Undergraduate
Program
The Major | The Minor | Additional Information | Transfer Information
Sociology Major
Before declaring a major in Sociology students must complete SOC 1010-Introductory Sociology and one other sociology course for a total of 6-credit hours, with at least a "C" or better in each course.
Please note two changes to the requirements for the major:
1. Instead of three 4000-level courses, students should take four courses at or above the 3000-level, including two 4000 (or 5000)-level seminars. (These 3000-level courses do not include SOC 3020, SOC 3120 and SOC 3130).
2. Introduction to Social Statistics (formerly SOC 311) will have a new number – SOC 3130. SOC 3130 should be taken after SOC 3120, Sociology Research Workshop.
These changes affect students who declare their major after March 15, 2008*:
Starting Fall 2008, the requirements for the major are as follows:
Four core courses are required of all Sociology majors as part of the thirty credit program and should be completed within two semesters.** They are:
- SOC 1010-Introductory Sociology
- SOC 3020-Introduction to Social Theory
- SOC 3120-Sociology Research Workshop
- SOC 3130-Introduction to Social Statistics
All majors must also complete twelve credits (4 courses) at the 3000 level or above, including 6 credits (two courses) at the 4000 or 5000 level. The remaining minimum four credits (normally 2 courses) can be taken at any level; however, only 3 credits of SOC 4970-Special Studies in Sociology and only 3 credits of SOC 4800, 4810, 4820 Undergraduate Internship Program may be included in the thirty-hour major requirements. The 3 credit hours of SOC 4800/4810/4820 may only be applied toward the ANY LEVEL elective major requirement. Prospective majors are also urged to take SOC 3020-Introduction to Social Theory and/or SOC 3120-Sociology Research Workshop before declaring.
After completing the prerequisites for declaring, prospective majors should meet with a member of the Undergraduate Studies Committee; they should bring a copy of their VISTAA report and a major declaration form. Committee members office hours are posted online and at the Sociology Deptartment Office, New Cabell 542. Sociology Majors Handbooks and course listings for the next semester are also available at the Sociology Department Office and website.
Students need to bring the completed major declaration form to the Undergraduate Administrative Assistant in New Cabell 542.
NOTE: If your contact information changes after declaration of the major, please contact the Sociology Undergraduate Administrative Assistant.
* Majors who declared prior to March 15, 2008 will still fall under the old requirements.
** SOC 230 AND SOC 260/2600 do not count toward the Sociology major or minor.
Sociology Minor
Sociology Minors are required to complete 18-hours (generally 6 classes) in the program.** No more than 3-hours of SOC 4970-Special Studies in Sociology and 3-hours of SOC 4800/4810/4820-Undergraduate Internship Program may be included in the 18-hour requirement for the sociology minor. The 3 credit hours of SOC 4800/4810/4820 may only be applied toward the ANY LEVEL elective major requirement. No courses taken outside the Department of Sociology are accepted towards the sociology minor. As part of the 18-hours for the minor students must complete the following:
- SOC 1010-Introductory Sociology (3-hour course)
NOTE: If you have already received transfer credit for SOC 1010 from another institution by the time you declare a minor, you may be exempt from taking this course in the department; however, in this case you must take a 3-credit Sociology course at any level to make up the required number of credit hours.
- Minors should also complete 6-hours (normally 2 courses) at the 4000 or 5000 level. The remaining 9-hours (normally 3 courses) can be taken at any level.
Prospective minors should meet with a member of the Undergraduate Studies Committee and bring a copy of their VISTAA report and a minor declaration form (available online and at Sociology Deptartment Office, New Cabell 542). Committee members office hours are posted online and at the Sociology Deptartment Office. Sociology Majors Handbooks and course listings for the next semester are also available at the Sociology Department Office and website.
Students need to bring the completed minor declaration form to the Undergraduate Administrative Assistant in New Cabell 542.
NOTE: Please if your contact information changes after declaration of the minor, please contact the Sociology Undergraduate Administrative Assistant.
** SOC 230 AND SOC 260/2600 do not count toward the Sociology major or minor.
Additional Program Information
Second Writing Requirements (SWR)
Many 4000-level courses and some 3000-level courses can be used to meet the College of Arts & Science's Second Writing Requirement (SWR). Sociology courses meeting this requirement are usually marked as meeting the SWR on the Schedule of Classes and on the departmental course listing. If courses are not marked students should consult the instructor to see if a particular course meets the SWR.
Graduate-Level Courses
Although Sociology courses at the 5000-level are designed for graduate students, some of these courses may be of interest to undergraduate students. Undergraduates are encouraged to consult with the instructor if they think a 5000-level course might fit their interests and program of study. Experience indicates that able undergraduate students generally perform well in 5000-level courses. Undergraduate students should not normally take a 5000-level course until they have completed at least 18 hours of course work and most of the required courses. Undergraduate enrollment in a 5000-level course is at the discretion of the instructor. Requirements and grading procedures in the 5000-level courses may differ for undergraduate students.
Special Studies in Sociology
Students with a strong academic record may wish to supplement their class work in Sociology with SOC 4970-Special Studies in Sociology. Enrollment in SOC 4970 requires prior approval of an instructor, 4th year status, and a GPA of 3.2 or better in the major (non-majors must have a cumulative GPA of 3.2 or better). This course is recommended for students with specific interests that they would like to pursue individually under the direction of a faculty member. Students must complete the Individual Study Approval Form and a Course Action Form to be admitted into the course.
J-Term Courses
J-Term courses do not automatically count toward the Sociology major or minor. For pre-approval exceptions, please contact the Director of Undergraduate Studies.
Transfer Information
Up to 6 credits of courses towards the major may be taken outside the Sociology Department. These credits may include courses from related fields at the UVa and courses from another institution or a study abroad program. All requests for credit transfer must be approved by the Director of Undergraduate Studies. Students planning to study abroad must get written pre-approval from the Director of Undergraduate Studies in advance of their travel. Please note that the courses which are considered for transfer cannot be substituted for SOC 3020, 3120, or 4000 level courses. Transferred credits for SOC 1010 exempt a student from taking this course in the department; however, in this case the student must take another 3-credit Sociology course at any level to make up the required number of credit hours. In order to count towards the Sociology major all transferred courses must be completed with a grade of “C” or better.