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In grad admissions, we are not going to pay much attention to your semester-by-semester GPA. Your cumulative GPA and your major GPA are the numbers we do look at.
Also, in graduate applications, all transcripts must be submitted, including those from institutions other than your primary undergrad institution. However, it would be up to you whether or not to figure that GPA into your self-reported cumulative GPA. As you state, your school's policy is NOT to include study abroad, but various grad admissions programs will likely have different approaches to this. In any event, they'll figure out your cumulative and major GPA using their own methods.
In answer to your other q, in sociology, work experience is not necessary. If you do work, do get a job that bears directly upon your field of research interest. That could indeed boost your application, and could possibly give you something substantial to write about in your SOP.
But honestly, I think you are worrying way too much about your freshman year's impact on your overall application package. Relax. Really.
(I know, easier said than done.)
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