The sociology major---Students
are required to take 11 courses in sociology, including SOCL 101,
201, 202, 410,
or 420, and at least three courses at the 300 level. One course
in anthropology may be counted toward the major. It is recommended that sociology majors
take SOCL 101, 201, and
202 as early in the major as possible. Students who qualify
and choose to write a two-credit honors thesis (see below) are exempted from taking
410 or 420, the senior seminar
requirement. Majors must also take MATH 107, the statistics
course required for the major. SOCL 201,
202, 300-level courses, and MATH 107
must be taken at Trinity College. A grade of at least a C- must be earned in each
course that is to count toward the major. One course credit in an internship may
be counted toward the major. Senior thesis credit counts as two elective courses
for the major.
Course credit transfers from other institutions---Permission
to receive credit towards the major for courses taken at other higher education
institutions must be approved in advance by the Sociology Department chair.
Petitioners for transfer of credit must submit to the chair the name of the
institution and course number, title, and catalogue description before formal
permission is granted. Upon approval, a maximum of two sociology courses shall
count towards the sociology major (all required courses must be taken at Trinity
with the exception of SOCL 101; these include
SOCL 201, SOCL 202,
SOCL 410, three 300-level courses, and
MATH 107).
Study away---A period of
study away can enrich students' knowledge of sociology by exposing them to
the diversity and complexity of human interaction. Therefore, majors are
strongly encouraged to incorporate into their studies international or
domestic study away. While there are many general programs of study away
for Trinity students, sociology majors have regularly participated in the
programs listed below:
- Australia, University of Melbourne
- Trinity Global Sites (Barcelona, Spain; Cape Town, South Africa; Buenos Aires,
Argentina; Paris, France; Trinidad-Tobago; Rome, Italy)
- United Kingdom, London School of Economics
- International Honors Program
- Domestic Programs (Twelve-College Exchange Program, National Theater Institute,
Dartmouth, Mount Holyoke, Smith, Vassar, Wellesley, Wesleyan, Wheaton, Williams,
and Williams-Mystic)
For additional guidance
on study away options for sociology majors, please see the department's
study away liaison, Professor Johnny Williams.
Honors---In order to be
granted honors in sociology, a student must attain a college average of
at least B and an average of at least B+ in sociology courses and write
a two-credit senior thesis that earns the grade of A- or better (only
candidates for honors are eligible to write a thesis). Students who hope
to attain honors should consult with their advisers during the spring
semester of their junior year. Students who write a thesis are exempted
from taking 410 or 420,
the senior seminar.