Historical information is also available regarding the old requirements that were in effect prior to SP10. See here for the old Sociology Major Requirements.
FALL 2022 - Information about the Department of Sociology Fall 2022 Modified Pass/No Pass Policy can be found here: https://us20.campaign-archive.com/?u=f6040bd7712b4c3a1a6661358&id=1f3546f844
COVID 19 - Please Review the following link for Information about the Sociology Major and Pass/No Pass Grades in Fall 2020 and Spring 2021 and Summer 2021.
This page reflects the current major requirements for students who declare Sociology any time after June 1, 2016.
In addition to degree requirements established by the
3 Prerequisites - Sociology 1, 5, and 7, or statistics or logic
2 Theory courses - Sociology 101 and 102
2 Survey sociology courses
3 Elective sociology courses (or 4 Electives if declared prior to June 1, 2016)
1 Capstone Experience/Seminar
*To determine if a certain sociology course fulfills a certain requirement, check this Google Document.
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 (third) Survey course as a substitute for this prerequisite, to be completed sometime before graduation (see list of Survey courses below). The three surveys must be taken from three different substantive areas, distinguished by distinct second digits -- e.g. Soc 110, Soc 180E, and Soc 120, but not Soc 110, Soc 180C, and Soc 180E.
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.
*There are few community colleges that offer the equivalent of UC Berkeley's Sociology 5 or "Evaluation of Evidence."
Please click
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1_s5GQPNPqJWDlEJ575gpK9xyMxEmq9GVvpHYE85A8wA/edit#gid=0
if you would like to see which community colleges offer the equivalent of UCB Sociology 5.
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 Sociology 7, Statistics 2, 20, 21, 131A, Psychology 101 or Comp Sci/Data/Stat C8, or Data 6 (as of Fall 2024). UCB Philosophy 12A will satisfy the logic requirement. This course may be taken for a letter grade or Pass/No Pass. Students must earn a letter grade of D- or better, or a Pass in order to use the course toward the major.
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. 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. Sociology 101 is a prerequisite to 102.
Sociology Survey Courses - Sociology majors are required to take two courses in two different substantive areas from the following list of sociology "Survey" courses. The two survey courses must be taken from two different substantive areas, distinguished by distinct second digits -- e.g. Soc 110 and Soc 180E are acceptable, but not Soc 120 and Soc 120T, OR 180E and 180C.
110 Organizations and Social Institutions
120 Economy and Society (OR 120T AI, Economy, and Society)
130/130AC Social Inequalities
140 Politics and Social Change
150, 150A or 150B Social Psychology
160 Sociology of Culture
180C, 180I Comparative Perspectives and Area Studies in Sociology
Sociology Electives
- Students who declare June 1, 2016 or after, are required to complete
3 Sociology Electives.
- Students who declared before June 1, 2016 are required to complete
4 Sociology Electives.
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), SOC 198BC Berkeley Connect, 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 or, H190B. (Please note that SOC H190B is the second half of the honors thesis program sequence and can only be taken after successful completion of SOC H190A).
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. There are special enrollment procedures for the 190 seminars. To enroll you must complete the Sociology 190 Enrollment Form online. 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.