This is archival data. This system was retired as of August 21, 2023 and the information on this page has not been updated since then. For current information, visit catalogs.umn.edu.
Requirements for this program are current for
Spring 2016
Required credits to graduate with this
degree: 120
Required credits within the major: 35
to 37
Degree: Bachelor of Arts
Sociology examines stability and change in social life by addressing the underlying patterns of social relations in formal organizations, in legal institutions, and in the family, economy, and political arena.
Coursework focuses on the criminal justice system and criminal behavior, mental health, families and close relationships, education, urban and rural communities, politics and policy formation, social movements and social change, diverse racial and ethnic groups, and social psychology. Faculty interests in the comparative study of social relations and institutions in various countries add an international emphasis to these areas of study. All sociology courses emphasize the skills of social inquiry necessary for analyzing patterns of social relationships.
For more information, visit the sociology website for undergraduates at http://www.soc.umn.edu/undergrad/.
Program Delivery
This program is available:
via classroom (the majority of instruction is face-to-face)
Admission Requirements
Students must complete
1 courses
before admission to the program.
SOC 1001 - Introduction to Sociology
[SOCS, DSJ]
(4.0 cr)
or
SOC 1011V - Honors: Introduction to Sociology
[SOCS, DSJ, WI]
(4.0 cr)
General Requirements
All students in baccalaureate degree programs are required to complete general University and college requirements including writing and liberal education courses. For more information about University-wide requirements, see the
liberal education requirements.
Required courses for the major, minor or certificate in which a student receives a D grade (with or without plus or minus) do not count toward the major, minor or certificate (including transfer courses).
Program Requirements
Students are required to complete 4 semester(s) of
any second language.
with a grade of C-, or better, or S, or demonstrate proficiency in the language(s) as defined by the department
or college.
Students may earn no more than one undergraduate degree from the Department of Sociology: a B.A. or B.S. or minor in sociology; or a B.A. or B.S. or minor in sociology of law, criminology, and deviance.
Beginning fall 2012, all incoming CLA freshmen must complete the appropriate First Year Experience course sequence. Specific information about this collegiate requirement can be found at: http://class.umn.edu/degree_requirements/index.html
Students must complete at least five 3xxx-5xxx SOC elective courses.
Take 5 or more course(s) totaling 15 or more credit(s) from the following:
·
SOC 3xxx
·
SOC 4xxx
·
SOC 5xxx
Senior Project
Take 4-6 credits. Before beginning the senior project, students must be a declared major and have completed all major coursework except one sociology elective course. Students are strongly advised to contact the department at least two semesters in advance of registration to insure they are on the senior project wait list. Students have three senior project registration options.
Students are required to take one upper-division Writing Intensive course within the major. If that requirement has not been satisfied within the core major requirements, students must choose one course from the following list. Some of these courses may also fulfill other major requirements.
Take 0 - 1 course(s) from the following:
·
SOC 3211W - Race and Racism in the US
[DSJ, WI]
(3.0 cr)
·
SOC 3251W - Sociological Perspectives on Race, Class, and Gender
[SOCS, DSJ, WI]
(3.0 cr)
One Stop for tuition, course registration, financial aid, academic calendars, and more
SOC 1001 - Introduction to Sociology
(SOCS, DSJ)
Credits:
4.0
[max 4.0]
Course Equivalencies:
Soc 1001/Soc 1011V/Soc 1012W
Typically offered:
Every Fall, Spring & Summer
This course is designed to introduce you to the study of society and what sociologists call the "sociological imagination:" a way of viewing the events, relationships and social phenomena that shape our individual lives and much of our collective experience. Through the course we will examine some of the central concepts and problems that have preoccupied both classical and contemporary sociologists and gain a sense of how the sociological imagination can illuminate the social forces that have a concrete impact on our everyday lives. Throughout the course you will be asked to consider the ways in which society affects your life, and how you, in turn, affect society.
prereq: Soc Majors/Minors must register A-F
SOC 1011V - Honors: Introduction to Sociology
(SOCS, DSJ, WI)
Credits:
4.0
[max 4.0]
Course Equivalencies:
Soc 1001/Soc 1011V/Soc 1012W
Grading Basis:
A-F only
Typically offered:
Every Fall & Spring
This course is designed to introduce you to the study of society and what sociologists call the "sociological imagination:" a way of viewing the events, relationships, and social phenomena that shape our individual lives and much of our collective experience. Through the course we will examine some of the central concepts and problems that have preoccupied both classical and contemporary sociologists and gain a sense of how the sociological imagination can illuminate the social forces that have a concrete impact on our everyday lives. Throughout the course you will be asked to consider the ways in which society affects your life and how you, in turn, affect society.
SOC 3701 - Social Theory
Credits:
4.0
[max 4.0]
Grading Basis:
A-F or Aud
Typically offered:
Every Fall & Spring
This course provides an introductory overview of major social theories ranging from the foundational sociological theories of Marx, Weber and Durkheim to contemporary theories of postmodernism and globalization. We will examine a range of theories with particular attention to their treatments of core sociological questions and concerns.
prereq: 1001 recommended; soc majors/minors must register A-F
SOC 3801 - Sociological Research Methods
Credits:
4.0
[max 4.0]
Grading Basis:
A-F or Aud
Typically offered:
Every Fall & Spring
This course provides an introduction to the materials and methods of social science research in a comprehensive and critical way. The course begins by introducing social science research, including philosophical and theoretical foundations. The course then covers the primary components of research design, including conceptualization, operationalization and measurement, primary and secondary data collection and sources, sampling, and the logic of comparison(s).
prereq: 1001 recommended; soc majors must register A-F
SOC 3811 - Social Statistics
(MATH)
Credits:
4.0
[max 4.0]
Typically offered:
Every Fall, Spring & Summer
This course will introduce majors and non-majors to basic statistical measures and procedures that are used to describe and analyze quantitative data in sociological research. The topics include (1) frequency and percentage distributions, (2) central tendency and dispersion, (3) probability theory and statistical inference, (4) models of bivariate analysis, and (5) basics of multivariate analysis. Lectures on these topics will be given in class, and lab exercises are designed to help students learn statistical skills and software needed to analyze quantitative data provided in the class.
prereq: Undergraduates with strong math background are encouraged to register for 5811 in lieu of 3811 (Soc 5811 offered Fall terms only). Soc Majors/Minors must register A-F.
SOC 4966W - Capstone Experience: Seminar
(WI)
Credits:
3.0
[max 4.0]
Course Equivalencies:
Soc 4094W/Soc 4966W/Soc 4994W/
Grading Basis:
A-F only
Typically offered:
Every Fall & Spring
This course is designed to: a) provide students with an opportunity to reflect on what they have learned as a sociology major; b) use that knowledge to write a sociological analyses - often based on community service learning; and c) think about how the knowledge, skills, and insights of the sociological enterprise can be used and applied outside of the University. Through this course sociology majors will emphasize the relationship between a sociological perspective and critical thinking, effective communication, and meaningful civic engagement. This class is the final step in the sociology undergraduate major.
prereq: 1001, 3701, 3801, 3811, 12 cr upper div sociology, dept consent
SOC 4094W - Capstone Experience: Directed Research (4 cr.)
(WI)
Credits:
4.0
[max 4.0]
Course Equivalencies:
Soc 4094W/Soc 4966W/Soc 4994W/
Grading Basis:
A-F only
Typically offered:
Every Fall & Summer
Faculty guided and self directed research experience at junior/senior level. This is designed to: a) provide students with an opportunity to reflect on what they have learned as a sociology major; b) use that knowledge to write a sociological analyses; and c) think about how the knowledge, skills, and insights of the sociological enterprise can be used and applied outside of the University. Through this one:one capstone experience majors will emphasize the relationship between a sociological perspective and critical thinking, effective communication, and meaningful civil engagement.
This Capstone Experience: Directed Research is to include but not limited to: bi-weekly meetings, literature review, multiple drafts and revisions, etc.
prereq: 1001, 3701, 3801, 3811, at least 12 cr upper div sociology electives, dept & instructor consent.
SOC 4994W - Capstone Experience: Directed Research (1 cr.)
(WI)
Credits:
1.0
[max 1.0]
Course Equivalencies:
Soc 4094W/Soc 4966W/Soc 4994W/
Grading Basis:
A-F only
Typically offered:
Every Fall & Spring
Guided individual research for the sociology major's Capstone requirement, conducted in conjunction with enrollment in an upper division sociology elective. This is designed to: a) provide students with an opportunity to reflect on what they have learned as a sociology major; b) use that knowledge to write a sociological analyses; and c) think about how the knowledge, skills, and insights of the sociological enterprise can be used and applied outside of the University. Through this one:one capstone experience, using the structure and foundation of the 6th Sociology elective, majors will emphasize the relationship between a sociological perspective and the emphasis of the course. The final paper created for 4994W is in addition to the other 6th Sociology elective course requirements.
prereq: 1001/1011V, 3701, 3801, 3811, and at least 12 cr upper div sociology electives; dept & instructor consent. Students are only authorized to register for Soc 4994W in conjunction with a 6th Sociology Elective.
SOC 4977V - Honors Capstone Experience: Proseminar I
(WI)
Credits:
3.0
[max 4.0]
Grading Basis:
A-F only
Typically offered:
Every Fall
This is the first course in the two-course Honors Capstone Experience. This course sequence is designed to: a) provide students with an opportunity to reflect on what they have learned as a sociology major; b) use that knowledge to write a sociological analyses; and c) think about how the knowledge, skills, and insights of the sociological enterprise can be used and applied outside of the University. Through this course students will learn to emphasize the relationship between a sociological perspective and critical thinking, research, effective communication, and meaningful civic engagement. Soc 4977V is devoted to honing the research question and method, developing a plan for data gathering, and to identifying, reading, and synthesizing existing scholarly work that will inform the student?s research.
The Sociology Department requires completion of Soc 4977V/4978V to graduate with Latin Honors.
prereq: 1001/1011V, 3701, 3801, 3811, at least 9 upper-division SOC credits; Sociology honors major & department consent
SOC 4978V - Honors Capstone Experience: Proseminar II
(WI)
Credits:
3.0
[max 4.0]
Grading Basis:
A-F only
Typically offered:
Every Spring
This is the second course in the two-course Honors Capstone Experience. In Soc 4978V, students will complete their data collection and analysis while the focus of the seminar turns to scholarly writing, and particularly to drafting and refining arguments.
The Department of Sociology does not make any initial distinction between Honors students who are seeking cum laude, magna cum laude, or summa cum laude levels of Latin Honors. Instead, our focus is on helping students to develop ambitious and high-quality original research papers of which they can be justifiably proud and which can serve as testaments to their abilities.
The Department of Sociologys approach is to support every Honors student as they plan and conduct summa-level work. The ultimate recommendation for level of latin honors is made by the committee at the time of the thesis defense. In addition to the Honors thesis requirements, the recommendation for summa-level honors is reserved for the papers that demonstrate the following criteria:
- Tight integration between a clearly defined question or thesis and the research presented;
- Ambitious original research design, with research completed on time and analyzed appropriately;
- Integration of ongoing conversations in the research literature into the design and analysis of the data gathered;
- Powerful and precise prose which weaves together evidence and argument and which is attentive to both the lessons and limits of the data.
Students will do an Oral Defense and participate in a panel presentation at the spring Sociological Research Institute (SRI).
The Sociology Department requires completion of Soc 4977V/4978V to graduate with Latin Honors.
prereq: 1001/1011V, 3701, 3801, 3811, 4977V, and at least 12 upper-division SOC credits; Sociology honors major & department consent
SOC 3211W - Race and Racism in the US
(DSJ, WI)
Credits:
3.0
[max 3.0]
Course Equivalencies:
AAS 3211W/Soc 3211W
Grading Basis:
A-F or Aud
Typically offered:
Every Fall & Spring
We live in a society steeped in racial understandings that are often invisible?some that are hard to see, and others that we work hard not to see. This course will focus on race relations in today's society with a historical overview of the experiences of various racial and ethnic groups in order to help explain their present-day social status. This course is designed to help students begin to develop their own informed perspectives on American racial ?problems? by introducing them to the ways that sociologists deal with race, ethnicity, race relations and racism. We will expand our understanding of racial and ethnic dynamics by exploring the experiences of specific groups in the U.S. and how race/ethnicity intersects with sources of stratification such as class, nationality, and gender. The course will conclude by re-considering ideas about assimilation, pluralism, and multiculturalism. Throughout, our goal will be to consider race both as a source of identity and social differentiation as well as a system of privilege, power, and inequality affecting everyone in the society albeit in different ways.
SOC 3251W - Sociological Perspectives on Race, Class, and Gender
(SOCS, DSJ, WI)
Credits:
3.0
[max 3.0]
Course Equivalencies:
AAS 3251W/Afro 3251W/Soc 3251W
Grading Basis:
A-F or Aud
Typically offered:
Every Fall, Spring & Summer
In the midst of social unrest, it is important for us to understand social inequality. In this course we will analyze the impact of three major forms of inequality in the United States: race, class, and gender. Through taking an intersectional approach at these topics, we will examine the ways these social forces work institutionally, conceptually, and in terms of our everyday realities. We will focus on these inequalities as intertwined and deeply embedded in the history of the country. Along with race, class, and gender we will focus on other axes of inequality including sexuality, citizenship, and dis/ability. We will analyze the meanings and values attached to these social categories, and the ways in which these social constructions help rationalize, justify, and reproduce social inequality.
prereq: Soc majors/minors must register A-F
SOC 3301W - Politics and Society
(WI)
Credits:
3.0
[max 3.0]
Grading Basis:
A-F or Aud
Typically offered:
Periodic Spring
Political sociology is concerned with the social bases of power and the social consequences of the organization of power, especially how power operates in relationship to various forms of inequality and different institutions. We will explore political socialization, electoral politics and voting, social movements, the media and framing, and politics of inequality, poverty, and welfare.
prereq: 1001 recommended; soc majors/minors must register A-F
SOC 3322W - Social Movements, Protests, and Change
(CIV, WI)
Credits:
3.0
[max 3.0]
Course Equivalencies:
GloS 3322W/Soc 3322W
Grading Basis:
A-F or Aud
Typically offered:
Periodic Fall & Spring
Focusing on the origins, dynamics, and consequences of social movements, this course explores debates about the dilemmas and challenges facing movement organizations, the relationship between social movements and various institutions, and the role of social movements and protest in bringing about change. The course is organized around general theoretical issues concerning why people join movements, why they leave or remain in movements, how movements are organized, the strategies and tactics they use, and their long-term and short-run impact.
prereq: 1001 recommended; soc majors/minors must register A-F
SOC 3411W - Organizations and Society
(WI)
Credits:
3.0
[max 3.0]
Grading Basis:
A-F or Aud
Typically offered:
Periodic Fall & Spring
This course introduces undergraduates to contemporary theories and debates about formal organizations in an international context, including such forms as large corporations, small businesses, public bureaucracies, nonprofits, voluntary associations, social movement organizations, terrorist networks and counterterror organizations.
prereq: 1001 recommended; soc majors/minors must register A-F
SOC 3421W - Sociology of Work: Good Jobs, Bad Jobs, No Jobs?
(WI)
Credits:
3.0
[max 3.0]
Grading Basis:
A-F or Aud
Typically offered:
Periodic Spring
Work is central to individuals, economy, and society. This course introduces students to sociological perspectives and analyses of work. We will look at what makes a good job good, a bad job bad, and impacts of joblessness on society.
prereq: 1001 recommended, Soc majors/minors must register A-F
SOC 3451W - Cities & Social Change
(WI)
Credits:
3.0
[max 3.0]
Course Equivalencies:
Soc 3451W/Soc 3451V
Grading Basis:
A-F or Aud
Typically offered:
Spring Odd Year
The core themes of this class will provide an essential toolkit for approaching broad questions about social justice, culture, work, housing and service provision on multiple levels and across the globe. This course will have units on economic development, inequality, the interaction between design and human action, inclusive and exclusive cultural formations, crime and cultures of fear, social control and surveillance.
prereq: 1001 recommended, Soc majors/minors must register A-F
SOC 3613W - Stuffed and Starved: The Politics of Eating
(SOCS, GP, WI)
Credits:
3.0
[max 3.0]
Course Equivalencies:
GloS 3613W/GloS 3613V/Soc 3613
Grading Basis:
A-F or Aud
Typically offered:
Periodic Fall & Spring
This course takes a cross-cultural, historical, and transnational perspective to the study of the global food system. Themes explored include: different cultural and social meanings attached to food; social class and consumption; the global food economy; global food chains; work in the food sector; the alternative food movement; food justice; environmental consequences of food production.
prereq: Soc majors/minors must register A-F
SOC 4094W - Capstone Experience: Directed Research (4 cr.)
(WI)
Credits:
4.0
[max 4.0]
Course Equivalencies:
Soc 4094W/Soc 4966W/Soc 4994W/
Grading Basis:
A-F only
Typically offered:
Every Fall & Summer
Faculty guided and self directed research experience at junior/senior level. This is designed to: a) provide students with an opportunity to reflect on what they have learned as a sociology major; b) use that knowledge to write a sociological analyses; and c) think about how the knowledge, skills, and insights of the sociological enterprise can be used and applied outside of the University. Through this one:one capstone experience majors will emphasize the relationship between a sociological perspective and critical thinking, effective communication, and meaningful civil engagement.
This Capstone Experience: Directed Research is to include but not limited to: bi-weekly meetings, literature review, multiple drafts and revisions, etc.
prereq: 1001, 3701, 3801, 3811, at least 12 cr upper div sociology electives, dept & instructor consent.
SOC 4101V - Honors: Sociology of Law
(WI)
Credits:
3.0
[max 3.0]
Course Equivalencies:
Soc 4101V/Soc 4101W/Soc 5101
Grading Basis:
A-F only
Typically offered:
Every Fall & Spring
This course will consider the relationship between law and society, analyzing law as an expression of cultural values, a reflection of social and political structure, and an instrument of social control and social change. Emphasizing a comparative perspective, we begin by discussing theories about law and legal institutions. We then turn our attention to the legal process and legal actors, focusing on the impact of law, courts, and lawyers on the rights of individuals. Although this course focuses on the US legal system, we will explore issues of the relationship between US law and global law and concepts of justice.
Additional special assignments will be discussed with honors participants who seek to earn honors credit toward the end of our first class session. Examples of additional requirements may include:
- Honors students will be expected to interview a current Sociology graduate student working on a LCD topic. Following this, each student will individually be expected to do an in-class power point presentation explaining how the interviewees? research relates with themes presented in the course. Students will also be expected to meet as a group and individually with the professor four times during the course semester.
- Sign up and prepare 3-4 discussion questions in advance of at least one class session.
- Work with professor and TA on other small leadership tasks (class discussion, paper exchange, tour).
- Write two brief (1-page) reflection papers on current news, or a two-page critique of a class reading
- Attend a presentation, workshop, or seminar on a related topic for this class and write a 2-page maximum reflective paper.
prereq: honors student, [[SOC 1001] and [SOC 1101 or 3101 or 3102]] recommended, Sociology majors/minors must register A-F
SOC 4101W - Sociology of Law
(WI)
Credits:
3.0
[max 3.0]
Course Equivalencies:
Soc 4101V/Soc 4101W/Soc 5101
Grading Basis:
A-F or Aud
Typically offered:
Every Fall & Spring
This course will consider the relationship between law and society, analyzing law as an expression of cultural values, a reflection of social and political structure, and an instrument of social control and social change. Emphasizing a comparative perspective, we begin by discussing theories about law and legal institutions. We then turn our attention to the legal process and legal actors, focusing on the impact of law, courts, and lawyers on the rights of individuals. Although this course focuses on the US legal system, we will explore issues of the relationship between US law and global law and concepts of justice.
prereq: [[SOC 1001] and [SOC 1101 or 3101 or 3102]] recommended, Sociology majors/minors must register A-F
SOC 4966W - Capstone Experience: Seminar
(WI)
Credits:
3.0
[max 4.0]
Course Equivalencies:
Soc 4094W/Soc 4966W/Soc 4994W/
Grading Basis:
A-F only
Typically offered:
Every Fall & Spring
This course is designed to: a) provide students with an opportunity to reflect on what they have learned as a sociology major; b) use that knowledge to write a sociological analyses - often based on community service learning; and c) think about how the knowledge, skills, and insights of the sociological enterprise can be used and applied outside of the University. Through this course sociology majors will emphasize the relationship between a sociological perspective and critical thinking, effective communication, and meaningful civic engagement. This class is the final step in the sociology undergraduate major.
prereq: 1001, 3701, 3801, 3811, 12 cr upper div sociology, dept consent
SOC 4994W - Capstone Experience: Directed Research (1 cr.)
(WI)
Credits:
1.0
[max 1.0]
Course Equivalencies:
Soc 4094W/Soc 4966W/Soc 4994W/
Grading Basis:
A-F only
Typically offered:
Every Fall & Spring
Guided individual research for the sociology major's Capstone requirement, conducted in conjunction with enrollment in an upper division sociology elective. This is designed to: a) provide students with an opportunity to reflect on what they have learned as a sociology major; b) use that knowledge to write a sociological analyses; and c) think about how the knowledge, skills, and insights of the sociological enterprise can be used and applied outside of the University. Through this one:one capstone experience, using the structure and foundation of the 6th Sociology elective, majors will emphasize the relationship between a sociological perspective and the emphasis of the course. The final paper created for 4994W is in addition to the other 6th Sociology elective course requirements.
prereq: 1001/1011V, 3701, 3801, 3811, and at least 12 cr upper div sociology electives; dept & instructor consent. Students are only authorized to register for Soc 4994W in conjunction with a 6th Sociology Elective.
SOC 4977V - Honors Capstone Experience: Proseminar I
(WI)
Credits:
3.0
[max 4.0]
Grading Basis:
A-F only
Typically offered:
Every Fall
This is the first course in the two-course Honors Capstone Experience. This course sequence is designed to: a) provide students with an opportunity to reflect on what they have learned as a sociology major; b) use that knowledge to write a sociological analyses; and c) think about how the knowledge, skills, and insights of the sociological enterprise can be used and applied outside of the University. Through this course students will learn to emphasize the relationship between a sociological perspective and critical thinking, research, effective communication, and meaningful civic engagement. Soc 4977V is devoted to honing the research question and method, developing a plan for data gathering, and to identifying, reading, and synthesizing existing scholarly work that will inform the student?s research.
The Sociology Department requires completion of Soc 4977V/4978V to graduate with Latin Honors.
prereq: 1001/1011V, 3701, 3801, 3811, at least 9 upper-division SOC credits; Sociology honors major & department consent
SOC 4978V - Honors Capstone Experience: Proseminar II
(WI)
Credits:
3.0
[max 4.0]
Grading Basis:
A-F only
Typically offered:
Every Spring
This is the second course in the two-course Honors Capstone Experience. In Soc 4978V, students will complete their data collection and analysis while the focus of the seminar turns to scholarly writing, and particularly to drafting and refining arguments.
The Department of Sociology does not make any initial distinction between Honors students who are seeking cum laude, magna cum laude, or summa cum laude levels of Latin Honors. Instead, our focus is on helping students to develop ambitious and high-quality original research papers of which they can be justifiably proud and which can serve as testaments to their abilities.
The Department of Sociologys approach is to support every Honors student as they plan and conduct summa-level work. The ultimate recommendation for level of latin honors is made by the committee at the time of the thesis defense. In addition to the Honors thesis requirements, the recommendation for summa-level honors is reserved for the papers that demonstrate the following criteria:
- Tight integration between a clearly defined question or thesis and the research presented;
- Ambitious original research design, with research completed on time and analyzed appropriately;
- Integration of ongoing conversations in the research literature into the design and analysis of the data gathered;
- Powerful and precise prose which weaves together evidence and argument and which is attentive to both the lessons and limits of the data.
Students will do an Oral Defense and participate in a panel presentation at the spring Sociological Research Institute (SRI).
The Sociology Department requires completion of Soc 4977V/4978V to graduate with Latin Honors.
prereq: 1001/1011V, 3701, 3801, 3811, 4977V, and at least 12 upper-division SOC credits; Sociology honors major & department consent
