Sociology, BA

The BA in Sociology, offered by the Department of Sociology and Interdisciplinary Social Sciences , educates students about social processes that create, maintain, and transform social institutions and social identities. Sociology provides a framework for understanding social behavior in groups, social change and inequality in society, and solutions to social problems. Analytical and research skills speak to the needs of a changing world. The degree offers students the widest flexibility in terms of future career choices.

Program Learning Outcomes

Program Roadmaps

The 4-Year Roadmap is available online. Roadmaps should be used in consultation with the catalog and your advisor to identify additional requirements for completing the major (for example, course grade minimums). Associate Degrees (ADT) Pathways are also available online.

1. Complete the Baccalaureate Degree Requirements

Students must satisfy the specific degree requirements for their undergraduate major and fulfill the following University degree requirements:

Academic (program total units with an average 2.0 GPA - “C” or better)
General Education (GE) (34 Lower Division + 9 Upper Division)
American Institutions (AI) (0-6 units) (may be satisfied in GE Areas 3B, 4, UD 3, UD 4)
Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement (GWAR) (3 units)
Physical Education (PE) (0-2 units)
Units in Residence (30 units, including 24 upper division and 12 in major)
Upper Division Units (40 units, including 12 upper div in major for BA, 18 upper div in major for BS)
Undergraduate Policies & Procedures
Apply for Graduation
Information about the Commencement Ceremony and Conferral of the Degree

Exceptions for University Graduation Requirements including exemptions and waivers, are approved for specific majors and on a case-by-case evaluation only.

Summary of Degree Units

Core Lower Division GE: 22 (9 units may be satisfied by major coursework: Areas 2, 4)

6 units of American Institutions/US 123 are required: 3 units may be satisfied from the LD GE by selecting GE course in Area 3B

Upper Division GE: 9

Physical Education: 2

GWAR / WID: 0 (3 units may be satisfied by SOCI 100W )

Major Requirements: 42

University Electives or Minor: 39

Total: 120

2. Major Requirements (42 units)

Core Courses (27 units)

SOCI 1 - Introduction to Sociology 3 unit(s) (GE Area 4 / Formerly Area D)
SOCI 80 - Social Problems 3 unit(s) (GE Area 4 / Formerly Area D)
SOCI 100W - Writing Workshop 3 unit(s) (WID)
SOCI 101 - Social Theory 3 unit(s)
SOCI 104 - Quantitative Research Methods 3 unit(s)
SOCI 105 - Qualitative Research Methods 3 unit(s)
SOCI 116 - Global Society 3 unit(s)

Statistics Course (3 units)

Complete one course:

SOCI 15 - Statistical Applications in the Social Sciences 3 unit(s) (GE Area 2 / Formerly Area B4) (UNVS 15 may be used in lieu of the statistics course required by this major)

Complete one course (3 units):

SOCI 105B - Advanced Qualitative Research Methods 3 unit(s)
SOCI 181B - Sociology Career Capstone 3 unit(s)

Additional Requirements (15 units)

Complete one course (3 units):

SOCI 118 - Sociology of Human Rights and Social Justice 3 unit(s)
SOCI 140 - Sociology of Media 3 unit(s)
SOCI 146 - Work, Power, and Leisure 3 unit(s)
SOCI 160 - Immigration and Identity 3 unit(s)
SOCI 161 - City Life 3 unit(s)
SOCI 162 - Race and Ethnic Relations 3 unit(s) (GE UD Area 4 / Formerly Area S)
SOCI 163 - Social Change 3 unit(s)
SOCI 164 - Social Action 3 unit(s)
SOCI 165 - Poverty, Wealth and Privilege 3 unit(s)
SOCI 166 - Medical Sociology 3 unit(s)
SOCI 169 - Political Sociology 3 unit(s)
SOCI 177 - Sociology of Education 3 unit(s)

Complete one course (3 units):

SOCI 151 - Violence in the Family 3 unit(s)
SOCI 154 - Sociology and Non-Conforming Behavior 3 unit(s)
SOCI 170 - Sociology of Family 3 unit(s)
SOCI 171 - Person and Society 3 unit(s)
SOCI 172 - Lesbian, Gay, Bi, Transgender Studies 3 unit(s)
SOCI 173 - Socialization and Identity 3 unit(s)
SOCI 174 - Sexualities 3 unit(s)
SOCI 175 - Sociology of Masculinities and Femininities 3 unit(s)
SOCI 176 - Sociology of Everyday Life 3 unit(s)
SOCI 178 - Sociology of Childhood 3 unit(s)

Upper Division Sociology Courses (9 units):

Select any additional three upper division Sociology courses including those listed above* 9 unit(s)

3. University Electives or Minor (39 units)

Total Units Required (120 units)

*SOCI 120 , SOCI 180 , SOCI 181 , SOCI 196 (Experimental Courses) and SOCI 199H may be applied to the major when they have direct relevance; such relevance is determined by an advisor.

Double major or double concentration requirements: contact the Department of Sociology and Interdisciplinary Social Sciences for an appointment with a department advisor.