Eleven courses (44 units) are required to complete the major.
COURSEWORK
| SOC 101 | Introduction to Sociology | 4 units |
| SOC 304 | Sociological Inquiry | 4 units |
| SOC 490 | Senior Seminar in Sociology | 4 units |
Students must select one course from below:
| SOC 200 | Classical Sociological Theory: Marx, Weber, Durkheim | 4 units |
| SOC 205 | Contemporary Sociological Theory | 4 units |
Students must select one from the list below:
| SOC 305 | Quantitative Research Methods | 4 units |
| SOC 306 | Qualitative Research Methods | 4 units |
| SOC 310 | Sociological Field Methods | 4 units |
Electives:
Choose six additional courses from within the department
*One non-Sociology course cross-listed with Sociology can count towards the major
The Sociology Department encourages students to declare the major by the end of their first year.
SECOND-STAGE WRITING REQUIREMENT
Students majoring in Sociology will satisfy the second-stage 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 units |
| SOC 205 | Contemporary Sociological Theory | 4 units |
Take Sociological Inquiry in your sophomore year
Take a research methods course in your junior year
| SOC 305 | Quantitative Research Methods | 4 units |
| SOC 306 | Qualitative Research Methods | 4 units |
| SOC 310 | Sociological Field Methods | 4 units |
Enroll in Senior Seminar (490) in the fall of your senior year.
| SOC 490 | Senior Seminar in Sociology | 4 units |
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 units |
| SOC 205 | Contemporary Sociological Theory | 4 units |
Take Sociological Inquiry as soon as possible.
Take a research methods course in your junior year.
| SOC 305 | Quantitative Research Methods | 4 units |
| SOC 306 | Qualitative Research Methods | 4 units |
| SOC 310 | Sociological Field Methods | 4 units |
Enroll in Senior Seminar in the fall of your senior year.
| SOC 490 | Senior Seminar in Sociology | 4 units |
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.