Sociology

Social causes, social life, social change

Our families, friends, and coworkers are all examples of social groups. They might share similar characteristics, values, ethnicities, or social backgrounds, or could be connected by relatives.

In the Sociology program at Indiana University Kokomo, you’ll study how these groups behave and interact in classes taught by dedicated faculty members. Here, you’ll have the opportunity to develop the advanced communication, interpersonal relationships, and critical thinking skills employers seek. You’ll learn how to analyze the small and big picture to understand how perspectives influence our views of life.

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Faculty and Staff

Explore your options

Degrees

Understand the nature of human interaction

Minor

Take a closer look at our complex society

Social Justice and Community Engagement Minor

Create positive change in your community

Working with those at IUK within the sociology department has been an absolute pleasure. The professors provide challenging courses that helped to expand upon my thought within the study. I have been on many trips to museums and conferences…netted internship opportunities…all while I made lifelong connections with my esteemed peers.

Benson D. Smith, B.S. Sociology, 2022

Get involved

Your education doesn’t stop at the classroom door. The Department of Sociology has many ways for students to become involved. The Sociology Club gives students the chance to network with each other and their professors in the field, while working to tackle social issues in the Kokomo community.

The Phi of Indiana Chapter of Alpha Kappa Delta International Sociology Honor Society, chartered in 2020, offers expanded opportunities for students in sociology.

Members interested in U.S. government careers are eligible to begin at a higher pay rate than other entry-level workers in numerous professional and technical occupations. Inductees may also apply for travel grants to present at regional sociology meetings, participate in student paper competitions, and receive a free one-year subscription to Sociological Inquiry.

Undergraduates must be enrolled as a sociology major or minor, or in a program sociological in nature, be at least a junior, and rank in the top 35 percent of their class or have a GPA of at least 3.3 on a 4.0 scale in general scholarship to be eligible. They must also have completed at least four sociology courses with at least a 3.0.

The lifetime membership fee is $50.

For more information, contact Stephanie Medley-Rath, associate professor of sociology and chapter representative, at smedleyr@iuk.edu.

Read about our Mission and Vision

Mission:

Our mission is to provide a rigorous and engaging curriculum that emphasizes critical thinking skills, fostering a sociological perspective that helps students understand and interact with our complex, social world.

We prepare our students for careers in public policy, social and human services, education, business, and more through a diverse range of graduate programs. Our curriculum provides comprehensive training in social science research methods, empowering graduates to contribute meaningfully to advancing knowledge and society.

We are committed to supporting students in their educational journeys by creating an inclusive learning environment that fosters success for learners from diverse backgrounds. Our program equips students with the tools to shape their futures, transform their lives, and serve their communities.

Vision:

Our vision is to be a community of engaged lifelong learners and leaders who can navigate the complexities of social life and use a sociological perspective to drive positive social change.

The KEY Experience

At IU Kokomo, we believe in giving you the opportunity to take your learning outside of the classroom and into the real world. The KEY (Kokomo Experience and You) initiative offers Cougars the unique chance to gain first-hand, real-world experience and knowledge in the careers and fields they dream of entering.

Through the Department of Sociology, you can travel to the Walt Disney World Resort to observe and learn through a sociological lens; or, head to Chicago and visit sites like the Little Italy Public Library, the Jane Addams Hull House, and the National Public Housing Museum to learn about community development, social justice, and policy reform.

Explore your career paths

When sociology majors apply for jobs, prospective employers are likely to view them as people who care about others and who want to make the world a better place. The skills you’ll bring to the marketplace with a sociology degree help to prepare you for work that creates a more functional society that serves all people equally.

A degree in sociology provides excellent preparation for careers in:

  • Social services
  • Social work
  • Government
  • Education
  • Criminal justice
  • Healthcare
  • Business
  • Law
  • Industry

Ready to get started?

If a degree in sociology seems like the path for you, take the leap and contact the Office of Admissions! You can also create a Degree Map, and see what courses await in the Department of Sociology.