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What Is Sociology?

Sociology is the study of social life, social change, and the social causes and consequences of human behavior. Sociologists investigate the structure of groups, organizations, and societies and how people interact within these contexts. Since all human behavior is social, the subject matter of sociology ranges from the intimate family to the hostile mob; from organized crime to religious traditions; from the divisions of race, gender and social class to the shared beliefs of a common culture. (21st Century Careers with an Undergraduate Degree in Sociology, 2014)

Our Mission

Our mission as a department is to produce research that advances the field of sociology and contributes to public understanding of complex social issues. We train undergraduate and graduate students in the latest sociological theories, methods, and research in preparation for careers in higher education, marketing, social services, government, data science, health care, and many other fields.