Sociology

“Our lives begin to end
the day we become silent
about things that matter”

Martin Luther King, Jr, Morehouse College, Sociology Major 1948

Dickinson College

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Sociology

Sociology students at Dickinson never become silent about the things that matter—they never stop asking the important questions. Why has social inequality gotten worse? How can we challenge sexism and racism? Sociology students at Dickinson explore these questions—and much more—through real-world experience, rigorous coursework and independent research projects.

With sociology at Dickinson, students can expect challenging yet supportive environments to discuss and explore important social and political issues in the classroom and beyond. We support the development of critical-thinking skills through a close, unflinching examination of real-world problems.

Our courses encourage students to not only understand but also produce research through both quantitative and qualitative analysis. Majors pursue their own interests through our wide variety of classes, independent research projects, internship opportunities and collaborations with our faculty. Our program encourages off-campus study, including global study, enabling students to apply directly the sociological theories and methodologies they develop toward community-based learning and empirical research.

Chair: Helene LeeAssociate Professor of Sociologyleehe@dickinson.edu
Staff: Danielle ParksAcademic Department Coordinatorparksd@dickinson.edu

Phone: 717-245-1290
Fax: 717-245-1479
Location: 219A, Denny Hall Mailing Address

Department Features

Study Abroad

Current Courses

Mosaics

Student-Faculty Research

Student Outcomes

Where Our Students Go From Here

Jobs:

Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc.
AmeriCorps
Harvard Graduate School of Education
Fulbright Program
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
Enterprise Knowledge LLC
College Advising Corps
Army Corps of Engineers Cape Cod Canal Visitors Center
Police Executive Research Forum
Community Action Association of Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania Institutional Law Project
Institute for Family Health
Special Olympics
Peace Corps

Graduate Schools:

Boston College
Loyola Marymount University
University of Southern California
Ohio State University
New York University
Yale University Nursing School
Australian National University
Catholic University of America
Caldwell University
University of Pennsylvania
Syracuse University
University of Delaware
Harvard School of Education Policy and Management
Columbia University

Where Our Students Have Interned

Baseball Hall of Fame Steele Internship Program
Center for Family Justice
Deutsche Bank
Georgia Public Defender Council, Office of the Georgia Capital Defender
Jewish Family And Children's Services (Legal Services for Immigrants & Internationals)
PA Behavioral Health and Aging Coalition
Peninsula Conflict Resolution Center
Pennsylvania Horticultural Society
SoundCloud
Teach For America
University of California, Berkeley
Urban Education Leaders Internship Program
Women In Need

Student Perspective

“The best thing about the sociology major is the supportive community formed by both students and faculty; everyone is interested in your research and academic pursuits and will help you develop your ideas. It’s a close-knit group of like-minded and passionate individuals."

— Marina Stylianou ’24

Sociology News

All News Department News

Tackling Cancer and Food Insecurity

Tackling Cancer and Food Insecurity

Claire Choplick ’26 is a student-researcher in Mike Roberts’ cancer-research lab. She's also learning to address food insecurity by interning at a food bank in Carlisle.

Bite-Sized Breakthroughs: Sociology & the Teacher Shortage

Bite-Sized Breakthroughs: Sociology & the Teacher Shortage

A Dickinson sociology project looks at the teacher-shortage crisis through the lens of a Virginia school.

Internships Light Pathways Toward Nonprofit, Advocacy, Education Careers

Internships Light Pathways Toward Nonprofit, Advocacy, Education Careers

“Internships hold such power, meaning and learning potential." Learn how students connected classroom learning with social-impact work through inspiring summer internships.

Envisioning Healthy, Sustainable Communities

Envisioning Healthy, Sustainable Communities

Thanks to the class that spurred her passion, the service trips that reinforced it and the internships that sharpened her skills, Kat Johnson ’25 is ready for an impactful career in public health.

Thoughtful Exploration

Thoughtful Exploration

Meet Weiss Prize recipient Emma Ulrich '25, and discover her recipe for crafting a meaning-filled and creative life.

Mindful Pursuits

Mindful Pursuits

"There's so much to learn about how the brain works. I'm excited for the future of science.” Meet Sierra Phillipson ’27, a Kansas native who plans a career in neurosurgery.