MAJOR: Ten courses (40 units) in Sociology which must include 101, a theory course (200 or 205), a methods course (304, 305 or 310), and senior seminar (490). The remaining six courses are electives that students may select from all the other courses offered by the department. One non-Sociology course cross-listed with Sociology can count towards the major.

Students can meet the departmental methods requirement by taking Sociology 304, 305, or 310. 304 and 310, however, will not meet the College Core math requirement while 305 will meet the Core math requirement. For sociology majors, 304 can be taken as a precursor to 305, or as an alternative to 305.

The Sociology Department strongly encourages students to take 101 in their first or second year, 200 or 205 in their second year and a methods course before the senior seminar.

MINOR: Five courses (20 units) in Sociology which must include 101. The remaining four courses are electives that students may select from all the other courses offered by the department.

WRITING REQUIREMENT: Students majoring in Sociology will satisfy the final component of Occidental College's college-wide writing requirement by completing any 300 level Sociology course by the end of the fall semester of the junior year with a grade of B- or higher (or appropriate course work). Students should familiarize themselves with the departmental requirement at the time of declaring the major. See the Writing Program and consult the department chair for additional information.

COMPREHENSIVE REQUIREMENT: Students will engage in a major research project that will culminate in a written senior thesis.

DEPARTMENTAL HONORS: A distinctive ("PD") comprehensive senior thesis based on primary research along with a 3.5 grade point average in the department and 3.25 overall.

INTERNSHIPS: The department, in concert with the Career Development Center, keeps files on available internships in law, criminal justice, and various social and community agencies.