BA with a Major in Sociology

The Department of Sociology offers programs leading to the Bachelor of Arts with a Major in Sociology. Students are encouraged to follow a general sociology curriculum or to specialize in race and ethnicity, gender and sexuality, organizations and the economy, global and transnational sociology, political sociology and social movements, and children and youth. A minor in Sociology is also offered.

Degree Requirements

To earn a Bachelor of Liberal Arts and Sciences degree from UIC, students must complete university, college, and department degree requirements. The Department of Sociology degree requirements are outlined below. Students should consult the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences section for additional degree requirements and college academic policies.

Summary of Requirements
Major Requirements35
General Education and Electives to reach minimum Total Hours85
Total Hours120

General Education

See General Education and Writing-in-the-Discipline in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences section for information on meeting these requirements.

Major Requirements

Required Courses
Select one of the following:3
SOC 100
Introduction to Sociology a,b
SOC 105
Social Problems a,b
SOC 201Introductory Sociological Statistics c4
SOC 290Sociology Major Orientation and Success2
Three additional 200-level courses d9
SOC 300Introduction to Sociological Research Methods4
SOC 385Introduction to Sociological Theory e3
SOC 490Igniting Sociological Futures: Senior Capstone Experience f4
Two additional 400-level courses d6
Total Hours35
a

This course is approved for the Understanding the Individual and Society General Education category. 

b

This course is approved for the Understanding U.S. Society General Education category. 

c

SOC 201 also fulfills the LAS Quantitative Reasoning requirement 

d

Independent study courses (SOC 296, SOC 298, SOC 496, SOC 499) can be taken for up to 8 hours of credit, but only 3 hours of SOC 296 and SOC 298 and 3 hours of SOC 496 and SOC 499 can count toward the required elective credit at the 200- and 400-level respectively. 

e

SOC 385 fulfills the Writing-in-the-Discipline requirement. 

f

SOC 490 is a senior capstone experience. It should be taken during the last semester of enrollment.

Recommended Plan of Study

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
Fall SemesterHours
ENGL 160 Academic Writing I: Writing in Academic and Public Contexts 3
Foreign Language 4
General Education Requirement course 3-5
General Education Requirement course 3
 Hours13-15
Spring Semester
ENGL 161 Academic Writing II: Writing for Inquiry and Research 3
Foreign Language 4
SOC 100
or SOC 105
 Introduction to Sociology
or Social Problems
 3
General Education Requirement course 3
General Education Requirement course 3-5
 Hours16-18
Second Year
Fall Semester
SOC 2xx Elective 3
Foreign Language 4
General Education Requirement course 3
General Education Requirement course 3-5
 Hours13-15
Spring Semester
SOC 201 Introductory Sociological Statistics a 4
SOC 290 Sociology Major Orientation and Success b 2
Foreign Language 4
General Education Requirement course 3
General Education Requirement course 3
 Hours16
Third Year
Fall Semester
SOC 2xx Elective 3
SOC 300 Introduction to Sociological Research Methods c 4
General Education Requirement course/Elective 3
Electives 4-6
 Hours14-16
Spring Semester
SOC 385 Introduction to Sociological Theory d 3
SOC 2xx Elective 3
SOC 4xx Elective 3
Electives 6
 Hours15
Fourth Year
Fall Semester
SOC 4xx Elective e 3
Electives e 12
 Hours15
Spring Semester
SOC 490 Igniting Sociological Futures: Senior Capstone Experience f 4
Electives 11-12
 Hours15-16
 Total Hours120
a

SOC 201 (with a grade of C or better) satisfies the Quantitative Reasoning requirement. Must first satisfy the math prerequisite.

b

It is strongly recommended to take SOC 290 as soon as the major is declared.

c

Must take SOC 201 before SOC 300.

d

SOC 385 meets both the theory requirement and the Writing-in-the-Discipline requirement. May also be available in the fall semester.

e

Students are encouraged to complete a research or internship experience.

f

Students must take SOC 300 and SOC 385 before SOC 490. It is strongly recommended to take SOC 290 before SOC 490.  SOC 490 should be taken in student's last year.