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.
Sociology Professor Cassi Pittman Claytor featured in Business Insider
Case Western Reserve University Assistant Professor of Sociology, Cassi Pittman Claytor, was featured in Business Insider magazine as one of "100 People Transforming Business" for her work with Sephora. Professor Claytor's research specializes in racism in retail. "For clients such as Sephora, Pittman Claytor's research team created models that demonstrate how...
Dr. Eva Kahana Recognized by CAS for New Journal
Sociology Professor Dr. Eva Kahana was recognized today in The College and Arts and Sciences newsletter for the publication and success of the inaugural issue of the Journal of Elder Policy. "The goal of the journal is to showcase cutting-edge scholarship in the field of aging and the social sciences...
Sociology Alum Michael Flatt Featured on WKYC
Sociology alum Michael Flatt, PhD was featured on WKYC Channel 3 news discussing sociology and race. Dr. Flatt is currently an Assistant Professor of Sociology at Tri-C and Adjunct Instructor in the Department of Bioethics at CWRU. Congratulations Dr. Flatt!
Sociology Professor Cassi Pittman Claytor Receives National Attention for her Work on Racism in Retail
Professor of Sociology Cassi Pittman Claytor was recently featured in both Forbes and Glossy Magazine for her work on racism in retail, specifically in relation to her work with Sephora. "The use of data analytics allows for understanding where a retailer may fall within a spectrum and provides benchmarking opportunities...
Sociology Professor Heather McKee Hurwitz featured in The Daily
Professor of Sociology Heather McKee Hurwitz was featured in The Daily for her work on archiving the Occupy movement. "Funded by the Freedman Center for Digital Scholarship in the Kelvin Smith Library at Case Western Reserve—and led by a scholar of the Occupy Movement—the Occupy Archive preserves more than 1,200 pages...
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...
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.