SOC General Education Courses
The Sociology Department offers 15 courses within the General Education Program curriculum. Many students who are not sociology majors find our General Education courses relate to their majors and minors and contribute to the mission of college education: developing breadth and specialization of knowledge.
Our courses contribute to General Education (Gen Ed) Foundations, Cultures, and several Issues areas. Gen Ed courses support the development of college skills such as critical thinking, problem solving, ethical reasoning, collaboration, and more.
GVSU General Education Program Quick Guide
2026-2027
Foundations: Social and Behavioral Sciences
SOC 101 Introduction to Sociology
SOC 105 (US) Social Problems
SOC 222 Humans in West Michigan Watersheds
SOC 286 (US) Health and Society
SOC 287 (US) Sociology of Religion
Gen Ed Acronyms
SBS: Social and Behavioral Sciences
GP: Global Perspectives, Cultures
US: US Diversity, Cultures
I-G: Globalization, Issues
I-H: Health, Issues
I-HR: Human Rights, Issues
I-I: Identity, Issues
I-IIT: Information, Innovation, Technology, Issues
I-S: Sustainability, Issues
Cultures: Global Perspectives
SOC/WGS 350 (I-I) Family and Gender in the Developing World
Cultures: U.S. Diversity
SOC 105 (SBS) Social Problems
SOC 285 Families in Society
SOC 286 (SBS) Health and Society
SOC 287 (SBS) Sociology of Religion
SOC 313 (I-HR) Race and Ethnicity
SOC 317/WGS 317 (I-I) Sociology of Gender
SOC 318/WGS 318 (I-I) Sociology of Sexuality
SOC 322 (I-I) Sociology of Community
SOC 381 Class, Race, Gender, and Sexuality
Issues (Specific Issue in parentheses)
SOC 306 Sociology of Human Rights (Human Rights)
SOC 313 (US) Race and Ethnicity (Human Rights)
SOC/WGS 317 (US) Sociology of Gender (Identity)
SOC/WGS 318 (US) Sociology of Sexuality (Identity)
SOC 322 (US) Sociology of Community (Identity)
SOC/WGS 350 (W) Family and Gender in the Developing World (Identity)
SOC 351 Cities, Inequality, and Sustainability (Sustainability)
SOC 355 Work and Labor in the Global Economy (Globalization)
SOC/INT 366 American Society and Media (Information, Innovation, and Technology)
SOC 377 Globalization: Structures and Movements (Globalization)
SOC 382 (US) Race and Ethnicity (Human Rights)