Why Study Sociology?

“Whatever sociology may be, it is the result of constantly asking the question, what is the meaning of this?”
— C. Wright Mills

What does it mean to major in sociology?

Are you fascinated by the way people interact? Would you like to investigate the causes of social problems? Are you interested in social change? Sociology, the systematic study of human social life, investigates all these questions. Sociologists examine the dynamics of human social interaction and investigate the origins of social problems. Studying the effects of such factors as race, gender, and social class, sociologists help us understand and negotiate our diverse society.

Why is the University of Mississippi a good place to study sociology?

The sociology faculty in the Department of Sociology and Anthropology is an energetic group of teachers and scholars who bring an interdisciplinary perspective to their classrooms and to their research. Many are jointly appointed or affiliated with a variety of programs and institutes across campus including the Sarah Isom Center for Women and Gender Studies, African American Studies, and the Croft Institute for International Studies. The Center for Population Studies, based at the University of Mississippi, disseminates U.S. Census data, provides technical assistance in the collection and analysis of Census and other demographic and social data and undertakes research on population issues such as fertility, migration, and economic development.

What can UM sociology majors do after graduation?

Gerontology research, census planning, demography, drug counseling, criminology, human resources, consumer advocacy, child welfare, corrections, city planning, community relations, labor relations, business, education, counseling, law, health services, real estate, ministry, marketing, sales, management, engineering, financial planning.

Whom should I contact to learn more about graduate studies in sociology?

Kirk A. Johnson, Sociology Graduate Program Coordinator
Associate Professor of Sociology & African American Studies
Ph.D, University of Illinois
Lamar Hall 508  |  662-915-6505
kjohnson@olemiss.edu