Sociology

Basic Structure of the Department

The department offers one major in Sociology and three minors: a general minor in Sociology, a minor in Markets, Management, and the Economy, and a minor in Social Inequalities.
Sociology studies social interaction, the impact of social structures on patterns of behavior, as well as processes of social change.
The minor in Markets, Management, and the Economy focuses on the relationship between the economy and society. It is often paired with an Economics or Government major.
The minor in Social Inequalities focuses on the relationship between social structures and behavior, patterns and the causes and consequences of inequality.
SOCY 1 and 2 are the introductory-level courses appropriate to all students at all levels, and completion of one or the other is prerequisite to the major, minor, and many upper level courses in the department. SOCY 10, 11, 12 and 16 are theory or method-based courses particularly appropriate to somewhat more advanced students. Courses numbered in the 20s and above are topics courses, some of which would be appropriate for the interested first-year student (but check prerequisites).

Students are best advised to begin with SOCY 1: Introduction to Sociology, SOCY 2: Social Problems, SOCY 7: First-Year Seminar
Some topics courses are open to first-year students, including:
- SOCY 11: The Logic of Social Inquiry
- SOCY 15: Sociological Classics (SOCY 1 or 2 is prerequisite)
- SOCY 21: Political Sociology
- SOCY 22: Sociology of International Development
- SOCY 25: Democracy and Democratization in Developing Countries
- SOCY 27: Organizations in Society
- SOCY 29: The Sociology of Work
- SOCY 32: The Social Meanings of Home
- SOCY 33: Self and Society
- SOCY 47: Race and Ethnicity in the US
- SOCY 49: Social Origins and Outcomes of Islamic Fundamentalism
- SOCY 55: Poverty and Public Policy in the US
- SOCY 57: Identity and Social Interaction of Multiracial Americans
- SOCY 64: Sociology of Emotions
- SOCY 66: Markets and Management
- SOCY 68: Global Health Systems
- SOCY 79: The Sociology of Asian America