Program Overview

Sociology

Program Type: Major, Minor
  • Bachelor of Arts (BA)
Department: Sociology

As one of the oldest disciplines at Oberlin, the major in sociology has retained its focus on the systematic study of social phenomena—social unrest; economic and political behavior; culture; inequality; social organization; identity; and related phenomena—by examining the social origins of the self, groups, and institutions.

Chair

Rick Baldoz Associate Professor of Sociology and Comparative American Studies

Contact

Administrative Assistant 440-775-8380

Why Study Sociology at Oberlin?

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Variety of Courses
7
Associated Faculty
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Study Away Programs

Winter Term

Oberlin’s four-week winter term in January encourages students to discover the value of self-directed education. You may pursue individual or group projects that are directly linked to your field of study or explore opportunities unrelated to your major. Complete your project on or off campus.

Student Clubs and Organizations

Student Senate, Chess Club, Solarity, the Oberlin Review—these are among the more than 175 student groups and clubs available to you. From politics to faith and identity, and from special interest to sports, Oberlin has an array of clubs eager for new members, new ideas, and new leadership.

Sample Courses

  • SOCI 112 - Introduction to Sociology: You’re Not the Boss of You 4 credits
  • SOCI 203 - Sociology of Sexuality 4 credits
  • SOCI 378 - Sociology of African-American Community 4 credits
  • SOCI 420 - Social Inequalities: Class, Race, and Gender 4 credits
Curriculum and requirements

Sociology Faculty

Sociology department faculty foster critical thinking and social theory among Oberlin’s diverse and engaged students. Our faculty provide students with the tools to address the challenges of global citizenship and inequality in the 21st-century.

Explore Faculty within Sociology

“I am interested in the construction and enforcement of racial, national, and territorial boundaries. My research is situated at the nexus of immigration studies and political sociology with a strong interdisciplinary focus.”

Rick Baldoz, Associate Professor of Sociology and Comparative American Studies
See Profile

Sociology Faculty

Sociology News

Charis Stanek standing at commencement, holding her graduation cap

From Peer Listener to Case Worker

July 18, 2018
A double major in sociology and psychology at Oberlin, Stanek transformed her personal interests into the beginning of a career.
View all Sociology news

Life After Oberlin

Graduates of the Department of Sociology are prepared to pursue advanced study in sociology for careers in teaching or research; apply sociology to such professions as law, public policy, social service agency work, and urban planning; or contribute to such academic majors as psychology, anthropology, history, or political science.

Notable Oberlin Alumni

Xavier Tirado

2017 Woodrow Wilson Academy Design Fellow, Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Cheska Tolentino

2010 State Legislative Affairs Liaison, Office of Mayor New York City

Nancy Nguyen

2008 Executive Assistant, Citi Foundation and Corporate Citizenship