Sociology is the study of the influence of groups on behavior, attitudes, opinions, and social events. It is a discipline that focuses on all group types and levels, ranging from small, personal groups and their everyday interactions to huge multi-national corporations and complex societies. Sociology seeks answers to such diverse questions as, “How does the interaction between students and teacher in the classroom create a supportive or non-supportive atmosphere for learning?” “What are the general societal conditions which may lead to such crises as wars and revolutions?” “Why are people living within one group more likely to commit suicide than are people who live in another group?”

The department of sociology strives to provide students with a broad liberal arts preparation that will give them an understanding of our society, the world in which we live, as well as a solid base for many career paths.

To fulfill this mission, the sociology department, through courses, field experiences, and internships will teach its students about the sociological perspective and the different theoretical orientations within the field, about the different subfields of sociology, and sociological methods. Students will also be instructed in the skills required to identify, analyze, and interpret social phenomena, to evaluate sociological writing and research, and to conduct their own research and writing.

As a result of this training, upon graduation students will be able to apply the sociological perspective to the world in which they live, to conduct research, and to express themselves analytically about sociological phenomena. Students will be prepared for graduate school or employment in a variety of fields in the human services, law enforcement, the business world, and governmental agencies.

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Available Sociology Tracks

• Sociology
• Criminology
• Social Work

Departmental Highlights

Every human being is born into a group and spends a lifetime in patterned social relations. Sociology studies how people together create these relations and what the consequences of these relations are. Thus, sociology can provide individuals with an understanding of how the groups they are a part of influence their lives.

By viewing ourselves in the group context, we can become aware of how our lives are intertwined with those of others and how we are affected by the society in which we live.

Sociologists are often interested in understanding and explaining the major social problems that plague societies in which they live and study. By getting at the roots of such problems as poverty, racism, disintegration of the nuclear family, crime, and delinquency, sociology can help those who are interested in solving such problems to develop ideas for change and more effective social policies.

Sociology can also be of practical use in preparing individuals for careers in such fields as social work, conducting social scientific research, teaching sociology and social studies, human resources, human relations in industry, public relations, social service, community planning, and law enforcement.

Sociology at Franklin College

The sociology major is designed to give students a thorough understanding of the discipline so that they may have the choice of pursuing a job upon graduation or continuing on to graduate school in sociology, social work, criminal justice, or related areas.

Students are required to take several courses which cover the fundamentals of the discipline (Introduction to Sociology, methods, organizations, and interpersonal relations). In addition, they can choose courses from a number of offerings.

There is also the opportunity to take advantage of Winter Term and summer internships, which allow students first-hand experience in job situations in their field, as well as an opportunity to develop and practice learned skills. Students may also enroll in internships for credit during regular semesters.

Internships allow students to work in various settings including youth shelters, drug prevention programs, law enforcement agencies, and community organizations. If students wish to conduct more in-depth research on a topic of interest, they may enroll in an individualized study.

By studying sociology at Franklin College, students will have the opportunity to work with experienced faculty who have a genuine commitment to teaching. Classes are small and students have ample opportunity to get to know their professors and pursue projects in which they may be personally interested. The experience gained during Winter Term allows students practical experience, helping them decide on the direction they want to pursue and in some cases many job offers. The strength of other programs, such as journalism, business, and computer science, can offer additional opportunities to a sociology major or minor.

A strong curriculum, small class size, talented and accessible professors, and a rich tradition of quality liberal arts education make Franklin College an excellent place to study sociology and prepare for a career.

Internships

Past internship for sociology majors include:

• Sony Pictures Television International
• Indianapolis Police Department
• Franklin Police Department
• Reach For Youth
• Girls Inc. of Johnson County
• Johnson Co. Juvenile Probation
• Martinsville Police Department
• Indianapolis Fire Department
• Johnson Co. Adult Probation
• Johnson Co. Circuit Court