Overview

Faculty

Stephen Ellingson, chair

Matthew Grace

Yagmur Karakaya

Jaime Kucinskas

Alex Manning

Mahala Stewart

Special Appointment

Meredith Madden

Department/Program Goals

The goal of the Sociology Department is to introduce students to classic and contemporary theoretical approaches in sociology as they pursue data collection and analysis methods with opportunities to apply theory to explain empirical phenomena.

Department/Program Student Learning Outcomes

Students Will Learn to:

  • Apply core sociological concepts to explain/interrogate social phenomena
  • Employ one or more sociological methods in hands-on independent research
  • Describe an array of diverse human experiences

Concentration/Minor Description and Requirements

A concentration in Sociology consists of nine courses: SOC-101 or SOC-110, SOC-301, SOC-302, SOC-549, SOC-550 and four additional courses. A Senior Project (SOC-550) culminating in a written thesis based on original research is required for the concentration. The Social, Structural, and Institutional Hierarchies requirement will be fulfilled by completing one of the following courses: SOC-101, SOC-110, SOC-204, SOC-223, SOC-237, SOC-278, SOC-288, SOC-301, SOC-319, SOC-323, SOC-329, SOC-361, SOC-367, SOC-373. Prospective concentrators who will be off campus during their junior year are encouraged to take SOC-301 and SOC-302 as sophomores. Candidates for honors must have a 3.3 (88) or better average grade in sociology courses; must submit a thesis receiving a grade of A- or better; and must be approved by a vote of the department faculty.

A minor in Sociology consists of SOC-101 or SOC-110, SOC-301 and three additional courses.