Department of

                           Sociology and Anthropology

                             

                  sociology

Understanding Sociology

"It is through the illusion of freedom from social determinants that social determinations win the freedom to exercise their full power . . . And so, paradoxically, sociology frees us by freeing us from the illusion of freedom, or, more exactly, from the misplaced belief in illusory freedoms."

                                                          -Pierre Bourdieu

 

"Freedom is not merely the chance to do as one pleases; neither is it merely the opportunity to choose between set alternatives.  Freedom is, first of all, the chance to formulate the available choices, to argue over them. . .and then, the opportunity to choose."

-C. Wright Mills

Sociology is the study of group life and the social forces that affect human behavior. A central goal of sociology is to have students gain insight into how their own lives are influenced by the social relationships around them. Since all human behavior is social behavior, sociology is a very broad field of study. Its subject matter ranges from rural families to urban gangs, from the values and beliefs Americans share to the ways we are divided by race, class, and gender, and from giant corporate organizations to small friendship groups.

Careers in Sociology

According to data compiled by the American Sociological Association, persons holding a bachelor’s degree in sociology are most frequently employed as professionals in the fields of social work, counseling, and research; as managers, administrators, and sales personnel in businesses and corporations; and as service providers in fields like planning and law enforcement.

Questions Students Often Ask

What can I do with a degree in Sociology?

Sociology is a strong major in the liberal arts tradition. As such, those who have earned bachelor’s degrees have used them in a number of ways:

The undergraduate degree provides strong preparation for entry-level positions in business, government, and social service. A variety of surveys have indicated that employers look for the skills that undergraduate training in sociology provides. The subject matter of sociology--human social life--is intrinsically fascinating; as such, it offers valuable preparation for careers in journalism, politics, public relations, or public administration-- fields that involve investigative skills and working with diverse groups. Many students use sociology as the liberal arts foundation for professions such as law, education, medicine, social work, and counseling. A BA or BS in sociology can be the first step toward the attainment of more advanced training in order to become a professor, researcher, or applied sociologist.

Specifically, what kinds of employment have RU Sociology graduates been able to secure?

Some of the jobs obtained by recent graduates include the following:

Manager of a nursing home
Fraudulent claims investigator for an insurance company
Loan officer for a mortgage company
Manager of a child care facility
State police officer
Counselor at a substance abuse treatment center
Eligibility worker in a county social services department
Director of a Chamber of Commerce

What special skills or abilities will I develop as a sociology major?

In addition to providing the information about the workings and impact of different types of cultures and social groups, the department teaches three skills that maximize students’ employability: the ability to think clearly and logically about social issues; the ability to communicate well, both orally and in writing; and the ability to gather data and analyze it using the computer. As part of the requirements for the degree, each major does his or her own piece of original research which is carried out from the original conceptualization to the final analysis and presentation.

Are internships or other experiential learning opportunities available?

The department does offer internship opportunities to students who qualify. Placement is available in a variety of agencies, organizations, and institutions. Departmental Internship Manuals are available for perusal in the chair’s office.

What minors or concentrations would enhance my education as a sociology major?

A wide variety of minors might be appropriate, depending upon the particular career path a student envisions. Recent graduates have chosen a number of different minors, including anthropology, business administration, criminal justice, English, history, political science, psychology, and social gerontology. The sociology major has been structured to give students a great deal of flexibility both within and outside of the major. Obtaining a major in sociology and a minor in any discipline should be quite easy within the context of the 120 hours it takes to graduate, provided the student declares both early enough. In fact, students often opt to combine sociology and another discipline to obtain a double major.

Is graduate study or further professional study necessary to find a job in this field?

Qualified undergraduates are able to find jobs without post-graduate training. However, as is true in most disciplines in the liberal arts, earning a graduate degree enhances one’s employment possibilities. About 15 percent of our recent majors have gone on to graduate school; they have been admitted to such well-known institutions as The University of Virginia, Ohio State University, and Virginia Tech.

Where can I obtain more information about the field of Sociology?

RU Department of Sociology and Anthropology
RU Career Services Center
RU McConnell Library
RU Center for Counseling and Student Development
RU Advising Centers

For an application to Radford University contact:

RU Admissions Office
Radford University
Martin Hall
P.O. Box 6903
Radford University
Radford, VA 24142
Phone: (540) 831-5371 or 1 (800) 890-4265
Fax: (540) 831-5038
E-mail: ruadmiss@radford.edu
Web site: http://radford.edu/Admissions.html