Sociology

Sociology is the study of human society and social behavior. People who study sociology will understand the connections among the facets of everyday life. Sociologists analyze social institutions such as family, education, medicine, religion and politics. They examine the role that race, gender, ethnicity, age and social status play in our daily life. With skills in analysis, critical thinking and communication, sociology majors enjoy careers in many fields.

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Outcomes

Students will be able to:

demonstrate a basic understanding of the discipline of sociology by applying sociological concepts, including the sociological imagination and social construction to their own lives and the lives of others.
identify basic theoretical orientations and will use theoretical frameworks/concepts to analyze a social phenomenon.
identify basic qualitative and quantitative sociological methodologies and will apply methods to build sociological knowledge.
demonstrate the relationship between sociological concepts or frameworks and practice by completing an appropriate experiential learning project or an original research project.

Career Outlook

Employment related to sociology is projected to increase by 5 percent over the next 10 years.

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As both a full-time student and a full-time employee at SUNY Potsdam, Angella St. Denis ’21 has learned to make the most of every moment, spending her days studying and her nights working on campus—all in pursuit of her dreams.

"Sociology has had a profound impact on the way I see things. I try very hard to see things from many perspectives now. I have connected with one issue most strongly, equality surrounding food. There is a niche for every person and through both my courses at SUNY Potsdam and my internship with GardenShare, I have found mine."
Samantha Michaels

“A Key to Freedom”

From inside the walls of the Riverview Correctional Facility, Brandon Rodriguez ’24 diligently completes the coursework for his SUNY Potsdam sociology degree. Part of the first cohort in the Potsdam at RCF program, he works as a teaching assistant for Dr. Nancy Lewis and leads study sessions for his fellow inmates—using education as a key to free his mind. After being released from prison earlier this year, he moved to Potsdam, exchanging his classroom behind bars, for a seat in Satterlee Hall.

Raising Awareness

Chris Chandler ’13 has dedicated years to stopping human trafficking in the North Country before it gets started. Born in Pennsylvania, Chandler wanted a college experience away from home, and the road led to Potsdam. After graduation, he remained in the North Country and landed a job as a human trafficking liaison and senior caseworker with St. Lawrence County Safe Harbour, working at the grassroots to raise awareness of risks of human trafficking, and ensure that warning signs are properly addressed.

Amber Rudolph ’20

Amber Rudolph ’20 wrapped up her junior year with a trip to Cloughjordan, Ireland, as part of a sociology travel course with Dr. Heather Sullivan-Catlin. Now she’s back at SUNY Potsdam for her senior year where she’s taking on a leadership role as the new vice president of the Student Government Association. She's also completing two internships: one focused on launching a sustainability initiative on campus with Sullivan-Catlin, and another with Ray Bowdish in the WISER Greenhouse.