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Undergraduate Program
Undergraduate Advisor: Dr. Heather Dillaway
Office: 2263 FAB, Phone: (313) 577-3276
REMINDER TO ALL SOCIOLOGY MAJORS: You must complete Sociology 4200 and Sociology 4050 BEFORE taking Sociology 4996. If you have any questions, please contact Heather Dillaway at dillaway@wayne.edu or 313-577-3276.
What is Sociology?
Sociology is the study of human society and social life and the social causes and consequences of human behavior. Social life encompasses all interpersonal relationships, all groups or collections of persons, and all types of social organizations. Sociologists believe that people can be understood only by viewing them within a social contexts: their society, their social contacts and social interactions, and their group and organizational involvement. As a result, the study and understanding of these factors makes sociology relevant to people in virtually every line of work and at every level.
What can you do with a major in Sociology?
There is virtually no social issue that sociology does not touch. It is a broad discipline making it an excellent major for anyone interested in society and social relationships. Sociology is relevant wherever human relations are at work. For example, courses can be taken at Wayne State University in areas such as race and ethnicity, health, gender, crime, aging, population, family, religion, and social problems to mention a few.
Very few majors plan to become professional sociologists but use the major as an undergraduate prerequisite to enter professional schools or to prepare for entering the world of employment. Their training in theory, research and substantive areas required of all majors opens up a broad range of career opportunities.
Will sociology teach me think critically about society?
Yes. Sociology is essentially the science and logic of society. That is, it is a discipline that deals explicitly with our own institutions, the values and beliefs that shape social behavior and the forces that create the conditions for social change. As a sociology student, you will apply diverse theoretical perspectives to the empirical examination of ongoing social phenomenon.
How will the study of sociology help me in day-to-day affairs?
That depends on the area(s) or topics within sociology that you choose to study. For example, if you are interested in the family, sociology will enable to you to understand the impact of demographic and economic forces on the changing structure of families. If you are interested in gender, race, age, or class, sociology will present new perspectives on understanding inequalities that exist. If you are interested in crime, health, poverty, or other social problems, you should gain new insights into both the problem and alternative solution in dealing with them. In fact, all of sociology should be relevant to your daily affairs.
What kinds of jobs/opportunities are available for someone with a degree in sociology?
Sociology provides training in the patterns of behavior that are characteristic of social groups, organizations, institutions, and nations. Some majors use their training to undertake pure or applied research while others apply sociological principles and findings in their employment in a broad range of areas. These include, but are not limited to, employment in government, international relations, health care, advertising, business, banking, education, child welfare, criminal justice, law, gerontology, community development, urban planning, social agencies, demography, and the like. People with majors in sociology have played important roles in shaping public policy in a host of areas including the civil rights movement, school desegration, divorce laws, health care, and social welfare programs. Sociologists, especially those with research and statistical skills, are in high demand in evaluations programs, marketing research, and census work.
**Career Services provides resources targeted to meet the career needs of WSU students, alumni, employers and the university community. website: www.careerservices.wayne.edu/index.htm
**The SocioWeb is an independent guide to Sociological Resources on the Internet. website: http://www.socioweb.com/
Does the department provide assistance in finding employment?
The department does not have an official placement program but many faculty have developed working relationships with firms and individuals in many fields. The faculty can thus provide contacts that may result in jobs for students. These jobs may be in a variety of fields ranging from demographic research to marketing, advertising, or health care or even to neighborhood services issues. Students looking for a job should meet with a faculty member to discuss their interests and the assistance that the faculty member can provide.
What kinds of research opportunities exist for undergraduate majors?
Undergraduate majors can pursue research activities in a number of ways. One is to work with a faculty member on his/her research. A second is to work with a faculty member by choosing a directed study. Unlike working on the research of a faculty member, you may want to design your own project under the supervision of an instructor.
Are internships possible or available for undergraduate majors?
Internships are possible by working with a variety of organizations. Although students must make the contact with the organization, department faculty will help the student design the internship. The work undertaken must be academic in nature and lead to a grade. Internships that involve filing, answering telephones, copying, or word processing are not acceptable for credit.
Majoring & Minoring In Sociology
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