Major Requirements

UC Berkeley Sociology Major Requirements

Effective for students declaring after June 1, 2016

SOCIOLOGY MAJOR SUMMARY

3 Prerequisites - Sociology 1, 5, and statistics or logic

2 Theory courses - Sociology 101 and 102 

2 Survey Sociology courses

3 Elective Sociology courses

1 Sociology Capstone Experience/Seminar

 

Overview

  • Total Courses Required: 11
  • Units: 43–47
  • GPA Requirement: 2.0 minimum in major
  • Letter Grade Requirement: All courses must be taken for a letter grade, except for Statistics or Logic (can be P/NPcan be satisfied with a “Pass” grade)
  • Must earn a C- or better in: Sociology 5, 101, and 102

🔎 Need to check if a course fulfills a specific requirement (e.g., Theory, Survey, Elective)?
👉 Use this Sociology Course Requirement Guide (Google Doc)

1. Prerequisite Courses (3 total)

Sociology 1 – Introduction to Sociology

  • Provides a foundation in sociological concepts.
  • If you’ve already taken 2+ upper-division sociology courses (or Soc 3 or 3AC), you should not take Soc 1. 
  • Instead you must take an additional Sociology Survey course from a third and different survey area (see section below).

Sociology 5 – Evaluation of Evidence

  • Focuses on how sociologists use evidence to support or critique theories.
  • Must be completed with a letter grade of C- or better.
  • Rarely offered at community colleges.
  • Check this sheet for approved equivalents

Statistics or Logic

  • Take one introductory course in either statistics or logic from the list of approved courses below.
  • Statistics is strongly recommended.  (Students interested in the Research Methods Concentration must take Statistics, not logic.)
  • May be taken Pass/No Pass (Students interested in the Research Methods Concentration must take Statistics for a letter grade).
  • You must earn a D- or better or a Pass to count it toward the major.

Accepted UCB courses:

  • Soc 7
  • Stat 2, 20, 21, 131A
  • Psych 101
  • CS/Data/Stat C8
  • Data 6 (starting Fall 2024)
  • Philosophy 12A (for Logic)

A score of 4 or 5 on the AP Statistics Exam also fulfills this requirement. Score must be posted on the Cal Central Transfer Credit Report when declaring.

2. Theory Courses (2 total)

  • Sociology 101 - Sociological Theory I (Classical Theory)
  • Sociology 102 -  Sociological Theory II (Contemporary Theory)

Notes:

  • Commonly taken in your junior year if possible.
  • Soc 101 is a prerequisite for Soc 102.
  • Must earn a letter grade of C- or better in both theory courses.

3. Survey Courses (2 total)

Choose two upper-division Sociology Survey courses from the different subject areas represented below.  Each course must have a different second digit (e.g., Soc 110 and Soc 180E are OK, but 180C and 180E are not).

Approved SOC Survey Areas:

  • 110 – Organizations and Social Institutions
  • 120 / 120T – Economy and Society
  • 130 / 130AC – Social Inequalities
  • 140 – Politics and Social Change
  • 150– Social Psychology
  • 160 – Sociology of Culture
  • 180C / 180I / 180E/180P – Comparative/Area Studies

4. Electives (3 total)

If declared on or after June 1, 2016:

  • Complete 3 Sociology electives

Electives must be:

  • Upper-division Sociology courses (100-level or above)
  • Not already used for another major requirement, unless approved for a double major or simultaneous degree
  • Can include additional Survey or 190 seminar courses

Not allowed:

  • Soc N100
  • Soc 191 (formerly 100)
  • Soc 198BC (Berkeley Connect)
  • Independent studies
  • Courses outside the Sociology department (for questions, please see a major advisor)

For questions about using UC Education Abroad Program courses toward the Sociology Electives requirement, please see a Sociology major advisor.

5. Capstone Seminar (1 course)Choose one:

  • Sociology 190 (most common)
  • Sociology H190B (for Sociology honors thesis students only; must be admitted into the Sociology honors thesis program and complete H190A first)

About Soc 190:

  • Small, seminar-style class (25 students)
  • Several topics available each semester
  • Online enrollment form required - SOC 190 Placement Request Form instructions
  • For more info on 190 enrollment, please see a major advisor

Tip: You don’t have to wait until your final semester. Take it when a topic interests you. Some 190 seminars are also offered during Summer Session.

Additional Notes

Old Major Requirements

Modified Pass/No Pass Policies