The program of Sociology seeks to train students in the 'sociological imagination'. The sociological imagination is the ability to understand one's self and others in the context of social conditions, which include: culture, economics, history, law, politics and religion. A sociological perspective is the ability to identify the 'social forces' and to understand how these forces shape the lives of individuals and groups. In turn, students of sociology gain an awareness of how their own actions can perpetuate or change current social conditions. The discipline of sociology emphasizes questions of social justice and provides students with tools for conceptualizing these issues and for analyzing empirically. In harmony with the Jesuit Mission, the program of Sociology seeks to provide students with the analytical tools necessary for formulating an understanding of the 'whole person' as someone whose personal biography intersects with social conditions. Accordingly, we also seek to provide students with opportunities to understand the consequences of their own actions within society and to assume positions of responsibility for these actions (i.e., the ability to engage in reflective acts of citizenship). In short, sociology majors will learn that humans are simultaneously 'islands unto themselves' and creatures who are shaped through participation in social groups.

Specifically, an anthropology/sociology major will be able to:

• Define the distinguishing features of humanness
• Define what is meant by the concept "society"
• Identify the cultural systems and structural factors that comprise "society"
• Understand how individual behavior is influenced by these factors
• Understand how the actions of individuals and groups combine to create society
• Understand general distributions of material wealth, power and status in U.S. society
• Identify and analyze the prevalent forms of social difference in contemporary U.S. society (e.g., class, race, gender, age, and sexuality).
• Understand how these differences are connected to differences in access to material wealth, privilege and power
• Identify and critique prevalent cultural myths.
• Identify and consider the implications of your own position(s) in these social structures
• Be literate in relevant classical and contemporary social theories

What can I do with a sociology major? A student of sociology has a unique ability to identify and understand large-scale operations and organizations. The 'sociological perspective' is valuable training for anyone interested in careers in business, law, and various human service enterprises. Organizations frequently seek to hire sociologists because of the unique analytical perspective that we offer. Being able to 'think sociologically' is also valuable as a starting point for pursuing an advanced degree in any field involving human systems (e.g., Law, Business, Journalism, Medicine and Social Work).

Department Links

• Sociology Honors Program
  Information regarding the Sociology Honors Program
• American Sociological Association
  www.asanet.org
• Association of Black Sociologists
  www.blacksociologists.org
• Pacific Sociological Association
  www.csus.edu/PSA/
• Sociologists for Women in Society
  http://newmedia.colorado.edu/~socwomen/
• Society for the Study of Social Problems
  www.sssp1.org

Department Pictures

• Anti-War Protest