HUMAN BEINGS ARE SOCIAL CREATURES, shaped and in some ways defined by their interactions. Sociology is the study of that process. It explores patterns of social life and examines the ways in which social structures and cultures influence our personalities, families, attitudes, behavior, work, leisure — our very identities. Sociology at Hamilton is a rigorous but creative program in which accomplished professors and engaged students work closely together on a broad range of topics. In sociology, you can study politics, economics, religion, sex, race, power, ethics, history, mathematics and just about anything else involving human beings. More ...
Academic Program
RESEARCH OPPORTUNITIES
Doing
sociology means developing, evaluating and understanding research, so every
course involves hands-on research possibilities for students, carried out in
small classes with the close assistance and supervision of faculty members.
Many courses involve field trips; others provide training in computer-based
research techniques. In addition, students have independent-study options in
which they can develop their own research methods.
The
sociology program is designed to promote ambitious, independent scholarship.
The curriculum is not a strict hierarchy of courses, but a spectrum of
opportunities in which good students are encouraged to advance as quickly as
they can. Our goal is intellectual challenge — for every student, at every
level.
THE SENIOR PROGRAM
The Senior Program is an integrating, culminating academic experience for all sociology majors. Drawing on the methodology, research and thinking skills that they have developed during the first three years of study, seniors work closely with at least one faculty member to plan and complete the senior thesis. Work on the thesis includes an oral presentation in a public forum, where the audience includes visiting faculty members from other colleges and universities as well as faculty and students from the Hamilton program.
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RESOURCES
Each year the Sociology Department hosts several visiting speakers who
are widely noted for their scholarship and insight. Recent speakers
have included G. William Domhoff, author of Who Rules America: Power, Politics, and Social Change;
Diane Vaughan, who studies the behavior of organizations; Randall
Collins, whose wide scholarly interests include the sociology of
conflict as well as economics and philosophy; Nancy Denton, who writes
and teaches about race, urban neighborhoods and demography; and Jodi
O'Brien, who explores meaning and identity in such works as The Production of Reality and Everyday Inequalities. Hamilton students have the opportunity to talk with these distinguished guests in a variety of settings.
In addition, the department's collaborative public opinion polls with
Zogby International give students the opportunity to work with a
distinguished national polling organization on issues of wide
importance and media interest.
We believe that intellectual life should be both serious and fun. The sociology program provides training in essential principles and standards of scientific and statistical research, but it also encourages original, creative thinking. Sociology is about making connections and looking past the surface.
Honoring Excellence
The Hamilton program produces a senior fellow — a top honors student who undertakes a single project for his or her entire senior year — every other year, on average. Our senior fellows reflect the innovative curriculum and high standards of the sociology program as a whole.
Renowned Teaching Scholars
The College's emphasis on strong communication skills is underscored by the sociology faculty's ongoing commitment to publishing in a variety of fields. Faculty members have written and edited eight books, ranging from a highly regarded textbook to award-winning studies of medical ethics and Olympic athletes to works on social inequality, sexuality and religion.
Youth Polls
Many students have the opportunity to work on one of sociology's front lines by studying public opinion polling and conducting surveys in collaboration with the locally based Zogby International polling organization. Recent surveys, widely reported in the national media, have covered such topics as gun control, gay rights, Muslims in America and patriotism.
Endless Possibilities
Hamilton's program offers training for researchers, but another key mission is to encourage a high level of analytical, critical and creative thinking. These are abilities that produce leaders in a wide range of fields. Recent sociology graduates have found success in health care, law, entertainment finance, educational psychology, labor relations, social work and teaching at a variety of levels.
We believe that intellectual life should be both serious and fun. The sociology program provides training in essential principles and standards of scientific and statistical research, but it also encourages original, creative thinking. Sociology is about making connections and looking past the surface.
Honoring Excellence
The Hamilton program produces a senior fellow — a top honors student who undertakes a single project for his or her entire senior year — every other year, on average. Our senior fellows reflect the innovative curriculum and high standards of the sociology program as a whole.
Renowned Teaching Scholars
The College's emphasis on strong communication skills is underscored by the sociology faculty's ongoing commitment to publishing in a variety of fields. Faculty members have written and edited eight books, ranging from a highly regarded textbook to award-winning studies of medical ethics and Olympic athletes to works on social inequality, sexuality and religion.
Youth Polls
Many students have the opportunity to work on one of sociology's front lines by studying public opinion polling and conducting surveys in collaboration with the locally based Zogby International polling organization. Recent surveys, widely reported in the national media, have covered such topics as gun control, gay rights, Muslims in America and patriotism.
Endless Possibilities
Hamilton's program offers training for researchers, but another key mission is to encourage a high level of analytical, critical and creative thinking. These are abilities that produce leaders in a wide range of fields. Recent sociology graduates have found success in health care, law, entertainment finance, educational psychology, labor relations, social work and teaching at a variety of levels.
We believe that intellectual life should be both serious and fun. The sociology program provides training in essential principles and standards of scientific and statistical research, but it also encourages original, creative thinking. Sociology is about making connections and looking past the surface.
Honoring Excellence
The Hamilton program produces a senior fellow — a top honors student who undertakes a single project for his or her entire senior year — every other year, on average. Our senior fellows reflect the innovative curriculum and high standards of the sociology program as a whole.
Renowned Teaching Scholars
The College's emphasis on strong communication skills is underscored by the sociology faculty's ongoing commitment to publishing in a variety of fields. Faculty members have written and edited eight books, ranging from a highly regarded textbook to award-winning studies of medical ethics and Olympic athletes to works on social inequality, sexuality and religion.
Youth Polls
Many students have the opportunity to work on one of sociology's front lines by studying public opinion polling and conducting surveys in collaboration with the locally based Zogby International polling organization. Recent surveys, widely reported in the national media, have covered such topics as gun control, gay rights, Muslims in America and patriotism.
Endless Possibilities
Hamilton's program offers training for researchers, but another key mission is to encourage a high level of analytical, critical and creative thinking. These are abilities that produce leaders in a wide range of fields. Recent sociology graduates have found success in health care, law, entertainment finance, educational psychology, labor relations, social work and teaching at a variety of levels.
We believe that intellectual life should be both serious and fun. The sociology program provides training in essential principles and standards of scientific and statistical research, but it also encourages original, creative thinking. Sociology is about making connections and looking past the surface.
Honoring Excellence
The Hamilton program produces a senior fellow — a top honors student who undertakes a single project for his or her entire senior year — every other year, on average. Our senior fellows reflect the innovative curriculum and high standards of the sociology program as a whole.
Renowned Teaching Scholars
The College's emphasis on strong communication skills is underscored by the sociology faculty's ongoing commitment to publishing in a variety of fields. Faculty members have written and edited eight books, ranging from a highly regarded textbook to award-winning studies of medical ethics and Olympic athletes to works on social inequality, sexuality and religion.
Youth Polls
Many students have the opportunity to work on one of sociology's front lines by studying public opinion polling and conducting surveys in collaboration with the locally based Zogby International polling organization. Recent surveys, widely reported in the national media, have covered such topics as gun control, gay rights, Muslims in America and patriotism.
Endless Possibilities
Hamilton's program offers training for researchers, but another key mission is to encourage a high level of analytical, critical and creative thinking. These are abilities that produce leaders in a wide range of fields. Recent sociology graduates have found success in health care, law, entertainment finance, educational psychology, labor relations, social work and teaching at a variety of levels.
We believe that intellectual life should be both serious and fun. The sociology program provides training in essential principles and standards of scientific and statistical research, but it also encourages original, creative thinking. Sociology is about making connections and looking past the surface.
Honoring Excellence
The Hamilton program produces a senior fellow — a top honors student who undertakes a single project for his or her entire senior year — every other year, on average. Our senior fellows reflect the innovative curriculum and high standards of the sociology program as a whole.
Renowned Teaching Scholars
The College's emphasis on strong communication skills is underscored by the sociology faculty's ongoing commitment to publishing in a variety of fields. Faculty members have written and edited eight books, ranging from a highly regarded textbook to award-winning studies of medical ethics and Olympic athletes to works on social inequality, sexuality and religion.
Youth Polls
Many students have the opportunity to work on one of sociology's front lines by studying public opinion polling and conducting surveys in collaboration with the locally based Zogby International polling organization. Recent surveys, widely reported in the national media, have covered such topics as gun control, gay rights, Muslims in America and patriotism.
Endless Possibilities
Hamilton's program offers training for researchers, but another key mission is to encourage a high level of analytical, critical and creative thinking. These are abilities that produce leaders in a wide range of fields. Recent sociology graduates have found success in health care, law, entertainment finance, educational psychology, labor relations, social work and teaching at a variety of levels.
AFTER HAMILTON
Hamilton graduates who concentrated in Sociology are pursuing careers in a variety of fields, including:
Associate Photo Editor, Martha Stewart Living/Weddings
Attorney, Legal Aid Society of Albuquerque, N.M.
Deputy Director of Development, U.S. Fund for Unicef
Director of Finance, Health Volunteers Overseas
Social Worker, Jewish Child Care Association
School Psychologist, Cresskill Board of Education
Social Worker/Child & Family Therapist, Child Guidance Center of S. Connecticut
Senior Financial Analyst, Merck & Co., Inc.
Teacher/Magnet Team Specialist, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. School
