Majors in Development Sociology (formerly Rural Sociology) take the following seven core courses:

• introductory sociology (D SOC 1101)
• population dynamics (D SOC 2010)
• international development (D SOC 2050)
• social indicators (D SOC 3130; or D SOC 3140, methods)
• theory (D SOC 3010)
• social stratification (D SOC 3700)
• and a course in statistics.

Four additional elective Development Sociology courses (at least two of which must be at the 3000 level or higher) allow students to focus their major on particular themes such as:

• the sociology of development
• the social processes linking the environment, population and development
• more general areas such as ethnic and class stratification, social movements, social policy, and gender and development

In each of these focus areas students can choose to concentrate on domestic or international situations. Students are encouraged to complement courses in the department with course work in the history, ecology or economics of development, area studies, and the policy sciences.

To easily track your progress regarding the DSOC requirements, please click here and print out our DSOC Major Tracking Form.

 

Minors in Development Sociology (formerly Rural Sociology) - The Department offers two minors, one in general development sociology the other in the specialized area of globalization, ethnicity and development.  Please select one or the other to see the appropriate formal requirements.

General Development Sociology Minor

Globalization, Ethnicity and Development Minor

The Honors Program
The Department of Development Sociology participates in the College Honors Program through the College's Social Sciences Honors Committee. For a description and requirements please click HERE.

The Department of Development Sociology requires undergraduate student majors and minors to complete all core courses and elective courses from those offered by the department (majors: 7 core and 4 electives; minors: 3 core and 2 electives). Under unique and extenuating circumstances students may request to substitute a non-DSOC course for a core or elective course. The maximum number of credits that can be substituted is limited to 6 (not including DSOC 101 and statistics).

Substitution of a Core Course:  To request substitution of a core course, students must formally petition the Development Sociology Teaching and Curriculum Committee. This petition must be submitted at least one semester prior to enrolling in a substitute course. All requests to substitute a non-DSOC course for DSOC core course must include: (1) a completed Development Sociology Core Course Substitution Petition Form (2) syllabus for the course you are petitioning to substitute and (3) a letter of support from your faculty advisor. Transfer students wishing to substitute a core course must file a petition upon their admission to the department.  The Teaching and Curriculum Committee will review the petition and supporting documentation and notify the student and their advisor of its decision. Any substitution of a core course would count toward the total allowable substitution credit limit of 6. Petitions for substitution of a core course and supporting documentation must be filed with the Undergraduate Program Coordinator in 133 Warren Hall.

Substitution of an Elective Course: Requests to substitute an elective course are at the discretion of the student’s advisor. If the faculty advisor approves substitution of an elective course, the student must submit a Development Sociology Elective Course Substitution Form with the Undergraduate Program Coordinator in 133 Warren Hall.

Any questions regarding substitutions should be forwarded to the Undergraduate Program Coordinator in 133 Warren Hall.