# Joint Concentration ## expand\_more ## **What is a Joint Concentration?** A joint concentration integrates two undergraduate concentrations into a coherent field of study. Joint concentration students identify one concentration as “primary” and another as “allied,” and take the requisite courses in each. A defining feature of a joint concentration is synthesis of the two fields in the required thesis. This looks different in every case. However, students who wish to pursue a joint concentration in Sociology are required to apply sociological theories and methods in their thesis. The Sociology Department therefore permits joint concentrations only with programs that can, in theory, accommodate a sociological approach (see below). It is the student’s responsibility to maintain communication with each department to ensure they are meeting the expectations of both. [View the Advising Sheet for Joint Concentrators](https://prod-sociology.drupalsites.harvard.edu/sites/g/files/omnuum1481/files/sociology/files/advising_sheet_-_joint_concentration_-_final.pdf) ### **Primary and Allied Fields** If Sociology is the primary field, the student will follow the rules and guidelines for doing a thesis as established by the Department of Sociology. If Sociology is the allied field, the student will be bound by the thesis guidelines of both departments, and must submit the thesis by the Sociology deadline at the latest. In either case, one of the student’s thesis advisers must be a member of the Department of Sociology eligible to serve as an adviser. #### **Notes:** - Both primary and allied field concentrators will need a Sociology advisor. All joint concentrators should meet with a Sociology advisor during each course registration period. - Cross-listed courses in the joint field may not be counted toward Sociology requirements. - Soc 99A/99B meets regularly during the fall semester and in the beginning of the spring semester. Attendance is required for students with a Primary Field in Sociology. - All courses must be taken for a letter grade. - Credit and guidance for thesis work will be obtained through the Primary Field. Allied students are strongly encouraged to attend Sociology 99A/99B as auditors. ### **Requirements** Sort**Sociology As...** **Primary Field** **Allied** **Field** Sociology 1000 (Introduction to Sociology) or Introductory Level Course (1001-1089) by petition X X Sociology 97 (Tutorial in Social Theory) X X Sociology 98 (Junior Tutorial) X Sociology 1128 (Models of Social Science Research) X X Sociology 1156 (Quantitative Methods) or Stat 100, 101, 102, 104, or 139 by petition X X Sociology Elective X X Sociology Elective X X Sociology 99A (1st semester of full year thesis course) X Sociology 99B (2nd semester of full year thesis course) X **Total Courses Required** **9** **6** #### **Honors Information** - Sociology as the Primary Field: Sociology calculates honors on the basis of the final thesis grade and the best 6 of 9 required, letter-graded, sociology courses. Honors must be confirmed by the allied field. - Sociology as the Allied Field: Honors calculated by the primary field and must be confirmed by Sociology. ### **Sociology permits joint concentrations with the following programs:** African and African American Studies Computer Science East Asian Studies Environmental Science and Public Policy History History and Science Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations Religion, Comparative Study of South Asian Studies Statistics Women, Gender, Sexuality, Studies of Joint concentrations with other fields are permitted by exception. Exceptions are rare. Please see "How to Apply" for detailed information about exceptions. ## How to Apply Application to become a joint concentrator requires demonstration of a plan to complete the required courses and articulation of how your interests bring the fields together. As such, you will need to submit the [Joint Plan of Study form](https://prod-sociology.drupalsites.harvard.edu/file_url/2992) and the [Joint Concentration Statement of Intent](https://prod-sociology.drupalsites.harvard.edu/file_url/2909), which includes a brief description of your thesis proposal. Upload the Plan of Study to your Documents Center in my.harvard. The Statement of Intent should be emailed to the Associate Director of Undergraduate Studies at . Open all sections Close all sections ### Notes on Applying expand\_more - Students interested in the joint concentration should plan to complete intro (SOCIOL 1000), methods (SOCIOL 1128), theory (SOCIOL 97), and electives that will inform the development of their thesis idea *by the end of sophomore year*. - If the department determines that your thesis proposal is not sufficiently developed, you will be asked to declare Sociology as your concentration or secondary. You may apply again with a revised joint concentration statement of intent in the future. ### Exceptions to Approved Fields expand\_more **If you are interested in a joint concentration with another field, note that exceptions to the list of approved fields are rare.** - You should not plan to receive an exception and should therefore declare a Sociology (or other) concentration or secondary during your sophomore year. - No exceptions to the list of approved joint concentrations will be considered until the student is in their junior year. - In order to develop a thesis proposal, you should plan to complete Intro (SOCIOL 1000), Methods (SOCIOL 1128), Theory (SOCIOL 97), and electives that will inform your thesis idea *by the end of sophomore year*. - Confirmation of an exception by the intended joint field is independent of and does not guarantee an exception by the Sociology department.