For students who declare Sociology anytime after December 18, 2009. Also, any other sociology major may opt to fulfill these requirements instead of the old requirements that were in effect prior to SP10. See here for the old Sociology Major Requirements.
In addition to degree requirements established by the College of Letters and Sciences, you must also fulfill requirements towards a specified major. There are 12 courses required in the sociology major, totaling between 49-53 units. All courses taken to fulfill major requirements must be sociology courses (with the exception of statistics or logic). Courses from other departments cannot be used to fulfill major requirements. Students must maintain a minimum 2.0 grade point average in the major. All sociology courses must be taken for a letter grade, with the exception of statistics or logic, which may be taken P/NP. Sociology 5, 101, and 102 must be passed with a C- or better. The 12 sociology major requirements are divided into the following categories:
3 Prerequisites - Sociology 1, 5, and statistics or logic
2 Theory courses - Sociology 101 and 102 (previously 101A and 101B)
2 Survey sociology courses
4 Elective sociology courses
1 Capstone Experience/Seminar
Please review the details of these requirements:
Sociology Prerequisites - In preparation for the major, students are required to take the following three prerequisites:
1) Introduction to Sociology (UCB Sociology 1) - This is an introductory course covering the basic principles and concepts in sociology. Students planning to major in sociology should take UCB Sociology 1 or an equivalent transfer course. If a student has taken two or more upper division sociology courses without completing Sociology 1 first, or has already taken Sociology 3 or 3AC, they should not take Sociology 1. Instead they are required to take an additional Survey course as a substitute for this prerequisite, to be completed sometime before graduation (see list of Survey courses below).
2) Evaluation of Evidence (UCB Sociology 5) - This is a course on the critical examination of research methods and procedures and how evidence supports or contradicts sociological theories. This course must be passed with a grade of C- or better.
3) Introductory Statistics or Logic - Any introductory course in basic statistics or logic (or critical thinking) will satisfy this prerequisite. Though all students have the option to take logic for this requirement, a statistics course is highly recommended. At UCB these courses may include Statistics 2, 2X, 5, 20, 21, 131A, or Psychology 101. UCB Philosophy 12A or 14A will satisfy the logic requirement. This course may be taken for a letter grade or Pass/No Pass.
A score of 4 or 5 on the A.P. Statistics Exam will also satisfy the Statistics/Logic requirement. Please bring a copy of your score report with you when you come in to declare.
Sociology Theory - A two-semester sequence course in theory is required, Sociology 101 and 102 (formerly 101A and 101B), each are 5 units. Both of these courses are usually offered every semester (excluding summer). Sociology 101 (formerly 101A) is prerequisite to 102 (formerly 101B), and 102 should be taken in the semester immediately following 101. It is recommended that these courses be taken in the junior year, if possible, for they provide an important foundation for further studies in sociology. Both courses must be passed with a C- or better.
NOTE: Beginning SP10, Sociology 101A will change to Sociology 101
Beginning F10, Sociology 101B will change to Sociology 102
Sociology 101 (or 101A) is a prerequisite to 102.
Sociology Survey Courses - Sociology majors are required to take two courses from the following list of sociology "Survey" courses, each from a different substantive area in sociology. Students may take these courses under the new number, if there is a change SP10:
110 Organizations and Social Institutions
120 Economy and Society (formerly Soc 143)
130 Social Inequalities (formerly titled Social Stratification)
140 Politics and Social Change (formerly titled Political Sociology)
150, 150A or 150B Social Psychology
160 Sociology of Culture
180C, 180I Comparative Perspectives and Area Studies in Sociology (formerly Soc 122, 122A)
Sociology Electives - Sociology majors are required to take four additional upper division courses in sociology. These can be any sociology course numbered in the 100 level or 200 level (graduate courses) that are not already used to satisfy other requirements in the major. Additional "Survey" courses and 190 seminars beyond those required can count for sociology electives, as well as other sociology courses that don't fulfill these requirements. Independent study courses, Soc 191 (formerly 100), or courses outside the department will not satisfy this requirement.
Capstone Experience/Seminar - Sociology majors are required to take at least one seminar course in sociology that will serve as their Capstone Experience: Sociology 190, H190B, 107B, and possibly other advanced sociology courses (see an Undergraduate Advisor). Most students take Sociology 190 for this requirement. Each semester there are approximately 5-8 different Sociology 190 seminars to choose from, each focusing on a different topic. These courses are small, limited to 25 students, and emphasize class participation and discussion. Admittance to the course is by Instructor Approval only. You cannot pre-enroll for Soc 190 seminars during TeleBEARS Phase I and II. There are special enrollment procedures for the 190 seminars. To enroll you must complete the Sociology 190 Enrollment Form found here, and add your name to the TeleBEARS waitlist for the seminar you want in Phase II. For more instructions see here. Graduating sociology majors who have not completed their seminar requirement are given priority for enrollment. You should not necessarily wait until your last semester to take a seminar. It is recommended that you try to take it whenever you find a topic that interests you. We sometimes offer a Sociology 190 seminar in summer session.
