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Sociology is the scientific study of human social relationships, social interactions, and institutions.

It provides tools for understanding how and why our society functions, impact of social intuitions on individual lives, and the challenges of social interaction between individuals and society. Through teaching, research, and service learning, the Sociology program provides critical understanding of ways people relate to one another through the organization of society and how its structures and cultures influence our lives.

Sociology enables you to see the world in a new light. In a country like the United States where individualism is celebrated, it is very easy to forget that the way we behave and feel is socially produced. Whether they be friendships, families, church groups, socioeconomic classes, complex organizations, or nations, much of our lives are socially constructed. This is the basic premise of sociology.

Sociology’s subject matter is diverse, ranging from crime to religion, from the family to the state, from the divisions of race and social class to the shared beliefs of a common culture, and from social stability to radical change in whole societies. It provides both quantitative and qualitative tools for understanding how and why our society functions, the impact of social intuitions on individual lives, and the challenges of social interaction between individuals and society. 

Academic Programs

Bachelor of Arts in Sociology

Bachelor of Science in Sociology

Sociology Minor

Career Outlook

The Sociology Program teaches the transferable job skills that enable students to rationally analyze social issues and arrive at effective solutions. These skills are valuable for careers in health and social services; human resources; community planning; non-profit leadership; consumer marketing research and consulting; and jobs involving social research in corporate, non-profit, and government settings. Sociology also provides a solid foundation for graduate school in any of the social sciences, and for professional training in fields such as law, medicine, and social work. Learn More.

Learning Outcomes

  • Identify and apply sociological theories to understand social phenomena
  • Understand modes of sociological inquiry
  • Applying concepts and themes in sociological theory to analyze social phenomena
  • Understand the role of social structures in creating and reproducing social inequality
  • Understand different levels of observation and analysis in sociology
  • Utilize evidence-based knowledge and sociological theories to generate research
  • Identify the strengths and weaknesses of scientific methodology and methods
  • Explain disciplinary standards for the qualitative and quantitative analysis
  • Identify and appraise theoretical perspectives
  • Use sociology to analyze social problems in context and evaluate solutions to social problems
  • Use sociological knowledge to inform social change
  • Construct and propose real world solutions to social issues
  • Express ideas in a clear and coherent manner in written and oral communication
  • Demonstrate informal, technological, qualitative, and quantitative literacy

Course Information

Sociology Courses

Sociology Course Schedule (MyView)

Sample 4 Year Plans

Sample Three Year Plan (PDF 84KB)

Sociology Online Courses

Sociology 4307 Community Based Research

Sociology 4350: Special Study (Guidelines)

Sociology 4385: Internship in Sociology (Guidelines)

Advising

The Sociology Department understands that navigating a university and finding out how to satisfy all degree requirements can be difficult. We are therefore eager to help you through advising.

Advising in the College of Arts and Sciences happens in two places: the professional advisors in the CAS advising office and the departmental advisors who are faculty members

Sociology faculty advisors listen to department major and minor students and help them plan the best course to achieve each student’s academic goal. We aspire to meet with each Sociology department major at least once a year (usually in October-November). It is especially important for all students who are within one calendar year of graduation to meet with an advisor. 

You are welcome to meet with any faculty member for advising, but your initially assigned department advisors are as follows:

General Advising (aspiring majors and all minors):  Mr. Jim Craig
Bachelors of Arts in Sociology Advising:  Dr. Larry Irons
Bachelor of Science in Sociology Advising: Dr. Rachel Craft (A-M) and Dr. Elaina Johns-Wolfe (N-Z)
Bachelor of Arts in Organizational Leadership: Dr. Bob Cote