Embedded Files
Resources provided and curated by LSA Coordinators. Resources include sociological journals, social science and statistic databases, ASA citations and writing resources, post-graduation information, information on professional memberships, and introducing our Sociology Library Archive Project (SLAP)–in BETA.
Majoring in Political Science, UC Berkeley
Majoring in Political Science, UC Berkeley
Rundown of the six major requirements for the Political Science bachelor's degree
Courses Approved for History Requirement
Students must take one history course from the pre-approved course list. Courses at Berkeley that are not on this list will not be considered, regardless of the course topic.
Steps to officially declare the major at UC Berkeley
Advice on getting into courses and how the Political Science Department handles its course enrollments. Other departments may do things differently
Sample Degree Pathways
Sociological Journals
The Berkeley Journal of Sociology is run by a collective of graduate students from the UC Berkeley Department of Sociology. It seeks to contribute to the “history of the present” by publishing critical sociological perspectives on current social, economic, political, and environmental issues.
Eleven: The Undergraduate Journal of Sociology
Eleven seeks and publishes both quantitative and qualitative research, and encourages interdisciplinary conversation between sociology and other fields. Our audience extends beyond our own UC Berkeley sociological community to students and faculty at universities nationwide.
The American Sociological Review
American Sociological Review (ASR) is the American Sociological Association’s flagship journal. The ASA founded this journal in 1936 with the mission to publish original works of interest to the discipline of sociology in general, new theoretical developments, results of research that advance understanding of fundamental social processes, and important methodological innovations. All areas of sociology are welcome in ASR. Emphasis is on exceptional quality and general interest.
City & Community advances urban sociological theory, promote the highest quality empirical research on communities and urban social life, and encourage sociological perspectives on urban policy. It is the journal of the Community and Urban Sociology Section of the American Sociological Association.
Contemporary Sociology publishes reviews and critical discussions of recent works in sociology and related disciplines that merit the attention of sociologists. Since not all sociological publications can be reviewed, a selection is made to reflect important trends and issues in the field.
The Journal of Health & Social Behavior
Journal of Health and Social Behavior is a medical sociology journal that publishes empirical and theoretical articles that apply sociological concepts and methods to the understanding of health and illness and the organization of medicine and health care. Its editorial policy favors manuscripts that are grounded in important theoretical issues in medical sociology or the sociology of mental health and that advance theoretical understanding of the processes by which social factors and human health are interrelated.
The Journal of World-Systems Research
The main editorial goal of the Journal of World-Systems Research is to develop and disseminate scholarly research on topics that are relevant to the analysis of world systems. We especially want to include works that proceed from several different theoretical stances and disciplines. These include, but are not limited to, civilizations, evolutionary approaches, international political economy, and comparative, historical, and cultural analysis. We seek the work of political scientists, historians, sociologists, ethnographers, archaeologists, economists, and geographers.
Social Psychology Quarterly (SPQ) publishes theoretical and empirical papers on the link between the individual and society. This includes the study of the relations of individuals to one another, as well as to groups, collectivities, and institutions. It also includes the study of intra-individual processes as they substantially influence, or are influenced by, social structure and process. SPQ is genuinely interdisciplinary and publishes works by both sociologists and psychologists.
Society and Mental Health (SMH) publishes original and innovative peer-reviewed research and theory articles that link social structure and sociocultural processes with mental health and illness in society. It will also provide an outlet for sociologically relevant research and theory articles that are produced in other disciplines and subfields concerned with issues related to mental health and illness. The aim of the journal is to advance knowledge in the sociology of mental health and illness by publishing the leading work that highlights the unique perspectives and contributions that sociological research and theory can make to our understanding of mental health and illness in society.
Sociological Methodology (SM) is the only American Sociological Association periodical publication devoted entirely to research methods. It is a compendium of new and sometimes controversial advances in social science methodology. Contributions come from diverse areas and have something new and useful--and sometimes surprising--to say about a wide range of methodological topics. SM seeks contributions to qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods that address the full range of methodological problems confronted by empirical research in the social sciences, including conceptualization, data analysis, data collection, measurement, modeling, and research design. Such contributions must have relevance to sociological research and practice. The journal provides a forum for engaging the philosophical issues that underpin sociological research. Papers published in SM are original methodological contributions, including new methodological developments, applications of recent developments that provide new sociological insights, and critical evaluative discussions of research practices and traditions. SM encourages the inclusion of applications to real-world sociological data. In addition to full-length submissions, SM has an option for short-format articles (4000 words or less with no more than 6 tables and figures) that represent methodological innovations that do not require a full-length article to describe.
Sociological Theory publishes work in all areas of theory, including new substantive theories, history of theory, metatheory, formal theory construction, and synthetic contributions. Although aimed at a sociological readership, its orientation is pluralistic and it welcomes contributions by scholars in other fields. Peer-reviewed and published quarterly, Sociological Theory is renowned for featuring the best international research and scholarship.
Sociology of Education (SOE) provides a forum for studies in the sociology of education and human social development. SOE publishes research that examines how social institutions and individuals’ experiences within these institutions affect educational processes and social development. Such research may span various levels of analysis, ranging from the individual to the structure of relations among social and educational institutions. In an increasingly complex society, important educational issues arise throughout the life cycle.
Sociology of Race and Ethnicity
The official journal of ASA’s Section on Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Sociology of Race and Ethnicity publishes the highest quality, cutting-edge sociological research on race and ethnicity regardless of epistemological, methodological, or theoretical orientation. Sociology of Race and Ethnicity provides a fulcrum upon which sociologically-centered work will swing as it also seeks to provide new linkages between the discipline of sociology and other disciplines and areas where race and ethnicity are central components.
Socius: Sociological Research for a Dynamic World
Socius: Sociological Research for a Dynamic World, ASA's open-access journal, is an open-access journal that aims to make new research readily available. It provides an online forum for the rapid dissemination of peer-reviewed empirical work, produced in time to be relevant to ongoing debates. Socius is a place to find fresh ideas, and early discoveries, and open theoretical problems that can pose new challenges for social science. Committed to an efficient peer review process and open access, Socius’s online format ensures that all scientifically sound sociological research from any subfield can be published, without the volume constraints imposed by traditional print limits. Traditional manuscript styles are welcome, but we strongly encourage short papers and those providing interesting empirical findings that may spark innovation and future work.
Teaching Sociology publishes articles, notes, and reviews intended to be helpful to the discipline’s teachers. Articles range from experimental studies of teaching and learning to broad, synthetic essays on pedagogically important issues. The general intent is to share theoretically stimulating and practically useful information and advice with teachers.
Databases
Databases
The Latino Data Hub is a reliable source of information about important issues facing Latinos. We use the most recent data from the Census Bureau to give you information about ten critical areas. The Latino Data Hub is available in both English and Spanish.
Provides access to datasets published by agencies across the federal government.
Published by the American Economic Association. Provides citations, with selected abstracts, to international literature on economics.
The GSS has been a reliable source of data to help researchers, students, and journalists monitor and explain trends in American behaviors, demographics, and opinions. GSS Data Explorer offers an easier way to explore, analyze, extract, and share GSS data.
The PAIS Index covers global public affairs, public and social policies, international relations, and world politics. It includes international sources such as journal articles, books, government documents, statistical directories, grey literature, research reports, conference papers, web content, and more. Newspapers and newsletters are not included.
Covers all aspects of public policy research and analysis produced by think tanks, university research programs, research organizations, and publishers.
Offers easy-to-use online mapping with data on demographics, real estate, health, jobs and more in communities across the US.
Compilation of the full-text of the questions and responses from over 12,000 national, state, and local surveys conducted by 700 polling organizations in the United States and more than 70 other countries. The database covers over 4,000 subjects, including: Business Current Events Demographics Economics Education Family Studies Health Sciences Law Marketing Planning Political Science Population Studies Psychology Public Affairs Public Health Public Opinion Social Issues Social Sciences Social Work Sociology and Statistics. Information is gathered by professional polling organizations, television networks, universities, newspapers, businesses and associations, including the Gallup Poll, the Roper Organization Poll and others.
Statistical Abstract of the U.S.
Comprehensive summary of statistics on the social, political, and economic organization of the United States.
Abstracts and indexes over 1,600 serial publications in the areas of social work, human services, social welfare, social policy, community development, child welfare, counseling, crime and corrections, disabilities, evaluation, families, gerontology, health and mental health, poverty, professional issues, social workers, substance abuse and therapies. Covers dissertations and citations to book reviews.
Abstracts and indexes the international literature in sociology, political science, and related disciplines in the social and behavioral sciences, as well as policy areas in science. Contains abstracts of journal articles, books, book chapters, dissertations, and conference papers. Citations to book reviews drawn from over 1,700 serials publications.
Post-Graduation Information
Post-Graduation Information
What Can I Do with a Sociology Major (UC Berkeley)
What Can I Do with My Sociology Major? (UCLA)
Connecting Majors to Careers, Sociology (UC Berkeley)
Career Options for Sociology Majors (UC Santa Cruz)
Major in Sociology (American Sociological Association)
Social Science Research Assistants (O*NET OnLine)
Careers with a Sociology PhD (American Sociological Association)
Professional Associations
Professional Associations
American Sociological Association (ASA)
The American Sociological Association, founded in 1905, is the national professional membership association for sociologists and others who are interested in sociology. ASA’s mission is to serve sociologists in their work, advance sociology as a science and profession, and promote the contributions and use of sociology to society. ASA members include students, scholars, and teachers working in a full range of educational institutions, and people employed in government agencies and nonprofit and private sector organizations.
Founded in 1920 at the University of Southern California, Alpha Kappa Delta seeks to acknowledge and promote excellence in the scholarship in the study of social problems, sociology, and intellectual activities that lead to the improvement in the human condition.
Founded in 1924, Pi Gamma Mu is the oldest and preeminent interdisciplinary social science honor society. Pi Gamma Mu is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization approved by the Internal Revenue Service as a tax-exempt, charitable organization. Pi Gamma Mu has been certified by the Association of College Honor Societies since 1953. The mission of Pi Gamma Mu is to encourage and promote excellence in the Social Sciences and to uphold and nurture scholarship, leadership, and service. Pi Gamma Mu serves the various social science disciplines that seek to understand and explain human behavior and social relationships as well as their related problems and issues. Currently, there are around 150 active chapters in the United States and overseas.
Association of Applied and Clinical Sociology
The Association for Applied and Clinical Sociology (AACS) promotes applying social scientific knowledge and methods to develop constructive solutions. We provide educational, programmatic, mentoring, networking, and policy resources in a supportive professional community.
Association of Black Sociologists
The Association of Black Sociologists is an American-learned society dedicated to the advancement of scholarship by African American sociologists. It is based in Chicago, Illinois. Its official journal is Issues in Race & Society, which it publishes in partnership with Vanderbilt University's Peabody College
Mid-South Sociological Association
The Mid-South Sociological Association is a non-profit professional organization of sociologists and social scientists established in 1976.
Founded in 1930 to advance sociological research, promote the effective teaching of sociology, develop more vital relationships between sociology and related disciplines, and use the tools of the social sciences to address social problems. We publish a peer-reviewed journal Sociological Forum, host an annual conference, support workshops, and award prizes for excellence in the discipline.
The Rural Sociological Society is a professional social science association that promotes the generation, application, and dissemination of sociological knowledge. The RSS seeks to enhance the quality of rural life, communities, and the environment.
New England Sociological Association
Established in the year 1970, NESA was initially named as Massachusetts Sociological Association. It is committed to promoting sociological research, education, and practice. It encompasses around 150 members most of them from New England and also others. It enables the members and its annual congress attendees a scholarly exchange of ideas, reflecting the newest advances in the discipline.
North Central Sociological Association
The North Central Sociological Association is a regional sociology association covering multiple parts of the U.S. Midwest, namely: Eastern Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Kentucky, Western Pennsylvania, and West Virginia. It also covers Ontario, Canada.
Pacific Sociological Association
The Pacific Sociological Association is committed to serving sociologists, faculty, applied professionals, and students. We strive to create a professional community that reflects the diversity of our region and enhances the diversity of our discipline. We are committed to inclusivity and equity in our organization, to promoting social justice by examining and challenging the structural and institutional barriers in our discipline, and to building pathways for the next generation of sociologists.
Sociologists for Women in Society
Sociologists for Women in Society (SWS) is an international organization of social scientists—students, faculty, practitioners, and researchers—working together to improve the position of women within sociology and society in general.
The Midwest Sociological Society, founded in 1936, is a professional organization of academic and applied sociologists as well as students of the discipline. Nearly 1300 scholars, students, and practicing sociologists in universities, government, and business belong to the organization. Known for its accessible but rigorous meetings, the MSS encompasses nine states – Illinois, Missouri, Wisconsin, Iowa, Nebraska, Minnesota, Kansas, South Dakota and North Dakota. However, more than one-third of the members are from other parts of the nation and the world.
Society for the Study of Social Problems
The SSSP's stated purpose is to promote and protect sociological research and teaching on significant problems of social life and, particularly, to encourage the work of young sociologists; to stimulate the application of scientific method and theory to the study of vital social problems; to encourage problem-centered social research; to foster cooperative relations among persons and organizations engaged in the application of scientific sociological findings to the formulation of social policies; to foster higher quality of life, social welfare, and positive social relations in society and the global community and to undertake any activity related thereto or necessary or desirable for the accomplishment of the foregoing purposes.
Southwestern Sociological Society
The Southwestern Sociological Association (SSA) is a disciplinary affiliate of the Southwestern Social Science Association, the nation’s oldest interdisciplinary social science professional association established in 1919. The SSA promotes the advancement of sociological research, knowledge, teaching, and professional service throughout the greater Southwest and the nation.
The Sociology Library Archive Project (BETA)
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