UNDERGRADUATE
Undergraduate Program
Q: What do Roy Wilkins (former head of the NAACP) and Barbara Mikulski (U.S. Senator from Maryland) have in common with Dan Aykroyd and “Dr. Ruth”?
A: They all earned a degree in Sociology!
Coursework in sociology challenges students to “think outside the box” in ways that can lead to many different career options. Sociology majors and minors learn critical analytic skills; broad knowledge of social relations, social systems, and processes; and substantive expert knowledge in a variety of sociological subfields, from medical sociology to urban sociology; from global and transnational social relations to gender inequality and organizational forms; from law and social processes to racial and ethnic relations. Sociology graduates work in fields that range from medicine and law to market research, business, journalism, social work, criminal justice, policy analysis, and nonprofit organizations.
Sociology also provides excellent preparation for graduate study. For example, prelaw students may wish to take courses in the sociology of law, criminology and criminal justice, or the sociology of deviance and social control. Students pursuing careers in business may wish to take courses in the sociology of work, formal organizations, or the sociology of technology. Students interested in pursuing graduate study in the social sciences may wish to deepen their experience in the field by working with Department faculty on a research project or investigating a sociological research question in a Work for Distinction.
The variety of paths sociology majors are taking is reported in the American Sociological Association’s (ASA) publication titled, “What are they Doing with a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology?” (link). The ASA is the major scholarly association for professional sociologists in the U.S., and students are welcome to join (ASA).
The Department is also proud to have a unique student group, the award-winning Undergraduate Sociology Association (USA). Students majoring and minoring in sociology are encouraged to join this independent organization, which provides a number of services and programs for students including University-wide panel discussions of public interest topics, film showings, service projects, social events, and participation in departmental planning and policy through the Undergraduate Programs Committee.
LINKS
Sociology Major
All courses taken to fulfill sociology requirements must be taken within CAS (unless transfer-of-credit courses, pending department approval; for other exceptions, see sections on "Metropolitan College" and "College of General Studies" below). For students entering Boston University in September 1995 and thereafter, the new concentration requirements comprise ten sociology courses and a statistics course, as described below. Those choosing the former requirements must meet with the director of undergraduate studies to declare that choice and to verify the requirements. All courses for the major must be completed with grades of C or higher.
The sociology concentration is as follows:
- Required Courses: One introductory sociology course from CAS SO 100-115
- Required Courses in Theory and Methods: SO 201, SO 203, and SO 303.
- Principal Courses: Six additional sociology courses at the 200 level or above; at least four of the six must be at the 300 level or above.
- Of these six courses, at least two must be seminars. A seminar typically enrolls no more than 20 students, who participate in the instruction by presenting original research in class. It is recommended that students take at least one seminar in which sociological inquiry is carried out through field research (e.g. CAS SO 410, 418, 420, 444). Seminars must be taken within the department.
- CAS AA 505 and CAS EC 326 may be substituted as principal courses equivalent to sociology courses.
- Statistics Requirement: Students must take at least one course in statistical analysis from CAS MA 113, 115, and 213.
- Course Selection: Students may wish to take a number of their courses in one or more areas of specialization, such as law, criminology, and deviance (e.g., CAS SO 115, 209, 330, 415, 559); sociology of the family (e.g., CAS SO 205, 404); urban, race, and ethnic relations (CAS SO 207, 244, 417, CAS AA 510, CAS EC 326); work and organization (e.g., CAS SO 277, 304, 333, 410); sociology of culture (e.g., CAS SO 437, 444); and comparative-historical sociology (e.g., CAS SO 242, 420).
- Students planning to pursue graduate or honors work are advised to take an advanced theory course (e.g. CAS SO 414, 415, 534)
Courses Taken Through Metropolitan College
Upon approval by a departmental advisor, a student may take up to two courses in Metropolitan College (MET) toward fulfillment of the 11-course concentration requirements, and one course toward fulfillment of minor concentration requirements. To meet requirements, any such courses must be completed with grades of C or higher. Only one MET course may be used to satisfy a 300-level sociology course requirement. MET courses may not be taken to meet the seminar requirements.
Course Credits for Students Admitted from the College of General Studies
CGS students should avoid enrolling in the following CAS courses to avoid duplication of course work. CAS will grant NO CREDIT for these courses: SO 100, 104, 108, 115
Sociology concentrators from CGS will receive pre-requisite course credit for SS101, 102 at grade C or better as equivalent to the required introductory course (SO100, 104, 108, or 115).
Concentration and Minor Concentration Credits for Core Curriculum Courses
Students who have completed the two social science courses (CC203 AND CC204) in the core curriculum (with grades of C or higher) will receive concentration credit (for either the major or minor) for the introductory sociology course.
Transfer Credit
Students planning to either study abroad or take courses at other institutions are required to obtain advance approval that such work fits into their program of study. In the case of transfer courses, past or future, the student should obtain the approval of the Department's Director of Undergraduate Studies by taking the course syllabus and the green transfer approval form (available at CAS 105) to the director.
Sociology Minor
Requirements
Six courses (grade of C or higher required for credit)
- SO 201 (Research Methods course)
- SO 203 (Social Theory course)
- Two courses at the 200 level or above (Note: one 100 level course can be substituted here)
- Two courses at the 300 level or above
Transfers/Restrictions
Minors admitted to CAS from CGS will receive credit for completing SO 100 Introductory Sociology if they have completed SS 101 AND SS 102 with grades of C or higher.
