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Sociologists examine subjects encompassing a vast array of human behavior: crime and punishment, the formation and dissolution of families, bureaucracy in organizations, conflicts between classes, and global inequalities. Sociology focuses on the way individuals’ lives are embedded within multiple social contexts that facilitate and constrain the range of possible actions. These contexts include generation, occupation, gender, religion, sexual orientation, family, health, nation, race, and ethnicity among many others. Students study and examine these phenomena with a variety of scientific tools, including collecting and analyzing statistical data and conducting surveys, focus groups, and in-depth interviews.

Sociology majors at �����Ƶ are introduced to the discipline of sociology, which analyzes how humans behave and interact in groups. Sociologists study how the cultures and the social contexts in which we live our lives shape human behavior. Sociologists contribute knowledge about how people’s positions in the larger societies in which they live shape their life chances and experiences. Faculty in the department study interracial dating, domestic violence, homeschooling, the experiences of first- generation students on college campuses, the relationships between humans and animals, gender and global health inequalities, policing, protest movements, and many other topics.

Sociology students develop an aptitude for critical thinking, learn quantitative and qualitative research skills, explore how to write for a social science audience, and gain competence with statistical computing that will enhance their future career options. Some areas of expertise among faculty in the Sociology Department include Family and the Life Course, Health, Criminology and Criminal Justice, Data Science and Population Studies, Education, and Social Inequalities, with a particular emphasis on inequalities of race, gender, health, social class, and sexualities.

Students pursuing the Bachelor of Science (BS) in Sociology are required to complete a math-intensive course of study. They develop an aptitude for critical thinking and improve their writing abilities. Students will obtain substantial experience with statistical computing, including programming and data analysis.

Completion of the BA Sociology/Social Studies major leads to an endorsement in social studies. To receive a recommendation for state of Washington certification for secondary education, students must complete the “teacher certification” program. See  for program admission, completion, and teacher certification requirements.

As an Elementary Sociology major at �����Ƶ, students learn how humans behave and interact in groups—whether small groups like families or large groups like religious organizations, and how one’s position in the larger society shapes life chances and experiences. Elementary Sociology students develop an aptitude for critical thinking, improve their writing ability, and gain competence with statistical computing that will enhance their future career options. The Sociology—Elementary Education major satisfies the academic major requirement for teacher certification with an endorsement in Elementary Education and must be accompanied by the professional preparation program in Elementary Education provided by .

The Sociology Department is part of the . 

Sociology students have the opportunity to participate in faculty-led study abroad programs, gain applied skills through service learning internships, and coauthor research papers with our faculty.

Scholarships

The Sociology Department grants up to four scholarship awards each academic year.  These scholarships — The Ingeborg Paulus Scholarship, The Demography Scholarship, The Blalock Scholarship for Outstanding Community Service and The Teresa LaFreniere Scholarship — are awarded in the spring each academic year. Sociology majors have won the Presidential Scholars Award five times in the last 11 years, more than any other department in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences.

Study Abroad

The sociology department actively encourages students to pursue learning opportunities abroad, particularly through faculty-led programs. The department believes a global perspective is critical to understanding core sociological concepts, but to also better understand their own culture. Faculty-led study abroad programming often counts for upper-level major requirements, and travel courses may serve as a student’s capstone project on programs led by Sociology faculty — to places like Kenya, China, and India.

Internships

Sociology students are also encouraged to pursue internship placements for credit toward the major. Data show that sociology students who take part in internships have enriched learning experiences and find it much easier to find employment later.

Sociology students have completed internships with:

• Allied Arts
• Bellingham Planning Commission
• Bellingham Police Department
• Bellingham School District
• Boys and Girls Club
• Brigid Collins
• Catholic Community Services
• Division of Children and Family Services
• Law Offices in Bellingham
• Northwest Youth Services
• Planned Parenthood
• Whatcom County Drug Court
• Whatcom County Juvenile Corrections
• Whatcom County Juvenile Court
• Whatcom County Juvenile Probation
• Whatcom County Public Defender's Office
• Whatcom County Sheriff
• Whatcom Crisis Services Sexual Assault Program
• Women Care Shelter