What is Sociology?

Sociology is a field of study that offers much more than just an understanding of the social world we live in. It provides a comprehensive insight into human behavior, social structures, and social change in a constantly evolving world.

Katherine Castiello Jones, the undergraduate program director of the sociology department within UC’s College of Arts and Sciences, attests to its everyday significance.

Critical thinking plays a pivotal role in sociology, as it enables a comprehensive understanding of the complex dynamics of society and facilitates analysis of social patterns and behaviors.

With a commitment to turning students into lifelong learners and honing their problem-solving skills, UC’s sociology department is dedicated to equipping students with the knowledge and mindset necessary for post-graduation success.

“The skills that the sociology department helps foster in students are very portable. Sociology gives students a toolbox that they can take to lots of different careers,” Jones says. “We do a lot of practical applications of what students are learning in class to the real world, so they build those skills and take them with them.”

Sociology majors at UC have gone on to work with non-profits, health care planning, administration, and many other disciplines according to Jones.

“A lot of students have talked about how their classes have helped them to think critically about systems, be able to learn on the job, and have given them really strong communication skills.”

At UC, the sociology department provides students with a distinctive opportunity to integrate their other interests into their coursework or explore new areas of interest through sociology-based electives. The department's diverse set of curricula includes a range of experiences, such as guest speakers, alumni involvement, and summer research programming.

“All of our faculty are really excited and passionate about sociology and are happy to meet with students and talk about what they are interested in, and having those conversations can really help students narrow down what they want their path to be,” says Jones.

Coming up is a new course on W.E.B. Du Bois, a prominent figure in the sociology field and one of its founders. “It is going to be reading the work of W.E.B Du Bois, the work of his contemporaries, and looking at the impact that he has had on sociology. It is not something that is offered in every sociology department, and I think it is going to be a really awesome class,” says Jones. 

Other notable classes include:

• Sociology of Food
• Barbie: Sociology of Culture
• Reproductive Justice
• Creating Change in Cincinnati
• Sociology of Gender

After enrolling in the exploratory track and completing a handful of sociology courses her freshman year, third-year student Kayla Ramirez discovered her interest in sociology.

“Ever since I was a kid, I have had a fascination with how the world works, why certain people are treated differently than others and the sociology courses were answering all of my questions and checking off the boxes in my brain,” she says.

Ramirez reflects on her experience in the class Sociology of Gender. “That class was so eye opening, and I feel like I finally understood a lot about gender and sexuality and how important the study of it is. Sociology has prepared me for life.”