Sociology Department Mission

The Franklin College Department of Sociology teaches students to analyze social situations using scientific theories and methods.

Sociology faculty prepare students for life after college. Students learn to go from the specific to the general and back. They learn how to employ inductive and deductive reasoning using sociological tools. Inductively, students discover how to create general hypotheses from detailed data. For example, by asking many different students similar questions, students learn how personal attitudes become into public opinions. Conversely, students also learn to predict human behavior using social theories. For instance, Conversation Analysis can help students discern how the choice of words (e.g. Death Tax vs. Inheritance Tax) may influence how students interpret or respond to tax policies. Our graduates can find the forest and the trees, can see the big picture and sweat the details, whichever is necessary.

Because most of our students become business professionals, social workers and police officers, the department of sociology teaches them to use sociological tools to address real world issues. Sociology graduates can calculate ROI, design satisfaction surveys, and evaluate offender re-entry programs. They can diagnose problems and implement solutions.

Sociology enhances lives beyond careers. What students learn in courses, such as Marriage and Family, may help them interact with their own children and parents. What they learn in Organizations may make them more successful clients or patients. What they learn in Criminal Justice may increase positive encounters with police. What they learn in Sociology of Sport may make them better youth coaches. Sociology is useful.

If you want to become a thinker who is also a doer, then become a sociology major. You will learn how to plan your actions and how to turn your plans into actions. You select the target; and sociology will help you hit the bulls-eye.

Student-Learning Outcomes

To someone with only a hammer, every problem looks like a nail. Sociology students acquire a range of social science tools, so that they can find the right solutions. Student-learning outcomes are what goes in the tool box.

  • Students learn to explain the theoretical links between social interactions and individual behavior.
  • Students learn to select appropriate methods of data collection and analysis to address social issues.
  • Students learn to evaluate social inequality, especially in terms of stratification, mobility, and agency.
  • Students learn to analyze social institutions, particularly the social service and criminal justice systems.
  • Students learn to read and write academic research reports as well as position papers and policy proposals.
  • Students learn to present themselves as professionals, especially in their dress, language, and achievements.
  • Most of all, students learn how to learn. They will learn to acquire, assess, and apply up-to-date information.

Sociology and the Franklin College Family

Sociology is the one of the easiest majors to combine with other disciplines. Most sociology students have another major or minor, such as biology, journalism, or non-profit leadership, or an emphasis in criminal justice. Sociology also offers courses that fulfill requirements for other departments, such as business, public relations, and education. Students may also choose sociology late in their college career, because all coursework can be completed in four semesters. Finally, the department encourages and helps students engage in their communities, extracurricular activities and off-campus travel. Sociology professors have accompanied students to Indianapolis, Rio de Janeiro, and elsewhere. If you are interested in sociology at Franklin College, schedule a campus visit with admissions, and one or more of our sociology professors will meet with you.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us.