SOCIOLOGY
This is an exciting time of dramatic social change, both nationally and internationally. Global processes are integrating the world and creating the “global village.” At the same time, old hostilities based on ethnic solidarity are re-emerging and tearing the social fabric of various parts of the world. The U.S. economy is undergoing structural change, which, in turn, is altering the occupational structure; the United States is becoming more multicultural, and the meanings of “community” are shifting. In these changes there are huge benefits for some and heavy costs for others. “Social problems” (e.g., health care availability, poverty, crime, or threats to the environment) are not marginal to societies but integral to them.
Sociologists try to understand these phenomena. For some, this means informing public policy; for others, the social world is simply one of the most interesting things to study. Sociologists study social organization. For some, this means examining societies—how they are structured, how they work, and how they change. Other sociologists study how small social groups work and how they change. This includes the social networks that people form as part of their social life. Issues of race, class, and gender affect the opportunities and constraints faced by different groups in society. Sociologists study how people belong to families, groups, and organizations—how people develop identities and how their social organizations become real. Sociologists also focus on broad patterns of social organization socialization, education, welfare, health care, etc. In short, the social world is endlessly fascinating.
For more information on the sociology major, the sociology minor, and the Department of Sociology, see www.pitt.edu/~socdept.
Major Requirements
A total of 27 credits in sociology and four credits in statistics, distributed as follows, are required for completion of the major:
- SOC 0010 Introduction to Sociology or 0005 Societies or 0002 Sociology of Everyday Life
- STAT 0200 Basic Applied Statistics or STAT 1000 Applied Statistical Methods
- SOC 0230 Social Research Methods
- SOC 0150 Social Theory
- A research practicum, designed to provide a focused research experience for students. Research practicum topics include the following:
- SOC 1231 Interorganizational Networks
- SOC 1435 Social Change in the U.S.
- SOC 1438 Demography
- SOC 1277 The Pittsburgh Area Study
- At least 6 credits from advanced-level courses (1000 level). (Internships, independent study, and courses taken for the research practicum do not count toward these 6 credits.)
- Nine additional elective credits must be taken to complete the major.
In addition, sociology majors must adhere to these rules and requirements:
- A minimum 2.00 cumulative QPA in all departmental courses is required to graduate.
- Sociology majors may take no more than 6 of their 27 credits under the S/N option. After declaring the sociology major, students may not take SOC 0150 Social Theory, SOC 0230 Social Research Methods, or STAT 0200 Basic Applied Statistics on the S/N basis.
- Sociology majors must complete the 12-credit required A&S related area. Acceptable related areas include anthropology, Africana studies, computer science, economics, history, mathematics, philosophy, political science, psychology, or religious studies. In special cases, the sociology advisor may approve some other field to satisfy this requirement, such as the study of a foreign area or language.
Minor Requirements
A minor in sociology requires the following distribution of courses for a total of 15 credits:
- SOC 0002 Sociology of Everyday Life or 0005 Societies or 0010 Introduction to Sociology
- SOC 0230 Social Research Methods
- A sociological theory course from a list of approved courses, currently including 0150 Social Theory and 1105 Feminist Social Theory
- An elective in sociology
- One elective upper-level sociology course (1000–2000)
STATISTICS
The field of statistics is concerned with ways of understanding variability in measurements. It is the science and art of making informed decisions in the face of uncertainty. Statistical reasoning is fundamental to research in many scientific fields. For example, probabilistic models of learning are used in education and psychology, and time series and regression models guide research in engineering, chemistry, economics, biology, and medicine. Recent high-profile court cases have shown the importance of the use of probability and statistics in law, especially in the fields of forensic medicine and DNA fingerprinting. Statisticians have also been instrumental in developing methods by which observations are obtained in many disciplines. Examples include randomized clinical trials in medicine and complex sampling surveys in social and political science. Probability and statistics are basic to the actuarial sciences. When lists are compiled of the most important scientific theories and discoveries of the last century, a substantial number of these developments are seen to be inherently statistical in nature.
The Department of Statistics offers course work leading to a Bachelor of Science degree in statistics, a minor in applied statistics, and a combined five-year bachelor and master’s degree in statistics. The department also offers a wide array of introductory service courses for general undergraduate audiences that deal with statistical methods in applications (and which require only high school mathematics). A joint major in economics and statistics is currently being developed. Students interested in this program should check with the department to determine if it has been approved. Students considering majoring in statistics should consult with a department advisor early in their studies, preferably during their freshman year. For more information on the major, other programs, and the Department of Statistics, visit www.stat.pitt.edu.
Requirements for a BS in Statistics
The statistics major requires a minimum of 50 credits, including the following required courses:
- STAT 1000* Applied Statistical Methods
- STAT 1221 Applied Regression and 1223 Applied Regression Writing Component
- STAT 1151 Introduction to Probability and 1152 Introduction to Mathematical Statistics
- Two introductory applied statistics courses from the following list:
• STAT 1201 Applied Nonparametric Statistics
• STAT 1211 Applied Categorical Data Analysis
• STAT 1231 Applied Experimental Design
• STAT 1241 Applied Sampling
• STAT 1251 Statistical Quality Control
• STAT 1291–1294 Topics in Applied Statistics 1, 2, 3, and 4
- One intermediate applied statistics course from the following list:
• STAT 1301 Statistical Packages
• STAT 1311 Applied Multivariate Analysis
• STAT 1321 Applied Time Series
- STAT 1631 Intermediate Probability and 1632 Intermediate Mathematical Statistics
- One statistics course from the following list:
• STAT 1651 Bayesian Statistics
• STAT 1661 Linear Regression
• STAT 1662 Nonlinear Regression
• STAT 1731 Stochastic Processes
• STAT 1741 Applied Probability Theory
• STAT 1761 Game Theory
• STAT 1781 Combinatorics
• STAT 1791–1794 Topics in Probability and Statistics 1, 2, 3, and 4
- One elective from 4, 5, or 7 above
- MATH 0220, 0230, and 0240 Analytic Geometry and Calculus 1, 2, and 3
- Either MATH 0280 Introduction to Matrices and Linear Algebra or MATH 1180 Linear Algebra 1
*Note: With approval of their major advisor, students may substitute STAT 0200 Basic Applied Statistics with a minimum grade of B- for STAT 1000 Applied Statistical Methods. Statistics and business dual majors may, with approval, substitute STAT 1100 Statistics and Probability for Business Management for STAT 1000 Applied Statistical Methods.
Because professional statisticians collaborate with other scientists, students are encouraged to take elective courses from the behavioral, natural, physical, and social sciences.
Statistics majors must adhere to the following rules and requirements as well:
- Students must earn at least a C grade in each course required for the major.
- Students may not take required courses on the S/N option.
- Since 15 credits of mathematics is one of the corequisites for the major, students who complete the major automatically fulfill the A&S 12-credit related area requirement.
- Courses in technical writing and public speaking are recommended.
- Students planning to continue their studies in a graduate program are strongly encouraged to take MATH 0413 Introduction to Theoretical Mathematics, MATH 0420 Introductory Theory 1 Variable Calculus, MATH 1180 Linear Algebra 1, and as many additional mathematics courses in advanced calculus, numerical analysis, and computer sciences as possible.
In order to qualify for departmental honors at graduation, students must
- Have a QPA of at least 3.50 in all mathematics and statistics courses taken and a QPA of at least 3.70 in all 1000-level courses taken within the department and
- Complete all other requirements for the statistics major.
Requirements for a Minor in Applied Statistics
Professionals in many fields use statistical procedures regularly. Decisions based on numerical information or data, if the data are collected and analyzed properly, are typically better decisions. The minor in applied statistics was designed to give students additional statistical tools and a better understanding of statistical reasoning.
The minor in applied statistics requires 16 credits, consisting of the following courses:
- STAT 1000 Applied Statistical Methods. Acceptable substitutes include STAT 1100 Statistics and Probability for Business Management, ENGR 0020 Probability and Statistics for Engineers 1, and STAT 0200 Basic Applied Statistics.
- STAT 1221 Applied Regression
- Three additional courses from STAT 1200 through 1700, excluding STAT 1223 Applied Regression Writing Component.
Requirements for a Combined Five-Year Bachelor's and Master’s Degree in Statistics
Admission to the program requires the approval of both the undergraduate and graduate directors. The minimum requirements for admission are:
- Two letters of recommendation,
- minimum high school GPA of 3.25 or top 10 percent of class, and
- an SAT score of at least 1270 with a math score of at least 650.
Requirements for a Combined BS and MA in Statistics
- Introductory mathematics courses: MATH 0220, 0230, 0240 Analytic Geometry and Calculus 1, 2, and 3; and MATH 0280 Introduction to Matrices and Linear Algebra or MATH 1180 Linear Algebra 1
- STAT 1000 Applied Statistical Methods, STAT 1221 Applied Regression, and STAT 1223 Applied Regression Writing Component, where STAT 1223 is a W (writing) course
- Three introductory applied statistics courses from the following list: STAT 1201 Applied Nonparametric Statistics, 1211 Applied Categorical Data Analysis, 1231 Applied Experimental Design, 1241 Applied Sampling, 1251 Statistical Quality Control, 1291–1294 Topics in Applied Statistics 1, 2, 3, and 4
- One intermediate applied statistics course from the following list: STAT 1301 Statistical Packages, 1311 Applied Multivariate Analysis, 1321 Applied Time Series
- STAT 1151 Introduction to Probability and STAT 1152 Introduction to Mathematical Statistics
- STAT 1631 Intermediate Probability and STAT 1632 Intermediate Mathematical Statistics
- STAT 2131 and 2132 Applied Statistical Methods 1 and 2
- STAT 2381 Supervised Statistical Consulting
- Electives in statistics: Three additional courses, at least two of which must be graduate-level courses. STAT 2711 and 2712 are excluded, and courses at the 3000 level must be approved by the student’s advisor
- One graduate-level course from outside of the department, chosen in consultation with the graduate advisor
- Master’s pass on Preliminary Examination
Requirements for a Combined BS and MS in Statistics
Requirements one through 11 as above, except that requirement nine is reduced to one undergraduate or graduate course. In addition, the student must write and successfully defend a master’s thesis.
- Grade requirement: Students in the program must earn at least a B grade in each required course as well as maintain a 3.25 QPA.
Typical Schedule
First Year: MATH 0220 Analytic Geometry and Calculus 1, STAT 1000 Applied Statistical Methods, MATH 0230 Analytic Geometry and Calculus 2, STAT 1221 Applied Regression, STAT 1223 Applied Regression Writing Component
Second Year: MATH 0240 Analytic Geometry and Calculus 3, STAT 1200-level course, MATH 0280 Introduction to Matrices and Linear Algebra, STAT 1200-level course
Third Year: STAT 1151 Introduction to Probability, STAT 1200-level course, STAT 1152 Introduction to Mathematical Statistics, STAT 1300-level course
Fourth Year: STAT 1631 Intermediate Probability, STAT 2131 Applied Statistical Methods 1, STAT 1632 Intermediate Mathematical Statistics, STAT 2132 Applied Statistical Methods 2, STAT 2000-level course
Fifth Year: Take Comprehensive Exam, STAT 2381 Supervised Statistical Consulting, two STAT electives or master’s thesis, one outside graduate-level course
Comparison of Programs
Separately, the Bachelor of Science in statistics requires 50 credits, and the Master of science in applied statistics requires 33 credits, of which 21 must be graduate level. The combined program requires 69 credits, of which 18 must be graduate level.
STUDIO ARTS
The practice of art is among the oldest and most fundamental forms of human expression. The Department of Studio Arts provides the opportunity for students to explore the visual arts through foundation courses and through upper-level courses in painting, sculpture, drawing, printmaking, and graphic design. Studio activities are designed to intensify students’ visual perception of the formal and expressive means of art, to develop understanding of a variety of technical processes, and to encourage insight into the significance of making art today. Course offerings of the department address the following goals:
- to provide a degree program for art majors who desire a liberal education and want to prepare for graduate art school or pursue a career in an art-related field;
- to provide a related area in studio arts for majors in other departments by taking the four foundation courses or by completing 12 credits in a specified studio area;
- to facilitate development of art-making skills and concepts through the foundation courses for all undergraduate students, while satisfying the A&S creative expression requirement; and
- to provide a 15-credit minor in studio arts.
The Department of Studio Arts sponsors an annual student exhibition and a bi-annual faculty exhibition in the University of Pittsburgh Art Gallery. The University’s Frick Fine Arts Library is one of the finest available. Also in close proximity is The Carnegie, with its museum and library providing access for research and study. For more information on the major, the minor, and the Department of Studio Arts, see www.pitt.edu/~studio.
Major Requirements
Majors must complete a minimum of 36 credits in studio arts (SA) courses and 12 credits in history of art and architecture (HA&A) courses, distributed as follows:
- Level-one courses (required for all majors)
- SA 0110 Foundation Design
- SA 0120 Foundation Painting
- SA 0130 Foundation Drawing
- SA 0140 Foundation Sculpture
- Level-two courses (required for all majors)
- SA 1230 Drawing
- SA 1240 Sculpture
- SA 1250 Painting
- SA 1260 Print–Etching or Print–Lithography or SA 1270 Digital Imaging
- Levels three and four or 1360 Printmaking–Lithography (electives for majors)
- Twelve credits selected from SA 1330–1900 (Check the department Web site for the titles of courses in these levels.)
- Twelve credits in HA&A courses, to include HA&A 0010 Introduction to Art and HA&A 0030 Introduction to Modern Art
Studio arts majors must also adhere to these rules and requirements:
- Students must attain at least a 2.00 QPA in the major.
- Students may take none of their departmental courses on the S/N basis. Credit by exam is generally not available.
- Students should take one of the HA&A courses required for the major as a W course.
- Students who earn a 3.50 QPA in the major and an overall 3.25 QPA receive departmental honors.
- Corequirements in HA&A automatically fulfill the A&S required 12-credit related area.
- Seniors are expected to exhibit their work in the Annual Student Exhibition at the University of Pittsburgh Art Gallery.
- In addition to required courses, focus in a particular medium is possible through directed study. Internships are also available in art-related fields.
- Majors may take special workshops and courses when offered, but only if they have fulfilled the prerequisites, or by departmental permission. The department recommends that a student take no more than two studio arts courses in one term.
Courses for Non-Studio Arts Majors
All level-one core courses are open to non-art majors. Non-art majors may take level-two courses but must complete the prerequisites for the specific courses. A related area in studio arts requires 12 credits. A student may elect one of the following options: 12 credits in level-one courses or 12 credits within a specific field. Nonmajors may take special workshops and advanced courses when offered, but only if they have fulfilled the prerequisites, or by departmental permission.
Minor Requirements
The studio arts minor requires the completion of 15 credits, including the following:
- Four foundation courses
- SA 0110 Foundation Design
- SA 0120 Foundation Painting
- SA 0130 Foundation Drawing
- SA 0140 Foundation Sculpture
- Any level History of Art and Architecture course
The department recommends completing 0110 Foundation Design and 0130 Foundation Drawing before enrolling in 0120 Foundation Painting.
THEATRE ARTS
The course of study in theatre arts is based on the conviction that “if you know a thing theoretically but don’t know it practically, then you don’t really know its whole theory; and if you know it practically but don’t know it theoretically, then you don’t really know its whole practice” (C.E. Montague). Accordingly, the theatre arts major is required to participate in University theater productions, as well as to complete the required courses in theatre arts. Academic credit is awarded for practical theater work done under the supervision of faculty members. Theater history and criticism courses will introduce students to the study of drama as a separate artistic mode (different in form and function from literature) and to the theater as an institution whose development has been influenced by social and cultural forces. The department stresses that it is not a professional training school; it does, however, provide experiences in many areas of theatrical production and is good preparation for graduate, professional, or apprenticeship training. Department-affiliated activities include three to four mainstage shows directed by faculty members or special guest directors each year, several workshops directed by advanced graduate students, and numerous labs directed by graduate or advanced undergraduate students. Auditions for all productions are open to anyone interested in theater. At present, career opportunities in educational theater are expanding in the areas of technical theater and design and in creative dramatics and children’s theater. It is very difficult, by contrast, to find a job as an actor. Most available positions require academic work beyond the BA or equivalent experience. For more information on the major and the Department of Theatre Arts, see www.pitt.edu/~play.
Major Requirements
The major consists of 46–50 credits, distributed as follows:
- Core courses
- THEA 0810 Introduction to Dramatic Art
- THEA 0840 Introduction to Theatre Design or 1220 Design for Theatrical Production
- THEA 1102 Acting 1
- THEA 1225 Stagecraft 1 or 0842 Introduction to Stagecraft
- THEA 1240 Costume Crafts
- THEA 1341 World Theatre 500 BCE–1640
- THEA 1342 World Theatre 1640–1890
- THEA 1343 World Theatre 1890–1970
- THEA 1360 Theatre Criticism, W course
- Theatrical production courses
- Four credits of THEA 0880 Theatrical Production, 1 credit per term. These 4 credits must be distributed among four of the following five areas: scenery/props, costume, lighting, sound, and stage management
- Additional performance credits
- Three additional performance credits are required, either THEA 1103 Acting 2 or 1110 Directing 1
- Electives
- Twelve credits of electives are required and may be selected from among performance classes, history, literature, criticism, or technical theatre and design
In addition, theatre arts majors should adhere to these rules and requirements:
- Students are encouraged to declare this major early and register with the departmental advisor.
- Majors must maintain at least a 2.00 QPA in all theatre arts courses.
- Students must check with the program advisor to determine the appropriateness of using the S/N grade option in departmental courses.
- Majors must complete an A&S required 12-credit related area. Any area that corresponds with the student’s interests is appropriate, but studio arts is strongly suggested. Also recommended are anthropology, Africana studies, classics, English, history of art and architecture, foreign language, history, music, philosophy, psychology, sociology, and rhetoric and communication.
Minor in Theatre Arts
The theatre arts minor affords a special opportunity for students interested in areas other than theatre studies that require a high level of interpersonal skills. Students preparing for careers in law, advertising, business, or even medicine, to name just a few, would greatly benefit from this minor.
Alternately, the proposed tracks are intended to guide a student who has a substantial interest in theatre studies but is unable to undertake the full major course of study. All tracks are underpinned by theatre arts core courses (0800 and 0810) that, respectively, introduce the student to the variety, breadth, and history of theatre practice and provide a set of intellectual skills for the analysis of plays in performance.
Students electing the performance track will then proceed to undertake a range of courses imparting basic and advanced techniques in live performance, including vocal and movement skills, characterization, and stage direction. Students electing the design track will learn drafting and design skills in scenic, costume, lighting, and/or sound design. Students electing the theatre history, literature, and criticism track can pursue specialized studies in various periods or themes, employing methodologies appropriate for the study of performance and performance history.
Required for All Tracks
- THEA 0800 Introduction to Theatre Arts
THEA 0810 Introduction to Dramatic Art
Performance Track
- THEA 0830 Introduction to Performance
- Two electives from among THEA 1100–1111 (performance course sequence)
- THEA 1100 Voice and Movement 1
- THEA 1101 Voice and Movement 2
- THEA 1102 Acting 1
- THEA 1103 Acting 2
- THEA 1104 Acting 3
- THEA 1105 Acting 4
- THEA 1106 History of Performance Style
- THEA 1107 Instructional Performance Company
- THEA 1109 Performance Lab
- THEA 1110 Directing 1
- THEA 1111 Directing 2
Design Track
- THEA 0804 Introduction to Theatre Design
- Two electives from among THEA 1225–1246 (design course sequence)
- THEA 1225 Stagecraft 1
- THEA 1226 Stagecraft 2
- THEA 1227 Scene Painting
- THEA 1229 Theatre Business Management
- THEA 1230 Stage Lighting 1
- THEA 1231 Stage Lighting 2
- THEA 1235 Scene Design 1
- THEA 1236 Scene Design 2
- THEA 1237 High School Workshop Scene Design
- THEA 1240 Costume Crafts
- THEA 1241 History of Costume
- THEA 1242 Pattern Making
- THEA 1245 Stage Makeup
- THEA 1246 Costume Design 1
Theatre History, Literature, and Criticism Track
- Three electives from among THEA 1340–1361 (history, literature and criticism sequence)
- THEA 1340 Native American Theatre
- THEA 1341 History of Theatre 1
- THEA 1342 History of Theatre 2
- THEA 1350 American Theatre
- THEA 1351 Greek and Roman Theatre
- THEA 1352 Medieval Theatre
- THEA 1353 Continental Renaissance Theatre
- THEA 1354 English Theatre 1558–1642
- THEA 1355 Restoration Theatre
- THEA 1356 18th-Century Drama
- THEA 1357 19th-Century Drama
- THEA 1358 Modern Theatre to WWII
- THEA 1359 Contemporary Theatre
- THEA 1360 Theatre Criticism
- THEA 1361 Forms of Japanese Theatre
URBAN STUDIES
While urban studies is not a department, it is an administrative
unit offering a major in urban studies for students who have an
interest in unraveling the complexities of the urban world. The
major is interdisciplinary, meaning that students learn about cities
as historical, social, cultural, economic, and political phenomena.
The major is “real world” in the sense that students apply
what they learn to the world beyond the classroom. Finally, the
major is career oriented in that, after graduation, students attempt
to find roles for themselves in the urban environment. To accomplish
all of these goals, the urban studies curriculum integrates “knowing”
with “doing.” The major combines courses offered by the
program with courses offered through other social science departments.
For more information, see www.pitt.edu/~cities.
Major Requirements
The urban studies major requires 33 credits, distributed as follows:
- URBNST 0080 Introduction to Urban Studies
- Eighteen upper-level credits approved by the department, to be chosen in consultation with the urban studies coordinator, from one of four possible areas:
- urban planning
- urban management
- community organization
- comparative urbanism
Recommended course sequencing for each area is available in the Urban Studies Program office.
- URBNST 1300 Urban Studies Skills Seminar
- URBNST 1500 Urban Studies Research Seminar
- URBNST 1900 Urban Studies Field Placement
- Either STAT 0200 Basic Applied Statistics or 1000 Applied Statistical Methods is strongly recommended but not required.
- URBNST 1200 Urban Studies Field Research Seminar is not required but fills the elective requirement. This seminar is offered only in the summer.
- URBNST 1700 International Urbanism Seminar is required for comparative urbanism students.
Urban studies majors must also follow these rules and requirements:
- Students are encouraged to take URBNST 0080 Introduction to Urban Studies as early as possible, ideally in the fall or spring of the freshman year, and to develop a broad background in the social sciences among lower-level social science courses such as the following:
- ANTH 0780 Introduction to Cultural Anthropology
- AFRCNA 0031 Introduction to Africana Studies
- ECON 0110 Introduction to Macroeconomic Theory
- HIST 0601 United States 1865–Present
- PS 0200 American Political Process
- SOC 0010 Introduction to Sociology
- Students must have at least a 2.00 QPA in all courses to be applied to the major.
- Students may take as many courses on the S/N basis as they wish.
- URBNST 1300 Urban Studies Skills Seminar, which is required for the major, satisfies the W course requirement.
- Students are required by A&S to complete a 12-credit related area. Particularly appropriate areas are sociology, economics, political science, anthropology, Africana studies, and history, although students may consult with their advisor about other possibilities.
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