SOCIO-BA - Sociology (BA)
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Program Overview
Sociology seeks to understand all aspects of human social behavior, including the behavior of individuals as well as the social dynamics of small groups, large organizations, communities, institutions, and entire societies. Sociologists are typically motivated both by the desire to understand the principles of social life better and by the conviction that understanding these principles may aid in formulating enlightened and effective social policy. Sociology provides an intellectual background for students considering careers in the professions or business. Students may pursue degrees in sociology at the bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral levels. The department organizes its courses by areas of study to assist students in tailoring their education and research to their academic interests and career goals.
The undergraduate program in Sociology aims to provide students with the skills necessary to understand and address social problems and inequalities in global, institutional, and interpersonal social relations. At its core, the curriculum in the major is rooted in social theory and the scientific method. Sociology majors are given opportunities to develop a broad understanding of core sociological theories and the methodological skills used to evaluate human behavior and social organizations. Sociology provides an intellectual background for students considering careers in business, social services, public policy, government service, international nongovernmental organizations, foundations, or academia.
The Sociology major consists of a core curriculum plus elective courses intended to provide a breadth of exposure to the various aspects of sociology.
There are two pathways to a Sociology BA degree:
Sociology bachelor’s degree
Sociology bachelor’s degree with the Data Science, Markets, and Management subplan
The following requirements are for the Sociology bachelor’s degree. See the Data Science, Markets, and Management Subplan section for the degree requirements for that option.
Preparing for the Major
Declaring the Major in Sociology
To declare a major in Sociology, students should declare the BA in Axess, then download the major declaration form from the department website. Fill out and electronically sign the declaration form, and email the completed form to the Student Services Officer. A 3.0 GPA is required to enter the Sociology major.
Minimum Units in the Program
Minimum University Units
Sociology Core Courses (four courses): 17-18 units
Sociology Foundations Courses (three courses): 12 units
Social Science Electives (Units sufficient to bring the total number of units to 60): 25-27 units
Methodology, Quantitative or Qualitative (one course): 4-5 units
For a total of 60 units
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OR 1245381 - 2069081
- 2069091
- 2057652
OR 2243751
Students considering honors are encouraged to enroll in SOC202 Junior Seminar: Preparation for Research in their junior year to have a research plan in place in the summer before senior year. Additionally, students within the Class of 2025 (or later) must complete the Capstone Requirement or Senior Honors Thesis. See Capstone Experience (below) for more information.
Sociology majors must complete three foundation courses — one course in three different areas for a total of three courses. For further information about Sociology areas of study, see the department website.
Foundation courses, classified by area of study, are as follows:
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- 1245251
- 2109111
- 2233271
- 1244641
- 2063851
- 1244784
- 2211581
- 1237982
- 2179371
- 1244681
- 2243445
- 2079461
- 2225071
- 1245091
- 2126971
- 2195971
- 2216381
- 1244941
- 1245011
- 2126961
- 2063661
- 2215971
- 2057652
- 2243751
Substitutions with WIM courses from other departments can be approved by the Sociology Director of Undergraduate Studies.
- 2057652
- 2243751
AND 2243741
AND 2243731
Students who are part of the class of 2025 or later must complete a capstone.
Students writing an honors thesis must enroll in SOC 202 in their junior year and complete their honors thesis in their senior year. See Honors (below) for more information regarding thesis unit enrollment and honors program requirements. Completing SOC 202 and the honors thesis will fulfill the capstone requirement.
For seniors not completing an honors thesis, the capstone project can be completed over a three-course sequence: SOC 204A, SOC 204B, and SOC 204C. The project will be designed in SOC 204A in autumn - this course is required - and work will be accomplished with guidance through SOC 204B in winter and SOC 204C in the spring, culminating in the submission of a paper and a presentation at the end of spring quarter. A wide variety of capstone projects will be allowed, including team projects. Whatever the project, students submit a capstone paper that meets Sociology minimum requirements.
The Sociology Department strongly recommends enrollment in the full capstone sequence for the project preparation and completion, though only SOC 204A is required.
Students completing a thesis or capstone for other departments, may fulfill the Sociology thesis or capstone requirement with prior approval from the Sociology director of undergraduate studies. A paper submission and presentation in Sociology is required.
Sociology majors who wish to complete an independent scholarly project under the direction of a faculty member are encouraged to apply for admission to the department’s honors program. Admission to the program requires a grade point average (GPA) of 3.5 or higher in courses taken within the major and an overall GPA of 3.3 (B+) or higher in all undergraduate coursework. Applicants are required to identify a Sociology faculty member to advise on the research and writing of the essay. With the approval of the Director of Undergraduate Studies, students may work with faculty advisors in other departments.
Students are encouraged to begin planning their honors thesis in their junior year. course, the Junior Seminar Sociology Writing In the Major course, is strongly recommended for students intending to pursue an honors thesis. Students pursuing honors should take the Sociology methods sequence, course and course (or approved substitutes) as early as possible. Students begin designing their honors project in connection with this seminar and in consultation with the seminar leader.
To apply for the honors program, students should complete the honors application, obtain an advisor’s approval and signature, and submit the application with a brief description of the proposed project and a copy of the student’s unofficial undergraduate transcript to the Director of Undergraduate Studies. Prospective candidates are asked to submit an honors application as soon as possible in their junior or senior year, ideally no later than the end of the fourth quarter before graduation (typically spring quarter of the junior year). Honors students may earn up to 12 independent study units for work leading to completion of the required honors thesis, excluding units associated with the Capstone Research Seminar.
If the student is admitted to the program, students will be directed to declare the BAH in Axess and drop the general BA. Completion of honors in Sociology requires:
Application and acceptance into the Sociology Honors program
Completion of all requirements of the Sociology major or Sociology major with subplan
Completion of an honors thesis with a grade of A- or higher
Participation in the Sociology Honors Colloquium in spring quarter before graduation.
If honors program requirements are unmet, students must drop the BAH degree program in Axess and declare the BA before applying to graduate.
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- 2069091
Declaring the Major in Sociology with Data Science, Markets, and Management Subplan
To declare a major in Sociology, students should declare the BA in Axess with the Data Science, Markets, and Management subplan, then download the major declaration form from the department website. Fill out and electronically sign the declaration form, and email the completed form to the Student Services Specialist.
The subplan prints on the diploma and transcript.
Major Requirements
A 3.0 GPA is required to enter the Sociology major. The BA in Sociology requires 60 units of coursework. Grades of S or CR are allowable. When students take classes for a letter grade, the student should earn a C or better or obtain a written exception.
Unit values for courses can vary from year to year. If you have any questions, contact the Undergraduate Student Services Specialist in Sociology.
Students are encouraged to complete some coursework at the 200 level. Sociology majors are encouraged to participate in directed research or undertake independent research with Sociology faculty. See the department website for additional information.
Requirements
Students in the Data Science, Markets, and Management subplan must take the following courses; substitutions may be made only with the consent of the Director of Undergraduate Studies.
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- 1244681
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- 1056441
- 1056451
- 1056481
- 2160861
- 2216771
- 2160862
- 2069091
- 1058241
- 2078301
- 2172851
- 2181021
- 1244741
- 2049332
- 2057652
- 2057211
- 2203221
- 2218031
- 1244591
- 1244784
- 2109111
- 2233271
Four additional Sociology (SOC) courses - 16 units
Two additional Computer Science, Math, Statistics, or Quantitative Social Science Courses - 8 units
One additional Sociology or Social Science elective - 4 units