Sociology
If you’re passionate about social change, concerned about inequality, and looking for solutions, you’ll find your perfect fit as a sociology student at Rollins.
In an intimate department with a specialized focus on social justice, you’ll enhance your awareness and understanding of 21st-century social problems and gain insight about how social change happens through on-the-ground experiences. You’ll also grasp the relationship between personal experiences and larger social forces and see the connections between biography, history, and social structure.
As a sociology major, you’ll develop in-demand skills and experience that will prepare you to thrive in a range of fields, from law and medicine to business and the nonprofit sector.
Why Study Sociology at Rollins
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Make the World More Fair
Our program focuses on social inequalities, especially related to race, class, and gender. Your cohesive experience will focus on understanding the creation and reproduction of these inequalities and the potential for social change.
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Build In-Demand Skills
Through discussion-based classes and immersive field experiences, you’ll forge real-world skills—like how to understand and conduct research and present data—that will prepare you to succeed in myriad professional sectors.
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Personalized Attention
Our faculty is comprised entirely of full-time experts committed to collaborating on research, career development, and community engagement initiatives to enrich your experience.
Interested in Studying Sociology at Rollins?
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“Studying sociology at Rollins fundamentally altered my worldview. I am in a better position to understand the larger social and economic drivers of environmental harm and how those forces influence individual behavior. I also learned important critical-thinking and analysis skills, which were immensely valuable in law school and continue to benefit my legal practice every day.”
Rollins Sociology Careers
Rollins sociology grads are making tomorrow happen at some of the world’s most innovative organizations. Learn more about careers for sociology majors.
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Lisa Begley ’05
Project Manager, BetterHealth A Planned Parenthood Partnership
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Devon Collins ’05
Senior Vice President, Clinical Information Systems, Cohen Veterans Network
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Kiristin Kendrick ’15
Retention Manager, Pearson
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Amanda Crawford Stutman ’09
Staff Attorney, Way Finders
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Kathryn Powell Rachid ’11
Global Concerns Officer, UWC South East Asia
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Annabelle Kempster ’12
Senior Manager of Data Analytics, National Association of Corporate Directors
Real World Experience
Apply By February 1
No app fee. No formal essay or test scores required. Automatic consideration for scholarships that range from $15,000 to $32,000. It’s never been easier or more rewarding to apply to Rollins. Don't wait: apply by February 1.
Start Your ApplicationPopular Courses
Our rigorous curriculum is designed to promote sociological literacy and engaged citizenship, enhance understanding of 21st-century social problems, and cultivate in-demand analytical and problem-solving skills.
SOC 112 Sociology of the Family
Examine how political, economic, and social changes affect marriage and family, and explore divorce, abortion, homosexuality, and changing sex roles in light of larger social changes.
SOC 111 Social Problems
Investigate the 21st century’s stiffest social challenges—from poverty and sexism to racism and crime—as they evolve and transform society as a whole.
SOC 108 Self and Society
Delve into theories and research on socialization, identity formation, and the presentation and actualization of self, and explore the question of identity in contemporary American society.
SOC 345 Sociology of Gender
Examine gender in American society with an emphasis on the construction of femininity and masculinity in the context of major social institutions like schools and family.
SOC 330 Social Movements
Analyze important social movements of the past century, including civil rights, feminism, and gay liberation, to glean insight on how to effect change now.
SOC 355 Race and Ethnic Relations
Explore colonization and immigration, assimilation and pluralism, prejudice and discrimination, and inequality and conflict past and present.
Beyond the Classroom
Real World Research From traveling to Selma, Alabama, to study the historical sites of the Civil Rights Movement to volunteering in child-care facilities to evaluate the social contradictions of paid care work, sociology students conduct real-word research alongside our expert faculty.
Meaningful Opportunities Our professors’ connections to social justice organizations throughout the region allow students to gain professional experience and effect positive change at the same time.
Student Activism Sociology students at Rollins are campus leaders. Our department hosts annual speaker’s forums and special film screenings to raise awareness about inequality issues, and students take on leadership roles in many progressive student organizations.
Dive Into Sociology at Rollins
The sociology program at Rollins consists of a rigorous curriculum designed to promote sociological literacy; to enhance your awareness and understanding of twenty-first century social problems, including the enduring presence of class, race and gender inequalities; and to cultivate the theoretical and methodological skills you will need to investigate the connections between biography, history, and social structure.
What You Will LearnKeep Exploring
Take a deeper dive into sociology at Rollins by meeting your future professors, seeing our grads in action, and sitting in on a class.
July 29, 2024
Leading Change
For the past 10 years, the College’s Bonner Leaders Program has provided service-learning opportunities to students passionate about social issues and nonprofit work, creating positive change in the Rollins community and beyond.
March 01, 2024
Rollins Celebrates Women’s History Month
During the celebration of Women’s History Month, Rollins is honoring the lives and impact of trailblazing women whose contributions and legacy have shaped the fabric of society in the Rollins community and beyond.
June 01, 2023
Nichter Publishes Article on Civil Rights Movement
Sociology professor Matt Nichter recently published an article in Critical Historical Studies, a journal produced by the University of Chicago Press.
Expert Faculty
Sociology majors are afforded considerable opportunity to interact personally with our expert faculty both inside and outside the classroom.
Department of Sociology
Telephone:407.646.2670
Fax:407.646.2325
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Joanna Eisele, PhD
Visiting Assistant Professor of Sociology, Faculty Director of SWAG
Research interests: Inequalities in education and gender, feminist theory, sexualities, race, socio-biology
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Stephanie Gonzalez Guittar, PhD
Associate Professor of Sociology
Research interests: Housing and food insecurity, intersectionality, reproduction, and the scholarship of teaching and learning
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Ja'Nya Jenoch, PhD
Visiting Assistant Professor of Sociology
Research interests: Work-family policy, Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), Social determinants of health, AI/ML in Healthcare
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Amy McClure, PhD
Associate Professor of Sociology
Research interests: Secularism and parenting; intersectionality of gender; sexualities, race, and class; qualitative methodologies; and the scholarship of teaching and learning
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Matthew Nichter, PhD
Associate Professor and Sociology Department Chair
Research interests: Social movements, especially the African-American civil rights movement and its relationship to labor unions and the socialist movement
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David Ponton III, PhD
Associate Professor of Sociology, Faculty Director of African and African American Studies
Research Interests: Twentieth-century American history, Black Studies, racial and socioeconomic segregation, race, gender, and genre, criminalization and incarceration, the archival turn
