Major Information

Declaring the Majors

Entering students may declare a major in Sociology when they are admitted to UCSD. Continuing students may declare Sociology as their major at any time, by using the Major/Minor tool under Academic Links on MyTritonLink. By officially declaring your major it allows the undergraduate coordinator to receive transcripts each quarter and track each sociology student's progress in the major. Whenever students have questions about program requirements or courses still needed to fulfill the major, the undergraduate coordinator can help.

The Major

Students may choose to major in General Sociology or one of seven concentrations in the following areas; International Studies, American Studies, Culture and Communication, Social Inequalities, Law and Society, Economy and Society, or Science and Medicine. All students must complete four lower-division and twelve upper-division courses in Sociology. The General Sociology major and concentrations share the same lower division, theory and method requirements. A 2.0 GPA is required in the major and students must earn a C- or better in each course to be used for the sociology major. All courses taken for the major must be taken for a letter grade, with the exception of Sociology 199 which can only be taken P/NP. Only one such special studies course may be applied toward the major.

Those students who were admitted before FA09 and are currently declared Sociology majors may continue to follow the requirements for their General Sociology major but please be aware that the course numbers of any courses taken after FA09 will now be designated as SOCI. In addition, several courses have been renumbered as the department is no longer using the cluster system. Students may review their requirements with the degree check below or contact the undergraduate coordinator if you need further help determining which courses will match your existing requirements. Degree check for B.A. General Sociology before FA09

 

Lower-Division Courses

Lower-division sociology courses provide an excellent background and strong foundation on which to build your studies. Four lower-division sociology courses are required: SOCI 1, 2, 60 and choice of one course from; SOCI 10, 20, 30, 40 or 50. For each of these courses students must attend a lecture and a weekly discussion section. SOCI 1 and 2 form an introductory sequence to the discipline of sociology; introducing the organizing themes and ideas, empirical concerns, and analytical approaches of sociology. It is strongly recommended that SOCI 1 and 2 are taken before taking upper-division courses. SOCI 60 introduces students to fundamental principles of social research design: How to pose a sociological question, formulate an appropriate research design, and evaluate empirical evidence. SOCI 60 is a prerequisite for all upper division method courses. (SOCI 103M - SOCI 110 .) Each of the 5 courses (10, 20, 30, 40, 50) provide basic applications of perspectives introduced in SOCI 1 and SOCI 2 to specific topics, issues, and sociological literatures.

 

Upper-Division Courses

A total of twelve upper-division courses are needed for the major.

THEORY and METHODS:

Sociology 100 (Classical Sociological Theory) is required. This is an important course that will provide a strong theoretical foundation to prepare students for other upper-division course work. (students are strongly advised to complete this course by the end of their Junior year), as well as one of the following methods courses:

  • SOCI 103M
  • SOCI 104
  • SOCI 105
  • SOCI 106
  • SOCI 106M
  • SOCI 108
  • SOCI 109
  • SOCI 110

*SOCI 60 is a prerequisite for these methods courses.

Students are encouraged to complete their theory and methods courses early in their program, since theoretical perspectives and skills in methods will enhance their subsequent course work.

ADDITIONAL UPPER-DIVISION:

Ten additional upper-division courses are required for the major. For students majoring with a concentration, five upper-division courses will be chosen from a list of courses from the specific concentration, as well as five upper-division Sociology electives. For students majoring in General Sociology, any ten upper-division Sociology courses are required.

One elective course can be satisfied with a four-unit Independent Study (SOCI 199) course. With department permission, we will also allow students to take a four-unit Internship (AIP 197). Because these courses are taken on a pass/no pass basis, remember that only one of each can be used toward the Sociology major.

To track your progress with the courses lists, requirements and degree check for the General Sociology major and concentrations, please see below.

Back to top

Review of Requirements for the Majors (Degree Checks)

Back to top

4-Year Plans

Below are sample four-year plans that help assure all major requirements are completed. Please be aware that some courses are only offered once each year. Check the department's tentative yearly course schedule to further define your study plan. The plans below should be used in combination with the general education requirements from your college.

Sample Four-Year Plan of Study- General Sociology

Freshman Year:

SOCI 1

SOCI 2

Sophomore Year:

SOCI 60

SOCI Lower Division (choose one course from: SOCI 10-50)

Junior Year:

SOCI 100

SOCI "method"

four upper division sociology electives

Senior Year:

final six upper-division sociology electives

Sample Four-Year Plan of Study- Any Sociology Concentration

Freshman Year:

SOCI 1

SOCI 2

Sophomore Year:

SOCI 60

SOCI Lower Division (choose one course from: SOCI 10-50)

Junior Year:

SOCI 100

SOCI "method"

two upper division “concentration” courses

two upper division sociology electives

Senior Year:

final three upper division “concentration” courses

final three upper division sociology electives

Back to top

Course Prerequisites

  • SOCI 87 = a seminar limited to freshmen
  • SOCI 99 = lower division standing, completion of at least 30 units at UCSD, minimum UCSD GPA of 3.0, and departmental approval
  • SOCI 103M = SOCI 60
  • SOCI 104 = sociology majors only and SOCI 60
  • SOCI 105 = SOCI 60
  • SOCI 106 = SOCI 60
  • SOCI 106M = SOCI 178 and SOCI 60
  • SOCI 107 = SOCI 60
  • SOCI 108 = SOCI 60
  • SOCI 109 = SOCI 60
  • SOCI 110 = SOCI 60
  • SOCI 192 = a seminar for Seniors, must have consent from department.
  • SOCI 196A/B - for students accepted into the Sociology Honors Program
  • SOCI 199 - must have at least a 2.5 GPA, must be at least a junior, and must receive departmental approval
  • Upper-division standing is required for all upper-division courses

Back to top

Minor Requirements

A minor in Sociology consists seven four-unit courses, of which at least twenty units (five four-unit courses) must be upper-division. A grade of "C-" or better is required in courses used for the minor. A grade of P/NP is not acceptable; courses for the minor must be taken for a letter grade. Transfer courses may be used to satisfy a portion of your minor in sociology with permission of the director of undergraduate studies. SOCI 199 (Independent Research) is not accepted toward the minor. A GPA of at least 2.0 is required for graduation.

You can apply for a minor at any time by using the Major/Minor tool under Academic Links on MyTritonLink. If you have questions about applying, please contact the undergraduate coordinator.

Courses can be taken from the following distribution:

2 lower-division, 5 upper-division Sociology courses

1 lower-division, 6 upper-division Sociology courses

7 upper-division Sociology courses

 

Back to top