BA Sociology

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Program Learning Objectives

  1. Achieve an international/global perspective of societies
  2. Develop an understanding of the problems of the U.S. as a pluralistic society
  3. Learn to apply a holistic/integrated approach to social problems
  4. Develop data collection skills and techniques used by modern sociology
  5. Be prepared to enter careers which use the skills and knowledge of sociology
  6. Demonstrate critical thinking concerning global issues
  7. Demonstrate the writing skills necessary to communicate effectively

Degree Requirements and Curriculum

In addition to the program requirements listed on this page, students must also satisfy requirements outlined in more detail in the Minimum Requirements for Graduation section of this catalog, including:

  • 60 units of upper-division courses
  • Graduation Writing Requirement (GWR)
  • 2.0 GPA
  • U.S. Cultural Pluralism (USCP)

Note: No Major, Support or Concentration courses may be selected as credit/no credit.

MAJOR COURSES
SOC 110Comparative Societies (D2) 14
SOC 111Social Problems4
SOC 216US Race and Ethnic Relations4
SOC 218International Political Economy (GE Electives) 14
SOC 305Social Movements4
or SOC 327 Social Change
SOC 308Sociology of the Environment4
SOC/WGS 311Sociology of Genders and Sexualities4
SOC 323Social Stratification4
SOC 354Qualitative Research Methods4
SOC 355Quantitative Research Methods4
SOC 421Social Theory4
SOC 461Senior Project I2
SOC 462Senior Project II2
SOC Electives (300-400 level)12
STAT 217Introduction to Statistical Concepts and Methods (B4) 14
Select from the following:4
Cultural Anthropology
Human Geography
ANT or GEOG Elective (300-400 level)4
Concentration or Individualized Course of Study (see list below)28
GENERAL EDUCATION (GE)
(See the GE program requirements below.)60
FREE ELECTIVES
Free Electives 220
Total units180

Concentration or Individualized Course of Study

Students are required to take one of the following Concentrations or the Individualized Course of Study.

Individualized Course of Study

When creating an individual program, it should consist of 300-400 level courses selected in consultation with advising faculty. A written justification for the courses selected and the way they constitute a cohesive, integrated study is required. One-half of the units must be courses from the department.

General Education (GE) Requirements

  • 72 units required, 12 of which are specified in Major and/or Support.
  • If any of the remaining 60 units is used to satisfy a Major or Support requirement, additional units of Free Electives may be needed to complete the total units required for the degree.
  • See the complete GE course listing.
  • A grade of C- or better is required in one course in each of the following GE Areas: A1 (Oral Communication), A2 (Written Communication), A3 (Critical Thinking), and B4 (Mathematics/Quantitative Reasoning). 
Area AEnglish Language Communication and Critical Thinking
A1Oral Communication4
A2Written Communication4
A3Critical Thinking4
Area BScientific Inquiry and Quantitative Reasoning
B1Physical Science4
B2Life Science4
B3One lab taken with either a B1 or B2 course
B4Mathematics/Quantitative Reasoning (4 units in Major) 10
Upper-Division B4
Area CArts and Humanities
Lower-division courses in Area C must come from three different subject prefixes.
C1Arts: Arts, Cinema, Dance, Music, Theater4
C2Humanities: Literature, Philosophy, Languages other than English4
Lower-Division C Elective - Select a course from either C1 or C24
Upper-Division C4
Area DSocial Sciences - Select courses in Area D from at least two different prefixes
D1American Institutions (Title 5, Section 40404 Requirement)4
D2Lower-Division D (4 units in Major) 10
Upper-Division D4
Area ELifelong Learning and Self-Development
Lower-Division E4
Area F Ethnic Studies
Lower-Division F4
GE Electives in Areas B, C, and D
Select courses from two different areas; may be lower-division or upper-division courses.
GE Electives (4 units in Major plus 4 units in GE) 14
Total units60