Department of Sociology
Program Overview
The Sociology Graduate Program
Program Overview
Social
Problems & Social Change
The Department of Sociology and Anthropology offers a Master of Science
(MS) degree in sociology. Students may study general sociology or pursue
the departmental focus on urban social problems and social change. The
program prepares students for positions in teaching, research, and applied
fields. It serves primarily two types of students: those who wish to use a
sociological analysis to inform their social problems-related work in
community agencies, non-profit organizations, or other settings, and those
aiming for Ph.D. programs.
The faculty of the
department span a broad spectrum of expertise that includes both
theoretical and applied areas, as well as the convergence of the two.
Students seeking a general background in the rudiments of sociological
analysis will be exposed to a systematic course of study including a
rigorous
methods/ statistics sequence, theoretical foundations, and the
opportunity to pursue concentrated work in a number of substantive areas
of departmental strength such as deviance, health, globalization,
religion, social movements, and social stratification.
Our program focus emphasizes that many sociologists not only seek to
understand social problems, but they also work to identify viable
alternatives to existing conditions, and contribute towards responsible
social change. Building on this philosophy, our program focus seeks to
bridge basic and applied research. This approach uses sound sociological
theory and research methods, consultation with communities that are
directly affected by the issues being studied, and attention to the work
of those who seek social change.
This general approach to
social problems and social change accommodates a wide array of specific
interest areas, such as race, health care, crime, economic inequality,
gender, family, education, and others.
Urban
Environment/ Global Context
VCU combines graduate study in sociology with an urban environment. This
urban environment offers unique opportunities and resources for studying
social problems and social change. We encourage students to use the
Richmond community as a site for sociological research. The program and
some of its faculty draw upon the expertise of Richmond-area workers and
activists in government, community, non-profit, and other organizations
working to address social problems.
At the same time, the program promotes an understanding of the
interdependent nature of local, national, and international processes.
Students are challenged to consider the relationship between the local
phenomena they may be studying in Richmond and the broader national and
international context. Thus, the program offers students the unique
opportunity to study locally while they think globally.
Program
Options: Thesis/Thesis-Practicum & Concentration Paper
Students enrolled in the sociology graduate program must select one of two
tracks leading to the M.S. degree. Both require 36 hours of course work,
but each option has somewhat different requirements beyond the core
courses [see handbook].
The Thesis Track,
which involves students in all phases of the research process, is designed
fo
r students who will pursue a Ph.D. degree or who plan a career involving
research. Students in this track have two options. The first
option enables the student to develop and carry out an independent
research project in their area of interest. The second option engages
students in all phases of the research process through the Practicum.
In this collaborative option, research is driven by the needs and/or
social problems addressed by various community organizations and
agencies. The Concentration Track is intended for students who will
not pursue a Ph.D. and who plan a career in which research skills will not
be emphasized.
Comprehensive information on both tracks is available in the departmental Graduate Student Handbook.
Department
of Sociology (J. Sherwood Williams, Chair)
Lafayette Hall, 312 N. Shafer St.
P.O. Box 842040
Richmond, VA 23284-2040
Tel.: (804) 828-1026 Fax: (804) 828-1027