Sociology is the systematic study of social organization and social life in society. It uses both scientific and humanistic approaches to understand social behavior and social systems. Topics studied range from the family, minority groups, deviant behavior, and crime, to gender, ethnicity, social class, collective behavior, and power.

Sociology students learn a variety of research methods (including ethnography, field methods, and survey research) and social theories used to study both large-scale and small-scale patterns of social relationships and processes by which these patterns change.

A minor in sociology will provide additional breadth of perspective for students with interdisciplinary majors in urban and regional studies, social change and development, human development, and business administration. It also provides good preparation for students going on to graduate work in programs such as sociology, social work, history, urban studies, and other interdisciplinary social science programs.

This interdisciplinary major also provides excellent preparation for graduate study in master's and doctoral programs such as architecture, geography, political science, public administration, public policy, sociology, urban and regional planning, urban studies, economic development and related fields.

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