Sociology

Professor of Sociology Robert Gay's research focuses on clientelism, democracy and civil society in Brazil and other countries of Latin America.

Sociology is the study of social life, social change, and the social causes and consequences of human behavior. Sociologists investigate the structure of societies, organizations and groups and the ways people act and interact within these contexts. Since all human behavior is social, the subject matter of sociology ranges from the family to social movements and revolutions; from the divisions based on race, gender and social class to the underlying and shared beliefs of a common culture. In fact, few fields have such broad scope and relevance for research, theory, and the application of knowledge.

The program in sociology provides students with the theoretical and methodological tools that can be applied to virtually any aspect of social life and prepare them for a wide variety of careers. Because sociology addresses the most pressing issues of our time, it is a field whose potential is increasingly tapped by those who create programs and craft policies.