Professors: Debra C. Minkoff (Chair), Jonathan Rieder
Assistant Professors: Elizabeth Bernstein (Departmental Representative), Peter Levin
For a complete list of
faculty on leave see:
http://www.barnard.edu/provost/facleavelist.html
Sociology is a diverse academic discipline that draws its strength, and coherence, from a collective commitment to developing and testing theoretical principles about social life with empirical evidence. This commitment to systematic empirical research, across a range of methodological approaches, represents the strength of the discipline and the potential for a distinctive undergraduate experience for Sociology majors at Barnard. These approaches include varieties of quantitative data collection and analysis, participant observation, intensive interviewing, historical-archival research, and discourse analysis. The Department provides students with expertise in three areas: (1) a common foundation in the discipline's core theories and methodologies to analyze social life; (2) exposure to a range of substantive questions that motivate sociological research; and (3) direct research experience both within the classroom and under faculty supervision in the Senior Thesis Seminar. All students taking courses in Sociology at Barnard can expect to learn about crucial links between theory and empirical evidence for public policy, political and social debate, and civic engagement more broadly defined. Sociology majors will develop critical analytic and research skills and they can take with them into their professional careers, whether they continue on to graduate study in sociology or choose to enter such fields as business, education, law, nonprofit enterprise or public policy.
The major prepares students for graduate work in sociology as well as in other disciplines; for professional schools (law, business, social work, journalism, urban planning); and for all occupations requiring general knowledge of society and social interaction as well as basic skills of social research.
A minimum of 10 courses is required for the major, including:
SOCI BC 1003 or W 1000 |
Introductory Sociology or The Social World |
SOCI BC 3000 or W 3000 |
Social Theory |
SOCI W 3010 |
Methods for Social Research (no later than the junior year) |
SOCI BC 3087–BC 3088 |
Individual Projects for Seniors |
and at least 5 other electives selected in consultation with the major advisor. These courses may be taken at Barnard or Columbia. A minimum of three of the elective courses must be at the 3000 or 4000 level, including one seminar at the 3900 level. To graduate, a student must complete, to the satisfaction of her instructor in SOCI BC 3087-3088, a thesis involving some form of original sociological research and analysis.
The department strongly recommends that Sociology majors take SOCI W 3020 (Social Statistics) or SOCI BC 3211 (Quantitative Methods) to fulfill their GER in Quantitative & Deductive Reasoning.
Five courses are required for the minor in Sociology, including SOCI BC 1003 or SOCI W 1000 and four courses to be selected in consultation with the Sociology adviser.
There are no special admissions requirements or procedures for students interested in becoming a sociology major. Students (majors and non-majors) are encouraged to consult with members of the department regarding their choice and sequence of courses.