Sociology and Demography

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 Graduate Group in Sociology and Demography (GGSD) is an interdisciplinary training program in the social sciences designed for students with broad intellectual interests. Drawing on Berkeley's Department of Sociology and Department of Demography, the group offers students a rigorous and rewarding intellectual experience.

The group, founded in 2001, sponsors a single degree program leading to a PhD in Sociology and Demography. The GGSD helps foster an active intellectual exchange between graduate students and faculty in the two disciplines. In addition, faculty and students associated with the group often maintain close ties with other disciplines both inside and outside the social sciences (for example, economics, anthropology, statistics, public health, biology, and medicine).

The specific emphasis of this academic program is the intersection of the fields of sociology and demography. Potential areas of study include, but are not limited to: population history, social stratification, inequality, race, ethnicity, causes and consequences of population growth, the demographic transition, population–environment interactions, economic development, immigration, globalization, gender, family, kinship, child welfare, sexuality, intergenerational relations, aging, mortality, health care, disability, fertility, family planning, and birth control.

Students in the GGSD typically earn both an MA in Sociology and an MA in Demography en route to the PhD in Sociology and Demography; however, it is not required to earn an MA in Sociology to get the PhD in Sociology and Demography. Students already enrolled in another graduate program at Berkeley who wish to earn a PhD in Sociology and Demography may apply by requesting a change of major. Students not already enrolled at Berkeley who wish to enter the PhD program should complete the required online application. The general deadlines for application specified by the Graduate Division apply, as do the general requirements of the Academic Senate and the Graduate Division for PhD degree programs.

Visit Group 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

The Department of Demography requires all applicants to take the general portion of the Graduate Record Examination. Applicants may apply for the Masters in Demography, PhD in Demography or the PhD in Sociology and Demography. 

Doctoral Degree Requirements

Normative Time Requirements

Normative Time to Advancement

Normative time to advancement to doctoral candidacy for the Sociology and Demography PhD is eight semesters from the time the student entered the program.

Normative Time in Candidacy

Normative time in doctoral candidacy for the Sociology and Demography PhD degree is four semesters.

Total Normative Time

The total normative time of the program is 12 semesters.

Time to Advancement

Curriculum

Courses Required
DEMOG 110Introduction to Population Analysis3
DEMOG/ECON C175Economic Demography4
DEMOG 200Fundamentals of Population Thought4
DEMOG 210Demographic Methods: Rates and Structures4
DEMOG 211Advanced Demographic Analysis3-4
or SOCIOL 271C Methods of Sociological Research
DEMOG 213Practical Computer Applications for Demographic Analysis2
DEMOG 296Advanced Research Techniques4
DEMOG Graduate Elective (choose one course from 220 to 289)
SOCIOL 200Proseminar1
SOCIOL 201A
& SOCIOL 201B		Classical Social Theory
and Modern Social Theory		6
SOCIOL 271AMethods of Sociological Research4
SOCIOL Graduate Electives (choose two courses from 280 series)
Electives per approved study list

Coursework and Preliminary Examination

During the first year of study students in all Demography and Sociology and Demography degree programs complete the required coursework (24 units) and then take the preliminary examination at the end of the spring semester.

Language Examination

Each student is expected to demonstrate reasonable reading competence in at least one other than English language that is relevant to demographic studies. Students must pass a language exam before advancing to doctoral candidacy.

Dissertation Prospectus

The dissertation prospectus is developed in the context of a research seminar, Demog 295 Course Not Available. Doctoral students are expected to enroll in 295 every semester until the prospectus is complete, which should occur within three years after matriculation.

Oral Qualifying Examination

The oral qualifying examination for admission to doctoral candidacy should be taken during the second or third year (depending on the time needed for the completion of the student's ancillary master's program).

CITI Human Subjects Training

Students are required to take CITI Human Subjects training as specified by the Office for the Protection of Human Subjects before advancing to doctoral candidacy. For more information please see the OPHS website: http://cphs.berkeley.edu/training.html

Time in Candidacy

Dissertation

Upon successful completion of the foreign language requirement, the oral qualifying exam, and the prospectus, students enter into the final phase of the program, doctoral candidacy. During this period, students are expected to take another research seminar, DEMOG 296, every semester until the completion of the dissertation. The department does not require a formal defense of the completed dissertation. 

Required Professional Development

The department does not formally require professional development but all students are encouraged to attend the weekly Demography Brown Bag Presentation Series as well as the monthly Bay Area Colloquium on Population. Students are also encouraged to attend and present papers at the annual Population Association of America Meeting or other demographic conferences.

Courses

Demography Courses

DEMOG 200 Fundamentals of Population Thought 4 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2015, Fall 1997, Fall 1996
This course offers an intensive introduction to the history of population thought in Europe and the United States through the close reading and contextualization of selected classic texts, including Graunt, Malthus, and Quetelet.

Required of graduate students in the M.A. or Ph.D. program in Demography.



Fundamentals of Population Thought: Read More [+]

DEMOG 210 Demographic Methods: Rates and Structures 4 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2017, Fall 2016, Fall 2015
Population models, multiple decrement life tables, hazard functions, stable population theory, projection matrices, projection programs, population waves, dual system estimation, computer-based exercises and simulations. Required course for Demography M.A. and Ph.D. students.
Demographic Methods: Rates and Structures: Read More [+]

DEMOG 211 Advanced Demographic Analysis 4 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2014, Spring 2013, Spring 2012
This course is designed to provide an overview of quantitative techniques commonly used in demography, sociology, economics, and other social sciences. Methods are described in both words and formulas, and students are encouraged to learn to move freely between verbal and mathematical representations of data.
Advanced Demographic Analysis: Read More [+]

DEMOG 213 Practical Computer Applications for Demographic Analysis 2 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2016, Fall 2015, Fall 2014
An introductory course for first year Demography graduate students in the use of the Demography laboratory. Covers Unix based tools for manipulating computer programs and data files, and the R, SPlus, and SAS statistical packages. The course introduces the proportional hazard model and methods of estimating it. The final project for this course is use of the 1995 Current Population Survey (fertility supplement) to compute Total Fertility Rates for the U.S.
Practical Computer Applications for Demographic Analysis: Read More [+]

DEMOG 215 Current Research Topics in Demography 2 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2010, Spring 2009, Spring 2008
The goals of this course are 1) to familiarize graduate students with active research projects in Demography and 2) to improve skills in R and Stata. Topics covered include demographic micro-simulation with SOCSIM, the Human Mortality Database, stochastic simulation/forecasting, GIS for Demographers, and mortality forecasting. Two-thirds of class time will be spent in the computer laboratory. Students will present results.
Current Research Topics in Demography: Read More [+]

DEMOG 220 Human Fertility 4 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2018, Spring 2013, Fall 2011
This course offers a critical, graduate-level introduction to the social science of reproduction, drawing especially on models and theories from demography, sociology, and anthropology. Among the topics are parity specific control and the calculus of conscious choice, below-replacement fertility, and the political economy of stratified reproduction.
Human Fertility: Read More [+]

DEMOG 230 Human Mortality 4 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2015, Spring 2011, Spring 2009
Measurement of mortality by age and cause. Traditional, transitional, and modern mortality patterns in European and non-European areas. Current trends and differentials by age, sex, race, occupation and marital status. Consequences of mortality declines for fertility change and development.
Human Mortality: Read More [+]

DEMOG 240 Human Migration 2 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2013, Spring 2011, Spring 2000
Human populations analyzed from the stand point of their spatial distribution and movement. Special attention to rural-urban migration, metropolitan structure, inter-regional movement, and demographic aspects of land-use, the collection and analysis of emigration and immigration data and statistics, migration policies.
Human Migration: Read More [+]

DEMOG 260 Special Topics in Demography Seminar 1 - 4 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2018, Spring 2017, Spring 2016
Special topics in demography, such as anthropological and evolutionary approaches, kinship and family structure, race and ethnicity, and similar specialized or new topics in the field of demography will be covered. Seminar will be offered according to student demand.
Special Topics in Demography Seminar: Read More [+]

DEMOG C275A Economic Demography 3 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2015, Spring 2014, Spring 2013
Economic consequences of demographic change in developing and developed countries including capital formation, labor markets, and intergenerational transfers. Economic determinants of fertility, mortality and migration.
Economic Demography: Read More [+]

DEMOG 296 Advanced Research Techniques 4 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2017, Fall 2016, Fall 2015
Problems in data acquisition, analysis, and presentation of technical demographic research. Required of graduate students in the Ph.D. program in Demography.
Advanced Research Techniques: Read More [+]

DEMOG 298 Directed Reading 1 - 12 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2018, Fall 2017, Spring 2017
Intended to provide directed reading in subject matter not covered in available course offerings.
Directed Reading: Read More [+]

DEMOG 299 Directed Research 1 - 12 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2018, Fall 2017, Summer 2017 8 Week Session
Intended to provide supervision in the preparation of an original research paper or dissertation.
Directed Research: Read More [+]

DEMOG 301 GSI Training 1 - 6 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2017, Fall 2016, Fall 2015
Course credit for experience gained in academic teaching through employment as a graduate student instructor.
GSI Training: Read More [+]

DEMOG 601 Individual Study 1 - 8 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2017, Fall 2016, Fall 2015
Individual study, in consultation with the graduate adviser, intended for qualified students to do necessary work to prepare themselves for language examinations, and the comprehensive examination.
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DEMOG 602 Individual Study for Doctoral Students 1 - 8 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2018, Fall 2017, Spring 2017
Individual study in consultation with the major field adviser, intended to provide an opportunity for qualified students to prepare themselves for the various examinations required of candidates for the Ph.D.
Individual Study for Doctoral Students: Read More [+]

Sociology Courses

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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
Advanced Study in Substantive Sociological Fields: Education: Read More [+]

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.
Advanced Study in Substantive Sociological Fields: Economy and Society: Read More [+]

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

Professional Training: Teachers: Read More [+]

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

Faculty

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

Dennis Feehan, Assistant Professor. Demography, social networks, sociology, and statistics.

Neil D. Fligstein, Professor. Economic sociology, organizations, methodology and statistics, political.
Research Profile

Joshua R. Goldstein, Professor. Fertility, marriage, social demography, historical demography, population aging, formal demography.
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

Mara Loveman, Associate Professor. Comparative and historical sociology, political sociology, ethnoracial politics, development, demography, Latin America.

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

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

Daniel J. Schneider, Assistant Professor. Social Demography, Inequality, Family, Wealth and Household Finance.

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

Affiliated Faculty

William H. Dow, Professor. Health economics, international health, economic demography.
Research Profile

Jane Mauldon, Associate Professor. Demography, public policy, quantitative methods, health policy and economics, poverty and public policy, the teen-parent component of California_ _s welfare reforms.
Research Profile

Steve Raphael, Associate Professor. Crime, public policy, employment discrimination, labor economics, racial inequality, urban economics, and criminal justice policy.

Emeritus Faculty

Claude S. Fischer, Professor Emeritus. Social networks, American social history, technology, urban sociology, sociology.
Research Profile

Eugene A. Hammel, Professor Emeritus. Kinship, social anthropology, stratification, statistical and formal analysis, computer applications, peasant society and culture, demography, Balkans.
Research Profile

Ronald D. Lee, Professor Emeritus. Economics, evolutionary theory, mathematical demography, population aging, intergenerational transfers, economic demography, life history theory, population forecasting, national transfer accounts.
Research Profile

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

Kenneth Wachter, Professor Emeritus. Mathematical demography stochastic models, simulation, biodemography, federal statistical system.
Research Profile

John R. Wilmoth, Professor Emeritus. Demography, sociology, methodological research, longevity, life expectancy, mortality differentials, familial resemblance, mortality and life expectancy forcasting, historical population trends, world population growth, international migration forecasting.
Research Profile

Contact Information

Graduate Group in Sociology and Demography

2232 Piedmont Ave

Phone: 510-642-9800

Fax: 510-643-8558

Visit Group Website

Department Chair

Joshua Goldstein, PhD

2232 Piedmont Avenue

Phone: 510-642-9688

josh@demog.berkeley.edu

Head Graduate Adviser

Kenneth Wachter, PhD

wachter@demog.berkeley.edu

Graduate Student Affairs Officer

Monique Verrier

Phone: 510-642-9800

monique@demog.berkeley.edu

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