The Sophomore Plan

Students complete their Sophomore Plan electronically, via the Majors and Minors Portal in mySwarthmore

Note: It is important to update your plan in the portal whenever your projections change.
The "Sophomore Plan" is a reflection on your experiences, and a plan for your remaining time at Swarthmore. The Plan is also a central piece of your application for your academic major(s) and - if sought - your minors(s).

The Sophomore Plan has a few parts:

  • A brief description of the primary interests, purposes, and principles that organize your program of study, including major(s), minors, off-campus study, Honors, etc.
  • A semester-by-semester list of courses and seminars which are central to your academic program. This list will assist planning for the next two years. Note: because of leave patterns and other factors, there is no guarantee that you will be admitted to all seminars and courses you list, even if your program is approved.
  • Any forms required by individual departments, individualized special majors, etc.

Requirements for Curriculums housed in the Department of Sociology and Anthropology

Acceptance to the Department

  • Course Major: Completion of at least two courses in the department with at least a B average for work in the dept and a C average overall
  • Course Minor: Not offered
  • Honors Major: Completion of at least two courses in the department with at least a B average for work in the dept and a B average overall
  • Honors Minor: Completion of at least two courses in the department with at least a B average for work in the dept and a B average overall
  • Special Major: Completion of at least two courses in the department with at least a B average for work in the dept and a C average overall
  • Medical Anthropology: Completion of at least two courses in the department with at least a B average for work in the dept and a B average overall
  • Political Sociology: Completion of at least two courses in the department with at least a B average for work in the dept and a B average overall
  • Urban Studies: Completion of at least two courses in the department with at least a B average for work in the dept and a B average overall
  • Honors Special Major: Completion of at least two courses in the department with at least a B average for work in the dept and a B average overall

Core (required) Courses for Majors

  • ANTH 001 Foundations: Culture, Power, and Meaning, 1 credit
  • SOCI 001 Foundations: Self, Culture, and Society, 1 credit
  • Methods Course, at least one in the department
  • SOAN 098 Thesis Writers Master Class, 0 credit
  • SOAN 096/097 (Course) or 180F/180S (Honors) Thesis, 2 credits

Departmental Credit Requirements

  • Course Major: Core Courses + 3 add’l courses in the dept
  • Course Minor: Not offered
  • Honors Major: Core Courses (thesis will be used as a preparation) + Two add’l 2-credit preparations in dept
  • Honors Minor: ANTH 001, SOCI 001, at least one designated Methods course + One 2-credit preparation in the dept
  • Special Major: Core Courses + maximum of four credits outside of the dept
  • Honors Special Major: Core Courses (thesis will be used as a preparation) + maximum of four credits outside of the dept + Three 2-credit preparations
  • Medical Anthropology: ANTH 001, SOCI 001, one Methods course in the department, SRP + either ANTH 043E or ANTH 049B + 4 elective credits: at least two additional courses in SOAN (must be taught by a Faculty in the SOAN department), and up to two courses outside the department in the thematic area. Students should consult with their advisor when selecting courses.
  • Political Sociology: SOCI 001, ANTH 001, one Methods course in the department, SRP + 5 elective credits: at least three additional courses in SOAN (must be taught by a Faculty in the SOAN department), and up to two courses outside the department in the thematic area. Students should consult with their advisor when selecting courses.
  • Urban Studies: SOCI 001, ANTH 001, one Methods course in the department, SRP + 5 elective credits: at least three additional courses in SOAN (must be taught by a Faculty in the SOAN department) and up to two courses outside the department in the thematic area. Students should consult with their advisor when selecting courses.
  • Honors in Medical Anthropology: requirements of Medical Anthropology Course major + Three 2-credit preparations approved by the dept (thesis will be used as a preparation)
  • Honors in Political Sociology: requirements for Political Sociology course major + Three 2- credit preparations approved by the dept (thesis will be used as a preparation)
  • Honors in Urban Studies: requirements for Urban Studies course major + Three 2- credit preparations approved by the dept (thesis will be used as a preparation)

Link to Sociology and Anthropology in the catalog