The Sociology Major

The Department of Sociology focuses its research and teaching in several areas encompassing the major divisions of the discipline. These areas include social stratification, economic sociology, political sociology, international development, world-systems studies, cross-national research, race and ethnic relations, medical sociology, sociology of immigration, sociology of education, human development over the life cycle, the family, the sociology of intelligence, and social structure and personality. As a small department, Sociology at The Johns Hopkins University does not strive towards full coverage of the discipline, but toward excellence in those areas it emphasizes.

A major in Sociology is a good choice for students interested in a variety of post-graduation routes. For those planning to go to medical school, the major can be combined with the required pre-medical course sequence. Recent graduates from the department have found positions in financial institutions, teaching, non-governmental organizations focusing on international development, research departments of major corporations, local government social service agencies, and to graduate school in sociology, public health, medicine, law, urban planning, and education.

Sociology Major Requirements

Office of Academic Advising-Sociology Checklist

• 230.101 Introductory Sociology
• 230.205 Introduction to Social Statistics (formerly 301)
• 230.202 Research Methods for the Social Sciences (formerly 302)
• 230.213 Introduction to Social Theory (formerly 303)
• Either 230.322 Quantitative Research Practicum, or 230.323 Qualitative Research Practicum.
• Six elective courses in the department, at least four of which must be at the 300-level or above.  Credits from one or two credit courses may be combined to satisfy this requirement, but in no instance may more than one of the six electives be completed this way.
• Three elective non-sociology courses carrying an "S" designation in at least two other departments or programs.  Credits from one or two credit courses also may be combined to satisfy this requirement, but in no instance may more than one of the six electives be completed this way.

Core curriculum courses may not be taken pass/fail, and four of the five must be passed with a grade of "C" or better (a grade of C- is permissible for one, but only one, core curriculum course).  A grade of "C" or better is required of all elective courses.

Foreign language study is strongly encouraged for majors, especially those considering graduate or professional study.

Certificate Programs

Sociology majors may concentrate in one of the department's two main areas of expertise.

The certificate Program in Cross-National Sociology and International Development (PCSID) is intended to serve undergraduate students with a special interest in the development of Third World regions and the social issues and problems arising out of growing global integration. The program focuses on issues of social inequality, stratification and social change from a global, comparative and historical perspective.

The certificate Program in Social Inequality (PSI) is intended to serve undergraduates with an interest in the role of social institutions such as the family, schools and work in generating and mitigating inequality. The focus is on race, class and gender in the U.S. context.

Additional Requirements for students pursuing a Certificate:

• Three of the six Sociology elective courses and two of the major's required three elective courses outside Sociology must have a focus relevant to the certification program theme.
• Foreign language through the intermediate level (equivalent of two years).
• One semester of research experience in the form of Independent Research (230.506) or an equivalent research assistantship in the Department of Sociology, sponsored by sociology faculty.
  

Senior Honors Program

The entrance requirements for the Honors Program are (1) a 3.5 GPA in all sociology core curriculum courses and at least two 300-level courses in sociology by the end of the junior year. Additionally, by the end of the senior year, foreign language study through the intermediate level (equivalent to two years) is required.

The Honors program requires completion of an Honors Thesis under the supervision of a department faculty member and enrollment in the year-long Senior Honors Program (230.502). These requirements are in addition to the requirements for the major.

Students interested in pursuing one of the Certificate Programs or the Senior Honors Program must declare their intention to do so to their faculty advisor by the end of the junior year. Additionally, all prerequisites for these programs must be fulfilled by the end of the junior year.

Sociology Faculty and Some of Their Areas of Specialization

Rina Agarwala, comparative/historical sociology, political sociology, work and labor markets.

Karl Alexander, sociology of education, social stratification
Giovanni Arrighi, economic sociology, historical sociology, comparative national development
Joel Andreas, class, education and social reproduction, political sociology, social movements
Pamela Bennett, Racial & ethnic inequality, racial residential segregation, education, social demography
Andrew Cherlin, sociology of the family, social policy, demography
Stefanie Deluca, sociology of education, sociology of neighborhoods, life course studies
Doris Entwisle, sociology of human development, methods of research
Lingxin Hao, sociology of the family, immigration, social policy, quantitative methodology
Melvin Kohn, social structure and personality, cross-national research
Katrina Bell McDonald, family, race, social class and gender, psychosocial health
Stephen Plank, sociology of education, statistical and research methods, stratification
Beverly Silver, labor and social movements, historical sociology, international development

For more information contact:
Professor Karl Alexander (527 Mergenthaler)
Faculty Undergraduate Major Coordinator
E-mail or phone for appointments
karl@jhu.edu; (410) 516-6178