Sociology is a dynamic and integral part of Vanderbilt University, and Vanderbilt sociology is a vital and visible part of the national and international profession of sociology. At Vanderbilt University, the research and teaching of the sociology faculty addresses a broad set of enduring themes of scholarly and practical interest. The thematic diversity of Vanderbilt sociology stems from not only the wide-ranging interests and methodological competencies of the faculty, but also our strong commitment to academic freedom.

Our faculty research expertise and undergraduate and graduate teaching curricula encompass several major sociological themes, including:

In pursuing these themes in their research and teaching, the sociology faculty and doctoral students have utilized several qualitative and quantitative research methods, such as multivariate statistical estimation techniques, on-site fieldwork with in-depth interviews, and close inspection of historical archival materials.

The Vanderbilt sociology faculty is visible and active in the national and international profession of sociology. The American Sociological Association recently rated the Vanderbilt sociology faculty eleventh highest in the nation in terms of its frequency of publishing in the leading U.S. scholarly sociology journals. During the last five years, the sixteen-person Vanderbilt sociology faculty has published over 100 articles and books.

As advisors and consultants to major institutions, the Vanderbilt sociology faculty often lend expertise to the solution of important social and policy problems. Among the institutions with whom the faculty has consulted are the AFL-CIO, American Airlines, the Dutch, Ghanaian, South Korean and Thai governments, Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service, Fund for the Feminist Majority, International Potato Center, local law enforcement agencies and Tennessee state government agencies, mass media organizations, National Endowment for the Arts, National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Mental Health, National Presbyterian Church, National Science Foundation, Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, UNESCO, and the UN International Labor Office.

The Vanderbilt sociology faculty has held elective offices and participates actively in such sociological and interdisciplinary professional associations as the African Studies Association, American Society of Criminology, American Sociological Association, Association of Black Sociologists, Industrial Relations Research Association, International Network for Social Network Analysis, International Sociological Association, Population Association of America, Social Science History Association, Society for the Scientific Study of Religion, Society for the Study of Social Problems, Sociologists for Women in Society, Southern Sociological Society, and the Union of African Population Studies.

On campus, the Vanderbilt sociology faculty actively participates in interdisciplinary programming. Sociology faculty members are the Directors of the American and Southern Studies Program and the Women's Studies Program at Vanderbilt University.

Please feel free to contact individual sociology faculty members via e-mail or at the sociology department telephone number, (615) 322-7626, or fax, (615) 322-7505.

Sociology is the field for students with an interest in the enduring social issues that challenge us to think about the human condition and to devise practical solutions to pressing, basic human problems. Some of the social issues which have inspired sociology and have moved people to think sociologically are the fate of community in modern society; attaining a democratic society; empowering and nurturing the downtrodden and disenfranchised; the relationship between religion and science; and addressing poverty and socioeconomic inequality. Students who are concerned about solving social problems, including those who enjoy community service, find that the sociology curriculum is especially relevant to their interests.

Doing sociology also helps students to launch their careers. Learning sociological research methods helps the student develop those sharp analytical skills--critical thinking about important human problems, in-depth interviewing, data analysis, statistics--that are vital to career success in such people-intensive professions as law, corporate management, social work, journalism, and teaching, and in large, complex work organizations generally. Undergraduate sociology majors frequently pursue graduate degrees in these professions. The American Sociological Association distributes several publications with further information about the career implications of sociology for undergraduate sociology majors.

As integral components of the Vanderbilt University liberal arts educational program, the Vanderbilt undergraduate sociology curriculum and major requirements are designed to familiarize the student with the large, diverse, and evolving tradition of sociological thought and practice, and to help students become independent critical thinkers. In the classroom, students confront important social problems, immerse themselves in multiple theoretical perspectives, develop critical thinking skills, and master several substantive areas of sociology.

Please feel free to discuss the undergraduate sociology program with the Director of Undergraduate Studies, Professor Jim Lang (james.j.lang@vanderbilt.edu), any sociology faculty member, or any undergraduate sociology major. We can be reached at the sociology department by telephone, (615) 322-7626, and by fax, (615) 322-7505.

The mission of the Graduate Sociology Program at Vanderbilt University is to help students to become professional sociologists through the attainment of the Ph.D. degree in sociology. While pursuing the Ph.D. degree, Vanderbilt sociology graduate students earn a masters degree, gain a general knowledge of sociology, and develop their own specialization in sociology. Students may enter the program with a bachelor's or masters degree. For the first two years, the Ph.D. degree requirements are designed to immerse the student in the broad and diverse intellectual history of general sociology, promote critical thinking, and familiarize the student with the logic and methods of sociological research. For the third and later years, the Ph.D. degree requirements facilitate the student's development of her or his own sociological expertise, expressed in the student's doctoral dissertation research project.

The flexible graduate sociology program at Vanderbilt consists of a mix a formal coursework, exams, and tutorial and collaborative relationships between faculty and graduate students. The first two years consist mainly of formal coursework in sociology and other disciplines at Vanderbilt, as well as opportunities to take independent studies with faculty. Subsequently, students gravitate informally toward some faculty members and frequently collaborate as team members and co-authors with faculty on research projects, paper presentations at professional conferences, and scholarly publications.

Vanderbilt University offers a generous package of financial aid consisting of a tuition waiver, stipend, and health insurance.

Please feel free to discuss the graduate sociology program with the Director of Graduate Studies (Professor Karen Campbell, dgs-soc@vanderbilt.edu), sociology faculty members, and sociology graduate students. We can be reached at the sociology department by telephone, (615) 322-7626, and by fax, (615) 322-7505.

Hoping to see you in some of our classes,

Gary Jensen
Department Chair