Sociology & Anthropology

Sociology is the study of group life. A sociologist studies the social and cultural forces which shape the behavior, beliefs, and relationships of individual members of a larger society. This study includes all types of social interaction, from economic to political to cultural, and the full range of social organizations, from small groups to communities to large nations.

Beyond studying inherently interesting subject matter – groups, social relationships, and cultural change – a student majoring in sociology will develop invaluable skills. These skills include effective writing, problem-solving, data analysis, teamwork, research design and execution, critical thinking, and oral communication.

Life today is very complex. The world around us has grown bigger, closer, and more complicated than ever before. Sociology helps students develop the skills necessary to live effectively in this new global era, and understand critical aspects of social life in the 21st century. These include race & ethnicity, global urbanization, family life, social change, poverty, welfare, consumer behavior, religious and moral behavior, health and educational systems, social deviance, community dynamics, population change, and small group processes.