If you find people, social life and the wider world fascinating, sociology may be the major or minor for you. Sociology is the study of the interaction between individuals and society, social change and the social impact of human behavior. Sociologists investigate the structure of groups, organizations and social institutions and how people interact within these contexts.
Since all human behavior is social, the subject matter of sociology includes topics such as family, health and medicine, religion, organized movements for social change, studies of race, gender, class, sexuality, and technology and mass media. In fact, few fields have such broad scope and relevance for the application of knowledge.
The sociology program at Transylvania offers courses on a wide range of topics alongside foundational courses in research methods, social theory and inequalities. Individuals with training in sociology are valuable in all career sectors, as employers need people who understand the social world and how to work with diverse groups of people. Many students are surprised to learn that a sociology major or minor can lead to jobs in advertising, journalism, real estate, public health and even the video game industry.
A major in sociology is also excellent preparation for graduate and professional schools in areas such as law, medicine, business, education and human services.
Where Our Graduates Have Studied
- Texas Christian University
- University of California-Davis
- University of Kentucky
- University of Maryland-Baltimore
- University of Louisville
- University of Virginia
Where Our Graduates Have Worked
- Federal and state government
- Social services
- Nonprofit organizations
- K-12 school systems
- Rehabilitation services
- Tech companies
- Law firms
- Health care
- Counseling
- Law enforcement
- Colleges and universities
Courses of Special Interest
- Health, Medicine, and Society
- Deviance, Diversity, and Social Control
- Culture and the Social Body
- Families in Society
- Ethnoracial Dynamics
- Social Change and Social Movements
- Social Media, Mass Culture
- Digital Technologies and the Social Self
Possible Career Options
- Social worker
- Student affairs
- Nonprofit and social justice organizing
- Grant writing
- Marketing, advertising and public relations
- Medical and social research
- Public health
- Human resources
- Lawyer
- Teacher
- College professor
Semester Study Abroad Opportunities
Australia I
Australia II
Austria
Chile
Colombia
Costa Rica
Czech Republic
England II
Ghana
India
Ireland
Israel
Italy
New Zealand
Scotland
Spain II
Sweden
Thailand I
Uruguay
These GlobalTransy programs have at least two courses related to the major.
Interested in studying abroad for a summer? Take a look at our summer study abroad opportunities.
Contacts
Hande Ozkan
Associate Professor of Anthropology, Program Director
(859) 233-8639
Stephanie Coriale
Social Sciences Administrative Assistant
(859) 233-8104
Transylvania University
300 North Broadway
Lexington, KY 40508-1797