Requirements and Courses

“… the science of association is the mother science; the progress of all the others depends on the progress of that one.”
—Alexis de Tocqueville, Democracy in America (1840)

Program Requirements

Moderation Requirements

Sociology Moderation:

What to Expect (PDF)
Bard College Moderation

Requirements

  • Before Moderation:
    Students planning to moderate in sociology are required to take the following three courses before Moderation: a 100-level course in sociology (ideally SOC 101, Introduction to Sociology); SOC 213, Sociological Theory; and SOC 205, Introduction to Research Methods. In order to moderate, students must pass the core classes Sociological Theory and Introduction to Research Methods.
  • For Moderation:
    Students submit the two autobiographical essays that Bard requires for Moderation, and a 10-page sociology paper (or two five-page papers) on a topic chosen in consultation with their adviser. Papers may be from sociology courses. The program recommends revising existing papers before submitting them for Moderation.
     

Senior Project and Graduation

Senior Project Guidelines

(student handbook)

  • After Moderation:
    Sociology students must take at least three sociology elective courses (any level) and two 300-level advanced seminars.
  • Senior Project:
    Each student will write a Senior Project that is based on their own original sociological research.
     

Sociology Courses

Required Sociology Courses
Bard sociology students discussing Islamic jurisprudence.
Photo by Eliza Watson '21

Required Sociology Courses

Summary of Requirements for the Major:
100-Level Sociology Course
SOC 205, Introduction to Research Methods
SOC 213, Sociological Theory
Sociology Elective
Sociology Elective
Sociology Elective
300-Level Seminar
300-Level Seminar
Senior Project I & II

Please see the College Catalogue for a list of recent courses in the program, divided into 100-level introductory courses, 200-level classes, and advanced 300-level seminar courses for moderated students.

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Current Courses in Sociology

  • Current Courses
    View the sociology course list for the current semester. You may also browse the College Catalogue for courses that are offered periodically, but not necessarily this semester.
    Sociology Courses This Semester
    College Catalogue

Joint Majors and Concentrations

Students may arrange a joint major in Sociology and another program, such as History or Psychology, or with a concentration, for example Africana Studies or Gender and Sexuality Studies. The requirements for Moderation and course work will include those listed above as well as the requirements for the joint program selected.