Sociology Major Requirements
(Also see Requirements for a Bachelor's Degree.)
A major in sociology offers undergraduates a variety of postgraduation opportunities. Graduates from the department have found positions in financial institutions, education, nongovernmental organizations focusing on international development, research departments of major corporations, and local government social service agencies. Others continue to graduate school in sociology, public health, law, urban planning, and education. A major in sociology can also be combined with the pre-medical course sequence, resulting in a medical school candidate who is well versed in the hard science of the human body and the social science of the human experience. For more details, please visit the Sociology Major webpage.
The required courses for a major in sociology provide students with a fundamental understanding of sociological theory, methods, and social statistics. Beyond these core requirements, elective courses are offered on a range of important sociological themes, including gender and family, cities and segregation, education, race and ethnicity, immigration, political sociology, international development, and the evolution of a world social system. All courses must be taken for a letter grade, and a grade of C or better is required. At least nine of the eleven required Sociology classes must be taken at JHU. Foreign language study is not required, but it is strongly encouraged, especially for students considering graduate or professional study.
Writing and Communication in the Major
Students must complete at least 6 credits of Writing and Communication foundational ability coursework in one major. For this major, students must take at least 6 credits of Sociology courses designated Writing and Communication.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Core Courses | ||
| AS.230.101 | Introduction to Sociology | 3 |
| AS.230.202 | Research Methods for the Social Sciences | 3 |
| AS.230.205 | Introduction to Social Statistics (or alternate statistics course and additional Sociology course at least 3 credits) 1 | 4 |
| AS.230.213 | Social Theory | 3 |
| AS.230.325 | Sociology Research Lab | 3 |
| Sociology Electives 2 | ||
| Six elective courses in Sociology at least four of which (at least 12 credit hours) must be at the 300-level or above. Most electives do not have any pre-requisites and may be taken before completing any of the required courses. Many students take a lower-level elective as their first course in the program. | 18 | |
| Total Credits | 34 | |
- 1
Alternative statistics courses typically offered include: EN.553.111 Statistical Analysis I, EN.553.211 Probability and Statistics for the Life Sciences, EN.553.310 Probability & Statistics for the Physical Sciences & Engineering, EN.553.311 Intermediate Probability and Statistics, and AS.280.345 Public Health Biostatistics. If a student completes one of these alternate statistics courses, then an additional Sociology elective course (AS.230.1xx-AS.230.4xx) of at least 3 credits is required. AP credit may not be used to complete the introductory statistics requirement.
- 2
Six elective courses within the department (including cross-listed courses) enable students to customize their program of study. Depending on a student’s interests and objectives, these courses may focus on a single theme, concentrate on a small set of themes, or sample the specific interests of the department’s faculty. Whichever approach is taken, the goal is to craft an individualized program of study that will be a fulfilling intellectual experience. Constructing a personally satisfying roadmap through the major is ultimately the student’s responsibility, but the student’s faculty mentor stands ready to assist as a willing and eager partner in the process. Students wishing to propose an independent study or research experience to fulfill an elective should refer to the department handbook for guidelines to receive an exception.
Sample Program of Study
A typical program might include the following sequence of courses:
| First Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| First Semester | Credits | Second Semester | Credits |
| Lower-level sociology elective | 3 | AS.230.101 | 3 |
| 3 | 3 | ||
| Second Year | |||
| First Semester | Credits | Second Semester | Credits |
| AS.230.202 | 3 | AS.230.205 | 4 |
| Lower-level sociology elective | 3 | ||
| 6 | 4 | ||
| Third Year | |||
| First Semester | Credits | Second Semester | Credits |
| AS.230.213 | 3 | AS.230.325 | 3 |
| Upper-level sociology elective | 3 | ||
| 6 | 3 | ||
| Fourth Year | |||
| First Semester | Credits | Second Semester | Credits |
| Upper-level sociology elective | 3 | Upper-level sociology elective | 3 |
| Upper-level sociology elective | 3 | ||
| 3 | 6 | ||
| Total Credits 34 | |||
Senior Honors Program
The Sociology Honors Program gives students hands-on experience with the academic research and writing process—i.e., analyzing the existing literature, formulating a research question, finding necessary data, conducting data analysis, and writing it up in a coherent and succinct form. The scope, obligations, and methods of evaluation for the final honors thesis are worked out case-by-case between the student and the faculty thesis advisor.
Eligibility for the Sociology Honors Program requires completion of:
- At least four of the five sociology core curriculum courses
- At least two 300-level elective courses in sociology by the end of the junior year
- A Sociology GPA of 3.5 or higher
To complete the Sociology Honors Program, students must:
- Secure a faculty thesis advisor from the Sociology Department
- Apply for Honors before registration for the two-semester program begins
- Complete AS.230.511 Honors Research Seminar in their first semester of the program and AS.230.512 Honors Research Seminar II in their second semester
- Submit a sole-authored Honors thesis
- Complete all remaining core curriculum and elective course requirements for the Sociology Major
Note: the thesis submitted for Honors in Sociology is not eligible to receive Honors in any other department.
AS.230.511 Honors Research Seminar and AS.230.512 Honors Research Seminar II do not count toward the required Sociology elective courses.
See the Undergraduate Handbook on the Requirements page for more details on the application, required courses, and thesis expectations.
Global Social Change and Development Track
The Global Social Change and Development (GSCD) Track is geared toward students interested in understanding critical issues surrounding contemporary processes of globalization and international development. The track provides students with a sophisticated set of research and critical-thinking skills, prepares students for twenty-first-century professions, and helps them become thoughtful global citizens. Ultimately, students pursuing the Global Social Change and Development track will receive a double major in both International Studies and Sociology.