Sociology

The Department of Sociology and faculty are committed to creating a supportive environment for student centered learning and achievement. Our students are exposed to all aspects of sociology and acquire sociological perspectives and the techniques for studying society. They learn to critically examine the value assumptions of our institutions and social practices, including the values and practices of our discipline itself. This reflexive stance is an essential element of sociological understanding. Our students will learn how sociology has been used to solve problems for clients, foundations, agencies, and the community, and has contributed to social policy formulation and policy analysis. They will learn how sociologists engage in dialog and engagement with different publics in the civil society. Through their education, our students will understand that sociology and civil society are interdependent, both flourishing in an open and democratic discourse on the issues and crises of modernity.

Sociology is the study of social life, social change, and the social causes and consequences of human behavior. As human behavior is primarily social, sociology can range from the study of sexuality to criminology to social welfare or to contemporary issues in corporations, families and business. Sociology provides an excellent liberal arts background which prepares students for advanced degrees as well as employment upon graduation. Sociology majors find employment in management, social work, statistical analysis, market research, education, criminal justice, government, probation, community services, and social services. Completion of the degree in Sociology should provide the student with a knowledge and understanding of the basic data, concepts, theories (classical and/or contemporary), and modes of explanation appropriate to the understanding of human societies; a basic knowledge of the four options offered in the department; and the statistical and methodological skills (both quantitative and qualitative) needed for sociological research, their application to real-world problems, and the appropriate interpretation of research methods.

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