Department introduction

Sociology is an academic field within the discipline of social science that seeks to understand the academic foundations of society. It examines various social phenomena encountered in everyday life from a "sociological imagination" perspective, aiming to view them anew and uncover their underlying meanings. The goal is to diagnose and analyze hidden causes behind social issues. Specifically, sociology investigates social phenomena such as relationships between society and individuals, population issues, social classes, occupations, mass culture, social movements, social structures, and social changes. It scientifically explores these aspects and proposes theoretical and practical solutions.

Educational objectives

The goal of education is to cultivate experts with balanced and comprehensive understanding of social changes. By providing theoretical and practical training in social analysis and instilling professional knowledge, the program aims to develop skilled professionals who can meet the practical needs of society at both national and regional levels.

Fields of Specialization

• Master’s Program
  • Specialization in Social Systems and Social Theory
  • Specialization in Industrial Society
  • Specialization in Social Class and Social Change
• Doctoral Program
  • Specialization in Social Systems and Social Theory
  • Specialization in Industrial Society
  • Specialization in Social Class and Social Change

Career Paths After Graduation

• Research companies, public opinion research institutes, national research institutes, private research institutions
• University professors and lecturers

Employment Status

Full-time faculty, industry-academic cooperation professors at affiliated institutions

Faculty Members

Department Regulations

A. Academic Credits

• Credit Requirements
  • Master’s Program: A minimum of 26 credits (including 2 credits for thesis research) is required.
  • Doctoral Program: A minimum of 40 credits (including 4 credits for thesis research) is required.
• Requirements for Prerequisite Courses
  • Students must complete prerequisite Courses if required. However, for courses already completed in other departments or majors, exemption may be granted with approval from the academic advisor and department chair.
  • Master’s students must take the prerequisite courses designated by their advisor.
  • Credits from prerequisite courses are not included in the required credits for the program.
• Master’s and Doctoral students must complete one of the joint required courses (Quantitative Research Method or Qualitative Research Method).

B. Advisor Selection

• After being accepted by the desired professor, students must submit a thesis advisor application form to select their advisor, who will be appointed by the department chair.
• If it is not possible to meet the advisor for more than a year, the advisor may be replaced with a temporary advisor.
• If a student cannot participate in thesis advising, the advisor can be changed at the beginning of the semester (March, September).

C. Foreign Language Examination

Required for both Master’s and Doctoral students: English or another foreign language.

D. Comprehensive Examination

• Master’s students: Must take 3 courses (out of major courses and prerequisite courses) selected by the advisor.
• Doctoral students: Must take 3 courses selected by the advisor from among major and prerequisite courses.

E. Submission and Review of Master’s/Doctoral Thesis

Thesis submission: Students may submit their thesis after completing the above requirements.

• Master’s Program Graduate Research Thesis Requirements
  • Must acquire at least 24 credits (average grade of 80 or above in all courses).
  • Must complete all designated prerequisite courses.
  • Must be enrolled for at least 4 semesters as a regular student.
  • Must submit a research proposal and receive guidance from an advisor for at least one semester.
  • Must pass the foreign language examination (English) and the comprehensive examination (2 major courses).
  • Must pay research registration fees once per semester until graduation.
  • Must present the thesis proposal at the department at least one semester before the preliminary and final defense.
• Doctoral Program
  • Common Requirements Graduate Research Thesis Requirements
    • Must acquire at least 36 credits (60 credits for integrated programs, average grade of 80 or above in all courses).(For prerequisite courses, students with at least 12 prerequisite credits are required to complete 9 credits.)
    • Must complete all designated prerequisite courses.
    • Must be enrolled for at least 4 semesters (8 semesters for integrated programs).
    • Must acquire at least 2 research-related credits (4 credits for integrated programs).
    • Must present at least once at a public academic event and receive a recommendation from the advisor.
    • Must pass the foreign language examination (English, 2nd foreign language if applicable).
    • Must pass the comprehensive examination (3 major courses).
    • Must pay research registration fees once per semester until graduation.
    • Must present the thesis proposal at the department at least one semester before the preliminary and final defense.
    • Must demonstrate research experience approved by the department after receiving advisor’s guidance.

    Note:
    Students who have already passed the foreign language and comprehensive examinations during the Master’s Program are exempt from retaking them. However, they must pass one additional major subject in the comprehensive examination to be recognized as having fully passed.

  • Academic RequirementsGraduate Research Thesis Requirements
    • Must acquire at least 36 credits (60 credits for integrated programs, average grade of 80 or above in all courses).(For prerequisite courses, students with at least 12 prerequisite credits are required to complete 9 credits.)
    • Must complete all designated prerequisite courses.
    • Must be enrolled for at least 4 semesters (8 semesters for integrated programs).
    • Must acquire at least 2 research-related credits (4 credits for integrated programs).
    • Must present at least once at a public academic event and receive a recommendation from the advisor.
    • Must pass the foreign language examination (English, 2nd foreign language if applicable).
    • Must pass the comprehensive examination (3 major courses).
    • Must pay research registration fees once per semester until graduation.
    • Must present the thesis proposal at the department at least one semester before the preliminary and final defense.
    • Must demonstrate research experience approved by the department after receiving advisor’s guidance.

    Note:
    Students who have already passed the foreign language and comprehensive examinations during the Master’s Program are exempt from retaking them. However, they must pass one additional major subject in the comprehensive examination to be recognized as having fully passed.

Curriculum