Areas of Specialization 

As a prime center for sociological research, the Department of Sociology represents a diverse range of epistemological, theoretical and methodological approaches that drive an equally diversified spectrum of research and teaching areas, including:

  • Criminology
  • Cultural Sociology
  • Environment, Hazards, and Disasters
  • Gender and Sexuality
  • Health and Medicine
  • Life Course, Aging, and Youth
  • Political Economy
  • Population
  • Qualitative Methodology
  • Race and Ethnicity
  • Social Psychology and Emotions

Departmental Workshops

Working groups are voluntary workshops for grad students, post-docs, and faculty that are structured around shared research interests. They provide useful opportunities to get feedback on works in progress, participate in topical discussions, and network within the department or with scholars doing related research in other departments. Working groups typically meet on a biweekly, monthly, or bimonthly basis.

  • Criminology and Criminal Justice (Faculty contact: David Pyrooz)
  • Culture, Power, and Inequality (Faculty contacts: Mathieu Desan and Rachel Rinaldo)
  • Population and Health (Faculty contact: Ryan Masters)