Stages of Study
Disciplinary Core
The Disciplinary Core introduces students to the basic concepts, methods and theories of sociological analysis. It consists of three courses: "Self & Society" which is usually taken in the first or second year; "Sociological Theory" and "Research Methods in Sociology" which are taken in sequence the first and second semesters of the junior year.
Because much of what we know about social worlds is found in social indicators and other statistical information, the department requires students to take "Analyzing Social Trends" or the "Introduction to Statistics" course offered by the mathematics department. These courses not only fulfill the college's general education requirement for "quantitative analysis" but also count toward the major in sociology.
Connections
Connected courses help students achieve both breadth and depth in the study of sociology. Connections encourage students to pursue courses in the arts, humanities and sciences, topically connected to sociology courses. This cross-discipline study allows students to attain breadth of understanding, and the ability to apply the practice of multiple disciplines to inquiry and problem-solving.
Autonomous Work
At advanced levels, students make selections from courses, topics, and learning experiences that allow them to pursue their own interests in-depth. These include at least two electives in sociology, either courses chosen from the catalog or self-designed independent study. In addition, a student may petition the department to grant credit for an appropriate course in another department.
The capstone experience of the sociology major is the senior research seminar or pro-seminar. Here students work on substantial research projects of their own design, under the direct supervision of a faculty advisor. The research is conducted throughout the first semester of the senior year, is refined over the January Break and is presented at a formal senior research symposium that lasts for several days. Students are assigned to topically related panels during this public forum where they present and discuss their findings with the audience. Each year this symposium is attended by many people from on and off campus.
This exceptional capstone requirement combines an intensely individual intellectual effort and achievement with the cohesiveness of a shared experience. Most students describe it as the most rewarding aspect of their college experience. A number of students have gone on to advanced graduate study and pursued research interests first explored in the senior seminar. Many alumnae and alumni report that skills they honed in the senior seminar and the symposium have been invaluable in later life.
