• Sociology students studying abroad in Stockholm, studying gender equality in Swedish society.
    Sociology students studying abroad in Stockholm, studying gender equality in Swedish society.
  • Students participate in Tunnel of Oppression, an MLK Day event, highlighting inequality in American society.
    Students participate in Tunnel of Oppression, an MLK Day event, highlighting inequality in American society.
  • Cooking Class in San José, Costa Rica Trip, 2022.

    Cooking Class in San José, Costa Rica Trip, 2022. 

Our department allows students to combine sociological academic curriculum with hands-on experience in specialized interests.

The Department of Sociology provides a unique, customizable opportunity to study human society. Our students refine their skills through coursework and hands-on fieldwork, crafting well-rounded individuals prepared for a variety of careers. Our program includes an education in inequality, theory, social justice, culture, and sociological research. Sociology scholars have the opportunity to tailor their education to specialize in particular areas of Sociology, such as Inequality and Health and Human Services. In addition, students, not limited to the Sociology Department, who are particularly interested in research can pursue a certificate in Applied Data Analysis.

Degrees

  • Justice & the Legal System- Minor

    Introduces students to the U.S. Legal system and current social problems in preparation for careers and/or graduate study in law enforcement, victim advocacy, and related fields. 

  • Bachelor of Arts, Sociology

    To introduce students to the theoretical and empirical foundations of sociology and develop their skills in critical evaluation, data collection, and data analysis in order to prepare them for careers in business, policy analysis, program evaluation, or human services as well as for continued study of sociology in graduate programs across the country.

  • Bachelor of Arts, Sociology-Health and Human Services

    To introduce students to the theoretical and empirical foundations of sociology and develop their skills in critical evaluation, data collection, and data analysis in order to prepare them to apply a social justice lens to careers in business, policy, or evaluation as well as position them strongly for continued study of sociology and related fields in graduate programs across the country.

  • Bachelor of Arts, Sociology-Inequality

    To introduce students to the theoretical and empirical foundations of sociology and develop their skills in critical evaluation, data collection, and data analysis in order to prepare them to apply a social justice lens to careers in business, policy, or evaluation as well as position them strongly for continued study of sociology and related fields in graduate programs across the country.

  • Minor, Sociology

    A student may minor in sociology by completing 101, 102, SOSS 200 and three additional Sociology courses, one of which must be at the three hundred level, and approved by the department chair/advisor.

Applied Data Analysis Concentration

The Applied Data Analysis Concentration is an opportunity unique to Emory & Henry. As a part of the Social Science Division, this program allows undergraduate, and non-degree seeking students, to gain qualitative and quantitative data analysis skills. This concentration allows students to prepare for graduate school or professional research opportunities. 

Students will have the opportunity to enhance their skills in research, data collection, analysis, and project management. Students will apply those skills in at least one multi-semester social science research project. This concentration is taught by faculty with backgrounds in sociology, economics, political science, law, international relations, geography, and earth and environmental sciences.

Student Research

  • <h4 class="lw_blurbs_title">Portrait of a Tipping Point: Karl Marx and Capitalism in Crisis</h4><div class="lw_blurbs_body"><p> In his senior honors thesis, <strong>Zachary McKenney ’10</strong>, a political science and sociology double major, explores Karl Marx’s account of the collapse of capitalist economies. He shows that even though the fall of communist countries in eastern Europe in the late 1980s was widely taken to be “proof” that Marx’s economic predictions were false, the 2008 economic crisis was actually caused by critical failures of the capital market systems that Marx anticipated long ago. He argues that Marx’s predictions were in fact very accurate and offers some thoughts on why Marx’s economic predictions can be prescient even if his political conclusions have proven to be problematic. Zak is currently enrolled in a Ph.D. program in political theory.</p></div>