At Augustana, you will find a friendly atmosphere and rapport between students and faculty. In our own department, we are proud of the personal attention we give our students. Because we are small (three faculty and approximately 40 majors), students can visit with their professors as often as needed. You certainly will never have any reason to feel like "just a number" here.
The study of sociology is an excellent preparation for life in general. You will gain an understanding of contemporary society, its major social institutions (including how they fit together and how they influence individuals), and the dynamics of human relationships. This knowledge and perspective is particularly useful in understanding and solving various social problems. You will also develop important skills in critical thinking, analytical reasoning, and social science. In sum, courses are designed to help you learn a body of knowledge and develop these skills. As part of the curriculum, you will be afforded opportunities to put skills and knowledge to practical use, whether it be through internship experiences, independent study with a faculty member, or through creation of a research project of your own.
As our majors prepare for life-long learning and career preparation, many complement their study of sociology with a related second major such as Government, Business Administration, Psychology, or Education. Others develop an emphasis in Gender Studies or Gerontology--two interdisciplinary minors in which our faculty are invested. Graduates have pursued a wide variety of careers in fields such as business, law, health care management, ministry, social services, government, urban planning, criminal justice, independent research, and education.
It's been said that, ideally, the college you go to is the college you'd like to come from. A sense of "fit" is particularly meaningful. In that sense, an on-campus visit is very important. We would be delighted to have you visit the campus, learn firsthand about the college and department, and even sit in on a class, if you'd like.
Choosing a college is an important decision. Gather all the information you can! We are very willing to help you gather information about this place because we are sincerely proud of Augustana's mission and of the learning experiences available to students, both within and outside of the classroom. Whatever your current interests or career goals, we look forward to helping you refine and accomplish them.
Link to Sociology Home Page| What is Sociology?| To Prospective Students| Sociology as a Major| Career Preparation with Sociology| Sociology Course Descriptions| Links of Interest| Schedule of Courses| Sociology Faculty| Gender Studies Minor at Augie| Gerontology Minor at Augie| Native American Studies at Augie| Sociology Graduates| Augustana Home Page
Last updated: April 10, 2008