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The Bachelor of Arts in Sociology

Total Course Requirements for the Bachelor's Degree: 120 units

See Bachelor's Degree Requirements in the University Catalog for complete details on general degree requirements. A minimum of 40 units, including those required for the major, must be upper division.

A suggested Major Academic Plan (MAP) has been prepared to help students meet all graduation requirements within four years. You can view MAPs on the Degree MAPs page in the University Catalog or you can request a plan from your major advisor.

General Education Pathway Requirements: 48 units

See General Education in the University Catalog and the Class Schedule for the most current information on General Education Pathway Requirements and course offerings.

  • SOCI 441 and SOCI 441H are approved GE Capstone substitutions.

Diversity Course Requirements: 6 units

See Diversity Requirements in the University Catalog. Most courses taken to satisfy these requirements may also apply to General Education .

Literacy Requirement:

See Mathematics and Writing Requirements in the University Catalog. Writing proficiency in the major is a graduation requirement and may be demonstrated through satisfactory completion of a course in your major which has been designated as the Writing Proficiency (WP) course for the semester in which you take the course. Students who earn below a C- are required to repeat the course and earn a C- or higher to receive WP credit. See the Class Schedule for the designated WP courses for each semester. You must complete the GE Written Communication (A2) requirement before you may register for a WP course.

Computer Skills:

Students are expected to be able to use computers to generate documents, process basic data, and utilize the World Wide Web. SOSC 210 or another computer literacy course is recommended for students without these skills before entering upper-division Sociology courses.

Course Requirements for the Major: 40 units

Completion of the following courses, or their approved transfer equivalents, is required of all candidates for this degree.

1 course selected from:

SUBJ NUM Title Sustainable Units Semester Offered Course Flags
SOCI 100 Introduction to Sociology   3.0 FS  GE
This course helps organize thinking about societies in general, the society we inhabit, and our place within it. Underlying questions are: Why do people have different values? Why do people act differently? Why is there inequality? And why and how does society; its values and norms, institutions, and groups influence our behavior. 3 hours lecture. This is an approved General Education course. (008933)
SOCI 200 Social Problems   3.0 FS  GE
Adopting a sociological lens, this course studies the overarching causes of social problems, as well as their effects on our experiences, communities, institutions, and society. Students explore which groups hold the power to define social problems and propose solutions. Areas covered may include the family, education, the environment, sex, gender, race, poverty, and crime and violence. 3 hours lecture. This is an approved General Education course. (008934)

5 courses required:

SUBJ NUM Title Sustainable Units Semester Offered Course Flags
SOCI 300 Classical Social Theory   3.0 FS  
This course examines the emergence of classical sociological theory in its socio-historical context, with emphasis on the foundational ideas of Marx. Weber, and Durkheim that continue to influence sociological theorizing today. 3 hours lecture. (008955)
SOCI 301 Contemporary Social Theory   3.0 FS  
Prerequisites: SOCI 300.
This course critically examines the theoretical works of major contemporary sociologists, and studies how social thought is relevant to understanding modern life by applying theories to current social issues and our everyday lives. 3 hours seminar. (008989)
SOCI 305 Maneuvering the Job Market with a Sociology Degree   1.0 FA  
You will explore some of the varied careers that sociology majors enter after graduation. You will learn how to effectively search for job openings, how to position yourself for those jobs, and skills for attaining the career you desire. 1 hour lecture. Credit/no credit grading. (020997)
SOCI 310 Social Research Methods   3.0 FS  
This course explores the logic and styles of sociological research, focusing on the methods of formulating research problems, the design of social research, and techniques for ensuring the quality and validity of data and conclusions. Both quantitative and qualitative approaches to research are examined. 3 hours seminar. (008969)
SOCI 315 Statistical Analysis for the Social Sciences   3.0 FS  
Prerequisites: SOCI 310. MATH 105 or other lower-division statistics course recommended.
This course studies descriptive and inferential statistics used for the social sciences. Emphasis is on the integration of statistical research designs and data, appropriate statistical analysis, interpretation of relevant findings, and visual presentation. 3 hours seminar. (008971)

1 course selected from:

SUBJ NUM Title Sustainable Units Semester Offered Course Flags
SOCI 360 Self and Society   3.0 INQ  
This course explores the relationship between the individual and society by focusing on how people create and sustain their daily lives. The emphasis is on interactions with others, and the effect of individual behavior upon group dynamics. Socialization, identities and the self, emotions, conformity, and communication are explored. 3 hours lecture. (008994)
SOCI 375 Global Problems   3.0 INQ  
We explore historic, economic, political, ecological and social changes that have created social problems worldwide. We examine a broad range of global problems and current global developments through a macro sociological lens. 3 hours lecture. (021605)

1 course selected from:

SUBJ NUM Title Sustainable Units Semester Offered Course Flags
SOCI 330 Sociology of Gender   3.0 INQ  
This course is also offered as MCGS 330.
This course examines gender as a social construct and its influences on men and women in families, school, work, politics, and culture. The focus is on how gender varies in relation to ethnicity, race, sexuality, and social class. 3 hours lecture. (005639)
SOCI 340 Sociology of Wealth, Class, and Inequality   3.0 INQ  
This course considers the unequal distribution of wealth, prestige, knowledge, and power in the U.S., and makes comparisons to other societies. How does inequality get reproduced from one generation to the next? How does inequality affect students today? This course examines the role of social networks, as well as the interconnections between class, race/ethnicity, and gender. 3 hours lecture. (008977)
SOCI 350 Ethnic and Race Relations   3.0 FS  GE  USD
This course is also offered as MCGS 350.
This course examines the social construction of race, and studies ethnic and racial relations in the United States, looking at variations by class, gender, and immigration experiences. Students analyze interpersonal relationships between racial and ethnic groups, discrimination, resistance, social movements, and governmental policies 3 hours lecture. This is an approved General Education course. This is an approved US Diversity course. (005640)

1 course selected from:

SUBJ NUM Title Sustainable Units Semester Offered Course Flags
SOCI 411 Social Research Practicum   3.0 FS  
Prerequisites: SOCI 310 and SOCI 315 or faculty permission.
This is a hands-on research course where students design and conduct research projects. Every stage of research, from project conceptualization through data collection and analysis, is undertaken. This course provides practical experience in research methods for use in future employment or graduate studies. 3 hours seminar. You may take this course more than once for a maximum of 6.0 units. (015570)
SOCI 489A Applied Sociology Internship   3.0 FS  
This course is an internship offered for 3.0 units. Students must register directly with a supervising faculty member. This course applies the knowledge gained in the sociology major or minor to an actual work setting. Students should talk to a faculty advisor about what kind of internship setting would be good for their career goals and interests. 9 hours independent study. You may take this course more than once for a maximum of 15.0 units. (021449)
SOCI 490 Grantwriting for Sociology   3.0 INQ  
Prerequisite: SOCI 300, SOCI 310.
All not for profit and many other organizations are funded at least in part by grants. In this course, students learn and practice finding a range of private and governmental funding sources, developing quality grant applications, and managing grant projects. This is a hands on course where students gain practical skills for managing grant funded organizations. 3 hours seminar. (021405)

1 course selected from:

SUBJ NUM Title Sustainable Units Semester Offered Course Flags
SOCI 441 Public Sociology   3.0 FS  GW
Prerequisites: Completion of GE Written Communication (A2) requirement, SOCI 300, SOCI 310, senior standing.
We focus on applying sociological knowledge beyond the classroom. We practice explaining sociological insights to non-sociologists through the news, social media, and other public and private forums. We also learn to put sociology to use in our jobs, community, families, organizations, social movements, and other everyday settings. The main topic varies from semester to semester. 3 hours discussion. This is an approved Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement course; a grade of C- or higher certifies writing proficiency for majors. (009001)
SOCI 441H Public Sociology -- Honors   3.0 FS  GW
Prerequisites: Completion of GE Written Communication (A2) requirement, SOCI 300, SOCI 310, senior standing. Open to sociology majors who have a 3.5 GPA, faculty permission.
We focus on applying sociological knowledge beyond the classroom. We practice explaining sociological insights to non-sociologists through the news, social media, and other public and private forums. We also learn to put sociology to use in our jobs, community, families, organizations, social movements, and other everyday settings. The main topic varies from semester to semester. 3 hours discussion. This is an approved Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement course; a grade of C- or higher certifies writing proficiency for majors. (009002)

12 units selected from:

Any Sociology (SOCI) courses, with a minimum of 6 upper-division units (300- and 400-level courses) required. All majors are encouraged to include an Applied Sociology Internship (SOCI 489 or SOCI 489A) in their course selection. Up to 6 units of Applied Sociology Internship (SOCI 489 or SOCI 489A) may be used to meet major requirements.

Electives Requirement:

To complete the total units required for the bachelor's degree, select additional elective courses from the total University offerings. You should consult with an advisor regarding the selection of courses which will provide breadth to your University experience and possibly apply to a supportive second major or minor.

Grading Requirement:

All courses taken to fulfill major course requirements must be taken for a letter grade except those courses specified by the department as Credit/No Credit grading only.

Advising Requirement:

Advising is mandatory for all majors in this degree program. Consult your undergraduate advisor for specific information.

Honors in the Major

Many majors on campus offer the opportunity to complete a special sequence of courses which earns you the distinction of Honors in the Major. This recognition appears on your permanent transcript and on your diploma, and it is often accompanied by letters of commendation from your thesis advisor, department chair, and the dean of your college, and you are specially recognized at graduation. Most importantly, however, the Honors in the Major program allows you to work closely with faculty in your area of interest on an original performance or research project. This year-long collaboration allows you to work in your field at a professional level and culminates in a public presentation of your work. Sometimes students take their projects beyond the University for presentation at conferences or competition in shows; such experience is invaluable for graduate school and later professional life.

While Honors in the Major is part of the University Honors Program, each department administers its own program, so you need to see your advisor or department chair for particulars regarding Honors in the Major. Features of Honors in the Sociology Major are:

1. You must complete 9 units of upper-division course work or 21 overall units in your major before you can be admitted to Honors in the Major. You must have completed SOCI 100, SOCI 300, and SOCI 310 in order to qualify for Honors in the Sociology Major.

2. Your overall GPA must be 3.5 or above for the past two years and 3.5 or above in the major. You must also be recommended by a faculty member.

3. To complete Honors in the Major, you must take 6 units in your senior year: 3 units of SOCI 441H in the first semester and 3 units of SOCI 499H in the following semester. You must complete these two courses with a minimum grade of B. You must also maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0 in your senior year.

4. The independent study typically culminates with a public presentation of the results of your Honors project.

5. While you may begin taking major courses during your freshman year, most students do not apply for Honors in the Major until their junior year.

Catalog Cycle:16