Sociology
Sociology
courses
Sociology department home page
Director of undergraduate studies: Hannah Brueckner, Rm. 108, 80 Sachem St., 432-3323, hannah.brueckner@yale.edu
FACULTY OF THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIOLOGY
Professors
Julia Adams, Jeffrey Alexander, Robert Anderson (Visiting), Scott Boorman, Richard Breen, Deborah Davis, Ron Eyerman, Philip Gorski, Farhad Khosrokhavar (Visiting), Karl Ulrich Mayer, Joel Podolny, Ivan Szelenyi
Associate Professors
Hannah Brueckner, Christopher Rhomberg
Assistant Professors
Jennifer Bair, Averil Clarke, Alondra Nelson, Rachel Sherman, Philip Smith, Peter Stamatov
Lecturers
Jasmina Beširevic-Regan, Bonnie Kaplan, Ulrich Schreiterer
Sociology is the disciplined effort to understand the social and cultural relations, institutions, and collective beliefs that structure societies.
The Sociology department offers two undergraduate programs leading to the B.A. degree. The central feature of each program is an encounter with social life. Any methodology can be used to accomplish this, including analysis of survey data, ethnographic field research, and historical analysis. The standard program provides a rigorous introduction to sociological concepts, theories, and methods, and prepares students for graduate study or for professional work in the social sciences. The combined program—sociology with another subject—introduces students to sociological perspectives, principles, and research as a contribution to a general liberal arts education.
A major in Sociology is by no means restricted to students who plan careers in the social sciences. Sociology provides the tools with which to make sense of many social experiences—interpersonal relations, encounters with organizations and institutions, political involvements, jobs, religious commitments, and so on. With these tools, students can be more effective at whatever they choose to do. Indeed, sociology provides a stimulating and relevant background for students planning careers in, for example, business, education, law, public health, or public service. Courses especially relevant to particular careers are listed below.
Business: SOCY 133a, 219a
Education: SOCY 115a, 133a, 143a, 236a, 335b
Law: SOCY 115a, 130a, 141b, 147b, 342b
Public health: SOCY 130a, 314b, 337b
Public service: SOCY 115a, 143a, 147b, 161b, 219a
Admission to the major. Students interested in the Sociology major should complete at least one introductory course (numbered 110–149) by the end of the sophomore year. This course may be applied toward the requirements of the major. Students who have not completed an introductory Sociology course may be admitted to the major at the discretion of the director of undergraduate studies. All students interested in the Sociology major should meet with the director of undergraduate studies no later than the beginning of the junior year to elect a program of study.
Division of courses. Courses in Sociology are divided by level, with introductory courses numbered from 100 to 149, courses in sociological theory from 150 to 159, courses in sociological methods from 160 to 169, intermediate courses from 150 to 299, advanced courses in the 300s, and individual study and research courses in the 400s. In addition, qualified students may elect to enroll in graduate courses, with permission of the instructor and of the director of graduate studies. A list of graduate courses and descriptions is available from the director of undergraduate studies.
Program I. The Standard Program
The requirements for the standard program are:
1. Thirteen term courses in sociology, of which normally no more than two may be drawn from outside the Sociology department. At least one Sociology course must be at the introductory level, but no more than two introductory courses may count toward this total.
2. Two courses in sociological theory and two in sociological methods, normally completed by the end of the junior year. SOCY 151a, Foundations of Modern Social Theory, and 152b, Topics in Contemporary Theory, are the required courses for theory. SOCY 160a, Methods of Inquiry, and one additional Sociology course numbered between 161 and 169 are required for methods.
3. One advanced seminar in Sociology (SOCY 300–399).
4. A two-term senior essay and colloquium for students electing the intensive major. Students in the intensive major attend a yearlong biweekly colloquium (SOCY 493) that provides them with an opportunity to share their research experiences. Students in the nonintensive major take one additional 300-level seminar in Sociology and write a one-term senior essay in SOCY 491a or 492b.
Program II. Sociology with Another Subject
The combined program allows students to unite the study of sociology with the study of another discipline or substantive area, such as American studies, anthropology, biology, computer science, economics, history, philosophy, political science, psychology, religious studies, or an area program. The requirements are:
1. Thirteen term courses, of which at least nine and no more than ten are selected from Sociology, the remainder being chosen from another department or program. At least one Sociology course must be at the introductory level, but no more than two introductory courses in any department or program may count toward this total. The courses outside Sociology must constitute a coherent unit alone and form a logical whole when combined with the Sociology courses.
2. Two courses in sociological theory and two in sociological methods, normally completed by the end of the junior year. SOCY 151a, Foundations of Modern Social Theory, and 152b, Topics in Contemporary Theory, are the required courses for theory. SOCY 160a, Methods of Inquiry, and one additional Sociology course numbered between 161 and 169 are required for methods.
3. One advanced seminar in Sociology (SOCY 300–399).
4. A one- or two-term senior essay in which the student integrates sociology and the other subject chosen. Students opting for the intensive major write a two-term senior essay and attend a yearlong biweekly colloquium (SOCY 493). The colloquium provides students with an opportunity to share their research experiences. Students in the nonintensive major take one additional 300-level seminar in Sociology and write a one-term senior essay in SOCY 491a or 492b.
The combined program allows students to design a program to satisfy their own substantive interests and future career plans. By the beginning of the junior year, participants in the combined program are expected to consult with the director of undergraduate studies in order to obtain approval for their course of study.
Senior requirement for the nonintensive major. Students electing the nonintensive major take one additional seminar in Sociology (SOCY 300–399) and write a one-credit senior essay during the final term of the senior year (SOCY 491a or 492b). The senior essay for nonintensive majors is intended to be an in-depth scholarly review and critical analysis based on secondary sources. The student is expected to extend some topic covered in one of the two required seminars (one of which is to be completed by the end of the first term of the senior year). All nonintensive majors are required to enroll in SOCY 491a or 492b to receive credit for the senior essay. To register for this course, students must submit a written plan of study approved by a faculty adviser to the director of undergraduate studies no later than the end of registration period during the last term of the senior year. The faculty adviser is normally the instructor of one of the two required seminars. Nonintensive majors are not eligible to graduate with Distinction in the Major.
Senior requirement for the intensive major. The intensive major gives students an opportunity to undertake a yearlong program of original research resulting in a contribution to sociological knowledge. The yearlong project requires substantial independent research and knowledge of a sociological subfield. Students select primary and secondary advisers from the faculty. Students in the intensive major enroll in SOCY 493, Senior Essay and Colloquium for Intensive Majors, during their senior year. The purpose of the colloquium is to provide a forum for discussing the research process and for presenting students' research at various stages. Intensive majors are eligible to graduate with Distinction in the Major if they meet the grade standards for distinction and submit a senior essay written in SOCY 493.
Admission to the intensive major. Students should apply to the director of undergraduate studies no later than the last day of classes in the spring term of their junior year. In special circumstances, applications may be accepted through the end of registration period in the first term of the senior year. Applications should include a one-page statement of interest that includes a list of relevant courses taken and identifies a prospective senior essay adviser. Admission is based on performance and promise. The director of undergraduate studies and the senior essay adviser serve as advisers to candidates for the intensive major.
Procedures. All seniors are advised by the director of undergraduate studies at least once at the beginning of the fall term. All programs must be approved by the director of undergraduate studies. Juniors must secure approval of their programs from the director of undergraduate studies as well.
REQUIREMENTS OF THE MAJOR
Prerequisite: 1 intro course (SOCY 110–149)
Number of courses: 13 term courses (incl prereq and senior essay)
Specific courses required: SOCY 151a, 152b, 160a, 1 addtl Sociology course numbered 161–169
Distribution of courses: Program I—at least 11 term courses at intermediate and advanced levels, 1 Sociology sem at 300 level; Program II—9 or 10 term courses in Sociology; at least 1 Sociology sem at 300 level; no more than 2 intro courses in any dept or program
Senior requirement: Nonintensive major—1 addtl 300-level Sociology sem and senior essay (SOCY 491a or 492b); Intensive major—senior essay (SOCY 493)
