What You Will Learn as a Sociology Major

The foundations of sociology are such that one can’t help but be made aware of cultural differences, ethnocentric leanings, and the shared humanity that exists across (socially constructed) geo-political borders. You will be equipped to understand cultural differences not as deficit but as the result of varying historical and material realities. As such, you will be ready to engage with people and institutions across the globe with openness and respect.

The goal of creating responsible leaders is one that is central to our discipline and our program. Every course in our department incorporates sociological training that will allow you to unpack your privileges, understand oppression, and find a way to keep doing the work without paralyzing yourself in guilt. Responsible leaders learn that power pushes down, but meaningful social change comes from the bottom up.

Sociology majors in our department have successfully prepared for graduate school, and for careers in social services, research, policy, law. As a Sociology major you will have a broad awareness of how institutions function and individuals operate within social hierarchies. In addition, you will have skills that will serve you well in your future employment, including critical thinking and writing. You will be prepared to be an educated consumer of knowledge, and a potential producer of social science knowledge.

The sociological perspective is at the most basic level a critical study of human behavior in its social context. It allows you to interpret your own life with a consideration of both biography and history and move beyond self-blaming (or self-aggrandizing) to understand the larger context shaping your successes, failures, and potential and those of other people.