Undergraduate FAQ Information:

• What are the distribution requirements for CALS?
• Major Progress Tracking
• Degree Progress Tracking
• Can I minor in Development Sociology?
• How do I change majors?
• How do I change my advisor?
• How do I sign up for Independent Study?
• How do I sign up for the Honors Research Program?
• What is the course substitution policy?
• Does Study Abroad count towards my major?
• What do I do if a class is full?  Can I be "wait-listed"?

Graduate FAQ Information:

Business/Administrative FAQ Information:

Undergraduate FAQ Information

What are the distribution requirements for CALS?  Click here for information on CALS Distribution Requirements.

Major Progress Tracking: You can track your major requirement progress with the attached pdf file. (Download)

Degree Progress Tracking: You can track your degree progress through the College's website called DUST. 

Can I minor in Development Sociology?  Absolutely! 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

Contact Renee Hoffman for more information.

How do I change majors?  If you are a CALS student already, it's easy!  Visit Renee Hoffman, 133 Warren Hall and she will discuss the change with you and will find you an advisor in Development Sociology.  Ms. Hoffman will then notify CALS who in turn will notify your old major department of the change.  If you are not a CALS student, then you must apply to the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and note on your application that you would like to be a DSOC major.  Once accepted, you will automatically be assigned to DSOC and Ms. Hoffman will assign you an advisor in the Department.  Any questions, contact Renee Hoffman.

How do I change my advisor?  Sometimes students and their assigned advisor just don't "click."  That's ok!  You can change your advisor by contacting Renee Hoffman.  Information regarding your decision to change advisors will remain confidential.

How do I sign up for Independent Study?  You must get the permission of the particular Professor that you want to work with.  Sign up on line in that Professor's section number of DSOC 497.  DO NOT SIGN UP IN SECT. 1!!! (Contact Renee Hoffman if your professor doesn't know their section number.)  You MUST then fill out an "Independent Study" form and have it signed by the professor and then stamped by the Department (133 Warren Hall).  Turn the form into 140 Roberts Hall.

How do I sign up for the Honors Research Program? Click here for the CALS requirements and forms for Honors Research.

What is the course substitution policy?  (CALS Policy on non-Cornell credit.)  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. 

Does Study Abroad count towards my major?  Many times Study Abroad courses can count towards electives in Development Sociology.  Discuss your Study Abroad Program with your advisor and contact Renee Hoffman for verification of whether you will receive major elective credit.

What do I do if a class is full? Can I be "wait-listed"? Due to the popularity of many of our courses, quite often they fill up during pre-enrollment or very quickly during the regular enrollment periods.  Courses must be added electronically unless the course is by permission of instructor only.  With the electronic enrollment system there are no longer wait-lists.  You can contact the professor directly and they might let you in if you have special circumstances (i.e you are a senior and still need it for your requirements). If the professor agrees to let you in, the professor can initial the Add/Drop form (available from 140 Roberts or 133 Warren) or professor can contact Renee Hoffman to verify permission given.  The Department stamp must be affixed to the form (133 Warren).  Take the completed form (your advisor must also sign) to 140 Roberts Hall.