Special Enrollment Procedures for Seminars & Other Sociology Courses
Certain courses in sociology require a selection or application process in order to gain admission. These courses are listed below along with the relevant instructions and/or links to the application.
Sociology 101 & 102
Sociology 107A/B
Sociology 185
Sociology 190 (Seminars)
Sociology H190A/B
Soc 98, 197, 198, 199 (Special Studies Courses)
Soc 198 Graduate School Mentoring for Undergraduates
Soc 199 Career Planning in Sociology
Sociology 101 and 102 (Sociological Theory I and II). Sociology 101 and 102 (formerly 101A and 101B) is a yearlong sequence course in sociological theory. As this is a required course for all sociology majors, priority is given to declared Sociology Seniors and Juniors.
Sociology 101 (Sociological Theory I): The only students who will be able to add during Phase I are declared Sociology seniors (with 90 or more completed units). In Phase II, declared Sociology juniors (with a minimum of 60 completed units) will be able to add the course. Sophomores and intended majors must waitlist in Phase II. We will begin processing the waitlist after Phase II ends. Intended seniors have priority off the waitlist, then intended juniors, then declared and intended sophomores. There is a required discussion section which you must enroll in through Telebears. Sociology 101 is offered both spring and fall, but not over the summer.
Sociology 102 (Sociological Theory II): Restricted to students who have completed Sociology 101 with a C- or better. Students should add to the course directly and enroll in a discussion section no later than the end of Phase II. Anyone who is not eligible for the course because they have not completed Soc 101 will be dropped. Sociology 102 is offered both spring and fall, but not over the summer.
Sociology 107A/B (Field Methods and Research: Participant Observation as part of the Bay Area Study Field Research Program). This two-semester course is designed to provide students with the opportunity to learn the entire range of activities involved in doing field research using the participant observation method. One of the most exciting aspects of the course is that students will be a part of the Bay Area Study, an ethnographic research project on a topic that is chosen each year by the faculty and graduate students associated with the Center for Urban Ethnography. Please note: This course will not be offered 2012-2013.
Sociology 185 (Global Sociology). Sociology 185, Global Sociology, is a small course that features guest speakers from around the world to address current world events and issues. Due to the limited amount of spaces available in this course, there are special enrollment procedures for SOC 185. For more information about the content of this course, please review the course description on the Sociology Department website, sociology.berkeley.edu. The course is 3 units and will count for a sociology elective in the major. It must be taken for a letter grade.
To apply for Fall 2011, complete the ONLINE FORM on or before December 2, 2011 (last day of instruction).
Enrollment is limited to 25 students. If more than 25 students apply, we will select students based on a number of factors including major, class standing, upper division sociology coursework taken, and statement of interest. The waitlist for this course will open up in Phase II, which starts November 10th. Students admitted to this course will be added off the waitlist after December 10, 2011.
Since space is limited, if after completing this form you change your mind about taking this course, please email socadv@berkeley.edu, so we can add another student to the course.
Sociology 190 (Seminars).
Enrollment in Sociology 190 seminars is done manually in order to ensure placement of graduating Sociology seniors who need to fulfill this major requirement. However we are usually able to accommodate most students in the major.
THE PROCEDURES ARE AS FOLLOWS:
1) Review the course descriptions for the 190 seminars and identify the courses you are interested in.
2) Complete the Sociology 190 Enrollment Form online at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/F13_soc190_sem
** Be sure to submit form by or before May 17, 2013. You can submit this form BEFORE adding to the waitlist.
Please note: enrollment forms will continue to be reviewed on a rolling basis until the end of Phase II.
3) Students are recommended to list at least their top 3 preferences on the enrollment form. We will do our best to add students to their top choice, but cannot guarantee this. You may take more than one seminar only after all other students are added AND if space permits. Additional seminars count for electives in the major.
4) We will admit up to ~75% of the available space in each seminar, prior to classes beginning. Priority is given to declared sociology majors who have not satisfied the seminar requirement – Sociology graduating seniors first, then Sociology seniors graduating the next semester, etc. Students will get an email informing them of their seminar placement in during the summer.
5) During Phase II, add your name to the wait-list on Tele-BEARS for the seminar you were admitted to and/or are interested in taking. However you must be sure you have also completed an on-line enrollment form at the link provided above under item #2. You will be officially added into the course from the wait-list before it meets on the first week of school. In order to retain your placement, you must attend the seminar class during the first 2 weeks of instruction or you will be dropped from the course.
6) After the first class meeting, the remaining seats available (~5 seats) in each seminar will be filled with students who are attending the class, and meet the priority groups listed above.
Sociology H190A (Senior Honors Program). The Sociology Senior Honors Program provides an opportunity for senior sociology majors who are accepted into the program to write an honors thesis. Honors students participate in the yearlong Senior Honors Seminar, Sociology H190A (4 units) in the fall and H190B (5 units) in the spring. Each student conducts an independent research project as part of their participation in the seminar, and writes an honors thesis (minimum 35-page paper of acceptable honors quality). One grade is assigned for 9 credits upon completion of H190B, based primarily on the thesis paper and participation in the course. Sociology H190A fulfills an elective in the major, and H190B fulfills either a seminar or elective requirement. Students earn honors in the sociology major by successfully completing this course and the thesis, as well as maintaining the required 3.5 GPA in the major and 3.3 cumulative GPA.
Sociology H190A/B is offered as two small sections, limited to 15 students each. Both sections will meet on Tuesdays from 12-2pm.
APPLICATION: The 2013-2014 Seniors Honors Program application is now available!
/sites/default/files/documents/student_services/special_enrollment_forms/Thesis_Appn_2013_14.doc
SAMPLE SYLLABI
Sample Syllabus for H190A
Sample Syllabus for H190B
INFORMATION MEETING: There will be TWO INFORMATION SESSIONS for students who are interested in applying the Honors Thesis Program:
1. Wednesday, April 24, 2013 – from 12:00-1:00pm in 420 Barrows - this session will feature a panel of students, who are currently in the honors program, and it will be a great opportunity to find out more about the program, how they came up with their research question and design, and hear recommendations for how to prepare for the experience.
2. Thursday, May 9, 2013, from 10:00-11:00am in 402 Barrows – this session will touch upon course content and structure for the 2013-2014 honors thesis program. At least one of the professors will be attending this meeting and applicants are strongly encouraged to attend this meeting.
ELIGIBILITY: Minimum 3.3 cumulative g.p.a and a minimum 3.5 major g.p.a. at the time of application. Successful completion of at least 4 upper division Sociology classes. Students must have completed at least 75 units and plan to graduate no later than the Fall following completion of the program. Acceptance of strong honors proposal submitted with application.
Admittance into the Senior Honors Thesis Program is determined by a committee, which includes the two instructors. This committee reviews the applications anonymously and decides which students will be admitted to the course. The selection process is based on the information provided in the application and proposal. The committee will consider topic areas, possible research methods, degree of preparation, and clarity of expression in making these decisions. The committee will also decide which section/instructor to assign each admitted student to, usually based on subject and method areas indicated in the proposal.
APPLICATION PROCESS
Applications for the Sociology Senior Honors Program will be accepted from declared sociology majors during two application periods. The spring application period will admit up to 20 students and during the summer application period we will admit up to 10 students.
The Spring applications are due in the Undergraduate Advising Office in 424 Barrows Hall no later than 4PM Thursday, May 23, 2013. Applications will be reviewed by the committee in mid-June after spring semester grades are posted. Students will be notified by email in early July in time to register for the course during Phase II.
The Summer application deadline will be 4PM, Thursday August 1, 2013. Students planning on applying during the summer application cycle should notify Undergraduate Advisor Cristina Rojas of your intent by May 23, 2013 so that you can be placed on an interest list. If you wish to be added to this list, please send an e-mail to socadv@berkeley.edu and include your name, phone number, and summer e-mail if different. If you will be eligible to apply to the Honors Program after taking summer session courses, please specify what courses you plan on enrolling in during summer session. Summer applications will be reviewed by the committee as soon as summer session grades are available and students will be notified via e-mail of their status before the first day of instruction in the fall semester.
Sociology 98, 197, 198, 199 (Special Studies Courses). These courses do not count for Sociology Major Requirements. They can be taken for 1-4 units P/NP.
DEADLINE FOR ALL SPECIAL COURSES: One week prior to the Add/Drop Deadline of the semester for which you plan to do an independent study.
Sociology 197 (Field Study in Sociology): (1-4 units) Course may be repeated for credit. Must be taken on a passed/not passed basis. Prerequisites: 1 or 3 or 3AC or consent of instructor. Supervised experience relevant to specific aspects of sociology in off-campus organizations. Regular individual meetings with faculty sponsor and written reports required. Please see an Undergraduate Advisor in 424/426 Barrows Hall for more information.
Sociology 198 (Directed Group Study): (1-4 units) Course may be repeated for credit. Individual conferences. Must be taken on a passed/not passed basis. Prerequisites: 1 or 3 or 3AC or and consent of instructor. Group studies of selected topics which vary over time. Also known as Decals. If you would like the Sociology department to host your DeCal, please pick up a DeCal packet outside of our Curriculum Office, 450 Barrows. Please see the Curriculum Coordinator in 450 Barrows Hall for more information.
Sociology 199: (Independent Study). Supervised Independent Study and Research. (1-4 units) Course may be repeated for credit. Must be taken on a passed/not passed basis. Prerequisites: 1 or 3 or 3AC or consent of instructor. Enrollment restrictions apply; see the Introduction to Courses and Curricula section of the general catalog. Independent Study is specialized study between 1 and 4 units arranged by a student or group of students in conjunction with a faculty member or current visiting lecturer in studying a particular area of interest. Students must have completed at least 60 units, have a GPA of 2.0 or above and should come prepared with some idea of areas of interest in which they would like to pursue further study. Students may also earn units in Field Studies via a job, internship or volunteer position they currently hold by writing about this experience and its relevance to the field of sociology. Unit value of a particular Independent Study course is arranged with the faculty sponsor. The workload determination should take into consideration the following formula: 1 unit = 3 hours of work per week over the 15 week semester (including meetings with the faculty member, research, etc.). All Independent Study courses must be taken Pass/No Pass, and a maximum of 16 units of Independent Study may be counted toward the requirements of a Bachelor's degree. A list of faculty and their areas of specialization and research interests is available for reference. Application requires faculty sponsorship and approval of the Department Chair, which can take up to two weeks. Once the Chair's approval is received, the student will be given a course control number in order to add the course via Tele-BEARS or petition. Applications are available outside 450 Barrows.
Independent Study Application (PDF)
Soc 198 Graduate School Mentoring for Undergraduates. Many undergraduates have the goal of graduate school in mind, but what is “graduate school,” exactly? This course is designed to help students explore and demystify graduate school, beginning with understanding the difference between professional and acadmic degree programs. It is also designed to help students figure out which type of program is right for them. Once students have a stronger understanding of graduate school and the different types of programs that exist, we will delve into the logistics of preparing to apply to graduate school, including standardized test prep, writing a statement of purpose, and asking for letters of recommendation. Finally, we will glimpse into the lives of current graduate students and gain perspective into what graduate school is really like.
Although in part practical, this course is taught from a developmental perspective. Students will learn what they should expect during the transition to graduate school, and they are encouraged to process their feelings or perceptions about the prospect of attending graduate school, as well as the actual transition. Special attention will be given to discussing the pressures students face as they prepare to make this transition (familial, financial, personal, etc.).
Note: This course is not designed for students who have already begun to apply for graduate school; however, those students are highly encouraged to attend any of the Open Forums.
Soc 198, Graduate School Mentoring for Undergraduates, has been taught by a graduate student or an Undergraduate Advisor in the Department of Sociology.
Soc 198 Career Planning for Sociology Majors.
This is a group independent study course that provides students the opportunity to explore ways in which to translate their sociology education and interests into meaningful employment or volunteer work. Students will do self-assessment exercises and activities to clarify their own interests in sociology and in work.
Assignments will provide the opportunity for students to learn about resources available for career planning and to explore a career or volunteer area in depth. By conducting research on a selected career area, and participating in class discussions, students will learn about a number of different occupations and the variety of resources available for career information. The class meets once a week for 1 1/2 hours over 12 weeks.
Soc 198, Career Planning for Sociology Majors is being taught Spring 2012 by Cristina Rojas, M.S., Undergraduate Advisor for the Department of Sociology.