Sociology is the study of social interaction, social groups, institutions, and social structures. Sociologists examine the contexts of human action, including systems of beliefs and values, patterns of social relations, and the processes whereby social institutions are created, maintained, and transformed. 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 all students are trained in the main theoretical and methodological traditions of sociology, yet permits considerable variation in students’ own areas of specialization.

Study and Research Opportunities

• B.A., Ph.D., Undergraduate Minor
• Combined B.A. major in Sociology and Latin American and Latino Studies

Sociology07.pdf

High School Preparation
High school students planning to major in sociology should obtain a solid background in English, social sciences, and writing skills while completing the courses required for UC admission. Students considering a combined major in sociology and Latin American and Latino studies (LALS) should also acquire as much proficiency in Spanish or Portuguese as possible before attending UC Santa Cruz.

While it is not a condition of admission, students from California community colleges may complete the Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) in preparation for transfer to UC Santa Cruz.

Recognition
Assistant Professor Steven McKay was awarded the 2007 Sociology of Labor Book Award from the American Sociological Association for his book, Satanic Mills or Silicon Islands? The Politics of High-Tech Production in the Philippines (Cornell University/ILR Press, 2006).

In fall 2006, Associate Professor E. Melanie DuPuis received a grant from the University of California Humanities Research Institute (UCHRI) to convene a residential research group of scholars working on the topic “Eating Cultures: Race and Food.”  This group of Residential Research Fellows explored ways in which eating practices intersect with race and social justice.

In recognition of his effective and outstanding teaching skills, the UCSC Academic Senate Committee on Teaching honored Associate Professor Andrew Szasz as one of seven recipients of the Excellence in Teaching Award for 2006-07.

Careers

Business administration
Criminal justice
Crisis center counseling
Education
Family/marital counseling
Gerontology
Intergroup relations
Journalism
Justice system
Juvenile delinquency counseling
Law
Legal aid
Mental health
Personnel work
Politics
Public administration
Public health
Public relations
Rehabilitation counseling
Social work
Sociological research

These are only samples of the field’s many possibilities

UC Education Abroad Program (EAP)
The UC Education Abroad Program (EAP) offers undergraduate students the opportunity to study at more than 100 host universities and colleges worldwide as part of their regular UC academic program. Interested students should meet with an EAP adviser, as well as their College Academic Preceptor, early in their academic career. For sociology or combined sociology/LALS majors, it is important to plan ahead so as to fulfill the necessary major requirements before going abroad.

Academic year programs. The Sociology Department requires sociology majors to pass their lower-division courses (see the Major Course Requirements section below), and three upper-division core courses (103B, 105A, and 105B) prior to study abroad. For combined majors, two lower-division courses are required (choosing from Sociology 1, 10, or 15), and three upper-division core courses (103B, 105A, and 105B) are required. Up to three approved courses may be used toward the sociology major.

Semester programs. For fall semester, all majors must complete their lower-division courses (see the Major Course Requirements section below), and one upper-division core course (105A). For spring semester, students must pass their lower-division courses (Sociology 1, 10, and 15), and two upper-division core courses (103B and 105B). 

Major Course Requirements
The sociology major consists of three lower-division courses, ten upper-division courses, and a comprehensive requirement. The three lower-division courses are Sociology 1, 10, and 15. The ten upper-division courses include four core courses (Sociology 103A, 103B, 105A, and 105B), one course from each of the three clusters, and three additional upper-division courses. The comprehensive requirement may be satisfied in one of two ways: by taking the Capstone Course or by writing a Senior Thesis.

Major Course Requirements for Combined Major
Thirteen courses are required: three at the introductory level, six core courses, and four additional elective courses. Students must demonstrate language proficiency equivalent to the completion of Spanish 6 or 56 or Spanish for Spanish Speakers 63 or Portuguese 65A-B.

The Undergraduate Advisor for Sociology provides academic advising on major requirements, recommends specific courses and areas of study, helps organize the student’s overall curriculum, addresses administrative and academic difficulties, and assists with administrative paperwork and petitions. During the sociology declaration sessions held each quarter, students eligible to declare are given an overview of the program and begin the steps to declare. Additionally, every student is paired with a faculty adviser for additional advising (e.g., course content, independent studies, graduate school).