How to Major in Sociology
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Last was 0004 (HELP) |
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Last was 0004 (HELP) |
| Year | Fall | Spring |
| 1 | SOC55 Introduction to SociologyIntroduction to Sociology An introduction to basic sociological concepts, theories, and methods. Students in the course will be encouraged to develop "sociological imagination," that is, an understanding of the connection between personal biography and history. Course content will include an examination of social structure and culture (and the relationship between these two concepts), the socialization process, the major social institutions and their impact, the nature of inequality in society, and deviant behavior and social problems. Another human behavior intro courseCommon partner course is Fundamentals of Psychology or Introduction to Economics ElectiveIdeally, for a first year student, this elective rounds out an intellectually broad first semester at Mills. A course in a "completely different area" with a teacher who really excites is perfect. For those who prefer to stay closer to home an intro course in Government, Women and Gender Studies, or Public Policy might be worth investigating. For those who want to get started right away on a rigorous social science major, it's never too early to take Introduction to Statistics. English I: Rhetoric and Composition for the College WriterRhetoric and Composition for the College Writer The ability to communicate effectively, clearly, and in the appropriate academic register is a fundamental part of a college education. ENG 001 is designed to enable students to write strong academic prose, to understand the complex relationship between language and rhetoric, and to negotiate the writing demands of an academic environment. The course helps students identify their own writing strengths and then builds on those skills to help students become successful college-level writers. Course includes separately scheduled individual tutorials. I -- -- |
Lower Division Sociology Elective 1Social Problems (SOC58) is a common choice. When offered, Sociology of Everyday Life (SOC153) is also open to first years even though it has an upper division number. Some students opt to take ANTH 58, Cultural Anthropology, to explore that as a possible major. This course CAN count toward the sociology major (see Major Requirements in catalog). Gen ED ElectiveElective ElectiveElective ElectiveElective -- -- |
| 2 | Sociology Elective 2Elective Gen ED ElectiveElective ElectiveElective ElectiveElective -- -- |
SOC91 Research MethodsResearch Methods with Lab An introduction to the techniques social scientists use to answer empirical questions. Topics include how to read published research; collect and analyze qualitative and quantitative data; communicate research results; distinguish between empirical, ideological, theoretical, and ethical questions; formulate research questions; and use computers to access, organize, analyze, and display social science data. Actual research methods covered vary from year to year but generally include social observation, interviewing, and surveys. Sociology Elective 3Elective Gen ED ElectiveElective ElectiveElective -- -- |
| 3 | SOC116 History of Sociological ThoughtHistory of Sociological Thought The works of leading sociological theorists, the historical-ideological setting of each theorist, and major trends of development of sociological thought, with particular reference to the 19th and 20th centuries. Intensive reading in the primary sources. Sociology Elective 5Elective ElectiveElective ElectiveElective -- -- |
SOC190 ProseminarProseminar in Sociology This course builds upon the skills and knowledge gained in the earlier sociology and anthropology courses and lays the groundwork for conducting original research for the senior thesis. Students will select topics for their research, construct research questions, review and analyze the existing literature, and develop proposals detailing the strategies that they will use in conducting original research. Sociology Elective 6Elective ElectiveElective ElectiveElective -- -- |
| 4 | SOC191 Senior SeminarSenior Seminar in Sociology Directed original research and senior projects. Sociology Elective 6Elective ElectiveElective ElectiveElective -- -- |
Sociology Elective 7Elective ElectiveElective ElectiveElective ElectiveElective -- -- |
| Assumptions | ||
| To do the sociology major as a transfer the minimum transfer requirements are: Introduction to Sociology, two sociology electives, English I and no more than 2 general education requirements remaining | ||
| Year | Fall | Spring |
| 3 | SOC116 History of Sociological ThoughtHistory of Sociological Thought The works of leading sociological theorists, the historical-ideological setting of each theorist, and major trends of development of sociological thought, with particular reference to the 19th and 20th centuries. Intensive reading in the primary sources. Sociology Elective 3Ideally this will be a junior level substantive course that provides background for a topic you might wish to investigate further in your senior thesis. You will propose that research next semester and it must grow out of something you already know something about (sociologically speaking). GenED ElectiveElective ElectiveDepending on your background, this course should be used to broaden or deepen your preparation in the social sciences. Like the sociology elective mentioned above, one function of this course could be to give you substantive background for a thesis project. -- -- |
SOC190 ProseminarProseminar in Sociology This course builds upon the skills and knowledge gained in the earlier sociology and anthropology courses and lays the groundwork for conducting original research for the senior thesis. Students will select topics for their research, construct research questions, review and analyze the existing literature, and develop proposals detailing the strategies that they will use in conducting original research. SOC91 Research MethodsResearch Methods with Lab An introduction to the techniques social scientists use to answer empirical questions. Topics include how to read published research; collect and analyze qualitative and quantitative data; communicate research results; distinguish between empirical, ideological, theoretical, and ethical questions; formulate research questions; and use computers to access, organize, analyze, and display social science data. Actual research methods covered vary from year to year but generally include social observation, interviewing, and surveys. NOTE: taking research methods concurrently with proseminar is far from ideal since the latter presumes the former but sometimes it must be done. In no case is it acceptable to take research methods AFTER proseminar so plan accordingly. Sociology Elective 4Elective ElectiveElective -- -- |
| 4 | SOC191 Senior SeminarSenior Seminar in Sociology Directed original research and senior projects. Sociology Elective 5Elective ElectiveElective GenED ElectiveElective -- -- |
Sociology Elective 6Elective Sociology Elective 7Elective ElectiveElective ElectiveElective -- -- |
| Year | Fall | Spring |
| 1 | SOC55 Intro Soc or PPOL15 Intro PPolElective MATH47 Calculus ICalculus I & II and Multivariable Calculus (MATH 049) are designed to build a solid foundation in calculus. Topics in Calculus I include: limits; continuity; derivatives; techniques for differentiation; linearization and differentials; the Mean Value Theorem; interpretations of derivatives in geometry and science; extreme values of functions, with applications to graphing and optimization problems in economics, life sciences, and physics; and an introduction to integrals. CS63 Introduction to Computer ScienceProblem solving with computers. Problem decomposition, development of graphical user interfaces, development of simple algorithms, and the design and construction of computer programs using object-oriented techniques and the Java programming language. English IElective -- -- |
ECON 50 Introduction to EconomicsElective MATH48 Calculus IIElective SOCxxx: Ants, Brains, Cities, and SoftwareThis course is an introduction to complexity, emergence, and agent modeling. Students become proficient coders and become familiar with computational models of a wide variety of social and natural phenomena. PHIL 051: Formal LogicThis course is intended to be both foundational for the major and a contribution to one's broader liberal arts education. -- -- |
| 2 | SOC55 Intro Soc or PPOL 15 Intro Public PolicyElective MATH50 Linear AlgebraElective SOC128 GISElective GenEd ElectiveElective -- -- |
SOC91 Research MethodsElective ECON81 StatisticsElective CS64 Computer Concepts/Intermediate ProgrammingElective ElectiveElective -- -- |
| 3 | PPOL225 Modeling and SimulationElective MATH102 Probability and StatisticsElective CS 124 Data Structures and AlgorithmsElective ElectiveElective -- -- |
GOVT 101: Organizational TheoryElective ECON 164: Econometrics & Business ForecastingElective SOCxxx Network AnalysisElective ElectiveElective -- -- |
| 4 | Senior SeminarIn theory this could be taken in sociology, anthropology, government, economics, or public policy. In general we recommend it be done in program where this year's senior seminar instructor is one of the CSS faculty members. We endeavor to make sure that each year at least one of these senior seminars is taught by CSS program faculty. ElectiveElective ElectiveElective ElectiveElective -- -- |
ElectiveElective ElectiveElective ElectiveElective ElectiveElective -- -- |
| Year | Fall | Spring |
| 1 | SOC55 Intro Soc or PPOL15 Intro Public PolicyIntroduction to Sociology An introduction to basic sociological concepts, theories, and methods. Students in the course will be encouraged to develop "sociological imagination," that is, an understanding of the connection between personal biography and history. Course content will include an examination of social structure and culture (and the relationship between these two concepts), the socialization process, the major social institutions and their impact, the nature of inequality in society, and deviant behavior and social problems. Introduction to Public Policy Blah blah blah. QSS1 Intro Comp/Quant Soc Sci (0.5)This half credit course meets in alternate weeks. Students will be introduced to the wide range of tools used in the field and the problems to which they are applied. Course will include guest speakers, field trips, and a broadly varied reading list. QSS5 A Gentle Introduction to Coding (0.5)This half credit course meets in alternate weeks. Students will be introduced to the art/science of programming and the use of simple development platform. A learning goal will be to build a foundation for exercises that will appear in other first and second year courses in the program. It may use state of the art interactive instruction along the lines of CodeAcademy. Students with demonstrated prior experience coding may enroll instead in a computer science course such as CS63 Introduction to Computer Science MATH47 Calculus ICalculus I & II and Multivariable Calculus (MATH 049) are designed to build a solid foundation in calculus. Topics in Calculus I include: limits; continuity; derivatives; techniques for differentiation; linearization and differentials; the Mean Value Theorem; interpretations of derivatives in geometry and science; extreme values of functions, with applications to graphing and optimization problems in economics, life sciences, and physics; and an introduction to integrals. English I: Rhetoric and CompositionRhetoric and Composition for the College Writer The ability to communicate effectively, clearly, and in the appropriate academic register is a fundamental part of a college education. ENG 001 is designed to enable students to write strong academic prose, to understand the complex relationship between language and rhetoric, and to negotiate the writing demands of an academic environment. The course helps students identify their own writing strengths and then builds on those skills to help students become successful college-level writers. Course includes separately scheduled individual tutorials. I -- |
ECON 50 Introduction to Economics- MATH48 Calculus IICalculus I & II and Multivariable Calculus (MATH 049) are designed to build a solid foundation in calculus. Topics in Calculus I include: limits; continuity; derivatives; techniques for differentiation; linearization and differentials; the Mean Value Theorem; interpretations of derivatives in geometry and science; extreme values of functions, with applications to graphing and optimization problems in economics, life sciences, and physics; and an introduction to integrals. GenEd ElectiveElective Fundamentals of Social OrganizationThis course will be a revision of the existing course SOC123, Analysis of Social Structure, which introduces four modes of looking at the social world: organizations (hierarchy), networks, markets, and public choice (elections). Along the way it introduces students to the variety and unity of the social sciences to lay the ground work for subsequent work in sociology, political science, and economics. -- -- |
| 2 | SOC55 Intro Soc or PPOL15 Intro Public PolicyIntroduction to Sociology An introduction to basic sociological concepts, theories, and methods. Students in the course will be encouraged to develop "sociological imagination," that is, an understanding of the connection between personal biography and history. Course content will include an examination of social structure and culture (and the relationship between these two concepts), the socialization process, the major social institutions and their impact, the nature of inequality in society, and deviant behavior and social problems. Introduction to Public Policy Blah blah blah. MATH50 Linear AlgebraElective ECON81 StatisticsStatistics SOC128 GISElective Gen ED ElectiveElective -- |
SOC91 Research MethodsResearch Methods with Lab An introduction to the techniques social scientists use to answer empirical questions. Topics include how to read published research; collect and analyze qualitative and quantitative data; communicate research results; distinguish between empirical, ideological, theoretical, and ethical questions; formulate research questions; and use computers to access, organize, analyze, and display social science data. Actual research methods covered vary from year to year but generally include social observation, interviewing, and surveys. ECON164 Econometrics & Bus ForecastingECON164 Econometrics & Bus Forecasting A comprehensive introduction to statistical methods for economic and business decisions. Emphasis is on practical applications of statistical software and data interpretation. QSSxxx Ants, Brains, Cities, and SoftwareIntroduction to complexity and emergence in the social sciences via intelligent agent modeling. Students become proficient coders in addition to the conceptual material covered in the course. ElectiveGen ED Elective -- -- |
| 3 | GOVT101 Organization TheoryGOVT 101 Organization Theory Major theories of organizational structure, leadership, communication, and control processes will be analyzed and "tested" in their application to specific cases. Sociology Elective 5Elective (module) Programming in PythonElective ElectiveElective -- -- |
QSS100 Seminar in Computational Social Scienceseminar. SOCxxx Network AnalysisElective MATH102 Probability and StatisticsElective (module) Programing in RElective -- -- |
| 4 | PPOL225 Modeling and Simulationv (0.5) Directed Research ThesisElective ElectiveElective ElectiveElective -- -- |
(0.5) Directed Research ThesisElective ElectiveElective ElectiveElective ElectiveElective -- -- |