Are you a “people watcher” and curious about human behavior? If you enjoy finding out how and why people do the things they do, you will enjoy sociology.
Sociologists theorize and use systematic observations and analysis to study people interacting in social groups, to make their behavior understandable. Sociologists also change the world and make a difference through sociological practice.
The Department of Sociology offers students a broad liberal arts education and encourages them to think critically about the social world. We provide excellent preparation for a wide variety of careers, in areas such as (but not limited to) human services, counseling, administration and planning, probation and corrections, community organizing, teaching, and research. The department also prepares students for graduate studies in sociology, social work, and other fields, and professional studies such as law school.
About Sociology
More about the Department of Sociology: We offer five degree programs.
Faculty and Staff
Faculty members and staff of the Department of Sociology.
Mid-Atlantic Research and Training Institute for Community and Behavioral Health (MARTI)
MARTI is a consortium of academic and professional experts in the field of alcohol abuse treatment, domestic violence intervention, and related mental health issues.
Engaged Sociology
IUP Sociology blog that highlights the work of our students and faculty.
Christian Vaccaro, Melissa Swauger, and Alex Heckert, along with Shayna Morrison (Kent State University), recently published the paper “Sociological conceptualizations of compassion fatigue: Expanding our understanding” in the journal Sociology Compass.
Diane Shinberg, associate professor of Sociology, presented “At the Intersection of Disabilities and Opioid Use Disorders: Patterns of Protection and Susceptibility” at the American Sociological Association’s annual meeting. The paper addresses the social patterning of misuse and use disorders across different disability groups.
Start Smart is an interactive workshop designed to give women the skills they need to earn fair compensation. No admission is charged. Learn how to negotiate your highest possible salary at this workshop on Saturday, February 8.
Christian Vaccaro and colleagues won the 2019 David R. Maines Narrative Research Award for their work, “Narrative Manhood Acts: Batterer Intervention Program Graduates’ Tragic Relationships.” The award was presented by the Carl Couch Center for Social and Internet Research.
