Sociology
About Sociology
Our Program and Courses
Sociology is a major and minor at F&M. By studying human social interaction and social structures, you will learn the origins of sociological thought, explore the relationship between self and society, and examine sociology as it relates to social stratification, race, gender, sexuality, health and medicine, politics, education, culture, family, and more.
Since sociology so often intersects with other disciplines at F&M, your coursework will often cross into other departments. Students often combine a sociology major or minor with government, public policy, business, gender and sexuality studies, psychology, public health, anthropology, or a language. An understanding of sociology enriches all social sciences, and this flexibility allows you to explore your own curiosities. Sociology students are characterized, above all, by the diversity of their interests, so no two sociology degrees are the same!
By the time you graduate, you will be able to demonstrate:
- A deeper understanding of how groups of people connect and interact, and the consequences of those interactions.
- An understanding of sociological theories and influential thinkers in the field.
- An ability to engage in sociological research and interpret sociological research findings.
- An ability to employ sophisticated oral and written communication about complex ideas.
- The ability to collaborate effectively in ways that will be useful in the workplace.
Wondering what sociology courses are like? Explore our course catalog to see what classes are available to you.
Learning Outside the Classroom
With F&M鈥檚 many research and study-abroad offerings, you鈥檒l have plenty of opportunities to take what you鈥檝e learned and apply it to the world around you.
Research Opportunities
You鈥檒l find incredible opportunities to conduct research into the topics that interest
you. You can explore topics that are relevant to your own experiences or those that
intrigue you about the experiences of others. Some students use the summer to dive
into this research, while others pursue their interests in course papers or year-long
independent study projects. Recent student research topics include stereotypes in
the media; gender differences in how people choose majors or occupations; how first-generation
college students acquire the skills and dispositions to succeed in selective liberal
arts colleges; how art museums privilege nationalism and national identity; an analysis
of ethnic portrayals in French films; an examination of race and social class differences
in access to arts education in public schools; and a study of the experiences of first-generation
college students from rural backgrounds.
Explore research at F&M
Off-Campus Study
Studying abroad helps sociology students build a deeper understanding of different
cultures and human interactions. Popular locations include South Africa, Denmark,
Argentina, England, Australia, and Spain.
Explore off-campus study at F&M
Entrepreneurship at F&M
In the spirit of living up to Benjamin Franklin鈥檚 legacy of creating solutions in the service of the public good, Entrepreneurship at F&M is a program that offers exciting opportunities for all students to explore and develop entrepreneurial skills. In addition to courses in entrepreneurship, there are several supporting programs, including:
- The F&M Incubator, which offers opportunities for students to bring their creative solutions to life. You鈥檒l work in a team and you may receive mentoring, specialized support, and/or project funding. You鈥檒l also attend a series of workshops on customer identification, design thinking, marketing and legal considerations, and other topics.
- A summer entrepreneurship experience during which you鈥檒l earn course credit and gain real-world experience for your resume while discovering and mastering the entrepreneurial skills needed to bring innovation to any organization. You鈥檒l be matched as a paid intern with sponsoring startups, entrepreneurs, and other organizations that are looking to innovate or disrupt the status quo across a variety of industries.
- Workshops that introduce, discuss, or focus on entrepreneurship methods and insight
- Events featuring F&M alumni and members of the wider community who have changed the status quo in all sectors of the economy and society
Success Beyond F&M
What can you do with a degree in sociology? Our graduates are prepared to pursue advanced degrees or begin their chosen careers from day one. The creative and intellectual activities that make up the work of sociology 鈥 including analyzing, writing, collaborating with others, and critical thought 鈥 help you develop useful and productive skills, which are valuable for any post-college plan.
Graduate School
Many F&M sociology graduates go on to pursue advanced degrees in education, public policy, international relations, business administration, psychology, medicine, speech-language pathology, nursing, occupational therapy, public health, social work, and sociology.
Career Paths
Sociology graduates enjoy a number of exciting and varied career paths and achieve success in a wide range of industries including law, business, government, medicine, and social work. They hold positions such as (in alphabetical order):
- Affirmative Action Counselor
- Admissions Counselor
- Attorney / Public Defender
- Business Analyst
- Caseworker
- Child advocate
- Community Organizer
- Consumer Researcher
- Content Manager
- Data Analyst
- Environmental Organizer
- Family Planning Worker
- Health Professional
- Hospital Administrator
- Human Resources Manager
- Legislative Aide
- Librarian
- Market Researcher
- Mental Health Professional
- Peace Corps Volunteer
- Policy Analyst
- Professor
- Project Manager
- Public Health Advisor
- Research Scientist
- Rural Health Outreach Worker
- Social Worker
- Teacher
- Urban Planner
Certificates are supplemental educational pathways you can pursue at F&M. Each certificate
explores new and innovative fields of study through the lens of two or more fields
of study. Sociological perspectives are included in several certificates including
Diversity and Equality in Education, Social Entrepreneurship, Social Justice, and
Arts for Social Change. F&M鈥檚 Department of Government has earned a reputation as one of the finest in the
country. Study government at F&M and examine power, politics, justice, equity, and
change while developing skills in language, economics, mathematics and philosophy. Embark on a journey of the mind and learn all about why we do the things we do. From
non-human animal behavior to language development and neurological impairment, your
time spent studying psychology at F&M will unlock a whole new world of understanding
of how the brain works.Alumni Spotlight
鈥淪ociology provides me with that basic understanding of 鈥榃hat is a society?鈥欌
Born in Guatemala and raised in Boston, Leora Sammett '22 grew up around diverse immigrant
communities. But it wasn鈥檛 until she arrived on campus that she fully realized her
passion for working with immigrants and refugees. Sammett declared a major in sociology
and a minor in Spanish 鈥 disciplines she feels are crucial to her intended career
path. 鈥淪ociology provides me with that basic understanding of 鈥榃hat is a society?鈥欌
she said. 鈥淲e can鈥檛 tackle social justice issues in ways we鈥檙e going to better ourselves
without that fundamental knowledge.鈥
Read More 禄The Perfect Blend of Sociology and Psychology
When he arrived his first year, Thomas Downs '22 planned to hit the ground running
and declare his major as psychology. However, since a key element of the liberal arts
model encourages students to explore a variety of courses and disciplines before choosing
a major, he couldn't do this quite yet. So, Downs took a couple sociology classes,
and that's when it clicked: this blend of psychology and sociology was exactly what
he needed to pursue therapy. "Combining them together has really helped me understand
why people are who they are," Downs said.
Read More 禄Related Fields of Study
F&M Certificates
Government
Psychology
Sociology in the Spotlight
April 22, 2024
Embracing "And": Junior Genab Diallo on the Liberal Arts Experience
The ampersand in the middle of our College's name symbolizes the rich space of possibility that awaits students at F&M. For Junior Genab Diallo, the freedom to explore classes across disciplines helped her discover her passion.
October 6, 2023
Sociology Student Takes Action Against Human Trafficking
麻豆传媒色情片 Gubat Abdullaev spent the summer in Sweden researching the human-trafficking industry and presenting his findings to the Danish Institute for Study Abroad.
April 18, 2023
Guns, Place and Public Health: A Conversation
As a mathematics student at Franklin & 麻豆传媒色情片, Charles Branas '90 never imagined he'd one day lead gun violence research cited by the Supreme Court. Now chair of the Department of Epidemiology at Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health, Branas learned "just enough" as a math major to get his first post-graduate job coordinating studies with clinical researchers and emergency medical staff in Philadelphia.