Combining Basic Social Science and Real-World Change
Sociology is a field that studies basic human and social processes in the context of the complex realities of a rapidly changing world. Sociologists investigate many important and fascinating questions. Especially with the notable increase in diversity in our society and the fast-moving realities of a globalizing world, the breadth of knowledge and perspective provided by majoring in sociology has been looked upon favorably by employers in many fields. Sociologists are trained to study many aspects of social life: issues of peace and war; labor force and corporate downsizing; gender, work and the family; crime and delinquency; education reform; inequality and medical sociology. The department encourages interaction between students and faculty by offering many opportunities for individualized study and research. Graduates of our program are working in many interesting jobs in research, in fields such as management and industry, health care, human resources, social work and education. Sociology is also excellent preparation for graduate school in multiple fields. In addition to pursuing doctoral study in sociology, many of our recent graduates are now in graduate school in fields like medicine, law and social work.
Combining Strength in Research and Learning
The Department of Sociology is nationally and internationally known for its leadership and strong programs of research and graduate education in the sociology of health and medicine and the sociology of age and the life course. Our undergraduate program also offers concentrations in Crime, Law and Justice, Gender, Work and Family, Health, Medicine, and Aging, and Social Inequality. Many sociology majors have the opportunity to participate in research projects and other field-based learning experiences, both through activities built into regular course experiences, and by working on ongoing faculty research projects. The Department has a long history of combining leadership in research with a friendly, student-centered culture, for both graduate and undergraduate students.
Congratulations to our 2020 Doctoral Graduates!
Congratulations to our two doctoral graduates this spring! Christine Schneider (pictured below) and Holly Renzhofer Pappada (not pictured) both successfully defended their dissertations this spring semester. We are so proud of their hard work, please join us in congratulating them! Dissertation Titles "The Experience and Psycho-Social Implications of Chronic Pain: The...
Department of Sociology 2020 AKD and Undergraduate Awards
Five students were initiated into the Alpha Kappa Delta (AKD) International Sociology Honor Society and thirteen students were recipients of Undergraduate Awards. Although we could not celebrate their achievements in person this year we are very proud of their work and hope you will join us in congratulating them! Our...
Congratulations to Sociology’s Award Winning Grad Students!
Congratulations to our graduate students who have received prestigious awards from the University: Erin Phelps: Graduate Student Appreciation Award Colette Ngana: Graduate Dean's Instructional Excellence Award Jacob Rivera: Ruth Barber Moon Award Polina Ermoshkina: Marie Haug Award for Excellence in Aging Studies Please join us in congratulating these outstanding students!
Congratulations to Eva Kahana; 2020 Diekoff Award Recipient
Congratulations to Sociology's Eva Kahana for receiving the John S. Diekhoff Award for Graduate Teaching and Mentoring. This award recognizes outstanding contributions to the education of graduate students through advising, mentoring and classroom teaching. Tim Goler, a former student of Dr. Kahana's, said of her "Eva was the first person in my life...
Sociology graduate students enjoy their time with UC Berkley Sociologist Michael Burawoy
Sociology graduate students enjoy their time with UC Berkley sociologist Michael Burawoy. Professor Burawoy, known for his contributions to Marxist sociology, sociological theory, public sociology, and ethnographic research methods, presented his most recent work entitled, What Shall We Do With The Canon: The Significance of W.E.B Du Bois at...
Casey Albitz quoted in The New York Times
Sociology Ph.D. student Casey Albitz was recognized in The New York times for her work the with housing court, which is also the basis for her dissertation. Casey's Works-in-Progress, the chance to learn more about her dissertation, is scheduled in February within the Department of Sociology.
Highlights
Spring 2019 Newsletter
Graduate Studies
- For additional information please contact graduate co-directors Professor Jessica A. Kelley or Professor Gary Deimling.
Undergraduate Studies
- For additional information, please contact undergraduate director Professor Mary Patrice Erdmans.