Social Inequality and Human Rights Program
Social Inequality and Human Rights prepares students for careers that fight injustice, social inequality and human rights violations, domestically or globally. Built on the sociology major, the area in Social Inequality and Human Rights provides students with a skill set that reflects societal needs, a dynamic economy and the future job market. Understanding the role of societal institutions and political structures is essential to crafting effective responses to social issues.
What Can You Do with a Sociology / Social Inequality and Human Rights Degree?
Students who want to pursue careers in fields such as human rights, advocacy, community organizing, community development and community activism will plan and lead change. They will be involved in needs assessment, evaluation, analysis and implementation of policy and programs that directly impact individual and community life. Below is a sample list of careers that Social Inequality and Human Rights prepares you for.
- Social Services
- Community Activism and Organizing
- Community Development
- Public Affairs
- Federal, State and Local Government
- Social Justice Advocacy Organization
- Human Rights Organizations
- International and Non-Governmental Organizations
- Civil Rights Attorney (requires law degree)
- Advanced Research (requires graduate degree)
Sociology / Social Inequality and Human Rights Area Requirements
Course Requirements under the 2021-2022 Academic Bulletin
Total Course Requirements — 54-55 hours
Required Sociology Courses — 18-19 hours
- SOC 100T Transitions
- SOC 133 Introduction to Sociology
- SOC 300 Social Theory
- SOC 359 Writing and Inquiry in the Social Sciences
- SOC 360 Research Methods
- SOC 400 Senior Seminar
Required Social Inequality and Human Rights Courses — 9 hours
- SOC 337 Social Inequality
- SOC 365 Qualitative Methods
- POL 449 Human Rights
Limited Electives — 27 hours
Note 15 hours must be upper-level, 9 hours in each thematic category
Stratification, Inequality and Difference — 9 hours
- Three credits from the following:
- SOC 355 Sociology of Gender
- SOC 343 Race and Ethnicity
- SOC 435 Sociology of Work
- Six credits from the following:
- ANT 140 Exploring World Cultures
- ENG 257 Migrants, Refugees and Expatriates in Literature
- GDS 201 Intro to Gender and Diversity Studies
- HIS 309 Survey of World Religions
- HIS/GDS 316 Women and Gender in World History
- PHI 255 Philosophy of Race
- POL 250 Introduction to International Relations
- POL 252 Introduction to Comparative Politics
- POL 261 Political Theory
- POL 356 Modern Middle East
- POL 450 Modern Africa
- SOC 231 Social Problems
- SOC 250 Global Sociology
- SOC 355 Sociology of Gender
- SOC 343 Race and Ethnicity
- SOC 435 Sociology of Work
Communities, Control and Power — 9 hours
- Three credits from the following:
- SOC 333 Sociology of Education
- SOC 334 Sociology of Migration
- SOC 338 Criminology
- SOC 438 Sociology of Deviant Behavior
- SOC 445 Media and Crime
- SOC 455 Environmental Sociology
- Six credits from the following:
- HIS 459 Genocide in World History
- POL 438 Inequality and Social Policy
- POL 469 Terrorism, Insurgency and Counterterrorism
- POL 453 Government and Politics of Latin America
- POL 454 Government and Politics of Asia
- POL 451 Government and Politics of Europe
- SOC 325 Sociology of Food
- SOC 331 Sociology of Family
- SOC 333 Sociology of Education
- SOC 334 Sociology of Migration
- SOC 338 Criminology
- SOC 339 Rural Sociology
- SOC 346 Urban Sociology
- SOC 438 Sociology of Deviant Behavior
- SOC 441 Sociology of Youth Violence
- SOC 439 Criminology and Public Policy
- SOC 445 Media and Crime
Social Change, Advocacy and Human Rights — 9 hours
- Three credits from the following:
- SOC 432 Social Movements and Protests
- SOC 465 Globalization
- Six credits from the following:
- ECO 320 Women in the Global Economy
- NLS 305 Giving, Philanthropy and Grant-making
- PHI 315 Social and Political Philosophy
- POL 457 International Law and Organizations
- POL 456 American Foreign Policy
- POL 460 Political Behavior
- POL/LST 447 Civil Liberties & Civil Rights
- SOC 432 Social Movements and Protests
- SOC 465 Globalization
- LST 320 Family Law
- LST 340 Immigration Law
- SWK 435 Social Work and Human Rights
- SWK 505 Peace Building and the Helping Professions
The requirements listed above are an example of what is applicable to most students entering Murray State University at the present time. Criteria as they may relate to individual students may vary. The primary source is the Undergraduate Bulletin applicable at the time of the student enrollment.