Sociology

University of California, Berkeley

This is an archived copy of the 2016-17 guide. To access the most recent version of the guide, please visit http://guide.berkeley.edu.

About the Program

The Berkeley Sociology Graduate Program is the heart of our collective enterprise as a department. We have been able to recruit superlative students year after year thanks to the efforts of the University, the faculty, and our current graduate students. Students who come here find a graduate program that has been carefully designed to offer them a rich and complete sociological education, while simultaneously allowing space and incentives to explore and develop their original ideas.

Visit Department Website

Admissions

Admission to the University

Minimum Requirements for Admission

The following minimum requirements apply to all graduate programs and will be verified by the Graduate Division:

  1. A bachelor’s degree or recognized equivalent from an accredited institution;
  2. A grade point average of B or better (3.0);
  3. If the applicant comes from a country or political entity (e.g., Quebec) where English is not the official language, adequate proficiency in English to do graduate work, as evidenced by a TOEFL score of at least 90 on the iBT test, 570 on the paper-and-pencil test, or an IELTS Band score of at least 7 (note that individual programs may set higher levels for any of these); and
  4. Sufficient undergraduate training to do graduate work in the given field.

Applicants Who Already Hold a Graduate Degree

The Graduate Council views academic degrees not as vocational training certificates, but as evidence of broad training in research methods, independent study, and articulation of learning. Therefore, applicants who already have academic graduate degrees should be able to pursue new subject matter at an advanced level without need to enroll in a related or similar graduate program.

Programs may consider students for an additional academic master’s or professional master’s degree only if the additional degree is in a distinctly different field.

Applicants admitted to a doctoral program that requires a master’s degree to be earned at Berkeley as a prerequisite (even though the applicant already has a master’s degree from another institution in the same or a closely allied field of study) will be permitted to undertake the second master’s degree, despite the overlap in field.

The Graduate Division will admit students for a second doctoral degree only if they meet the following guidelines:

  1. Applicants with doctoral degrees may be admitted for an additional doctoral degree only if that degree program is in a general area of knowledge distinctly different from the field in which they earned their original degree. For example, a physics PhD could be admitted to a doctoral degree program in music or history; however, a student with a doctoral degree in mathematics would not be permitted to add a PhD in statistics.
  2. Applicants who hold the PhD degree may be admitted to a professional doctorate or professional master’s degree program if there is no duplication of training involved.

Applicants may apply only to one single degree program or one concurrent degree program per admission cycle.

Required Documents for Applications

  1. Transcripts: Applicants may upload unofficial transcripts with your application for the departmental initial review. If the applicant is admitted, then official transcripts of all college-level work will be required. Official transcripts must be in sealed envelopes as issued by the school(s) attended. If you have attended Berkeley, upload your unofficial transcript with your application for the departmental initial review. If you are admitted, an official transcript with evidence of degree conferral will not be required.
  2. Letters of recommendation: Applicants may request online letters of recommendation through the online application system. Hard copies of recommendation letters must be sent directly to the program, not the Graduate Division.
  3. Evidence of English language proficiency: All applicants from countries or political entities in which the official language is not English are required to submit official evidence of English language proficiency. This applies to applicants from Bangladesh, Burma, Nepal, India, Pakistan, Latin America, the Middle East, the People’s Republic of China, Taiwan, Japan, Korea, Southeast Asia, most European countries, and Quebec (Canada). However, applicants who, at the time of application, have already completed at least one year of full-time academic course work with grades of B or better at a US university may submit an official transcript from the US university to fulfill this requirement. The following courses will not fulfill this requirement:
    • courses in English as a Second Language,
    • courses conducted in a language other than English,
    • courses that will be completed after the application is submitted, and
    • courses of a non-academic nature.

If applicants have previously been denied admission to Berkeley on the basis of their English language proficiency, they must submit new test scores that meet the current minimum from one of the standardized tests.

Where to Apply

Visit the Berkeley Graduate Division application page . 

Admission to the Program

Applicants must hold a bachelor of arts degree or its equivalent from an institution of acceptable standing and may hold a master of arts in Sociology or another field. Previous concentration in Sociology is not required.

The department does not accept applicants interested in a terminal Master of Arts in Sociology; this graduate program leads to the PhD.

Doctoral Degree Requirements

Required Courses

Students are required to take a minimum of eight courses for the MA. An additional three courses for a total of eleven courses are required to receive the PhD. In their first year, most students are required to take the methods sequence (271A-B-C) and the theory sequence (201A-B). Students who receive special consideration may fulfill all or part of the methods requirements through a combination of exams, exercises, and/or written work. This option is discouraged because the 271A-B-C sequence is unlike similar sequences offered elsewhere. Students without a previous MA who are exempted from a methods course still need to complete an alternate course in its place. 

Additional course requirements include two 280s (pre-MA, introductions to subfields), one 273 (post-MA) advanced methods course, and three additional elective courses. Some recommended courses are Sociol 202s (advanced theory), additional 280s, or a 290 (special topics). In addition, two graduate-level, sociologically relevant, 3 or 4 unit courses are allowed from a department outside Sociology. Finally, no more than two substantive, letter-graded independent study 299s are allowed toward the 11-course PhD requirement. 

Students Entering with an MA

Students who enter the program with an MA must meet with the director of graduate studies during their first semester in the department to work out an acceptable program of study. Normally, students who enter with an MA take the five courses required of students seeking the MA at Berkeley (i.e., Sociology 201A, 201B, 271A, 271B, and 271C) or petition for special consideration as described above. Most students also take two other courses (280s). Students who are exempted from one or more of these required courses must still take a minimum of three courses at the MA level.

Curriculum

SOCIOL 200Proseminar1
SOCIOL 201AClassical Social Theory3
SOCIOL 201BModern Social Theory3
SOCIOL 271AMethods of Sociological Research4
SOCIOL 271BMethods of Sociological Research3
SOCIOL 271CMethods of Sociological Research3
SOCIOL 280Two Subfield Courses Required6 total
SOCIOL 273 One Advanced Methods Course Required3
SOCIOL Electives Three Elective Courses Required9-12 total

Normative Time Requirements

Normative Time to Advancement

Normative time to advancement is the end of the fourth year (eighth semester) in the program. Normative time to complete the masters paper is the fifth semester in the program (must also have completed eight of the eleven required courses before this time). Normative time to complete the qualifying examinations is seventh semester in the program (must also have completed the eleven required courses before this time).

Normative Time in Candidacy

Normative time in doctoral candidacy is two years.

Total Normative Time

Total normative time is six years.

Pre-Candidacy Academic Milestones

Master’s Paper

The department requires students to write a master’s paper to receive the MA degree. This paper needs to be approved by an MA committee composed of two to three faculty members. Sometimes these research papers begin as coursework, but the finished product is significantly more developed than a typical term paper.

Qualifying Examination

The purpose of the qualifying examination is to ascertain the breadth of the student’s comprehension of fundamental facts and principles that apply to theory and at least two subfields of sociology. It also determines whether the student has the ability to think incisively and critically about the theoretical and the practical aspects of these subfields.

Prospectus

The dissertation prospectus is the last requirement that graduate students must meet before advancing to candidacy. The prospectus is a description of the proposed dissertation research. Through the prospectus, students articulate the topic and research question that motivates the dissertation research; explain why this question is of importance to the relevant fields of study; and describe as thoroughly and succinctly as possible their research design.

Time in Candidacy

Dissertation

The student assembles a committee that generally consists of two regular sociology faculty, one of whom will serve as chair, as well as one regular member from another department at Berkeley. The research project is carried out and analyzed in dissertation form. Most dissertations go through several drafts. Once the committee members accept the final draft, the work is signed and submitted to the Graduate Division as complete. There is no formal defense of the completed dissertation.

Required Professional Development

Proseminar

First-year students attend SOCIOL 200. This proseminar offers an introduction to the faculty and the discipline as well as advice about completing the requirements of the program.

Teaching Opportunities

Students are encouraged to teach during their graduate study in the program as part of their professional training. A significant number of our undergraduate courses offer graduate student instructor (GSI) positions. The department offers training for our new GSIs through our pedagogy course (SOCIOL 375). New GSIs are required to attend the Teaching Conference for First-Time GSIs each year and are encouraged to attend further offerings through the GSI Teaching & Resource Center on campus, including their Certificate Program in Teaching and Learning in Higher Education.

Professional Development Activities

Colloquium

Students are strongly encouraged to attend the sociology colloquium series. The departmental colloquium is generally a who’s who of contemporary sociology. Attending these talks is a very efficient and lively way of getting an overview of the discipline. It is also a means by which students are introduced to the profession.

Workshops

The department offers a variety of workshops (SOCIOL 292) each semester which are formed in collaboration with faculty and interested students. Topics cover a variety of subfields and topics, such as immigration, race, economic sociology, gender, archival methods, qualitative data analysis as well as mathematical, analytical and experimental sociology. New workshops are often arranged according to student interests.

Professional Conference Attendance and Presentation

Each year our students attend and present at conferences relevant to their research interests, including the American Sociological Conference and the International Sociological Conference, among others.

Job Market Workshops 

Our PhD students have been extraordinarily successful in obtaining research and teaching positions in research-oriented universities as well as more teaching-oriented colleges. A smaller but significant number have pursued careers in research institutes, business, government, and nonprofits.

To prepare for the current job market, we encourage students to produce publishable research papers early in their studies, master both quantitative and/or qualitative research techniques, and gain relevant teaching experience. Students also benefit from presenting their own research in department workshops and at professional conferences.

We encourage all students who are about to enter the job market to attend our departmental Job Market Workshops. These workshops are designed to help locate both academic and non-academic job openings as well as post-doctoral positions and refine application materials. The workshops also help students prepare for the job talk and understand the interview process.

Courses

Sociology

SOCIOL 200 Proseminar 1 Unit

Terms offered: Fall 2017, Fall 2016, Fall 2015
This proseminar is required of all first-year graduate students and is supervised by a regular faculty member. The seminar will familiarize students with faculty and their various research interests and of opportunities available for funding via research and teaching assistantships. It consists of presentations by faculty on their past, present and future research and by representatives of Organized Research Units on their mission, programs of research, and opportunities for assistantships.
Proseminar: Read More [+]

SOCIOL 201A Classical Social Theory 3 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2017, Fall 2016, Fall 2015
Social Theory began as an attempt to come to grips with the massive social transformations in Europe beginning around 1500. Modernity was understood in three ways. It concerned the development of a capitalist economy based on the use of science to develop new technology, the emergence of states with bureaucracies allied with military organizations, and the decline of religious authority as the main arbiter of moral values accompanied by the rise of the model of the self-interested purposive actor. Social theory was produced not just to create an understanding of these changes and the problems they caused, but also to be used to propose how society ought to be structured. In this class, we examine how classical thinkers, like Karl Marx, Max Weber, and Emile Durkheim among others, proposed how to analyze those changes and in doing so created theories of society.
Classical Social Theory: Read More [+]

SOCIOL 201B Modern Social Theory 3 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2018, Spring 2017, Spring 2016
This course is a continuation of our required graduate theory course. We separate modern and classical social theory by considering modern social theory to consist of works published after World War II. Modern sociological theory uses classical social theory both as a source and a foil. There have been continuities in social thought whereby more contemporary theorists view themselves as using elements of classical social theory, sometimes in combination and at other times to understand different kinds of phenomena, such as micro-interaction or gender relations. Contemporary theory has also been critical of classical theory. This has caused different theorists to construct entirely new ideas or rely on new sources for their theories. The course considers a wide variety of authors and perspectives to illustrate the current breadth of social thought.
Modern Social Theory: Read More [+]

SOCIOL 202A Advanced Study in Sociology Theory: Classical Sociological Theory 3 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2009, Spring 2008, Spring 2007
Particular theorists or theoretical traditions will be selected for intensive study, according to the interests of the instructor.
Advanced Study in Sociology Theory: Classical Sociological Theory: Read More [+]

SOCIOL 202B Advanced Study in Sociology Theory: Contemporary Sociological Theory 3 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2018, Fall 2017, Spring 2017
Particular theorists or theoretical traditions will be selected for intensive study, according to the interests of the instructor.
Advanced Study in Sociology Theory: Contemporary Sociological Theory: Read More [+]

SOCIOL 202C Advanced Study in Sociology Theory: Systematic Sociological Theory 3 Units

Terms offered: Prior to 2007
Particular theorists or theoretical traditions will be selected for intensive study, according to the interests of the instructor.
Advanced Study in Sociology Theory: Systematic Sociological Theory: Read More [+]

SOCIOL 205A Supervised Preparatory Course Work: Law 3 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2009, Spring 2008, Spring 2001
Introductory study of a sociological field, among those listed in the 280 series, including participation in the appropriate undergraduate course in that field. Also includes individual meetings with the faculty sponsor, who may stipulate additional requirements.
Supervised Preparatory Course Work: Law: Read More [+]

SOCIOL 205B Supervised Preparatory Course Work: Race and Ethnic Relations 3 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2003, Spring 1999, Spring 1997
Introductory study of a sociological field, among those listed in the 280 series, including participation in the appropriate undergraduate course in that field. Also includes individual meetings with the faculty sponsor, who may stipulate additional requirements.
Supervised Preparatory Course Work: Race and Ethnic Relations: Read More [+]

SOCIOL 205C Supervised Preparatory Course Work: Political Sociology 3 Units

Terms offered: Fall 1997
Introductory study of a sociological field, among those listed in the 280 series, including participation in the appropriate undergraduate course in that field. Also includes individual meetings with the faculty sponsor, who may stipulate additional requirements.
Supervised Preparatory Course Work: Political Sociology: Read More [+]

SOCIOL 205D Supervised Preparatory Course Work: Organizations 3 Units

Terms offered: Prior to 2007
Introductory study of a sociological field, among those listed in the 280 series, including participation in the appropriate undergraduate course in that field. Also includes individual meetings with the faculty sponsor, who may stipulate additional requirements.
Supervised Preparatory Course Work: Organizations: Read More [+]

SOCIOL 205E Supervised Preparatory Course Work: Industrial Sociology 3 Units

Terms offered: Prior to 2007
Introductory study of a sociological field, among those listed in the 280 series, including participation in the appropriate undergraduate course in that field. Also includes individual meetings with the faculty sponsor, who may stipulate additional requirements.
Supervised Preparatory Course Work: Industrial Sociology: Read More [+]

SOCIOL 205F Supervised Preparatory Course Work: Family 3 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2005, Spring 2000
Introductory study of a sociological field, among those listed in the 280 series, including participation in the appropriate undergraduate course in that field. Also includes individual meetings with the faculty sponsor, who may stipulate additional requirements.
Supervised Preparatory Course Work: Family: Read More [+]

SOCIOL 205G Supervised Preparatory Course Work: Social Stratification and Class Analysis 3 Units

Terms offered: Prior to 2007
Introductory study of a sociological field, among those listed in the 280 series, including participation in the appropriate undergraduate course in that field. Also includes individual meetings with the faculty sponsor, who may stipulate additional requirements.
Supervised Preparatory Course Work: Social Stratification and Class Analysis: Read More [+]

SOCIOL 205H Supervised Preparatory Course Work: Development 3 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2005, Spring 2001, Fall 1997
Introductory study of a sociological field, among those listed in the 280 series, including participation in the appropriate undergraduate course in that field. Also includes individual meetings with the faculty sponsor, who may stipulate additional requirements.
Supervised Preparatory Course Work: Development: Read More [+]

SOCIOL 205I Supervised Preparatory Course Work: Religion 3 Units

Terms offered: Spring 1998, Spring 1996
Introductory study of a sociological field, among those listed in the 280 series, including participation in the appropriate undergraduate course in that field. Also includes individual meetings with the faculty sponsor, who may stipulate additional requirements.
Supervised Preparatory Course Work: Religion: Read More [+]

SOCIOL 205J Supervised Preparatory Course Work: Urban Sociology 3 Units

Terms offered: Spring 1999
Introductory study of a sociological field, among those listed in the 280 series, including participation in the appropriate undergraduate course in that field. Also includes individual meetings with the faculty sponsor, who may stipulate additional requirements.
Supervised Preparatory Course Work: Urban Sociology: Read More [+]

SOCIOL 205K Supervised Preparatory Course Work: Social Psychology 3 Units

Terms offered: Prior to 2007
Introductory study of a sociological field, among those listed in the 280 series, including participation in the appropriate undergraduate course in that field. Also includes individual meetings with the faculty sponsor, who may stipulate additional requirements.
Supervised Preparatory Course Work: Social Psychology: Read More [+]

SOCIOL 205L Supervised Preparatory Course Work: Gender 3 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2006, Spring 2004, Spring 2000
Introductory study of a sociological field, among those listed in the 280 series, including participation in the appropriate undergraduate course in that field. Also includes individual meetings with the faculty sponsor, who may stipulate additional requirements.
Supervised Preparatory Course Work: Gender: Read More [+]

SOCIOL 205M Supervised Preparatory Course Work: Culture 3 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2004, Spring 2004, Fall 1996
Introductory study of a sociological field, among those listed in the 280 series, including participation in the appropriate undergraduate course in that field. Also includes individual meetings with the faculty sponsor, who may stipulate additional requirements.
Supervised Preparatory Course Work: Culture: Read More [+]

SOCIOL 205N Supervised Preparatory Course Work: Education 3 Units

Terms offered: Prior to 2007
Introductory study of a sociological field, among those listed in the 280 series, including participation in the appropriate undergraduate course in that field. Also includes individual meetings with the faculty sponsor, who may stipulate additional requirements.
Supervised Preparatory Course Work: Education: Read More [+]

SOCIOL 205O Supervised Preparatory Course Work: Health and Medicine 3 Units

Terms offered: Prior to 2007
Introductory study of a sociological field, among those listed in the 280 series, including participation in the appropriate undergraduate course in that field. Also includes individual meetings with the faculty sponsor, who may stipulate additional requirements.
Supervised Preparatory Course Work: Health and Medicine: Read More [+]

SOCIOL 205P Supervised Preparatory Course Work: Area Studies 3 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2006, Spring 2001
Introductory study of a sociological field, among those listed in the 280 series, including participation in the appropriate undergraduate course in that field. Also includes individual meetings with the faculty sponsor, who may stipulate additional requirements.
Supervised Preparatory Course Work: Area Studies: Read More [+]

SOCIOL 205Q Supervised Preparatory Course Work: Economy and Society 3 Units

Terms offered: Prior to 2007
Introductory study of a sociological field, among those listed in the 280 series, including participation in the appropriate undergraduate course in that field. Also includes individual meetings with the faculty sponsor, who may stipulate additional requirements.
Supervised Preparatory Course Work: Economy and Society: Read More [+]

SOCIOL 205R Supervised Preparatory Course Work: Professions 3 Units

Terms offered: Prior to 2007
Introductory study of a sociological field, among those listed in the 280 series, including participation in the appropriate undergraduate course in that field. Also includes individual meetings with the faculty sponsor, who may stipulate additional requirements.
Supervised Preparatory Course Work: Professions: Read More [+]

SOCIOL 205S Supervised Preparatory Course Work: Social Movements 3 Units

Terms offered: Prior to 2007
Introductory study of a sociological field, among those listed in the 280 series, including participation in the appropriate undergraduate course in that field. Also includes individual meetings with the faculty sponsor, who may stipulate additional requirements.
Supervised Preparatory Course Work: Social Movements: Read More [+]

SOCIOL 205T Supervised Preparatory Course Work: Theory 3 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2011
Introductory study of a sociological field, among those listed in the 280 series, including participation in the appropriate undergraduate course in that field. Also includes individual meetings with the faculty sponsor, who may stipulate additional requirements.
Supervised Preparatory Course Work: Theory: Read More [+]

SOCIOL 205U Supervised Preparatory Course Work: Society and Environment 3 Units

Terms offered: Prior to 2007
Introductory study of a sociological field, among those listed in the 280 series, including participation in the appropriate undergraduate course in that field. Also includes individual meetings with the faculty sponsor, who may stipulate additional requirements.
Supervised Preparatory Course Work: Society and Environment: Read More [+]

SOCIOL 205V Supervised Preparatory Course Work: Society and Technology 3 Units

Terms offered: Prior to 2007
Introductory study of a sociological field, among those listed in the 280 series, including participation in the appropriate undergraduate course in that field. Also includes individual meetings with the faculty sponsor, who may stipulate additional requirements.
Supervised Preparatory Course Work: Society and Technology: Read More [+]

SOCIOL 271A Methods of Sociological Research 4 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2018, Spring 2017, Fall 2015
A three-semester sequence course introducing logical and analytic techniques commonly employed in social science research. The methodological problems encountered in field work, historical and comparative inquiry, experimental research, and survey analysis. The first semester concentrates on techniques for gathering evidence; the second and third semesters focuses on beginning and intermediate numerical techniques for analyzing evidence.
Methods of Sociological Research: Read More [+]

SOCIOL 271B Methods of Sociological Research 3 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2017, Fall 2016, Fall 2015
A three-semester sequence course introducing logical and analytic techniques commonly employed in social science research. The methodological problems encountered in field work, historical and comparative inquiry, experimental research, and survey analysis. The first semester concentrates on techniques for gathering evidence; the second and third semesters focuses on beginning and intermediate numerical techniques for analyzing evidence.
Methods of Sociological Research: Read More [+]

SOCIOL 271C Methods of Sociological Research 3 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2018, Spring 2017, Spring 2016
A three-semester sequence course introducing logical and analytic techniques commonly employed in social science research. The methodological problems encountered in field work, historical and comparative inquiry, experimental research, and survey analysis. The first semester concentrates on techniques for gathering evidence; the second and third semesters focuses on beginning and intermediate numerical techniques for analyzing evidence.
Methods of Sociological Research: Read More [+]

SOCIOL C271D Quantitative/Statistical Research Methods in Social Sciences 3 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2016, Spring 2015, Spring 2014
Selected topics in quantitative/statistical methods of research in the social sciences and particularly in sociology. Possible topics include: analysis of qualitative/categorical data; loglinear models and latent-structure analysis; the analysis of cross-classified data having ordered and unordered categories; measure, models, and graphical displays in the analysis of cross-classified data; correspondence analysis, association analysis, and related methods of data analysis.
Quantitative/Statistical Research Methods in Social Sciences: Read More [+]

SOCIOL 273A Advanced Seminars in Research Methods: Agent-Based Modeling-Practical Implementation and Epistemological Reflections 3 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2017
Seminar in advanced sociological research methods. This course serves as an introduction to the particular particle simulation method of agent-based modeling. As such, the course has four aims: 1) expose participants to exemplary agent-based models; 2) teach participants how to code many such models: 3) teach participants how to conduct the additional stages of a serious agent-based mode study, and 4) sensitize participants to the many epistemological and philosophical questions and implications agent-based models might pose.
Advanced Seminars in Research Methods: Agent-Based Modeling-Practical Implementation and Epistemological Reflections: Read More [+]

SOCIOL 273C Advanced Seminars in Research Methods: Comparative and Historical Research 3 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2018, Spring 2017, Spring 2015
Seminar in advanced sociological research methods.
Advanced Seminars in Research Methods: Comparative and Historical Research: Read More [+]

SOCIOL 273D Advanced Seminars in Research Methods: Quantitative/Statistical Research 3 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2018, Spring 2017, Spring 2016
Seminar in advanced sociological research methods.
Advanced Seminars in Research Methods: Quantitative/Statistical Research: Read More [+]

SOCIOL 273E Advanced Seminars in Research Methods: Participant Observation 3 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2017, Fall 2016, Fall 2015
Seminar in advanced sociological research methods.
Advanced Seminars in Research Methods: Participant Observation: Read More [+]

SOCIOL 273F Advanced Seminars in Research Methods: Interview Methods 3 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2017, Fall 2016, Spring 2016
Seminar in advanced sociological research methods.
Advanced Seminars in Research Methods: Interview Methods: Read More [+]

SOCIOL 273I Advanced Seminars in Research Methods: Experimental Methods 3 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2013
Seminar in advanced sociological research methods.
Advanced Seminars in Research Methods: Experimental Methods: Read More [+]

SOCIOL 275 Research Design 3 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2018, Spring 2015, Spring 2014
This course will take students through the process of developing, carrying out, and writing up a research project. The course is ideal for students working on their MA papers, but it is also appropriate for students who are formulating dissertation prospectuses. We will begin by reading a guide to the logical problems that all research methods, qualitative or quantitative, must address if they are to study social causation.
Research Design: Read More [+]

SOCIOL 280A Advanced Study in Substantive Sociological Fields: Law 3 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2018, Fall 2013, Fall 2011
Courses under this number involve pursuing graduate study in substantive sociological subfields. The courses presume familiarity with the fields of study. Consult departmental catalog for current descriptions.
Advanced Study in Substantive Sociological Fields: Law: Read More [+]

SOCIOL 280AA Advanced Study in Substantive Sociological Fields: Sociology of Poverty 3 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2017, Fall 2016, Fall 2015
This course introduces students to the sociology of poverty by understanding its causes and conditions. Poverty is part of the social stratification system as well as a condition with properties that characterize the individual living with extreme material scarcity. Thus, it involves both the social and the physical world. The course will engage a broad literature on poverty that incorporates research from sociology, economics, and anthropology. We also will consider structure, culture, and agency in creating and maintaining individuals and groups in the condition of poverty.
Advanced Study in Substantive Sociological Fields: Sociology of Poverty: Read More [+]

SOCIOL 280B Advanced Study in Substantive Sociological Fields: Race and Ethnic Relations 3 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2018, Spring 2017, Fall 2015
Courses under this number involve pursuing graduate study in substantive sociological subfields. The courses presume familiarity with the fields of study. Consult departmental catalog for current descriptions.
Advanced Study in Substantive Sociological Fields: Race and Ethnic Relations: Read More [+]

SOCIOL 280C Advanced Study in Substantive Sociological Fields: Political Sociology 3 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2018, Spring 2017, Spring 2016
Courses under this number involve pursuing graduate study in substantive sociological subfields. The courses presume familiarity with the fields of study. Consult departmental catalog for current descriptions.
Advanced Study in Substantive Sociological Fields: Political Sociology: Read More [+]

SOCIOL 280D Advanced Study in Substantive Sociological Fields: Organizations 3 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2016, Spring 2015, Spring 2013
Courses under this number involve pursuing graduate study in substantive sociological subfields. The courses presume familiarity with the fields of study. Consult departmental catalog for current descriptions.
Advanced Study in Substantive Sociological Fields: Organizations: Read More [+]

SOCIOL 280DD Sociology of Medicine 3 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2018
Courses under this number involve pursuing graduate study in substantive sociological subfields. The courses presume familiarity with the fields of study. Consult departmental catalog for current descriptions.
Sociology of Medicine: Read More [+]

SOCIOL 280E Advanced Study in Substantive Sociological Fields: Sociology of Work 3 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2017, Fall 2015, Fall 2014
Courses under this number involve pursuing graduate study in substantive sociological subfields. The courses presume familiarity with the fields of study. Consult departmental catalog for current descriptions.
Advanced Study in Substantive Sociological Fields: Sociology of Work: Read More [+]

SOCIOL 280F Advanced Study in Substantive Sociological Fields: Family 3 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2018, Fall 2012, Spring 2012
Courses under this number involve pursuing graduate study in substantive sociological subfields. The courses presume familiarity with the fields of study. Consult departmental catalog for current descriptions.
Advanced Study in Substantive Sociological Fields: Family: Read More [+]

SOCIOL 280G Advanced Study in Substantive Sociological Fields: Social Stratification and Class Analysis 3 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2017, Fall 2015, Spring 2015
Courses under this number involve pursuing graduate study in substantive sociological subfields. The courses presume familiarity with the fields of study. Consult departmental catalog for current descriptions.
Advanced Study in Substantive Sociological Fields: Social Stratification and Class Analysis: Read More [+]

SOCIOL 280H Advanced Study in Substantive Sociological Fields: Development 3 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2016, Fall 2014, Fall 2013
Courses under this number involve pursuing graduate study in substantive sociological subfields. The courses presume familiarity with the fields of study. Consult departmental catalog for current descriptions.
Advanced Study in Substantive Sociological Fields: Development: Read More [+]

SOCIOL 280I Advanced Study in Substantive Sociological Fields: Religion 3 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2013, Fall 2010, Spring 2009
Courses under this number involve pursuing graduate study in substantive sociological subfields. The courses presume familiarity with the fields of study. Consult departmental catalog for current descriptions.
Advanced Study in Substantive Sociological Fields: Religion: Read More [+]

SOCIOL 280J Advanced Study in Substantive Sociological Fields: Urban Sociology 3 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2016, Spring 2013, Fall 2011
Courses under this number involve pursuing graduate study in substantive sociological subfields. The courses presume familiarity with the fields of study. Consult departmental catalog for current descriptions.
Advanced Study in Substantive Sociological Fields: Urban Sociology: Read More [+]

SOCIOL 280K Advanced Study in Substantive Sociological Fields: Social Psychology 3 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2013, Spring 2012, Fall 2010
Courses under this number involve pursuing graduate study in substantive sociological subfields. The courses presume familiarity with the fields of study. Consult departmental catalog for current descriptions.
Advanced Study in Substantive Sociological Fields: Social Psychology: Read More [+]

SOCIOL 280L Advanced Study in Substantive Sociological Fields: Gender 3 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2017, Spring 2014, Fall 2013
Courses under this number involve pursuing graduate study in substantive sociological subfields. The courses presume familiarity with the fields of study. Consult departmental catalog for current descriptions.
Advanced Study in Substantive Sociological Fields: Gender: Read More [+]

SOCIOL 280M Advanced Study in Substantive Sociological Fields: Culture 3 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2018, Spring 2017, Fall 2015
Courses under this number involve pursuing graduate study in substantive sociological subfields. The courses presume familiarity with the fields of study. Consult departmental catalog for current descriptions.
Advanced Study in Substantive Sociological Fields: Culture: Read More [+]

SOCIOL 280N Advanced Study in Substantive Sociological Fields: Education 3 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2016, Spring 2012, Spring 2009
Courses under this number involve pursuing graduate study in substantive sociological subfields. The courses presume familiarity with the fields of study. Consult departmental catalog for current descriptions.
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SOCIOL 280P Advanced Study in Substantive Sociological Fields: Area Studies 3 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2016, Fall 2015, Spring 2015
Courses under this number involve pursuing graduate study in substantive sociological subfields. The courses presume familiarity with the fields of study. Consult departmental catalog for current descriptions.
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SOCIOL 280Q Advanced Study in Substantive Sociological Fields: Economy and Society 3 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2017, Fall 2015, Spring 2015
Courses under this number involve pursuing graduate study in substantive sociological subfields. The courses presume familiarity with the fields of study. Consult departmental catalog for current descriptions.
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SOCIOL 280S Advanced Study in Substantive Sociological Fields: Social Movements 3 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2015, Spring 2014, Spring 2012
Courses under this number involve pursuing graduate study in substantive sociological subfields. The courses presume familiarity with the fields of study. Consult departmental catalog for current descriptions.
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SOCIOL 280V Advanced Study in Substantive Sociological Fields: Sociology of Everyday Life 3 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2012, Spring 2000, Spring 1998
This seminar approaches the sociology of everyday life from a thematic perspective. This course covers topics grouped in six major rubics: the habitus, the public sphere, the private sphere, strategy and tactics, space, and time. We will focus on codes/rules of conduct and etiquette, taste, style, self-presentation, (house) work, emotions, resistance, and the spatial and temporal coordinates of social action. Readings will cover a broad terrain chronologically and geographically.
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SOCIOL 280W Advanced Study in Substantive Sociological Fields: Sexuality 3 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2009, Fall 2008, Fall 2007
In this course we address a wide range of social theories and sociological investigations of sexuality as it is conceptualized and experienced in social contexts. Theoretical approaches to sexuality may include psychoanalytic, feminist, Marxist, symbolic-interactionist, and discursive/post-structural approaches to understanding how sexual categories vary over time and across cultures, how people identify with or against them, and how social power works through time.
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SOCIOL 280X Advanced Study in Substantive Sociological Fields: Immigration and Incorporation 3 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2018, Fall 2014, Fall 2013
This seminar examines the dynamics of migration, integration, and citizenship, both from the perspective of the receiving society and from the lived experiences of migrants themselves. The seminar focuses on processes of incorporation--economic, social, cultural, and political--but we also look at paradigms that challenge an integrationist reading of migration, in particular transnationalism and models of postnational citizenship.
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SOCIOL 280Y Sociology of Globalization 3 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2016, Spring 2014, Spring 2010
Sociology now analyzes social organization that transcends national boundaries, not just as linking national societies or as influencing national societies, but as a phenomenon in its own right. This course brings together a selection of literature that looks at transnational social organizations and the distinctive dynamics of global political economy and culture and offers a sociological perspective on what lies behind the vague and confusing label of "globalization."
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SOCIOL 280Z Advanced Study in Substantive Sociological Fields: Sociol Policy 3 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2010, Fall 2009
This course will examine the major theoretical arguments that seek to account for the development of social policy, including arguments about the pwoer of social forces such as business and labor, the role of racial and ethnic division, the influence of ideas, and the organizational features of the state. The course readings examine developments in the United States with some comparision to other countries.
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SOCIOL 285 Dissertation Seminar 3 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2012, Spring 2010, Spring 2008
The seminar is a forum for intensive attention to writing of seminar members at any stage, from initial planning of the dissertation to the job presentation talk. We will be especially concerned with reflexive issues: the choice of problem and method as a sociological, political, personal, and market issue; the place of the researcher in research; sociology as a discipline and interdiscipline. Problems of organization, scope, theoretical and empirical emphasis will also be addressed.
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SOCIOL 286 Professional Writing Seminar 3 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2015, Spring 2012, Spring 2011
This seminar is a workshop on professional writing for sociologists. We will focus on editing, rewriting, re-editing, and re-rewriting seminar members' papers with the goal of completing a paper appropriate for the professional journals. In addition, we will cover several topics in writing, including psychological inhibition, style, journals, writing for the general public, and the world of book publishing. Class time will be divided into short lectures and workshop periods, during which we will discuss work in-progress and do some collective editing of sample texts.
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SOCIOL 290 Seminar 3 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2017, Spring 2016, Spring 2015
Advanced study in modern sociology. The specific topics will be announced at the beginning of each semester.
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SOCIOL 292 Advanced Research Seminar 1 Unit

Terms offered: Spring 2018, Fall 2017, Spring 2017
The purpose of this seminar is to provide participants with an opportunity to present their work-in-progress, be it a potential academic journal submission, dissertation chapter, dissertation prospectus or even a draft interview schedule. Through a process of peer-review, we will work on improving each participant's written work, and to stay abreast of the diverse work being done in the field of the seminar's topic.
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SOCIOL 292D Advanced Research Seminar--Dissertation 1 Unit

Terms offered: Prior to 2007
The purpose of this seminar is to provide students an opportunity to present their work in progress (dissertation, chapter/prospectus, etc.). Through a process of peer review we will work to improve each student's dissertation work.
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SOCIOL 292W Advanced Research Seminar 1 Unit

Terms offered: Spring 2016, Fall 2015, Spring 2015
The purpose of this seminar is to provide students an opportunity to present their work in progress (academic journal submission, dissertation chapter/prospectus, etc., or even a draft interview schedule). Through a process of peer review, we will work to improve each student's written work and to stay abreast of the diverse work being done in the field of the seminar's topic.
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SOCIOL 295 Independent Study for Graduate Students in Sociology 1 - 12 Units

Terms offered: Summer 2016 8 Week Session, Spring 2016, Summer 2015 8 Week Session
By arrangement with faculty.
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SOCIOL 296 Directed Dissertation Research 1 - 12 Units

Terms offered: Summer 2017 Second 6 Week Session, Summer 2016 8 Week Session, Spring 2016
By arrangement with faculty. Open to qualified students advanced to candidacy.
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SOCIOL 298 Directed Group Studies for Graduates 1 - 9 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2016, Spring 2015, Fall 2014
Group studies of selected topics which vary from year to year.
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SOCIOL 299 Individual Study and Research 1 - 9 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2016, Spring 2015, Spring 2014
For students engaged in individual research and study. May not be substituted for available graduate lecture courses or 290.
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SOCIOL 301 Professional Training: Teachers 3 - 6 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2016, Spring 2015, Spring 2014

Professional Training: Teachers: Read More [+]

SOCIOL 375 Professional Training: Teachers 3 - 6 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2017, Fall 2015

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SOCIOL 602 Individual Study for Doctoral Students 1 - 12 Units

Terms offered: Summer 2016 8 Week Session, Spring 2016, Summer 2015 8 Week Session
Individual study in consultation with the adviser intended to provide an opportunity for qualified students to prepare themselves for the various examinations required of candidates for the Ph.D. May not be used for unit or residence requirements for the doctoral degree.
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Faculty and Instructors

+ Indicates this faculty member is the recipient of the Distinguished Teaching Award.

Faculty

Karen Barkey, Professor.

Irene Bloemraad, Professor. Immigration, social movements, political sociology, multiculturalism, race & ethnicity, Canada, non-profit organizations, research methods.
Research Profile

+ Michael Burawoy, Professor. Sociology, Russia, capitalism, industrial workplaces, postcolonialism, socialism, global ethnography, Hungary.
Research Profile

Laura J. Enriquez, Professor. Social movements, political sociology, sociology, development in Latin America, rural sociology.
Research Profile

Neil D. Fligstein, Professor. Sociology.
Research Profile

Marion Fourcade, Professor. Culture, social theory, political sociology, economic sociology, comparative methods, knowledge and science.
Research Profile

Cybelle Fox, Associate Professor. Historical sociology, American welfare state, race and ethnic relations, immigration policy.
Research Profile

Thomas Gold, Professor. Post-socialism, China, sociology, East Asian studies, comparative institutions, Pacific Rim societies, Taiwan, globalization and development.
Research Profile

Leo Goodman, Professor. Sociology, statistics, log-linear models, correspondence analysis models, mathematical demography, categorical data analysis, survey data analysis, logit models, log-bilinear models, association models.
Research Profile

David Harding, Associate Professor. Poverty, inequality, causal inference, mixed methods, incarceration, prisoner reentry, education, neighborhoods, urban, community, adolescence.
Research Profile

Heather A. Haveman, Professor. Organizations, economic sociology, entrepreneurship, China, careers and social mobility, gender, social history.
Research Profile

Jennifer Johnson-Hanks, Associate Professor. Culture, population, social action, intentions, Africa, gender, fertility, marriage.
Research Profile

Armando Lara-Millan, Assistant Professor.

John Lie, Professor. Social theory, political economy, East Asia.
Research Profile

Mara Loveman, Professor.

Samuel R. Lucas, Professor. Research methods, demography, sociology, social stratification, sociology of education, and research statistics.
Research Profile

G. Cristina Mora, Assistant Professor. Classification, organizations, race and ethnicity, Latino Migration.
Research Profile

Christopher Muller, Assistant Professor.

Trond Petersen, Professor. Inequality, comparative gender inequality, hiring, promotions, wages, quantitative methods, social stratification, economic sociology, comparative studies, and quantitative methods.
Research Profile

Raka Ray, Professor. Feminist theory, gender, social movements, South and Southeast Asian studies, relations between dominant subaltern groups in India, women´_s movements in India.
Research Profile

Dylan John Riley, Associate Professor.

Martin Sanchez-Jankowski, Professor. Sociology of poverty, gangs and crime, sociology of violence, race and ethnic relations.
Research Profile

Daniel J. Schneider, Assistant Professor.

Sandra Smith, Associate Professor. Trust, urban poverty, joblessness, race and ethnic inequality, social capital and social networks.
Research Profile

Ann Swidler, Professor. Religion, culture, Africa, AIDS, political sociology, theory, development, NGOs.
Research Profile

Cihan Ziya Tugal, Associate Professor. Political sociology, social movements, religion, Islam and the Middle East, culture, poverty and class, social theory, ethnography.
Research Profile

Kim Voss, Professor. Sociology.
Research Profile

Loic Wacquant, Professor. Sociology.
Research Profile

Lecturers

Jill A. Bakehorn, Lecturer.

Andrew Barlow, Lecturer.

Jill Behbehanian, Lecturer.

Christoph Hermann, Lecturer.

Linus B. Huang, Lecturer.

Szonja Ivester, Lecturer.

John W. Kaiser, Lecturer.

Mary E. Kelsey, Lecturer.

Edwin K. Lin, Lecturer.

Tiffany L. Page, Lecturer.

Brian A. Powers, Lecturer.

Joanna M. Reed, Lecturer.

Visiting Faculty

Nissim Mizrachi, Visiting Professor.

Emeritus Faculty

Bob Blauner, Professor Emeritus.

Victoria Bonnell, Professor Emeritus. Labor history, sociology, Russia, comparative development, Soviet Union.
Research Profile

Manuel Castelis, Professor Emeritus.

Nancy J. Chodorow, Professor Emeritus. Sociology, psychoanalytic theory/psychoanalytic sociology/clinical methods, feminist theory and methodology, psychoanalysis and feminism.
Research Profile

Robert Cole, Professor Emeritus. Japan, management of technology, Japanese work organization, organizational learning, knowledge management, organizational transformation.
Research Profile

Troy Duster, Professor Emeritus. Ethnicity, law, sociology, science, deviance.
Research Profile

Harry Edwards, Professor Emeritus.

Peter Evans, Professor Emeritus. Sociology.
Research Profile

Arlie R. Hochschild, Professor Emeritus.

Michael Hout, Professor Emeritus. Demography, sociology, social mobility, higher education policy.
Research Profile

Jerome B. Karabel, Professor Emeritus. Political sociology, sociology of education.
Research Profile

Kristin Luker, Professor Emeritus. Social policy, jurisprudence.
Research Profile

David Matza, Professor Emeritus. Social change, sociology, deviant behavior, poverty and working class life.
Research Profile

Richard J. Ofshe, Professor Emeritus.

Neil J. Smelser, Professor Emeritus. Psychoanalysis, social theory, social change, social movements, economic sociology, comparative methods, sociology of education, terrorism.
Research Profile

Barrie Thorne, Professor Emeritus. Feminist theory, gender theory, ethnography, qualitative methods, sociology, women, sociology of gender, sociology of age relations.
Research Profile

Margaret M. Weir, Professor. Political science, political sociology, sociology, American political development, urban politics and policy, comparative studies of the welfare state, metropolitan inequalities, city-suburban politics in the United States.
Research Profile

Contact Information

Department of Sociology

410 Barrows Hall

Phone: 510-642-4766

Fax: 510-642-0659

Visit Department Website

Department Chair

Mara Loveman, PhD

410 Barrows Hall

Phone: 510-642-4766

mloveman@berkeley.edu

Head Graduate Adviser

Dylan Riley, PhD

474 Barrows Hall

Phone: 510-642-4766

riley@berkeley.edu

Director of Student Services

Carolyn Clark

410 Barrows Hall

Phone: 510-643-4630

carolync@berkeley.edu

Graduate Admissions & Outreach Adviser

Takiyah Franklin

422 Barrows Hall

Phone: 510-642-1445

takiyah.franklin@berkeley.edu

Graduate Adviser

Catherine Norton

422 Barrows Hall

Phone: 510-642-1657

catherine.norton@berkeley.edu

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