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Social Analysis and Research

The Sc.B. concentration in Social Analysis and Research provides both a conceptual and a working knowledge of the techniques for data collection and analysis used for social research in academic and non-academic environments. The centerpiece of the concentration is a rigorous and comprehensive collection of courses: (1) that develop an understanding of the principles underlying the processes of data collection and analysis; and (2) that train students in the application of advanced statistical techniques for data description and analysis. The concepts and skills learned in these courses are reinforced through engagement in applied research with Sociology faculty and/or internships with local organizations in the for profit and not-for-profit sectors.

Concentrators also take courses that provide grounding in the theoretical approaches to social phenomena that are foundational to social research. Graduates develop an understanding of the concepts and processes that underlie the issues studied by sociologists and the analytic techniques that allow sociologists to understand social relations and individual behavior.

Standard program for the Sc.B. degree

Required core:
MATH 0090Single Variable Calculus, Part I1
SOC 1100Introductory Statistics for Social Research1
or APMA 0650 Essential Statistics
or ECON 1620 Introduction to Econometrics
SOC 1020Methods of Social Research1
SOC 2010Multivariate Statistical Methods I1
SOC 1010Classical Sociological Theory1
SOC 1950Senior Seminar1
Three (3) substantive or theory courses (non-methodological courses) in Sociology, two (2) of which must be at the 1000-level or above.3
Three (3) of the following advanced analysis courses:3
Focus Groups for Market and Social Research
Context Research for Innovation
Market and Social Surveys
Market Research in Public and Private Sectors
Principles and Methods of Geographic Information Systems
Ethnography in Organizations
Multivariate Statistical Methods II
Text as Data for Social Science Research
Qualitative Methods
Techniques of Demographic Analysis
Event History Analysis
Ethnography: Theory and Practice
Cultural Theory and Methods
Spatial Thinking in Social Science
Geographic Information Systems and Spatial Analysis for the Social Sciences
Spatial Data Analysis Techniques in the Social Sciences
Causal Analysis
Advanced Spatial Data Analysis Techniques in the Social Sciences
Research experience (1 course)0-1
A one-semester research internship (not for credit or for credit as SOC 1970 - Independant Study), or a summer research internship (not for credit).
Total Credits12-13

***See the Sociology website http://www.brown.edu/academics/sociology/ for details regarding Honors and Independent Studies

Course substitutions: Students may petition the Director of Undergraduate Studies to use one advanced analysis course taken in another department to count toward the three required advanced analysis courses.

Organizational Studies Track requirements

Required core:
MATH 0090Single Variable Calculus, Part I1
SOC 1010Classical Sociological Theory1
SOC 1020Methods of Social Research1
SOC 1100Introductory Statistics for Social Research1
or APMA 0650 Essential Statistics
or ECON 1620 Introduction to Econometrics
SOC 1950Senior Seminar1
SOC 2010Multivariate Statistical Methods I1
Any combination of two (2) courses from below: 2
Organizations and Society
Micro-Organizational Theory: Social Behavior in Organizations
Macro-Organizational Theory: Organizations in Social Context
One (1) Advanced Organizational Studies Elective:1
Introduction to Economic Sociology
Focus Groups for Market and Social Research
Context Research for Innovation
Market and Social Surveys
Market Research in Public and Private Sectors
Micro-Organizational Theory: Social Behavior in Organizations
Macro-Organizational Theory: Organizations in Social Context
Sociology of the Legal Profession
Three (3) of the following Advanced Analysis Courses:3
Focus Groups for Market and Social Research
Context Research for Innovation
Market and Social Surveys
Market Research in Public and Private Sectors
Principles and Methods of Geographic Information Systems
Ethnography in Organizations
Multivariate Statistical Methods II
Text as Data for Social Science Research
Qualitative Methods
Techniques of Demographic Analysis
Event History Analysis
Ethnography: Theory and Practice
Cultural Theory and Methods
Spatial Thinking in Social Science
Geographic Information Systems and Spatial Analysis for the Social Sciences
Spatial Data Analysis Techniques in the Social Sciences
Causal Analysis
Advanced Spatial Data Analysis Techniques in the Social Sciences
Research experience (1 course)0-1
A one-semester research internship (not for credit or for credit as SOC 1970 - Independant Study), or a summer research internship (not for credit).
Total Credits12-13

Research Internship

A one semester or a summer research internship is required. The research internship is designed to provide students with hands-on experience in social research. Students will typically complete the research internship in their junior year or during the summer between their junior and senior years. Students need to submit an Internship Proposal Form to the Undergraduate Concentration Advisor for approval prior to starting the internship. Upon completion of the internship, students are required to submit to the Undergraduate Concentration Advisor a brief summary report of their experience, which must be signed by the supervisor of the student's internship.

Academic research internships involve work on a faculty member's research project. Activities may range from data collection, data entry, data file management, descriptive analyses, and more advanced model estimation. Students are encouraged to approach faculty about opportunities for working on their research projects. Academic and off-campus research internships will typically entail 5-10 hours of work per week and may or may not involve compensation.

Students may receive academic credit for academic research internships and off-campus internships completed during the academic year if they combine the internship experience with an academic component under the direction of a faculty advisor. Students taking an internship for credit should register for an Individual Research Project (SOC 1970).

***See the Sociology website http://www.brown.edu/academics/sociology/ for details regarding Honors and Independent Studies

Course substitutions: Students may petition the Director of Undergraduate Studies to count a course not on the list above toward the advanced analysis requirement or the advanced organizational studies requirement.