Sociology at JSU
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» Sociology at JSU
THE BACCALAUREATE DEGREE (B.A./B.S.) IN SOCIOLOGY
Sociology at JSU has a long and prosperous history. The first course in Sociology was taught in the 1930-1931 school year in the "Department of History and Other Social Studies." The actual Department of Sociology was formed in the 1948-1949 school year. Four courses were offered at that time. In 1950 Dr. Theron Montgomery was the first Ph.D. in Sociology hired by the university. Dr. Montgomery later became Dean, Vice President, and President of the University. From the early 1950s, interest in Sociology grew with an increased interest in civil rights and political unrest in Alabama and throughout the United States. The first major was introduced in the 1971-1972 school year. The department continued to grow, expanding its offerings. Since the fall of 2002, the Sociology program has more than doubled its majors. Currently there are over 170 students in our program.
CURRENT TRENDS IN THE JSU SOCIOLOGY PROGRAM
- Accessible faculty all with doctoral degrees
- Faculty that are experts, nationally recognized in their field, and active in regional and national sociological associations.
- Current research of faculty includes disasters, hate crimes, science and society, gender and technology, sex work and power, collective behavior, war and asylum seekers, and theory construction using micro, meso and macro levels of analysis.
- International programs available
- Active and progressive Sociology Club, WISE (Women's Issues Support and Empowerment), as well as the Sociology Honor Society, Alpha Kappa Delta
- Courses relevant to life in the 21st century
WHAT CAN I DO WITH A DEGREE IN SOCIOLOGY?
- A B.A./B.S. in Sociology is excellent preparation for future graduate work in Sociology in order to become a professor, researcher, or applied Sociologist.
- The undergraduate degree provides a strong liberal arts preparation for entry-level positions throughout the business, social service, and government worlds. Employers look for people with the skills provided by an undergraduate education in Sociology.
- Since its subject matter is intrinsically fascinating, Sociology offers valuable preparation for careers in journalism, politics, public relations, business, or public administration fields that involve investigative skills and working with diverse groups.
- Many students choose Sociology because they see it as a broad liberal arts base for professions such as law, education, medicine, social work, and counseling. Sociology provides a rich fund of knowledge that directly pertains to each of these fields.
