BA in Sociology
In the Bachelor of Arts in Sociology program, students build a foundation in sociological research methods, data analysis and theory. Courses focus on highly relevant topics such as Institutional Racism, Social Movements, Alternatives to Imprisonment, Sex and Gender, Immigration and many more.
Outside the classroom, many BA in Sociology students engage in research opportunities or take on internships at social advocacy organizations in the Washington DC area.
Senior Research Seminar
Students majoring in Sociology or Criminal Justice are required to take SOC 4195: Senior Research Seminar. In this course, students bring together their accrued knowledge of research methods, theory and substantive topics in the field, and apply them to a comprehensive, empirical research project. The seminar aims to help every student walk away with a thoughtful, original piece of research that can serve as a high-quality writing sample for those seeking jobs or admission to a graduate program.
- When to Register
Students may take SOC 4195 in either the fall or spring of their senior year. The course is limited to seniors, though exceptions may be made on a case-by-case basis.
- Sociology students must have completed at least:
- one research methods course (SOC 2101 or 2102) AND
- one theory course (SOC 2103 or 2104) before taking the Senior Research Seminar.
- There are no exceptions to these course requirements.
- Criminal Justice students must have completed at least:
- SOC 2101 AND
- either SOC 2136 (Criminology) or SOC 2178 (Deviance and Control) before taking the Senior Research Seminar.
- There are no exceptions to these course requirements.
The course meets once a week and satisfies both a WID and a GPAC Oral Communication requirement.
- Sociology students must have completed at least:
- Research Topics
Each semester, the Senior Research Seminar focuses on a selected range of subjects (such as race, immigration or gender, for example) and a specific method (such as survey design, institutional ethnography, or regression analysis). The subject and method are selected anew each semester by faculty with expertise in that given area. Students will engage in research and prepare a thesis, which typically comprises a literature review, theoretical framework, discussion of methods, analysis and findings, and consideration of implications.
- Departmental Honors
Students who complete a thesis are eligible to graduate with departmental honors if they meet grade requirements.
Course Requirements
This major can be combined with the following programs in the Sociology Department:
- HSSJ minor
- Law & Society minor
- Health Equity micro-minor
The following requirements must be fulfilled:
The general requirements stated under Columbian College of Arts and Sciences, Undergraduate Programs.
Program-specific curriculum (below)
Achievement of a minimum grade of C- in all courses that count toward the degree.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Prerequisites | ||
| SOC 1001 | Introduction to Sociology | |
| or SOC 1002 | The Sociological Imagination | |
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required | ||
| SOC 2101 | Social Research Methods * | |
| SOC 2102 | Techniques of Data Analysis * | |
| SOC 2103 | Classical Sociological Theory | |
| SOC 2104 | Contemporary Sociological Theory | |
| SOC 4195 | Senior Research Seminar | |
| or SOC 4195W | Senior Research Seminar | |
| Electives | ||
| Seven additional upper-level Sociology (SOC) courses, including at least two courses in the 2160 or 2170 ranges. | ||
*Recommended to be taken before the senior year. One theory course and one research methods course must be completed to register for SOC 4195 or SOC 4195W.
Note:
- A student majoring in sociology may not declare a second major or a minor in criminal justice, or vice versa.
- A student majoring in sociology may not declare a second major in human services and social justice, or vice versa.