Sociology | Academic Advising Handbook

Sociology is housed in the Sociology, Anthropology and Criminal Justice, Law and Society Department. The department offers the following majors and minors:

Contents

Major Requirements

Minor Requirements

Major Requirements

The Sociology major must complete the courses in the following tables with a grade of C- or better and maintain a 2.0 average in the major. 

Other Requirements: 16 credits in sociology, in addition to those required below, must include at least 12 credits of 300+ level courses. With these and the required 30 below, the Sociology Major will total 46 credits.

Note: The department is flexible about accepting anthropology courses to satisfy sociology requirements, by approval. Students are encouraged to speak with the department chair.

First Year, Pre-Req Course

The sociology program offers thematic introduction to sociology courses (Soc 110, Soc 120, Soc 130, Soc 150) that prepare students for more advanced sociology coursework. Although each course focuses on a different theme the core content of each class is similar and, therefore, students should only take one 100-level course. Students who plan to become Sociology majors should take one of these courses during their first year at Pacific.

One of the following: 4 credits
SOC 110 Understanding the Apocalypse
SOC 120 Image, Society, and Identity
SOC 130  Stump the Sociologist
SOC 150 Special Topics in Introductory Sociology

200 & 300 Level Requirements

The 200-level courses in sociology focus on public sociology and social change, while the 300-level courses explore substantive research areas of sociology. These courses require some familiarity with the sociological language and concepts; therefore, students are required to have taken a 100-level course in sociology or anthropology. Students who have experience in other social science courses may ask course instructors to be admitted to these upper-division courses without the usual prerequisites. The instructor, often in consultation with the department chair, will decide if a prerequisite override is appropriate.

One of the following: 4 credits
SOC 202 Public Sociology
SOC 203 Social Change (CE)
SOC 250 Special Topics in Public

Junior & Senior Year Requirements

To prepare for the capstone process in sociology, students should complete the methods requirement of the major before the spring of their Junior year. Fulfilling this section of major requires the completion of two of the following courses: Soc 300 (Qualitative Research), Soc 301 (Social Statistics), and/or Soc 302 (Survey Research). Soc 323 (Junior Seminar) should be taken in the junior year.

Soc. 414 (Social Theory) is also required of the major. Although it is a 400-level course student are encouraged to complete the course in their junior year, as this helps prepare them for their capstone process. Students can choose to take Soc 414 in their senior year. Soc 490, 495, and 454 should be taken in the senior year.

Two of the following: 8 credits
SOC 300 Qualitative Research 4
SOC 301 Social Statistics 4
SOC 302 Survey Research 4
All of the following: 30 credits
SOC 323 Junior Seminar 2
SOC 414 Sociological Theory 4
SOC 490 Advanced Research Methods 4
SOC 454 Senior Seminar 2
SOC 495 Senior Thesis 2
SOC Additional Credits in SOC (ANTH by approval)  16

Sixteen additional credits in sociology, which must include at least twelve credits of 300+ level courses. Anthropology courses by approval. 

Minor Requirements

Any student interested in a Sociology minor should consult with a faculty member in the Sociology Department before the end of the sophomore year. The Sociology minor must complete the courses in the following tables with a grade of C- or better and maintain a 2.0 average in the major. 

Other Requirements: 12 credits in sociology, in addition to those required below, must include at least 8 credits of 300+ level courses. With these and the required 8 below, the Sociology Minor will total 20 credits.

Note: The department is flexible about accepting anthropology courses to satisfy sociology requirements, by approval. Students are encouraged to speak with the department chair.

Pre-Req Course

One of the following: 4 credits
SOC 110 Understanding the Apocalypse
SOC 120 Image, Society, and Identity
SOC 130 Stump the Sociologist
SOC 150 Special Topics in Introductory Sociology

200 & 300 Level Requirements

One of the following: 4 credits
SOC 202 Public Sociology
SOC 203 Social Change
SOC 250 Special Topics in Public Sociology

Twelve additional credits in sociology, which must include at least eight credits of 300+ level courses.

Anthropology courses by approval.

_____________________

TOTAL: 20 credits

Any student interested in a Sociology minor should consult with a faculty member in the Sociology Department before the end of the sophomore year.