Sociology

Office: Beatty Hall, Room 310
Telephone: 410‑617‑2742
Website: www.loyola.edu/academics/sociology

Chair: Barbara H. Vann, Associate Professor

Professors: Jai P. Ryu (emeritus); Michael Burton (emeritus)
Associate Professors: Michelle I. Gawerc; Joshua D. Hendrick; M. Antonia Keane (emerita); Barbara H. Vann
Assistant Professors: Amanda Konradi; Nicole Shoenberger; H. Lovell Smith
Visiting Assistant Professor: Jason Singh
Affiliate Faculty: Patrick Brugh; Julie Knight; William Sheppard; Jill-Kristi Tyler

Sociology incorporates the dual traditions of the humanities and natural sciences in an effort to describe, understand, and explain human social behavior. Sociology addresses many of the great questions that humanists have posed with the attitude and methods of the natural sciences. Students of sociology develop a strong appreciation for history, philosophy, and the liberal arts in general, while learning to think scientifically and systematically. Students learn to apply basic sociological research techniques and skills, which graduates will find useful in a variety of career tracks. Many students are drawn to sociology because they are people-oriented and are considering a career that requires "people skills," such as law, business, medicine, teaching, government, nonprofit organizations, or social work.

Sociology majors and minors have a wide range of interesting and useful courses to choose from, and considerable freedom to design programs of study that match their academic and career goals. Because of its integrative, synthesizing nature and its emphasis on social research skills, sociology complements other disciplines, as in a double or interdisciplinary major.

Learning Aims

Upon graduation, sociology majors will:

understand the discipline of sociology and its role in contributing to an understanding of social reality;
understand basic sociological concepts and their fundamental theoretical interrelations;
be able to think critically;
be able to write and speak clearly;
possess a keen sociological imagination;
understand the role of theory in sociology;
understand the role of evidence and qualitative and quantitative methods;
understand in depth at least two specialty areas in sociology;
understand the diversity of U.S. society and the place of the United States in international context;
understand the micro/macro distinction in sociology;
understand reciprocal relationships between individuals and society;
have developed a sociologically-informed appreciation of values.

Programs

Major

Sociology, B.A.

Minor

Sociology Minor

Courses

Sociology