Program Overview

Sociology Program

The Sociology program at Vanderbilt University is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the social world around them. Sociologists study the behavior of people as members of groups rather than as individuals, and they also study how individuals are shaped by their social environments.

The Sociology Skillset

A degree in sociology provides skills that can be the basis for a successful career in many fields. Sociology majors:

• Learn to weigh controversies and develop complex analyses of social and organizational problems.
• Learn how to locate and analyze research literature on social issues and problems, developing the ability to digest, analyze, and synthesize a diverse set of sources.
• Are trained to translate research into policy analysis and develop policy based on research.
• Are trained in hypothesis generation and testing, data analysis, and both qualitative and quantitative methods.
• Gain a broad understanding of our changing world and emerge well-equipped to adapt to new careers and to help organizations adapt to changing economic, political, and social environments.

Courses

Students can choose from over 40 courses taught by faculty who are highly skilled in their subject areas and in teaching. Students may pursue a major or a minor in sociology, with options for a standard and an Honors track. The Department of Sociology also offers a major in environmental sociology, with options for a standard and an Honors track. Recently offered courses include: - American Policing - Art in Everyday Life - Business, Civil Society, and the Environment - Climate Change and Society - Contemporary Social Issues - Criminology - Human Behavior in Organizations - Immigration in America - Law and Society - Popular Culture Dynamics - Population and Society - Race, Gender, and Health - Sociology of Religion - Sociology Through Baseball - U.S. Social Movements - Women and the Law

The Sociology Major

The sociology major consists of three main types of courses:

• Foundation courses: one introductory sociology course, one research methods course, and one advanced theory course.
• Concentration areas: one course each from three of the departments four specialization areas:
  • Culture, Institutions, and Socialization
  • Health, Environment, Population, and Migration
  • Politics, Law, and Conflict
  • Race, Ethnicity, and Gender
• Electives: five advanced sociology courses. Students are encouraged to develop a cluster of related courses in a concentration area.

Honors Program and Honors Society

The Honors research track offers advanced majors in sociology the opportunity to pursue intensive work through an independent research project. Students work closely with a faculty advisor to conduct research and write and present a thesis. Sociology majors and minors who meet a minimum GPA threshold are eligible for membership in the Sociology Honors Society, Alpha Kappa Delta (AK). Students do not have to be in the Honors program to join the Honors Society.

Undergraduate Research

The Department of Sociology offers a wide range of research opportunities for undergraduate students, including research assistantships on faculty research projects, participation in the senior Honors thesis, and independent study courses with faculty. Some large, interdisciplinary research grants on campus offer other research opportunities. Some research is paid, and other research is available for course credit.

Special Opportunities

Sociology offers a 69-credit-hour internship program that allows students to gain real-world experience and integrate that experience with a research project. Sociology students also frequently spend a semester studying abroad, and Vanderbilt offers opportunities in more than 40 countries.

After Vanderbilt

Sociology provides students with an excellent foundation for a multitude of career paths, including in government, education, law, business, criminal justice, medicine and public health, and community and social services. Based on surveys of graduating seniors, approximately half of students pursue graduate education, and half go directly into the workforce. Some take a year off before going on to graduate study. Students receive job offers from a wide range of organizations, including in the business, education, government, and nonprofit sectors. Specific advantages for career preparation include:

• The strong methods sequence in the Honors program is excellent preparation for graduate school and careers in education and research.
• By combining the sociology major with the business minor, students can position themselves for corporate careers that require knowledge of society and organizations, such as marketing or human resources.
• The department has a strong set of courses for students with a pre-med or pre-health career path.
• The study of politics, law, and institutions is another strength of the department. The sociology degree provides a solid foundation for law school, which is a common post-graduate pathway for sociology majors.
• The courses on institutions and criminology prepare some students for careers in the social services and criminal justice systems.

Faculty

The interdisciplinary sociology department has approximately two dozen expert faculty actively involved in teaching and research, and another dozen affiliated faculty from other departments. These professors are leaders in their fields, actively involved in various grants and research projects, and winners of many prizes for their research and teaching.