer Science 
  • Computer Science minor

Economics & Community Development

  • Community Development 
  • Economics 
  • Community Development minor
  • Economics minor

Education

  • Education Studies 
  • Elementary Education (P-5) 
  • Secondary Education Certifications through MAT program 
  • Education minor

Engineering 3:2 Program

  • Natural Science, Pre-Engineering Studies Concentration

English

  • English 
  • English, Writing Concentration 
  • English minor
  • Writing minor

Health, Wellness and Coaching

  • Coaching minor

History, Politics, and International Studies

  • History 
  • History, Art History Concentration 
  • Political Science 
  • International Studies 
  • History minor
  • Political Science minor

Interdisciplinary Studies

  • Interdisciplinary Studies with Concentrations 

Mathematics

  • Mathematics 
  • Mathematics minor

Music

  • Music, Church Music Concentration 
  • Music, Creative Studies Concentration 
  • Music, General Music Concentration 
  • Music, Instrumental Performance Concentration 
  • Music, Music Education (Pre-MAT) Concentration 
  • Music, Organ Performance Concentration 
  • Music, Piano Pedagogy Concentration 
  • Music, Piano Performance Concentration 
  • Music, Vocal Performance Concentration 
  • Music minor

Philosophy

  • Philosophy 
  • Philosophy minor

Physics

  • Physics 
  • Physics minor

Pre-Professional Programs

  • Pre-Law Studies 
  • Pre-Medical Studies 
  • Pre-Nursing Studies 
  • Pre-Physical Therapy Studies 

Psychology

  • Psychology 
  • Psychology minor

Sociology

  • Sociology 
  • Sociology, Family Studies & Social Work Concentration 
  • Sociology minor

Theatre

  • Theatre 
  • Theatre minor

World Languages

  • French 
  • Spanish 
  • French minor
  • Spanish minor