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Study society, human behavior, social justice issues and culture.

Sociology is the study of social life, social change and the social causes and consequences of human behavior. Sociologists investigate the structure of groups, organizations and societies, and how people relate in patterned ways within these contexts.

As a social science, Sociology combines scientific and humanistic perspectives in the study of family patterns and relationships, social change, inter-group relations, social class, environment, communications, health care and illness, social movements, and other contemporary issues.

At Lenoir-Rhyne, these issues are studied in the light of social justice, morality and a call to vocation in the Lutheran tradition. We are called to address issues of social inequality, social justice and social problems in the world.

Program Overview

Since all human behavior is social, sociology studies a range of subject matter.

• Intimate family to the hostile mob
• Organized crime to religious cults
• Divisions of race, gender and social class to the shared beliefs of a common culture
• Sociology of work to the sociology of sports

Few academic fields have such broad scope and relevance for research, theory and application of knowledge.

The sociology major provides for curricular flexibility to allow you entrance into specific areas of policy studies, graduate study, the criminal justice system, law, social work and other social services.

If you qualify and are interested in continuing your education through graduate study, you can easily matriculate into several of Lenoir-Rhyne’s graduate programs, such as human services or counseling. Through LR’s innovative Accelerated Master's Degrees and Alumni Advantage programs, you are able to complete your graduate degree in shorter time and at significantly less expense.

Learning Outside the Classroom

Sociology majors are involved in community service work in the local community.

And faculty seek to make the undergraduate experience meaningful by exposing you to local sociological conferences and relevant events. In addition, there is a cohort of sociology students who engage together on campus for the purpose of analyzing and evaluating current events through a sociological lens.

Career Opportunities

LR sociology students have successfully transitioned to law school, to master's degree programs in social work and on to Ph.D. programs in sociology. The faculty is devoted to assisting you in the transition from undergraduate to the workforce or on to graduate studies by helping you to explore possibilities and programs of interest.

Sociology’s integration of humanistic and scientific approaches furnishes an ideal preparation for the professions of the 21st-century, furnishing a blending of attention to communication, critical thinking, problem-solving and global focus with the applied tools to meet the specific needs of many professions and address social issues.

The major’s focus on cultural, ethnic, racial and gender diversity provides you with a rich understanding of today’s world and the challenges we face. Sociology majors develop an understanding of diversity, of change and of the complex interactions that occur in contemporary society.

Career opportunities may be found in a wide array of professions:

• Government and non-profit agencies
• Human services
• Law and law enforcement
• Planning
• Social entrepreneurship and community activism
• Health services
• Journalism
• Counseling