Sociology is the scientific study of human social life,groups and societies. What’s the difference between today’s college first-years and those of 10 years ago? Why do women earn less than men for the same work? What conditions and attitudes help relationships last? Sociology majors are curious about the world. The first sentence you read on this page is borrowed by the prominent sociologist Anthony Gidden, who calls our field “a dazzling and compelling enterprise, as its subject matter is our own behavior as social beings.” Crime, inequality, health care, politics, families, gender, race and ethnicity, education, work and social change—today’s sociologists study all these topics. Research is often inspired by concern about the future. Helping in schools, helping in prisons—our majors are supported in participating in a wide variety of civic engagement opportunities. We find that because you experience something outside of Drew it stays with you longer and is more formative. We have a wide array of courses for your specific interests (unusually wide for a university of our size). We’re always ready to support interdisciplinary student projects crossing over into fields such as political science, history, economics and women’s and gender studies.

Sociology is not only interesting (we have non-majors tell us that our classes are among their favorites) but is considered by employers to be a great background. Some majors continue to study and teach sociology. Others enter law, social work or teaching. Human resource departments are particularly interested in hiring sociology students. They know that sociologists understand broad trends in real human lives and translate them into good local practice. The sociology student club runs a career night every year where alumni return to share about their careers. Current students ask questions and get great tips.