What is Sociology?

Sociology is a scientific discipline that studies the underlying, and often unnoticed, social processes that impact every aspect of human society, from our interactions with one another to the groups in which we participate and the social institutions that shape broader society. These social processes create patterns of actions and behaviors – examples include: the polite yet impersonal greeting and farewell between a cashier and customer; the values held by members of the same community; and, the expansion of the private prison industry over the past twenty-five years in the United States. Sociologists study these social processes, patterns, and outcomes of such patterns across a wide range of social phenomena using a variety of methods, including national and international surveys, interviews, focus groups, historical and archival analysis, and more field research-based work. By contributing to our understanding of the social world around us, sociology allows us to examine avenues to address social issues that impact particular classes and categories of people.

Why Choose Sociology?

Sociology students represent a wide range of interests and reasons for pursuing a major or minor in the discipline. For those students who have identified specific career paths to pursue which require graduate training, sociology provides them with strong analytical training and expertise in areas relevant to those paths such as law; public administration; public policy; social work; and healthcare fields. Similarly, for those students interested in pursuing jobs and careers immediately upon graduation over 80% of majors and minors find a satisfying and well-paying position within six months in areas such as human resources; marketing; business; and case management. Academic internships and the opportunity to engage in research provides all majors and minors with skills and expertise that allows them success upon graduation.