Sociology

Castleton’s Sociology Program is recognized as the University's first “engaged” academic program for its commitment to experiential study, service-learning, civic engagement, community development, and sustainability.

Sociology plays an important role in our world. Through the scientific study of society and culture, sociology prepares students for the rapidly changing world in which we live. Core courses in sociological perspectives, social theory, and research provide the foundation for many options of study, especially in cultural anthropology, power and conflict, community studies, and criminology.

Sociology Degree Highlights

• Degree tracks in Sociology, Criminology and Cultural Anthropology.
• Our Sociology faculty includes experts in a wide range of subjects, including qualitative and quantitative research, sociological theory, cultural anthropology, religion, environmentalism, social movements, community studies, globalization, and social change, music, criminology, gerontology, mental health, health care, sociology of education, and race, ethnicity, and gender.
• The Sociology program helps you develop sociological perspectives on social structure and culture, social change and conflict, globalization and international development. In addition to a broad and deep knowledge base, you gain the “flexible skills” required for a globalizing world.

Sociology Outside of the Classroom

Numerous opportunities to pursue both education and community involvement are available through the Sociology program. Here are a few examples of how sociology students and faculty have made positive changes:

• Buckner Preserve Study and Maintenance Program
• The Green Campus Initiative
• The CHANGE Initiative
• Peer Advocates For Change
• Sociology Research Projects 
• The Sustainability Club
• The Outside Classroom
• Brickyard Snowboard Park
• Moriarty Gardens

Student Research in Sociology

Each semester students in the Sociological Research Methods class solicit research ideas and topics from the University community. From the topics submitted, between eight and 12 are chosen for research by the students.

Each group of two students conceptualizes and operationalizes the ideas for inclusion in a questionnaire, which is administered face-to-face or over the phone to a randomly selected group of Castleton students.

The data is analyzed and presented to the community in poster and paper format. Past projects have dealt with topics such as:

• Student debt
• Themed housing
• First-Year Seminar Program
• Academic support for students
• Reading habits and library needs

Various offices and programs have benefitted and used the data from the projects to bring change to our campus.

Sociology Program Outcomes

Many graduates of the Sociology program go on to graduate or professional school to study sociology, cultural anthropology, social work, law, international development, and criminology.