Sociology

Overview

Students are encouraged to think critically as they examine issues ranging from small group behavior to global social movements. The core curriculum focuses on social inequalities, social psychology and health and illness. In addition, the program offers courses on a variety of topics that include urban living, deviant behavior, religion and family.

Sociology students are increasingly interested in courses that prepare them for meaningful careers that change the world (Seemiller and Grace 2016). One only needs to look at Black Lives Matter or the Sunrise Movement to see evidence of this generational disposition. Sociology, as a discipline, provides students with rigorous coursework on social inequality and social change, and helps students find careers in government, teaching, community organizing, non-governmental organizations and social work.

Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this Sociology program from Kent State University will be able to:

• Describe how sociology is similar to and different from other social sciences

• Show how one’s personal life is shaped by the time and place in which one lives

• Demonstrate how institutions of family, education, religion, medicine and the economy are interrelated

• Understand the interrelationships between social structures and individuals in society

• Distinguish between individualistic, cultural and structural explanations of social events