Sociology

What is this major? 
Sociologists study how humans create patterned social behavior within relationships, organizations, and institutions. From couples to community, schools to social movements, media to migration, homelessness to human rights, hunger to health systems, children's welfare to criminology, and gangs to global conflict, Sociologists analyze social relations based on race, ethnicity, gender, power, status, class, culture, religion, sexuality, age, and location in the Global North and South. Students develop a critical understanding of society, one we call the Sociological Imagination. This perspective informs our lives as local and global citizens and helps us understand our personal lives in the context of public policies and realities. Hartwick's sociology students may concentrate in areas of departmental focus and expertise: criminal justice, social work/community advocacy, social justice/human rights, public health, and global studies.

What can I do with this major? 

Bachelor's Degree/Entry Level	Further Education/Experience Required
Youth advocate / Juvenile delinquency prevention Community / Labor organizing Public relations / Communication Violence intervention services Alcohol and substance abuse prevention Public health education Human rights - anti-poverty, hunger and homelessness; Children's programs Police / Corrections officer Human Resources	Gerontology Urban planner Teacher College Administration With MSW - Social worker in hospital, school, or private counseling practice Criminologist Census bureau statistician / demographer Hospital administration Drug and alcohol counselor

What skills will I improve/gain? 
Ability to use theory, research, and data to interpret, analyze, and scrutinize programs and policies and propose alternatives.  Given immersion in community and department's emphasis on oral presentation, group process, and research skills, strength in interpersonal communication team work, research, program development, and public presentation of findings.  Interact well with diverse cultures/groups, knowledge of community resources, networking, and planning, statistical analysis, critical thinking, ability to understand and improve human relationships, resolve conflicts, insight into group dynamics, work well under pressure, computer skills (data processing and analysis).

Who employs graduates from this major? 
Hospitals, Census Bureau and State/Federal government, Business and Industry, FBI, Police, Violence Intervention, Legal Rights Agencies, Elder Care Facilities, Mental Health Programs, Youth Advocacy, Juvenile Delinquency Prevention, Prisons and Youth Detention Facilities, Drug and Alcohol Abuse Prevention, Colleges/Universities, with MSW - Private Counseling Practice, Rehabilitation Agencies, Schools, Children's Centers, Media Relations, Public Relations Firms

What is special about this major at Hartwick?

• Optional concentration in Criminal Justice
• Off campus programs in Mexico and Ireland
• Internships in law, health, youth, social advocacy, and criminal justice
• Course-based hands-on community service learning
• Undergraduate, collaborative research with faculty and community partners

Department Chair
Lori Collins-Hall, 607-431-4327, collins_hall@hartwick.edu

Undeclared Contact
Lori Collins-Hall, 607-431-4327, collins_hall@hartwick.edu

Major Connections Contacts
Lauren Benedicto, 607-431-6505, benedictol@hartwick.edu
Whitney Carroll, 607-431-6466, carrollw@hartwick.edu
Keri James, 607-4316961, jamesk@hartwick.edu
Leia Mortenson, 607-431-7202, mortensonl@hartwick.edu
Brandon Seeley (Criminal Justice concentration), 518-788-8783, seeleyb@hartwick.edu