Sociology
226 Rachel Carson College
(831) 459-4888
https://sociology.ucsc.edu/
Program Description
Sociology is the study of social interactions among individuals and social groups. More specifically, sociologists examine the cultural, ideological, economic and political contexts of human action including the processes whereby social institutions are created, maintained, and transformed.
Sociology was born as an intellectual response to the democratic and industrial revolutions that ushered in the modern era. As such, it considers how society is organized in relationship to a vision of a just, free, and equal society—a vision that may require fundamental social change. Developing an understanding of both social change and social justice as part of the sociological tradition is one of the teaching goals of sociologists at UCSC. In the process, we expect to develop in students an appreciation for the craft of social science: disciplined inquiry, observation, and research as part of informed global citizenship.
Our faculty have expertise in topics that include, but are not limited to:
- Children, youth, and families
- Civic engagement, voting, and citizenship
- Community-engaged research
- Cultural politics and the politicization of culture
- The cultural politics of sex work
- Critical ethnography
- Drugs, botanicals, and pharmaceuticals in society
- Educational inequality
- Education (K-12 and higher education)
- Environmental sociology
- Feminist studies
- Globalization and international development
- Global inequality, crime, and deviance
- Health and medicine
- Identities and identity changes
- International law
- The intersection of class, race, gender and sexualities
- Labor studies
- Latino/a communities
- Law and Society
- Medicine and technology
- Media studies
- Migration
- Political economy
- Popular culture and cultural studies
- Queer studies
- Race, ethnicity, and racisms
- Science and technology
- Social movements
- Sociology of emotion and affect
- Survey design and quantitative data analysis
- Sustainability
- Technology and social change
- Urban studies
Sociology faculty use a number of approaches and methods, including field research, critical ethnography, cultural analysis, comparative historical analysis, and quantitative techniques.
Undergraduate Program
Because of the interdisciplinary emphasis among sociology faculty, undergraduates find the department amenable for double majors and minors, and non-majors find many sociology courses of interest. In recent years, students have conducted independent studies and written senior theses on a variety of subjects including undocumented immigrants, cultural diversity and inclusion in education, low-wage workers in Santa Cruz County, social inequality and immunology, economic inequality and mental health, surveillance state and national security, feminism, homeless shelter services, domestic violence, women’s rights in Iran, student movements in Chile, sanitation services in Ghana, the Pelican Bay Prison hunger strike, participatory culture in the 2016 presidential campaign, comedy and mental illness, and community empowerment.
The sociology major at UC Santa Cruz is a rigorous program of study that retains enough flexibility to accommodate students with diverse career goals and plans. It ensures that all students are trained in the main theoretical and methodological traditions of sociology, yet permits considerable variation in students’ own areas of specialization. The major provides the necessary intellectual foundation for students who are considering graduate studies in sociology and related social sciences. It also can be used as preparation for careers in fields as diverse as law, social work, management, environmental planning, public service, education, health services, journalism, and counseling. Finally, the sociology major can provide a general liberal education for undergraduates interested in the study of contemporary society and social problems.
Program Learning Outcomes
Students graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology will:
- Demonstrate critical thinking and critical citizenship skills intended to promote social justice through the ability to analyze and evaluate social, political, and/or cultural arguments.
- Demonstrate sociological understandings of phenomena, for example, how individual biographies are shaped by social structures, social institutions, cultural practices, and multiple axes of difference and/or inequality.
- Formulate effective and convincing written and/or oral arguments.
- Demonstrate an understanding of, and the ability to use, several of the major classical and/or contemporary perspectives in social theory.
- Demonstrate an understanding of several of the major social science research methodologies.
- Demonstrate knowledge of some of the key substantive areas within the field of sociology.
Global Information and Social Enterprise Studies
Sponsored by the Sociology Department at UC Santa Cruz is Global Information and Social Enterprise Studies (GISES), a rigorous and innovative program developed in collaboration with the Everett Program for Technology and Social Change. It aspires to create a new generation of well-trained advocates for social justice and sustainable development, who use the tools of information technology and social enterprise to solve global problems. Practically, students develop projects in solidarity with local and global organizations to democratize globalization, deepen social justice, reduce poverty, support digital education, and advance the transition to a sustainable world. The Everett Program combines social entrepreneurship with peer-to-peer and near-to-peer trainings in information technologies with the aim that students learn how to be innovative and creative problem-solvers in order to increase the informational, communication and organizational capacity of community and non-governmental organizations (NGOs). The GISES program provides an excellent foundation for students pursuing careers in non-profit management, social advocacy, sustainable businesses, and technology. Depending on a student’s major, there are two ways to enter the GISES program. If a student is a sociology major and wishes to participate in GISES, they should declare the sociology with concentration in GISES intensive major. A student who majors in any field other than sociology should declare GISES as a minor.
Declaration of the General Sociology Major, Sociology with a Concentration in GISES Intensive Major, or a Combined Sociology/Latin American and Latino Studies (LALS) Major
The Sociology Department offers three undergraduate majors: 1) a general sociology major; 2) a sociology with a concentration in GISES intensive major; and 3) a combined major with Latin American and Latino studies. Additionally, there is a minor in Global Information and Social Enterprise Studies (GISES) that is open to students in any major.
General Sociology Major
Students must take two of the following courses prior to petitioning for entry to the general sociology major: Sociology 1, Introduction to Sociology; Sociology 10, Issues and Problems in American Society; or Sociology 15, World Society. Students who pass these two courses with grades of C+ or better will be allowed to declare the sociology major. Students who are transferring in should refer to the section below, “Transfer Students,” on the major selection criteria used during the admissions screening process.
Sociology with a Concentration in GISES Intensive Major
Students must take three courses prior to petitioning for entry to the Sociology with a concentration in GISES intensive major: Sociology 30A, Introduction to Global Information and Social Enterprise Studies; and two of the following three courses: Sociology 1, Introduction to Sociology; Sociology 10, Issues and Problems in American Society; or Sociology 15, World Society. To be considered for admission to the intensive major, students are required to obtain a GPA of 2.8 or above in these courses.
Combined Sociology/Latin American and Latino Studies Major
Students must take two of the following courses prior to petitioning for entry to the combined sociology/Latin American and Latino studies major: Sociology 1, Introduction to Sociology; Sociology 10, Issues and Problems in American Society; or Sociology 15, World Society. Students who pass two of these courses with a grade of C or better and who have completed LALS 1 will be allowed to declare the combined major.
Further Information on All Three Majors
All major qualification courses must be taken for letter grades. Students may petition for admission to the major by attending a major declaration workshop, filling out the campus’s Declaration of Major/Minor Form and Academic Planning Form, and by supplying evidence of their performance in the required lower-division courses. For specific details, refer to the Sociology Department website or the department’s undergraduate adviser.
Appeal of Negative Decisions
Students who are informed that they are not eligible to declare the major may appeal this decision by submitting a letter to the Sociology Department within 15 days from the date of notification. Within 15 days of receipt of the appeal, the department will notify the student and college of the decision. Letters of appeal should describe any extenuating circumstances that might have affected the student’s record.
Requirements of the General Sociology Major
Sociology majors are required to take a total of 11 courses (two lower-division courses in preparation for the major, two prescribed lower-division core courses, two prescribed upper-division core courses, and five upper-division electives). In addition, they must successfully complete the comprehensive requirement prior to graduation.
Lower-division preparation: All sociology majors are required to take two lower-division preparation courses, or their articulated equivalents.
Select two from the following three options:
SOCY 1, Introduction to Sociology
SOCY 10, Issues and Problems in American Society
SOCY 15, World Society
Lower-division core courses: The following two sociology courses, or their articulated equivalents, are required as the foundation of statistical and research methods in the discipline.
SOCY 3A, The Evaluation of Evidence
SOCY 3B, Statistical Methods
Upper-division core courses: The following two sociology courses are required as the foundation of theoretical training in the discipline.
SOCY 105A, Classical Social Theory
SOCY 105B, Contemporary Social Theory
Upper-division advanced coursework: Five additional upper-division sociology electives are required. The Sociology Department offers upper-division electives that reflect a wide range of ideas within the discipline and the diversified research interests of the faculty.
Comprehensive requirement: Prior to graduation, all sociology majors are required to complete one of the following comprehensive requirements.
-
Senior thesis. Sociology 195A, 195B, and 195C. The prerequisite for the senior thesis is course 3A and completion of the major’s Disciplinary Communications (DC) requirement. Students who would like to write a senior thesis must submit to their preferred faculty thesis sponsor a proposal that includes a working title, a description of the work to be undertaken, research question(s), methodology, a brief bibliography, a timeline to completion, at least three keywords describing the thesis topics, and materials from relevant courses that might help faculty determine their preparedness to complete the thesis. In addition, students must familiarize themselves with IRB protocols and include in their proposal whether their research includes human subjects, if the project is IRB exempt, or if an IRB application will be needed. The proposal must be submitted one quarter prior to the commencement of the thesis work. Students unsuccessful in obtaining a thesis sponsor through these means may submit their proposals to the department’s undergraduate education committee (UEC) no later than the sixth week of the quarter, one quarter prior to the commencement of the thesis work. UEC members will review the merits of these proposals and assign the ones they approve to faculty members who have not yet agreed to serve as thesis advisers for the following year. Students will be notified of the outcome of the UEC’s deliberations within three weeks.
-
Capstone course. Sociology 196A, Capstone: The Sociologist as Public Intellectual. Upper-division lecture course that explores public sociology and integrates current research with theoretical strands in sociology.
In exceptional cases, students unable to take the senior capstone course may be allowed to substitute a portfolio of work. This substitution must be approved in advance, by the department chair. The portfolio option consists of: 1) portfolio of materials from (at least) three upper-division sociology courses; 2) a synthetic essay; 3) a paper consisting of new research by the student on some contemporary social or political issue, analyzed using the theoretical and empirical materials from those three courses. See the department for additional information.
Disciplinary Communication (DC) Requirement
Students of every major must satisfy that major's upper-division Disciplinary Communication (DC) requirement. The goals of the Sociology Department’s Disciplinary Communication requirement is to ensure that students acquire and develop the skills in writing and other forms of communication that will best serve them in their study of sociology, and as future learners. Courses 105A and 105B, Classical Social Theory and Contemporary Social Theory, satisfy the Disciplinary Communication requirement for students in programs administered by the Sociology Department. Combined majors with Latin American and Latino Studies should refer to the Latin American and Latino Studies Department for their Disciplinary Communication requirement.
Sociology Major Planner One
The following is a recommended academic plan for students in the sociology major.
|
Option One |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Year |
Fall |
Winter |
Spring |
|
1st |
SOCY 1 |
SOCY 10 |
|
| 2nd (soph) |
SOCY 3A |
SOCY 3B | Declaration deadline |
|
3rd |
SOCY 105A |
SOCY 105B |
SOCY elective |
| SOCY elective | SOCY elective | ||
| 4th (senior) |
SOCY elective | SOCY elective | SOCY 196A (or thesis fall-spring) |
|
Option Two |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Year |
Fall |
Winter |
Spring |
|
1st |
|
|
SOCY 1 |
| 2nd (soph) |
SOCY 15 |
Declaration deadline |
|
|
3rd |
SOCY 3A |
SOCY 3B |
SOCY elective |
| SOCY elective | SOCY elective | ||
| 4th (senior) |
SOCY 105A | SOCY 105B | SOCY 196A (or thesis fall-spring) |
| SOCY elective | SOCY elective | ||
Sociology Major Planner Two
The following is a recommended academic plan for transfer students entering the sociology major as juniors. It is assumed that SOCY 1 and SOCY 10 equivalencies were completed at the previous college.
|
Option One |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Year |
Fall |
Winter |
Spring |
|
1st |
SOCY 3A* |
SOCY 3B* |
SOCY elective |
| SOCY elective | SOCY elective | ||
| 2nd (senior) |
SOCY 105A |
SOCY 105B |
SOCY 196A (or thesis fall-spring) |
| SOCY elective | SOCY elective | ||
*Articulated equivalent courses may be taken prior to transfer.
|
Option Two |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Year |
Fall |
Winter |
Spring |
|
1st |
SOCY 3A* |
SOCY 3B* |
SOCY elective |
| SOCY 105A | SOCY 105B | ||
| 2nd (senior) |
SOCY elective |
SOCY elective |
SOCY 196A (or thesis fall-spring) |
*Articulated equivalent courses may be taken prior to transfer.
Requirements of the Sociology with a Concentration in GISES Intensive Major
The GISES concentration intensive major is an option for students wishing to major in sociology and focus in the area of Global Information and Social Enterprise Studies (GISES). The major is sponsored and administered by the Department of Sociology. This major is designed for highly motivated, self-directed and enterprising students who have demonstrated the capacity to design and complete an honors-quality project for a civil society group. Students are required to take a total of 15 courses (three prescribed lower-division courses in preparation for the major, two prescribed lower-division core courses, two prescribed upper-division GISES courses, two prescribed upper-division core courses, five upper-division electives, and a project practicum course). In addition, they must successfully complete the comprehensive requirement prior to graduation.
Lower-division preparation: Students must take the following three courses or their articulated equivalents.
SOCY 30A, Introduction to Global Information and Social Enterprise Studies
And select two from the following three options:
SOCY 1, Introduction to Sociology
SOCY 10, Issues and Problems in American Society
SOCY 15, World Society
Lower-division core courses: The following two sociology courses, or their articulated equivalents, are required as the foundation of statistical and research methods in the discipline.
SOCY 3A, The Evaluation of Evidence
SOCY 3B, Statistical Methods
Upper-division GISES core courses: The following two courses are required for the design and implementation of the GISES project.
SOCY 107A, Designing ICT Projects for Social Enterprises
SOCY 107B, Project Implementation and Grant Writing for Social Entrepreneurs
Upper-division core courses. The following two sociology courses are required as the foundation of theoretical training in the discipline.
SOCY 105A, Classical Social Theory
SOCY 105B, Contemporary Social Theory
Upper-division advanced coursework: Five additional upper-division courses are required. The student’s choice of electives must be approved by the director of GISES. For more information on upper-division courses that have been popular and the process students should follow to have them approved, please visit the Everett Program electives webpage.
Project practicum: Students must enroll in SOCY 196G, Project Practicum and complete their GISES capstone project. Contact the director of GISES or the Sociology Department undergraduate adviser for more detailed guidelines regarding the GISES capstone project. At least one quarter before expected graduation, prior to enrolling in SOCY 196G, students are required to submit, electronically, a one-page polished and concise summary of the GISES capstone project that will be the focus of their project practicum. This project summary constitutes a prerequisite for enrolling in SOCY 196G.
The final GISES capstone project must make an unambiguous contribution to advancing a solution to a problem associated with global social justice and/or sustainable development. The project must be associated with a real, viable civil society organization, community organization, school or non-governmental organization (NGO). To complete the final requirements for GISES major or minor, the integrated project—narrative and digital deliverable—must be mounted on the appropriate web-enabled database managed by the Everett Program.
Comprehensive requirement: Prior to graduation, students are required to complete one of the following comprehensive requirements.
-
Senior thesis. Sociology 195A, 195B, and 195C. The prerequisite for the senior thesis is course 3A and completion of the major’s Disciplinary Communications (DC) requirement. Students who would like to write a senior thesis must submit to their preferred faculty thesis sponsor a proposal that includes: a working title, a description of the work to be undertaken, research question(s), methodology, a brief bibliography, a timeline to completion, at least three keywords describing the thesis topics, and materials from relevant courses that might help faculty determine their preparedness to complete the thesis. In addition, students must familiarize themselves with IRB protocols and include in their proposal whether their research includes human subjects, if the project is IRB exempt, or if an IRB application will be needed. The proposal must be submitted and approved one quarter prior to the commencement of the thesis work. Students unsuccessful in obtaining a thesis sponsor through these means may submit their proposals to the department’s undergraduate education committee (UEC) no later than the sixth week of the quarter, one quarter prior to the commencement of the thesis work. UEC members will review the merits of these proposals and assign the ones they approve to faculty members who have not yet agreed to serve as thesis advisers for the following year. Students will be notified of the outcome of the UEC’s deliberations within three weeks.
-
Capstone course. Sociology 196A, Capstone: The Sociologist as Public Intellectual. Upper-division lecture course that explores public sociology and integrates current research with theoretical strands in sociology.
In exceptional cases, students unable to take the senior capstone course may be allowed to substitute a portfolio of work. This substitution must be approved in advance by the department chair. The portfolio option consists of: 1) portfolio of materials from (at least) three upper-division sociology courses; 2) a synthetic essay; 3) a paper consisting of new research by the student on some contemporary social or political issue, analyzed using the theoretical and empirical materials from those three courses. See the department for additional information.
Disciplinary Communication (DC) requirement: Students of every major must satisfy that major's upper-division Disciplinary Communication (DC) requirement. The goal of the Sociology Department’s Disciplinary Communication requirement is to ensure that students acquire and develop the skills in writing and other forms of communication that will best serve them in their study of sociology, and as future learners. Courses 105A and 105B, Classical Social Theory and Contemporary Social Theory, satisfy the Disciplinary Communication requirement for students in programs administered by the Sociology Department.
Sociology with Concentration in GISES Intensive Major Planner One
The following is a recommended academic plan for students in the sociology with concentration in GISES concentration intensive major.
|
Option One |
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Year |
Fall |
Winter |
Spring |
|
|
1st |
SOCY 1 |
SOCY 10 |
||
|
2nd |
SOCY 3A | SOCY 3B | SOCY 107B | |
|
SOCY 30A |
SOCY 107A |
Declaration deadline |
||
|
3rd |
SOCY 105A |
SOCY 105B |
Upper-division elective |
|
| Upper-division elective | Upper-division elective | |||
|
4th |
Upper-division elective | Upper-division elective | SOCY 196A (or thesis fall-spring) |
|
|
SOCY 196G |
Upper-division elective |
|
||
|
Option Two |
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Year |
Fall |
Winter |
Spring |
|
|
1st |
|
SOCY 1 |
||
|
2nd |
SOCY 15 |
SOCY 3B |
Declaration deadline |
|
| SOCY 3A | ||||
|
3rd |
SOCY 30A |
SOCY 107A |
SOCY 107B |
|
| Upper-division elective | Upper-division elective | Upper-division elective | ||
|
4th |
SOCY 105A |
SOCY 105B |
SOCY 196A |
|
| SOCY 196G | Upper-division elective | Upper-division elective | ||
Sociology with Concentration in GISES Intensive Major Planner Two
The following is a recommended academic plan for transfer students entering the sociology with concentration in GISES concentration intensive major as juniors. It is assumed that SOCY 1 and SOCY 10 equivalencies were completed at the previous college.
|
Year |
Fall |
Winter |
Spring |
|
1st |
SOCY 3A* |
SOCY 3B* |
SOCY 107B |
| SOCY 30A | SOCY 107A | SOCY 105B | |
| Upper-division elective | SOCY 105A | ||
|
2nd |
Upper-division elective |
Upper-division elective |
SOCY 196A |
| SOCY 196G | Upper-division elective | Upper-division elective |
*Articulated equivalent courses may be taken prior to transfer
Requirements of the Combined Major in Sociology and Latin American and Latino Studies
Students may choose to declare a combined major in sociology and Latin American and Latino studies. The requirements should be examined carefully before choosing the combined major option. Students must complete the lower-division sociology courses and LALS 1 with a grade of C or better, and both departments must approve a study plan before the major can be declared. Each department determines major and thesis honors separately.
Students are required to take a total of 12 courses (three lower-division courses in preparation for the major, five prescribed upper-division core courses, four upper-division electives). In addition, students must satisfy the language requirement and a senior comprehensive requirement.
Lower-division preparation: Students must take the following three courses or their articulated equivalents.
LALS 1, Introduction to Latin American and Latino Studies
And select two from the following three options:
SOCY 1, Introduction to Sociology
SOCY 10, Issues and Problems in American Society
SOCY 15, World Society
Upper-division core courses:
LALS 100, Concepts and Theories in Latin American and Latina/o Studies
LALS 100A, Social Science Analytics
LALS 100B, Cultural Theory in the Americas
SOCY 105A, Classical Social Theory
SOCY 105B, Contemporary Social Theory
Upper-division advanced coursework: Four additional upper-division electives are required, two from sociology and two from Latin American and Latino studies. Up to three relevant courses taken through study abroad programs, from which credits are transferable to UC Santa Cruz, may be credited toward the major when the content is deemed appropriate by both the Sociology and Latin American and Latino Studies departments.
Language requirement: Majors must take at least one upper-division course taught in Spanish or Portuguese. Courses that satisfy this requirement offered in the current year (both Latin American and Latino Studies Department courses and affiliated department course offerings) are indicated on the LALS website. In addition, the required upper-division course taught in Spanish or Portuguese may be taken during study abroad with approval from the LALS department.
Comprehensive requirement: Prior to graduation, students are required to complete one of the following comprehensive requirements.
- Passing an appropriate LALS Senior Seminar (194 series). In these courses, students must write at least 30 pages cumulatively during the quarter. The final paper is based on independent scholarly research, demonstrates advanced skills in critical analysis, and has undergone revisions. Senior standing and completion of LALS 100A and 100B are required before taking a LALS 194 course for fulfillment of the senior exit requirement.
- Writing a senior thesis, based on two or more quarters of sustained independent research under the supervision of faculty advisers while enrolled in an independent study (either LALS or SOCY). The thesis should be planned in consultation with an adviser from each department, completed under the supervision of a faculty member from either department, and read and approved by both advisers; one adviser is sufficient if this faculty member is affiliated with both departments.
Language Study. Before taking upper-division coursework taught in the language, students must demonstrate proficiency in Spanish equivalent to the completion of Spanish 6 or Spanish for Heritage Speakers 6. Students who wish to pursue Portuguese may take the Portuguese 1A/1B, 60A/60B or 65A/B series. Students who have achieved fluency in Spanish or Portuguese through life experience may be exempt from this recommended preparatory coursework after demonstration of their proficiency.
Combined Major in Sociology and Latin American and Latino Studies Major Planner One
The following is a recommended academic plan for students in the combined sociology and Latin American and Latino studies major. Students must also plan for the language requirement.
|
Option One |
|||
|
Year |
Fall |
Winter |
Spring |
|
1st |
SOCY 1 |
SOCY 10 |
|
| LALS 1 | |||
|
2nd |
LALS 100 |
LALS 100A |
LALS 100B |
| Declaration deadline | |||
|
3rd |
SOCY 105A |
SOCY 105B |
SOCY elective |
| LALS elective | |||
|
4th |
LALS elective |
SOCY elective |
LALS 194 Seminar |
|
Option Two |
|||
|
Year |
Fall |
Winter |
Spring |
|
1st |
LALS 1 |
SOCY 1 |
|
|
2nd |
SOCY 15 |
Declaration deadline |
|
|
3rd |
LALS 100 |
LALS 100A |
LALS 100B |
| LALS elective | SOCY elective | ||
|
4th |
SOCY 105A |
SOCY 105B |
LALS 194 Seminar |
| LALS elective | SOCY elective | ||
The following is a recommended academic plan for transfer students entering the combined sociology and Latin American and Latino studies major. It is assumed that SOCY 1 and SOCY 10 equivalencies were completed at the previous college. Students must also plan for the language requirement.
|
Year |
Fall |
Winter |
Spring |
|
1st |
LALS 1 |
LALS 100A |
LALS 100B |
| LALS 100A | SOCY 105A | SOCY 105B | |
|
2nd |
LALS elective |
LALS elective |
LALS 194 Seminar |
| SOCY elective | SOCY elective |
Honors in the Major
The Sociology Department awards honors in the major based on the student’s cumulative GPA for all courses taken to satisfy the program’s major requirements, excluding the comprehensive requirement. Students with a GPA of 3.75 or above will be considered for honors in the major. Students with a GPA of 3.9 or above will be considered for highest honors in the major. No more than approximately 15 percent of the graduating class will be considered for honors or highest honors in the major. Comprehensive honors is awarded to students who complete the senior thesis option, and their faculty thesis sponsor and one additional reader evaluate the thesis to be of honors quality.
Requirements of the GISES Minor
Students must take one course prior to petitioning for entry to the GISES minor: Sociology 30A, Introduction to Global Information and Social Enterprise Studies.
Students minoring in GISES are required to complete the following courses and requirements:
Lower-division preparation:
SOCY 30A, Introduction to Global Information and Social Enterprise Studies
Upper-division GISES core courses:
SOCY 107A, Designing ICT Projects for Social Enterprises
SOCY 107B, Project Implementation and Grant Writing for Social Entrepreneurs
Upper-division advanced coursework: Three additional upper-division courses are required. The student’s choice of electives must be approved by the director of GISES. For more information on upper-division courses that have been popular and the process students should follow to have them approved, please visit the Everett Program electives webpage.
Project practicum: Students must enroll in Sociology 196G, Project Practicum and complete their GISES capstone project. Contact the director of GISES or the Sociology Department undergraduate adviser for more detailed guidelines regarding the GISES capstone project. Prior to enrolling in 196G, students are required to submit electronically a one-page polished and concise summary of the GISES capstone project that will be the focus of their project practicum. This project summary constitutes a prerequisite for enrolling in SOCY 196G.
The final GISES capstone project must make an unambiguous contribution to advancing a solution to a problem associated with global social justice and/or sustainable development. The project must be associated with a real, viable civil society organization, community organization, school or non-governmental organization (NGO). To complete the final requirements for GISES major or minor, the integrated project—narrative and digital deliverable—must be mounted on the appropriate web-enabled database managed by the Everett Program.
In order to declare the GISES minor, students must first have declared a major and must also meet with the sociology undergraduate coordinator to review and complete the Major/Minor form.
UC Education Abroad Program Students
Students seeking to study abroad must be declared in their major prior to studying abroad.It is recommended that the students have the courses intended to be taken abroad reviewed and approved by the Sociology Department prior to departure. Up to two relevant courses taken through study abroad programs from which credits are transferable to UCSC may be used toward satisfaction of the sociology major requirements when the content is deemed appropriate and approved by the Sociology Department. Up to three relevant courses taken through study abroad programs from which credits are transferable to UCSC may be credited toward the combined major when the content is deemed appropriate by both the Sociology and Latin American and Latino Studies departments.
Transfer Students
Junior transfer students expressing an interest in sociology on their UCSC application for admission will be screened and held to the major qualification selection criteria outlined by the Admissions Office, in addition to the campus admissions requirements:
UCSC Admissions major qualification selection criteria for Sociology:
-
Minimum grade of C (2.0) in a course articulated to UCSC’s SOCY 1, Introduction to Sociology.
-
Minimum grade of C (2.0) in a course articulated to UCSC’s SOCY 10, Issues and Problems in American Society.
-
Minimum grade point average of 2.30 in the above major-preparatory courses.
By the end of the fall 2017 term, a student must have completed at least one sociology course from the above (#1 or #2) with a minimum grade of C (2.0). All other course requirements must be listed as either in-progress or planned on the University of California application, showing completion no later than the end of the spring 2018 term.
Although it is not required for selection, junior-level transfer students are strongly encouraged to complete the articulated equivalents to SOCY 3A and SOCY 3B prior to enrolling at UCSC. Students offered admission for winter 2019 will be required to have completed the articulated equivalent to SOCY 3A prior to enrolling at UC Santa Cruz.Transfer students who meet the selection criteria and are offered admission are admitted as proposed sociology majors. They must work with the sociology undergraduate coordinator when they arrive on campus to begin the process to declare the major and attend a major declaration workshop. Declaration of the major must be completed by the campus deadline, which is the second term of residency at UC Santa Cruz for transfer students.
Graduate Program
The Sociology Department at UCSC is intellectually innovative, both in its interdisciplinary nature and in its commitment to inquiry that is engaged with the world beyond the university. The Ph.D. program leads to both academic and non-academic careers. It distinguishes itself by its interdisciplinary nature. The program is designed to educate students in sociological theory and methods and in the discipline's major substantive areas while simultaneously exposing students to other arenas of intellectual inquiry that will aid them as they pursue their research questions and interests. After completing a group of required courses, students work closely with individual faculty members in designing their own course of study. The program leads to a Ph.D. in sociology. While a terminal master of arts (M.A.) program is not available and students are not admitted directly into the M.A., students have the option of applying for a non-terminal master's degree en route to the Ph.D. The program leads to a doctor of philosophy (Ph.D.) degree in sociology. A master's degree may be taken en route to the doctorate, but a master’s program per se is not available.
The core curriculum is divided into two parts, 1) basic grounding in sociological theory and methods, and 2) exposure to research in three areas of concentration: a) political economies and political ecologies; b) new studies of inequality; and c) culture, knowledge, and power. To prepare students to conduct their own research projects, the department trains student in multiple methods—field research, critical ethnography, cultural analysis, comparative historical analysis, and quantitative data analysis. For an overview of the faculty member's research interests, please refer to the program description.
Funding
Graduate students are supported through teaching assistantships, teaching fellowships, research fellowships and other grant/fellowship opportunities. A number of faculty receive research grants that support graduate student research assistantships.
When asked what they most appreciate about the sociology graduate program, most students cite the students’ and faculty's commitment to social change in combination with their dedication to teaching, scholarly research, and understanding of the social forces of our society. The Sociology Department’s colloquium series enhances scholarship, practice, and collegial networks. The diversity in age, ethnicity, and work experience of the student body creates a vibrant atmosphere for learning.
Many of the faculty in the Sociology Department have affiliations with other departments and programs on campus, and the graduate program consequently encourages interdisciplinary work. Seminars in the anthropology, environmental studies, history, history of consciousness, politics, psychology, and feminist studies programs are open to sociology students. Graduate students in sociology may obtain a designated emphasis on the sociology Ph.D. diploma indicating that they have specialized in a specific field in addition to sociology, such as feminist studies, Latin American and Latino studies, critical race and ethnic studies, environmental studies, philosophy, or education. Students must meet requirements for the designated emphasis as spelled out by the relevant department. For a complete list of programs that offer a designated emphasis, refer to the fields of study in the General Catalog. Students also participate in research projects under the auspices of a number of interdisciplinary social science research centers: the Science and Justice Research Center; the Center for Agroecology and Sustainable Food Systems; the Center for Labor Studies; the Chicano/Latino Research Center; the Center for Collaborative Research for an Equitable California; the Affect Studies Working Group; the Urban Studies Research Cluster; and the Interdisciplinary Development Working Group. Research opportunities also are available in the areas of environmental studies, feminist studies, and lesbian/gay/queer studies.
Many of our graduate students present papers at professional conferences and publish articles during the course of their graduate studies. The sociology master’s paper is designed to prepare students to write for professional journals. Ongoing faculty seminars focusing on concrete research topics are available for advanced graduate students working on papers and dissertations in related areas.
The sociology program provides graduate students with many teaching opportunities so they can practice the skills required for good teaching—the ability to articulate ideas, to organize and present materials in logical sequence, and to listen attentively and discern someone else’s comprehension. Graduate students typically serve as teaching assistants for at least three quarters, if not more, in the department’s core classes of the undergraduate curriculum.
The Sociology Department at UCSC is intellectually innovative, both in its interdisciplinary approach and in its commitment to inquiry that is engaged with the world beyond the university.
Required Courses
Students are required to take at least 10 courses as follows.
A three-course core group:
SOCY 201 The Making of Classical Theory
SOCY 202 Contemporary Sociological Theory
SOCY 203 Sociological Methods
Two methods courses:
SOCY 204 Methods of Quantitative Analysis*
and one of the following eight courses:
SOCY 205 Field Research Methods
SOCY 206 Comparative Historical Methods
SOCY 209 Analysis of Cultural Forms
SOCY 241 Cross-National and Cross-Cultural Research
SOCY 242 Feminist Research Seminar
SOCY 268A Science and Justice: Experiments in Collaboration
SOCY 282 Social Policy Research
PSYC 248 Survey Methods
Two of three thematic area courses:
SOCY 220 Global Transformation: Macrosociological Perspectives
SOCY 240 Inequality and Identity
SOCY 260 Culture, Knowledge, Power
A minimum of three elective graduate seminars, one of which may be from outside sociology (excluding Sociology 250 and Sociology 293).
*Students with no background in statistics are strongly advised to take an undergraduate course in statistical methods before enrolling in Methods of Quantitative Analysis, but can be admitted with permission of the instructor.
Elective Courses
A minimum of three elective graduate seminars, one of which may be from outside sociology (excluding Sociology 250 and Sociology 293). The elective course offerings change yearly. This selection of courses are offerings from the recent past.
SOCY 208 Writing Practicum
SOCY 209 Analysis of Cultural Forms*
SOCY 220 Global Transformation**
SOCY 223 Sociology of the Environment
SOCY 225 Political Economy
SOCY 229 Work and Labor Markets in the New Economy
SOCY 240 Inequality and Identity**
SOCY 242 Feminist Research Seminar
SOCY 244 Race and Ethnicity
SOCY 246 Class, Culture, and Movement
SOCY 249 Feminisms and Cultural Politics
SOCY 255 Engaging Cultural Studies
SOCY 256 Urban Sociology
SOCY 257 Colonialism, International Law, and Global Justice
SOCY 259 Space and the Politics of Difference
SOCY 260 Culture, Knowledge, Power**
SOCY 263 Cultural Politics of Difference
SOCY 268A Science and Justice: Experiments in Collaboration*
SOCY 268B Science and Justice Research Seminar
SOCY 290 Advanced Topics in Sociological Analysis
*Can be taken as an elective if not fulfilling the methods requirement.
**Students are required to take two of the three thematic area courses—220, 240, 260—and the third may count as an elective.
For more information about courses offered in the 2018-19 academic year, please visit the course listings at the Sociology Department website.
Progress Toward the Ph.D.
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Beginning at least by the end of the first year, students initiate work on their master’s paper.
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Completion of the master’s paper and required coursework is expected by the end of the second year.
- Graduate students prepare field statements in two distinct areas of sociology as a written pre-qualifying stage to the oral qualifying examination.
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The qualifying examination is an oral defense of the student’s dissertation proposal and occurs one quarter after the pre-qualifying field statement stage has been passed.
- Students are expected to take their oral qualifying examination by the end of the third year, but no later than the end of the fourth year.
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After passing the qualifying examination, a student advances to candidacy and begins work on the dissertation with the aid of a three-person dissertation committee.
- After the complete dissertation has been submitted to and accepted by the dissertation committee, students must pass an oral dissertation defense.
Details of the policies for admission to the graduate program, the requirements for the Ph.D. degree, and information on financial support opportunities are available from the Department of Sociology. For more information, refer to the Graduate Studies section of the catalog.
Designated Emphasis in Sociology
To receive the Designated Emphasis (DE) in Sociology, a graduate student from another department must complete the following requirements in addition to the degree requirements for the doctorate in their degree-granting department. Students must initiate the request for the DE through their home departments. Then the student must meet with the Sociology graduate director who will: a) decide whether to approve the application; b) help find a Sociology faculty adviser; and c) oversee progress in the Designated Emphasis.
Adviser: In addition to the student’s adviser(s) in their home department, the student must have a faculty adviser from among the core faculty of the Sociology Department who commits to serve on the qualifying examination (QE) committee. Outside members of a QE committee must be tenured.
Courses: The student must take five (5) Sociology graduate seminar courses:
Two (2) core courses:
SOCY 201 The Making of Classical Theory
SOCY 202 Contemporary Sociological Theory
One (1) methods course from the following:
SOCY 203 Sociological Methods
SOCY 204 Methods of Quantitative Analysis
SOCY 205 Field Research Methods
SOCY 206 Comparative Historical Methods
SOCY 209 The Analysis of Cultural Forms
SOCY 241 Cross-National and Cross Cultural Research
SOCY 242 Feminist Research Seminar
SOCY 282 Social Policy Research
Two (2) other graduate seminar electives* offered by the Sociology Department
*SOCY 208, SOCY 250, SOCY 293, SOCY 297, SOCY 299 cannot be counted toward the requirements for the Designated Emphasis.
All courses must be offered by the Sociology Department. Courses offered by other departments do not count towards the requirements for the Designated Emphasis in Sociology.
Writing: The student must prepare a significant piece of scholarly writing in the area of sociology. This may take the form of a substantial seminar paper, a master’s essay, a paper submitted for publication, or a chapter of the doctoral dissertation. The student’s Sociology faculty adviser will determine whether a particular piece of writing meets the requirement.
Graduate students interested in pursuing the Designated Emphasis in Sociology should contact the Sociology graduate program coordinator.
Revised: 07/15/18
