Sociology is the systematic study of social relationships at many different levels. For example, sociologists analyze small groups, complex organizations such as bureaucracies or factories, race/ethnic relations, gender relations, communities, nations and even global social formations. The processes and behaviors sociologists examine include social interaction among individuals, institutional change, social policy formation, criminal and deviant behavior (and responses to such behavior), population growth and distribution, and social change and development.
The sociology undergraduate program offers concentrations in general sociology and in criminology. General sociology provides a desirable background, as either a sole or combined major, for further professional training in law, city planning, public administration, hospital administration and medicine, as well as for advanced graduate work in sociology or other social sciences. It also prepares students for a wide variety of careers that involve problem-solving and gathering, organizing and analyzing information (i.e., data). Such careers may involve jobs ranging from sales and management to community services and government work.
The undergraduate criminology concentration prepares students for careers in the criminal justice system (including law enforcement, correctional institutions and court services) as well as advanced study in law or graduate work in sociology, criminology or criminal justice.
The graduate program in sociology provides opportunities to develop skills and interests in specific specialty areas while obtaining a solid grounding in sociological theory and methods of research. It offers a high level of student-faculty interaction and the opportunity to participate in supervised research.
© 2007 SASW