Southern Illinois University -Sociology
See what SIU can do for you
Interested in social justice? Concerned about social change? Want to better understand cultural differences? Sociology might be the major for you.
What is Sociology?
Sociology is the scientific study of social interaction, social structure, and social change. Sociologists use surveys, focus groups, interviews, and observations to find empirical answers to complex social questions. Studying sociology can help foster your creativity, innovation, critical thinking, analytic problem solving, cultural competence, and communication skills.
Whew! What does that even mean?
Sociologists contribute to studies that affect current issues. Right now, SIU faculty and students are exploring issues of gender identity, immigrant experiences on college campuses, the marijuana legalization movement, the LGBTQ movement, the effects of religion on political opinion, substance use in rural communities, how Americans are making sense of and adjusting to changes in family and personal life, and more. Their studies contribute to policy decisions, from what gets on a voting ballot to how a city approaches policing.
Undergraduate Program
An undergraduate major degree in sociology serves as an excellent springboard for a variety careers in many diverse fields, including law, social work, counseling, human services, community development, business administration, marketing, education administration, and journalism. Studying sociology also is excellent preparation for those anticipating graduate study in one of these areas.
In addition, students may benefit from a double major or major-minor combination between sociology and these other related fields.
At SIU, you will have the chance right away, even as a freshman, to conduct surveys and interviews for sociological research.
Graduate Program
The Department of Sociology offers graduate work leading to the M.A. and Ph.D. degrees.
The M.A. degree program gives students an opportunity to acquire a general knowledge of sociology through seminars, guided coursework with accomplished scholars, and exposure to a variety of theoretical and methodological approaches. The Ph.D. degree program centers around advanced offerings in the areas of theory, methods, social movements, gender, sexualities, religion, communities, race and ethnicity, and inequalities.
A special concentration in criminology, deviance, and criminal justice allows interested students to pursue a substantial part of the doctoral studies in Criminology and Criminal Justice. Students may also pursue a Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies graduate certificate at the same time as well.
Careers
- Business – marketing research, human resources, public relations, real estate, management consultant
- Community services – community development, advocacy, city planning, environmental representation
- Health services – substance abuse education or counseling, hospital insurance liaison, health care management
- Social services – case management, youth and elderly programs, local, state and federal agencies
- Publishing – journalism, research and market research, editing
- Law – investigations, corrections administration, pre-law
- Higher Education – high school education, academia / university faculty.
Sample Classes
- Race & Ethnic Relations in the US
- Sociology of Deviance
- Gender and Work
- Sociology of Family
- Religion and Politics
- Masculinities
- Environmental Sociology
- Popular Culture
- Social Inequalities
- Sociology of Sexuality
- Sociology of Gender
- Social Movements
- Political Sociology
- Sociology of Aging
- Sociology of Music
- Criminology
Student Groups
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