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Sociology

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

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

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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.

Anti-racism Statement

The Department of Sociology at Dickinson College issues this statement in support of protests demanding anti-racist reforms to end police violence.

Read the full statement here.

Contact Info

Chair

Helene LeeAssociate Professor of Sociology

Staff

Danielle ParksAcademic Department Coordinator

Phone

717-245-1290

Fax

717-245-1479

Location

219A, Denny Hall Mailing Address

Department Features



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Study Abroad
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Current Courses

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Mosaics
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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
How can Gen Z Turn Passion Into Political Action?

How can Gen Z Turn Passion Into Political Action?

"Without passionate people, our political system won’t work as it should." Students connected with young leaders and experts at a nonpartisan event aimed at turning passion into meaningful change.

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Griffith Fund in Action: From Broadway to Prison Cells, Students Learn Beyond the Classroom

Griffith Fund in Action: From Broadway to Prison Cells, Students Learn Beyond the Classroom

Find out how this endowed initiative fuels experiential excursions that bring coursework to life in unexpected ways.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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