Special Enrollment Procedures for Seminars & Other Sociology Courses

Enrollment Process for Sociology Seminars & Special Courses

Some sociology courses require an application or selection process to enroll. Here's a breakdown of how to register for these courses, including detailed instructions for specific classes.

Courses That Require Special Enrollment:

  • Sociology 101 & 102 (Sociological Theory I & II)
     
  • Sociology 190 (Capstone Seminar)
     
  • Sociology H190A & H190B (Senior Honors Thesis Program)
     
  • Sociology 197, 198, 199 (Independent/Special Study Courses)

     

 

Sociology 101 & 102 (Sociological Theory I & II)

 

  • Sociology 101 (Sociological Theory I) is a required course for all sociology majors. It’s the first half of a two-semester sequence that is often taken during the Junior year.  Must be completed with a letter grade of C- or higher.  
     
    • Phase I: Only declared seniors (entering their 7th semester) can enroll.  Waitlist is closed.
       
    • Phase II: Declared juniors (entering their 5th semester) can enroll. Sophomores and intended majors will need to wait-list.
       
    • Wait-listing: After Phase II, we’ll start processing the wait-list. Priority is given to intended seniors first, followed by juniors, then sophomores.
       
    • Discussion Sections: Make sure to enroll in a discussion section via Cal Central.

       
  • Sociology 102 (Sociological Theory II) is only for sociology majors who have completed Sociology 101 with a letter grade of C- or higher. If you’re not yet declared but have finished Sociology 101, contact an advisor for help with enrolling. You may be dropped from SOC 102 if you have NOT successfully completed SOC 101.

 

Sociology 190 – Capstone Seminars

You cannot enroll or waitlist a Sociology 190 capstone seminar during Phase 1. Instead, you need to fill out a SOC 190 Placement Request Form.

How to Get Assigned to a Seminar:

  1. Check out the topics and descriptions available for each seminar.  Consider your top choices:
     Schedule of Classes
     
  2. Submit the 190 Placement Request Form by May 2, 2025:
     Fall 2025 190 Placement Form
     
  3. List your top 3 choices. You'll be placed in a course based on priority and space.  While we try to honor your top choice, we can’t guarantee it.  You can take a second seminar if there’s room after everyone is placed. 
     
  4. Priority is given to graduating declared Sociology seniors, then seniors finishing next semester, and so on.
     
  5. You’ll be emailed your seminar assignment during the break. You will need to enroll in your assigned seminar via Cal Central before the first day of class.  You must enroll and attend the first 2 weeks or you may be dropped.
     
  6. Open seats after the first class may be filled by students who have been attending and meet priority.

     

Sociology H190A/B – Senior Honors Thesis Program

The Sociology Honors Program allows admitted seniors to write a thesis as part of the Senior Honors Seminar. Participants will do an independent research project and write a 35+ page thesis to earn honors in Sociology. This is a 2-semester program:

  • Fall: Sociology H190A (4 units, counts as a Sociology Elective)

    Spring: Sociology H190B (5 units, counts as Sociology Seminar or Elective)
     
  • The same grade is assigned for all 9 units after completing the Sociology H190B. The Honors Thesis Program is the only way to receive Honors in Sociology upon graduation. 
     
  • There are 2 sections for the thesis each year with no more than 15-people per section. 

     

SAMPLE SYLLABI:

Sample Syllabus for H190A
Sample Syllabus for H190B

Eligibility:

  • Declared Sociology major
  • At least 75 units completed
  • 3.3+ cumulative GPA, 3.5+ major GPA
  • 4+ upper-division sociology courses completed
  • No incomplete grades at time of application
  • Must submit a strong thesis proposal with the application
     

Selection Process:

  • Applications are reviewed by a faculty committee.
     
  • The committee will consider your topic, methods, clarity, and preparation.
     
  • If accepted, you’ll be placed in a section by the committee.  Section assignments are final.
     

Information Session:

  • May 7, 2025 at 2:30 PM - 420 Social Sciences Building - Thesis professors will host a session about course content and structure for the honors thesis program. The professors will also discuss how to put together a strong proposal and applicants are highly encouraged to attend.
     
  • No recording is available, but slides from the 2024 session are online (CalNet login required)
     

How to Apply:

  • Applications open at the end of the spring semester
     
  • Deadline: June 5, 2025
     
  • Apply online through the form below:
    2026–2027 Honors Thesis Application Form (Available May 2026)
     
  • If you're taking summer classes to meet eligibility criteria, mention those in your application.
     
  • You’ll get an update about your status by early August, before fall classes start.
     

Feel free to reach out to a major advisor if you have questions about applying!

https://sociology.berkeley.edu/undergraduate-program

 

Sociology Special Studies Courses: 197, 198, 199

Special Studies Courses:

*Do not count for Sociology Major Requirements

*Can be taken for 1-4 units

*Must be taken on a Pass/No Pass basis

*May be repeated for credit

*Have prerequisite: Soc 1 or 3 or 3AC

Further Requirements:

*Students must have completed at least 60 units and have a 2.0 GPA 

* Students may apply only 16 units of Special Studies towards graduation

* Students are required to be sponsored by a professor from the Department of Sociology. A list of faculty and their areas of specialization and research interests is available for  reference here: http://sociology.berkeley.edu/regular-faculty

*Unit value of a particular Special Studies course is arranged with the faculty sponsor. The workload determination is as follows: 1 unit = 3 hours of work per work, over the 15 week semester (to include meetings with the faculty member, research, etc.) 

DEADLINE FOR SPECIAL COURSES APPLICATIONS: (except De-Cal, 198: Contact amieacik@berkeley.edu for de-cal deadlines.): If you plan to do an independent study then the deadline is one week prior to the Add/Drop Deadline of the semester for which you plan to do an independent study.  Please submit the application to Curriculum Coordinator, Rebecca Chavez, via email at rebeccaisme@berkeley.edu. Once the application is submitted, it may take two weeks or longer to be evaluated by the Department Chair. If approved, the student/s will be emailed a Class Number to add the course. 

*

Sociology 197 (Field Study in Sociology): 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 Social Sciences Building if you have further questions.

APPLICATION FOR Soc 197: Independent Study Application (PDF)

*

Sociology 198 (Directed Group Study, DeCal, etc.):  Group studies of selected topics which vary over time. If you would like the Department of Sociology to host your DeCal, please see below for more information. If you have questions, please contact Amie Acik (amieacik@berkeley.edu).

Required Documents
The course proposal form must be completed each semester by the sponsoring department for every student-facilitated 198 course offered for academic credit. The following must be submitted to the Academic Senate:
  1. Course proposal form - The form (attached) unit value worksheet, instructions, and three checklists are combined into a course proposal packet that must be completed entirely, including all relevant signatures.
     
  2. Fully developed syllabus - A fully developed syllabus will include at least the following: an outline of course content, a reading list, a statement of frequency of class meetings, a clear description of assignments and requirements for passing the class, key learning outcomes, method(s) of instruction, and method(s) of evaluation of student performance.

    An example of a fully developed syllabus (link is external) can be found at the Center for Teaching & Learning. Additional resources may be found at the website for Undergraduate Course Facilitator Training & Resources (UCFTR) (link is external).
     
  3. Unit value worksheet - The worksheet to calculate workload and resultant unit value is available for download. Beginning for courses offered in fall 2015, this worksheet is required to be submitted to the Academic Senate.

    Unit value worksheet PDF (open and fill out in Acrobat Reader, then print)
    Unit value worksheet Word version (can be printed and filled out by hand)

    When completing the unit value worksheet ensure that the minimum total work hours are equivalent to the unit value of the course (e.g.: there are at least 45 hours for a 1 unit course). Also, ensure that any requirements outlined in the worksheet are explained fully in the course syllabus.
     
  4. Faculty Sponsor Letter of Support – A letter of support from the instructor of record must be provided for each course the instructor is sponsoring. The letter should address the five questions explaining the role and relationship the instructor has with the course. The letter should be written on department letterhead and signed by the instructor of record. This is required for all student-facilitated course proposals.

*

Sociology 199: (Independent Study). Independent Study is specialized study arranged by a student/s in conjunction with a faculty member in studying a particular are of interest within Sociology. Please see an Undergraduate Advisor in 424/426 Social Sciences Building if you have any further questions. 

APPLICATION FOR Soc 199: Independent Study Application (PDF)