Major in Sociology

The field of sociology studies virtually every aspect of human society:the family, gender, race and ethnic relations, aging, education, work, population, and many others.Its principle goal as a discipline is to understand the workings of human society and to explain social behavior.Although sociologists do study what are commonly regarded as social problems—crime, drug addiction, and poverty, for example—they also examine fundamental social processes present in any society:social change, conflict and inequality.Sociology is less concerned with finding practical solutions to social problems than with achieving a fundamental understanding of the social world.

Enrollment in the Major

Current students may enroll in the major only during the periods  September 15 to November 1 and February 15 to April 1. New and transfer students may enroll when they matriculate, during orientation, or when they first arrive on campus. 

Sociology Major Requirements

Sociology majors must satisfy the requirements of the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences (SBS) and of the University as well as of the Sociology Department.   Questions relating to the Global Education requirement of the SBS should be addressed to their office in E-20 Machmer Hall (phone 577-1057) or www.umass.edu/sbs/academics/undergraduate/global_ed_requirement. Advice on other SBS requirements and on University Requirements can be obtained at the Arts and Sciences Advising Center, E-24 Machmer Hall 545-2192.  This office also handles all matters that require the approval of the Academic Dean, such as late adding or dropping of courses, removal of academic suspension and credit overload approval.

IN ORDER TO GRADUATE WITH A DEGREE IN SOCIOLOGY:

Students must have a minimum cumulative GPA of C (2.0) in their Sociology classes.

Students must take at least five courses (15 credits) within the UMASS Amherst Sociology Department.

Students must take at least 10 courses in Sociology.

To count for the major, all courses in Sociology must be graded (not Pass/Fail).
Only one 100 level course may count toward the major.

Four Required Courses
Sociology majors usually begin the major with a 100 level course.  However, a student beginning with a 200 level course may, with permission, substitute another Sociology course for the 100 level requirement.   A student may count only one 100-level sociology course toward the major. 

The following 100 level courses are regularly offered:
103:  Social Problems
105:  Self, Society, and Interpersonal Relations
106:  Race, Gender, Class, and Ethnicity
107:  Contemporary American Society
110:  General Introduction to Sociology

All students must take the following three courses:

212: Statistics  (students declaring after 4/30/05 only)
213: Data Collection and Analysis
401: Sociological Theories and Perspectives (this is a four credit course that satisfies the junior writing requirement)

It is recommended that students take 212 before 213.  Ideally, Sociology 212 and 213 should be taken during the sophomore year and Sociology 401 during the junior year. Students who have previously passed a statistics course in another department may substitute it for Sociology 212. 

Concentration Courses

Students declare a concentration when they become sociology majors.  Each concentration requires four sociology courses within the chosen area, as well as two upper-level sociology electives (see next link).  Students may change their concentration by visiting the Undergraduate Program Office Manager (Thompson 722) and completing the requisite form. Students concentrations appear neither on their diplomas nor on their transcripts.  However, concentrations are noted on  SPIRE and become the basis for the Degree Audit.  Upon graduation, students receive verification of successful completion of their concentration.  Each concentration has its own additional requirements.  Any substitution requires the prior approval of the appropriate Concentration Coordinator or of the Chief Undergraduate Advisor.

Independent Study
Independent study courses (Sociology 296, 396, 496, and 596) and courses with temporary numbers (those with a 9 as the middle digit, such as 291 and 397) may be used to fulfill concentration requirements ONLY if noted in this Guide or with the approval of the Concentration Coordinator /or the Chief Undergraduate Advisor.

It is the student’s responsibility to seek approval for independent study courses, and to develop a written agreement with the faculty sponsor regarding the number of credits (one to six) and the work expected.  Generally, independent study involves regular meetings with a faculty sponsor, appropriate readings, and a substantial paper.

Pass/Fail
Sociology courses taken pass/fail will not count toward the major.

Residence
To graduate as a sociology major from the University of Massachusetts Amherst students must take 45 credits as an enrolled student at the University of Massachusetts Amherst and a minimum of five (5) courses (15 credits) within the Sociology Department at theUniversity of Massachusetts Amherst.

To graduate with honors students must complete at least 60 credits as an enrolled student at UMass Amherst, and 48 of those credits must have been earned with letter grades, not Pass/Fail.