Department of Sociology
Sociology is the scientific study of social life - courses in the discipline are designed to provide students with a better understanding of social change and how social structure affects the lives of individuals.
A major or minor in Sociology provides preparation for careers in a variety of occupations, including public relations, teaching, positions in government, social service agencies, and industry. A concentration in Sociology also equips students with the necessary tools for understanding, evaluating, and conducting social research.
The course of study for Sociology majors is flexible enough to incorporate a variety of interests, such as deviance and criminology, social welfare and social policy, work and occupations, environmental sociology, race and ethnic relations, gender and sexuality, and social inequality. The Sociology program is available as a major or minor concentration within the Bachelor of Arts in Social Sciences degree program. A major involves the completion of 24 credits, 15 of which must be upper division. A minor requires 15 credits, six of which must be upper division. Some Sociology courses can also be used for credit towards the Bachelor of Public Affairs and the Certificate in Social and Environmental Justice.
Research interests of current Sociology
faculty include gender, work and organizations (Professor Amy Wharton);
aging and the life course, the military (Professor Alair Maclean);
criminology, criminal justice system policies, race and ethnicity
(Professor Clay Mosher ); social inequality more generally
(Wharton, Maclean, Mosher); and globalization, environment, development, food and agriculture, and political economy (Professor Daniel Jaffee).
Alair MacLean and Daniel Jaffee
Co-Associate Chairs
Department of Sociology
Please contact Marie Loudermilk with questions regarding the Sociology program. Program Coordinator for the Public Affairs department, including support of all Public Affairs faculty and the Masters in Public Affairs. Faculty support for Anthropology. .
Graduate Support
Phone: (360) 546-9640
E-mail:
Office: VMMC 102