Sociology Course Numbering Change - Effective Fall 2026

Beginning in Fall 2026, the Department of Sociology will implement a new course numbering system. 

What is Changing?

• The course prefix will change from SOCL to SOCI. 

• Course numbers will change. 

What is NOT Changing?

• Course titles and course content will remain the same. 

• Major requirements and minor requirements are not changing. 

This update will be in place for Fall 2026 registration. 

Why Are We Making This Change?

The new numbering system is designed to make it easier for students to: 

• Identify which courses are core requirements. 

• See how elective courses connect to the department’s four concentrations. 

• Understand course level and sequencing at a glance. 

The goal is clarity and transparency in planning your major. 

Understanding Course Levels

Under the new system: 

• 100-level courses fulfill COLL 100 or COLL 150 requirements. 

• 200-level courses are designed for students with no prior exposure to sociology or the course topic. 

• 300-level courses are for students who have taken at least one sociology course or have prior exposure to the subject area. 

• 400-level courses are advanced seminars intended for juniors and seniors with at least two sociology courses or significant prior background. 

Please review the specific requirements for 300 and 400-level courses in the Undergraduate Catalog or PATH Registration. 

Required Courses (Renumbered)

The following core courses have been renumbered: 

• SOCI 301 – Sociological Theory 

• SOCI 302 – Research Design 

• SOCI 303 – Quantitative Research Methods 

• SOCI 304 – Qualitative Sociology 

• SOCI 494W – Capstone in Sociology 

If you completed these under their previous SOCL numbers, they will still count toward your degree. 

Electives and Concentrations

The department offers four concentrations, which allow students to pursue more specialized study within sociology. 

Students may choose to take at least 3 of their 6 elective courses within one concentration area to complete a concentration. COLL 100 and COLL 150 courses count toward the major and COLL requirements but do not count toward concentrations. 

Electives are now organized by number ranges to indicate their area: 

• 105, 205, 305, 405 – Special Topics 

• 210s, 310s, 410s – General electives (not tied to concentrations) 

• 220s, 320s, 420s – Crime, Law and Power 

• 230s, 330s, 430s – Globalization 

• 240s, 340s, 440s – Health, Medicine and Well-being 

• 250s, 350s, 450s – Social Justice and Policy 

• 480s – Readings in Sociology 

• 490s – Honors, Independent Research, Internships 

This structure allows you to quickly see whether a course fulfills a concentration and at what level it is offered. A single course may fulfill more than one concentration. Please review the full list of attributes associated with the course in the Undergraduate Catalog or  PATH Registration.  

Course Equivalency

You can view the full SOCL/SOCI course equivalency table by visiting the Courses page. The table shows how all previous SOCL course numbers correspond to the new SOCI numbers.