Sociology Major, B.A.
The undergraduate major in sociology at UNC–Chapel Hill provides students with theoretical and methodological tools, and substantive insights for understanding human social life and institutions. The major is designed to offer its students training in critical thinking, analytical problem solving, reasoned judgment, and effective communication as well as broad knowledge of human relations and social systems, providing useful tools for a variety of careers. The curriculum and requirements are flexible enough to permit students to tailor their program to fit individual needs and interests. The undergraduate sociology program includes opportunities to put sociological ideas into practice through research by means of independent studies, theses, and internships.
Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of the sociology program, students should be able to:
- Make links between human action/consciousness and social forces/social contexts. This will include identifying how human behavior and consciousness are shaped by the social and, in turn, how the social can be changed by individual behavior and collective action
- Identify and define major sociological concepts and apply these concepts to social reality. Examples of concepts include norms, roles, social institutions, social stratification, power, authority, class, gender, race, social capital, life course, social networks, and social control
- Propose an appropriate research design for studying a social phenomenon, including assessing the data and methods that would be appropriate for any given study of social phenomena
- Describe and compare several major theoretical perspectives used by sociologists (examples include functionalism, conflict theory, institutional theory, feminist theory, and symbolic interactionism), and be able to apply these perspectives to social phenomena (poverty, human capital, inequality, inter-group conflict, etc.)
Requirements
In addition to the program requirements, students must
- earn a minimum final cumulative GPA of 2.000
- complete a minimum of 45 academic credit hours earned from UNC–Chapel Hill courses
- take at least half of their major core requirements (courses and credit hours) at UNC–Chapel Hill
- earn a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.000 in the major core requirements. Some programs may require higher standards for major or specific courses.
For more information, please consult the degree requirements section of the catalog.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Core Requirements | ||
| SOCI 101 |  Sociological Perspectives (with a grade of C or better) 1, H | 3 |
| or SOCI 100 | Sociological Perspective Through Documentary Film | |
| SOCI 250 | Sociological Theory | 3 |
| or SOCI 253 | Sociological Theory - Experiential | |
| SOCI 251 | Research Methods | 3 |
| SOCI 252 | Data Analysis (taken during the junior year, if possible) 2 | 3 |
| Three SOCI electives numbered above 400 (upper-level). With permission of the director of undergraduate studies, one of the following courses may count as a 400-level elective: | 9 | |
| Special Topics in Sociology | ||
| Independent Study and Reading | ||
| Senior Honors Research and Seminar | ||
| Senior Honors Research and Seminar | ||
| Two additional three-hour SOCI courses (six hours) 3 | 6 | |
| Total Hours | 27 | |
| H | Honors version available. An honors course fulfills the same requirements as the nonhonors version of that course. Enrollment and GPA restrictions may apply. |
- 1
If possible, SOCI 101 should be taken by the end of the sophomore year.
- 2
Students who are double majoring in psychology and sociology may replace SOCI 252 with PSYC 210 plus (+) an additional 400-level SOCI course.
- 3
First-year seminars in sociology can count toward the major but may be taken only by first-year students.
Sociology (SOCI) course descriptions.
University graduation credit will be given for only one in each of the following sets of courses:
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| SOCI 130 & SOCI 425 | Family and Society and Family and Society, Junior/Senior Section | 3 |
| SOCI 250 & SOCI 253 | Sociological Theory and Sociological Theory - Experiential | 3 |
| SOCI 273 & SOCI 274 | Social and Economic Justice, Experiential Education and Social and Economic Justice | 3 |
| SOCI 411 & SOCI 413 | Social Movements and Social Movements, Experiential | 3 |
| SOCI 414 & SOCI 417 | The City and Urbanization and The City and Urbanization, Experiential Education | 3 |
| SOCI 423 & SOCI 426 | Sociology of Education, Experiential Education and Sociology of Education | 3 |
Courses in Career Areas
The sociology major provides an excellent foundation for many careers. We recommend the following clusters of courses for students with specific career goals in the following areas:
Business and Industry
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| SOCI 131 | Social Relations in the Workplace | 3 |
| SOCI 251 |
Research Methods | 3 |
| SOCI 252 |
Data Analysis | 3 |
| SOCI 410 |
Formal Organizations and Bureaucracy | 3 |
| SOCI 415 | Economy and Society | 3 |
| SOCI 427 |
The Labor Force | 3 |
International Affairs and Development
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| SOCI 420 | Political Sociology | 3 |
Education
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| SOCI 412 | Social Stratification | 3 |
| SOCI 423 |
Sociology of Education, Experiential Education | 3 |
| SOCI 426 | Sociology of Education | 3 |
Law
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| SOCI 122 |
Race and Ethnicity | 3 |
| SOCI 123 | Crime and Criminal Justice | 3 |
| SOCI 273 |
Social and Economic Justice, Experiential Education | 3 |
| SOCI 274 | Social and Economic Justice | 3 |
| SOCI 420 | Political Sociology | 3 |
| SOCI 424 | Law and Society | 3 |
Public Policy
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| SOCI 251 |
Research Methods | 3 |
| SOCI 252 |
Data Analysis | 3 |
| SOCI 273 |
Social and Economic Justice, Experiential Education | 3 |
| SOCI 274 | Social and Economic Justice | 3 |
| SOCI 412 | Social Stratification | 3 |
| SOCI 414 | The City and Urbanization | 3 |
| SOCI 415 | Economy and Society | 3 |
| SOCI 420 | Political Sociology | 3 |
| SOCI 422 |
Sociology of Mental Health and Illness | 3 |
| SOCI 424 | Law and Society | 3 |
| SOCI 429 |
Religion and Society | 3 |
| SOCI 431 | Aging | 3 |
| SOCI 468 | United States Poverty and Public Policy | 3 |
Community Service, Organizing, and Advocacy
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| SOCI 273 |
Social and Economic Justice, Experiential Education | 3 |
| SOCI 274 | Social and Economic Justice | 3 |
| SOCI 411 | Social Movements | 3 |
| SOCI 412 | Social Stratification | 3 |
| SOCI 427 |
The Labor Force | 3 |
| SOCI 429 |
Religion and Society | 3 |
| SOCI 468 | United States Poverty and Public Policy | 3 |
Medicine and Public Health
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| SOCI 251 |
Research Methods | 3 |
| SOCI 252 |
Data Analysis | 3 |
| SOCI 422 |
Sociology of Mental Health and Illness | 3 |
| SOCI 431 | Aging | 3 |
| SOCI 468 | United States Poverty and Public Policy | 3 |
| SOCI 469 | Health and Society | 3 |
Sample Plan of Study
Sample plans can be used as a guide to identify the courses required to complete the major and other requirements needed for degree completion within the expected eight semesters. The actual degree plan may differ depending on the course of study selected (second major, minor, etc.). Students should meet with their academic advisor to create a degree plan that is specific and unique to their interests. The sample plans represented in this catalog are intended for first-year students entering UNC–Chapel Hill in the fall term. Some courses may not be offered every term.
Sample Plan One
| First Year | Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| First-Year Foundations | ||
| IDST 101 | College Thriving | 1 |
| ENGL 105 or ENGL 105I | English Composition and Rhetoric or English Composition and Rhetoric (Interdisciplinary) | 3 |
| First-Year Seminar or First-Year Launch | First-Year Seminar if SOCI 100 First-Year Launch is not taken F | 3 |
| Triple-I and Data Literacy | 4 | |
| Global Language through level 3 | varies | |
| Major Courses | ||
| SOCI 101 or SOCI 100 | Sociological Perspectives H or Sociological Perspective Through Documentary Film | 3 |
| SOCI --- | Sociology elective | 3 |
| Hours | 17 | |
| Sophomore Year | ||
| SOCI --- | Sociology elective | 3 |
| SOCI 250 | Sociological Theory | 3 |
| Hours | 6 | |
| Junior Year | ||
| SOCI 251 | Research Methods (Fall semester) | 3 |
| SOCI 252 | Data Analysis (Spring semester) | 3 |
| SOCI 4-- | Sociology 400-level elective | 3 |
| Hours | 9 | |
| Senior Year | ||
| SOCI 4-- | Sociology 400-level elective | 3 |
| SOCI 4-- | Sociology 400-level elective | 3 |
| Hours | 6 | |
| Total Hours | 38 | |
| H | Honors version available. An honors course fulfills the same requirements as the nonhonors version of that course. Enrollment and GPA restrictions may apply. |
Sample Plan Two (Honors Track)
| First Year | Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| First-Year Foundations | ||
| IDST 101 | College Thriving | 1 |
| ENGL 105 or ENGL 105I | English Composition and Rhetoric or English Composition and Rhetoric (Interdisciplinary) | 3 |
| First-Year Seminar or First-Year Launch | First-Year Seminar if SOCI 100 First-Year Launch is not taken | 3 |
| Triple-I and Data Literacy | 4 | |
| Global Language through level 3 | varies | |
| Major Courses | ||
| SOCI 101 or SOCI 100 | Sociological Perspectives H or Sociological Perspective Through Documentary Film | 3 |
| SOCI --- | Sociology elective | 3 |
| Hours | 17 | |
| Sophomore Year | ||
| SOCI --- | Sociology elective | 3 |
| SOCI 250 | Sociological Theory | 3 |
| Hours | 6 | |
| Junior Year | ||
| SOCI 251 | Research Methods (Fall semester ) | 3 |
| SOCI 252 | Data Analysis (Spring semester) | 3 |
| SOCI 4-- | Sociology 400-level elective | 3 |
| Hours | 9 | |
| Senior Year | ||
| SOCI 4-- | Sociology 400-level elective | 3 |
| SOCI 691H | Senior Honors Research and Seminar 1 | 3 |
| SOCI 692H | Senior Honors Research and Seminar 1 | 3 |
| Hours | 9 | |
| Total Hours | 41 | |
| H | Honors version available. An honors course fulfills the same requirements as the nonhonors version of that course. Enrollment and GPA restrictions may apply. |
Special Opportunities in Sociology
Honors in Sociology
The department attempts to identify and invite all qualified students to participate in the senior honors program. Students who are not contacted, especially double majors, transfer students, and students who declare their major in sociology relatively late in their college careers, are encouraged to speak with their major advisor or the department’s honors advisor no later than the preregistration period during the second semester of their junior year.
To graduate with honors in sociology, a major must meet the following requirements:
- At least a 3.3 cumulative grade point average in major courses and all courses taken at the University
- Completion of an honors thesis based on independent study, which may involve collection of data by the student, under the supervision of a faculty thesis advisor
- Participation in an honors seminar program during the fall and spring semesters of the senior year.
Students may receive credit for one or both senior honors research and seminar courses (SOCI 691H and SOCI 692H) depending on the extent of their thesis work.
For more information on honors, contact the Sociology director of undergraduate studies and/or the assistant director, or visit the relevant page on the department's website.
Student Clubs
The Sociology Club is a student-run, student-driven organization that may provide relevant presentations, discussions, guidance, and/or service opportunities in sociology.
Independent Study and Reading
SOCI 396 may be taken for one to three hours of course credit depending on the amount of academic work planned by the student. It is usually taken by juniors and seniors who have completed at least two or three courses in sociology. Students may use independent study to
- Do reading and research in an area in which no course is offered
- Take advanced or more specialized coursework in a specific area of sociology
After an area of study has been selected, the student contacts a faculty member in the department whose interests are in or related to the topic area. If the faculty member agrees to direct the student’s independent study, the student needs final approval by the department’s director of undergraduate studies. It is the student’s and faculty supervisor’s responsibility to determine the amount of reading and/or outside work to be done, the frequency with which the student’s progress will be assessed, and the papers or examinations that will constitute the course requirements. An approved learning contract is necessary, and some written work involving sociological analysis is required to receive credit for SOCI 396. Students must sign up for SOCI 396 before the end of the first week of classes. For more information, visit the relevant page on the department's website.
Independent Experiential Internship
Students may combine employment and study in the form of an internship program for which they receive one to three academic credits through SOCI 393. The student must assume responsibility for employment arrangements. Students may not receive credit for paid employment. The student contacts a faculty member in the department whose interests are in or related to the area of the internship. If the faculty member agrees to direct the internship, the student needs final approval by the department’s director of undergraduate studies. Credit is not provided for the internship alone; some written work involving sociological analysis is required to receive credit for SOCI 393. Because of the expectation that students doing an internship for academic credit will conduct substantive sociological analysis, it is very important that planning begin early. Students must secure all approvals for the contract before the first day of the internship. For more information, visit the relevant page on the department's website.
Undergraduate Research
Students interested in working with faculty on their research projects should contact the Office for Undergraduate Research for more information and also speak with the director of undergraduate studies for more direction.
Undergraduate Howard W. Odum Award
The Undergraduate Howard W. Odum Award is presented yearly to a graduating senior who has displayed excellence in undergraduate sociological achievement. This award was established in 1967 in honor of Professor Howard Odum, who founded and first chaired the UNC–Chapel Hill Department of Sociology. Odum was a pioneer in American sociology and a major influence on the discipline. The department faculty selects the recipient of the annual award on the basis of grade records and other demonstrations of academic talent and accomplishment as an undergraduate.
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