Curriculum for the data science, markets, and management track
The data science, markets, and management track provides students with the opportunity to study social phenomena through a computational lens. Students in this track take courses on network analysis, computer programming, experimental methods, and big data, alongside “classic” sociology courses. Students pursuing this track are well-placed for careers that blend technology with the understanding of social behavior.
The data science, markets, and management track requires 15 courses, or approximately 60 units.
Core requirements
The following are required of all majors on the data science, markets, and management track:
Course in experimental methods (choose one)
- SOC 2: Social Psychology, Self and Society
- SOC 120: Interpersonal Relations
Course in data analysis/regression
- SOC 180B: Introduction to Data Analysis
Course in computer programming (choose one)
- CS 105, CS 106A, CS 106B, CS 106X or equivalent
- A more advanced CS class
Course in the analysis of big data (choose one)
- MS&E 231/SOC 278:
- SOC 10: Introduction to Computational Social Science
Course in network analysis (choose one)
- SOC 31N: Introduction to Social Networks
- SOC 126: Introduction to Social Networks
- SOC 224B: Relational Sociology
- CS 224W: Machine Learning with Graphs
- ECON 291: Social and Economic Networks
- MS&E 135: Networks
Foundation courses
In addition to core courses, students must complete at least two foundation courses.
Sociology courses on economics, organizations, business, labor markets, and the economy (select 2 from list):
- SOC 3, America: Unequal (Grusky)
- SOC 18N, Ethics, Morality, and Markets (Kiviat)
- SOC 114, Economic Sociology (Granovetter)
- SOC 117A, China Under Mao (Walder)
- SOC 130, Education and Society (Ramirez)
- SOC 162, Markets and Governance (Young)
- SOC 167A, Asia-Pacific Transformation (Shin)
- SOC 187, Ethics, Morality, and Markets (Kiviat)
Elective courses
Seven courses are required, broadly distributed as follows:
- 4 sociology elective courses
- 2 computer science, math, statistics, or quantitative social science elective courses
- 1 non-sociology social science elective course
Writing in the Major (WIM)
Choose one course. It is recommended that students complete the WIM requirement during junior year or as early as possible during senior year.
SOC 204A: Capstone Research Seminar
Students not pursuing honors should take SOC 204A. WIM course substitutions from other departments may be accepted.
SOC 202: Preparation for Honors Thesis
Students considering honors are encouraged to enroll in SOC 202, instead of SOC 204A.
Capstone or honors
All Stanford undergraduates are required to complete a capstone experience as part of their major. Sociology offers two options for completion of this requirement: the sociology capstone and the sociology honors program. Students must select one option in order to fulfill their major requirements.
SOC 204A/B/C
For seniors not completing an honors thesis, the capstone project will be completed over this three-course sequence.
- The project will be designed in SOC 204A in the fall, and work will be accomplished with guidance through SOC 204B in the winter, and SOC 204C in the spring, culminating in a presentation at the end Spring Quarter.
- A wide variety of capstone projects will be allowed, including team projects.
Honors
The honors program is designed to encourage more intensive study of sociology.
- Students completing an honors thesis should take SOC 202 in their junior year.
- The thesis will fulfill the capstone requirement.