Major Requirements

COURSEWORK

SOC 101	Introduction to Sociology	4
SOC 304	Sociological Inquiry	4
SOC 490	Senior Seminar in Sociology	4

Students must select one course from below:

SOC 200	Classical Sociological Theory: Marx, Weber, Durkheim	4
SOC 205	Contemporary Sociological Theory	4

Students must select one from the list below:

SOC 305	Quantitative Research Methods	4
SOC 306	Qualitative Research Methods	4
SOC 310	Sociological Field Methods	4

Electives:

Choose six additional courses from within the department

WRITING REQUIREMENT

Students majoring in Sociology will satisfy the final component of Occidental College's college-wide writing requirement by completing any 300 level Sociology course by the end of the fall semester of the junior year with a grade of B- or higher (or appropriate course work). Students should familiarize themselves with the departmental requirement at the time of declaring the major. See the Writing Program and consult the department chair for additional information.

COMPREHENSIVE REQUIREMENT

Students will engage in a major research project that will culminate in a written senior thesis.

HONORS

A distinctive ("PD") comprehensive senior thesis based on primary research along with a 3.5 grade point average in the department and 3.25 overall.

INTERNSHIPS

The department, in concert with the Career Development Center, keeps files on available internships in law, criminal justice, and various social and community agencies.

PROGRESSION THROUGH THE MAJOR

If you declare at the end of your first year, you should:

Take Classic or Contemporary Sociological Theory in your sophomore year.

SOC 200	Classical Sociological Theory: Marx, Weber, Durkheim	4
SOC 205	Contemporary Sociological Theory	4

Take Sociological Inquiry in your sophomore year

SOC 304

Sociological Inquiry

4

Take a research methods course in your junior year

SOC 305	Quantitative Research Methods	4
SOC 306	Qualitative Research Methods	4
SOC 310	Sociological Field Methods	4

Enroll in Senior Seminar (490) in the fall of your senior year.

SOC 490

Senior Seminar in Sociology

4

If you declare during your sophomore year, you should:

Take Classic or Contemporary Sociological Theory as soon as possible.

SOC 200	Classical Sociological Theory: Marx, Weber, Durkheim	4
SOC 205	Contemporary Sociological Theory	4

Take Sociological Inquiry as soon as possible.

SOC 304

Sociological Inquiry

4

Take a research methods course in your junior year.

SOC 305	Quantitative Research Methods	4
SOC 306	Qualitative Research Methods	4
SOC 310	Sociological Field Methods	4

Enroll in Senior Seminar in the fall of your senior year.

SOC 490

Senior Seminar in Sociology

4

Sociology students are encouraged to consider studying abroad for a semester. Those who plan to study abroad should work with their advisor on an academic plan that allows for both a study abroad experience and completion of their major requirements. The ideal plan ensures that students study abroad, and have taken at least two Sociology electives and the following courses prior to senior year: SOC 101; SOC 200 or SOC 205; SOC 304; and SOC 305, SOC 306, or SOC 310. Up to two courses taken in Sociology departments while abroad count towards the major electives.