Students in the class of 2024 or later follow these requirements. Those in previous classes can choose between the old requirements and the current requirements, but are strongly encouraged to choose the current requirements. Students should work with a faculty adviser to determine which option is best.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact your faculty adviser or GSCD Program Director Prof. Joel Andreas ([email protected]).

Declaring GSCD

Students wishing to declare Global Social Change and Development must complete the following steps:

1. Make an appointment with Professor Joel Andreas to officially declare GSCD.
2. At this meeting you will complete “add major” forms declaring both sociology and international studies as majors.
3. You will be assigned a Department of Sociology faculty member who will serve as your adviser for both the sociology and international studies majors.

Current Requirements

• Download the GSCD Program Brochure.
• Download the GSCD Program requirements checksheet.

Sociology Core Requirements

Students must take the following courses:

• Introduction to Sociology (230.101)
• Research Methods (230.202)
• Introduction to Social Statistics (230.205)
• Introduction to Social Theory (230.213)
• One of the following Research Practicums:
  • Quantitative Research Practicum (230.322)
  • Qualitative Research Practicum (230.323)
  • GSCD Research Practicum (230.325)

GSCD Focus Area

In consultation with their faculty adviser, students will design their own GSCD focus area. Students must take:

• Issues in International Development (230.150)
• 3 other Sociology Department Electives (230.xxx)

History/Historical Sociology Requirements

GSCD students must complete five semester courses (15 credits) in history or historical sociology. At least one of the courses must be a 100-level course in the History Department (e.g. 100.1xx). At least four of the courses should be designated INST-GLOBAL.

Political Science/Political Sociology Requirements

GSCD students must complete six semester courses (18 credits) in political science or political sociology. This includes:

• Social Theory (230.313) to fulfill the Political Theory (INST-PT) requirement.
• One course in international politics, designated INST-IR.
• Two courses in comparative politics, designated INST-CP.
• One course in American politics, designated INST-AP.

Economics/Economic Sociology Requirements

GSCD students must complete four courses (12 credits) in economics or economic sociology, including:

• Elements of Macroeconomics (180.101)
• Elements of Microeconomics (180.102)
• At least one additional course in the Economics Department (e.g. 180.xxx)
• At least one additional course designated INST-ECON

Foreign Language Requirements

Students must demonstrate proficiency in at least one foreign language.  See the International Studies Program website for details.

Other Considerations

Introduction to Sociology (230.101) fulfills International Studies gateway requirement for GSCD students only.

Students pursuing the GSCD program must receive a C or better in all courses counted for the double major in international studies and sociology.

Courses with more than one subfield designation (e.g. as both IR and CP) may not be double counted to fulfill both requirements.

A total of 11 courses must be taken in the Sociology Department (i.e., courses with a 230.xxx department designation).

Old Requirements (Available to Class of 2023)

GSCD Program Old Requirements Checksheet and Brochure

• Download the old GSCD program brochure.
• Download the GSCD old program requirements checksheet.

History/Historical Sociology Requirements

GSCD students must complete five semester courses (15 credits) in history or historical sociology. Two out of the five courses must be listed or cross-listed with the History Department (e.g. 180.xxx).

Political Science/Political Sociology Requirements

GSCD students must complete six semester courses (18 credits) in political science or political sociology. This includes:

1. One of the following gateway courses:
   • Introduction to Sociology (230.101)
   • Issues in International Development (230.150)
   • For gateway courses taught in the Department of Political Science, see the International Studies website.
2. One course in international politics (IR) or global sociology. 
3. Two courses in comparative politics (CP) or comparative sociology. 
4. One course in American politics (AP) or sociology of the United States. 
5. Social Theory (230.313) to fulfill the Political Theory (PT) requirement.

Economics/Economic Sociology Requirements

GSCD students must complete four courses (12 credits) in economics or economic sociology, including:

• Elements of Macroeconomics (180.101)
• Elements of Microeconomics (180.102)

Two additional courses dealing with international economics or economic sociology. 

Focus Area: Research in Global Social Change and Development

GSCD students must take the following four research-oriented courses:

• Research Methods (230.202)
• Introduction to Social Statistics (230.205)
• Research Tools and Technologies for the Social Sciences (230.265) OR an additional sociology elective (230.xxx)
• Global Social Change and Development Research Practicum (230.325)
  • Students may substitute with Quantitative Research Practicum (230.322) or Qualitative Research Practicum (230.323)

(Note: These four courses also fulfill the IS focus area requirement.)

Foreign Language Requirements

Students must demonstrate proficiency in at least one foreign language.  See the International Studies Program website for more details.

Other Double Major Requirements

• Students pursuing the GSCD program must receive a C or better in all courses counted for the double major in international studies and sociology.
• Courses with more than one subfield designation (e.g. as both IR and CP) may not be double counted to fulfill both requirements.
• A total of 11 courses must be taken in the Sociology Department (i.e., courses with a 230.xxx department designation)