Title

Sociology Department

Subtitle

Building Stronger Communities

Intro text

Sociology is the study of how our behavior is impacted by the individuals, groups, and social environment around us. Sociology examines how social inequality impacts people’s life trajectories. Learn how people with different backgrounds — ability, age, class, gender, race and ethnicity, religion, sexuality, and more — have different experiences and overcome different obstacle. In short, sociology empowers you by fostering a deeper understanding of how society works, and the skills needed to interact with diverse people in our globalizing world.

Intro Text

Majors and Minors in Sociology

Pursuing a degree in sociology at UWEC means having a flexible education that sets you up for success in any career that involves working with people. A major or minor in sociology will enhance your analytical skills for work either in the non-profit or private sectors. Our major has only five required courses allowing you the freedom to pick from a slate of electives to match your interests. The minor offers even more choices with only one required course. Personalize your studies further through research, independent study, internships, and more.

Meet the Faculty

Margaret Cassidy headshot
Sociology Department
Associate Dean Academic Affairs & Curriculum, College of Arts and Sciences
Professor
Hallmarks
Caitlin D. sociology research presenter at CERCA 2024
Student-Faculty Collaborative Research

At UW-Eau Claire, every Sociology major participates in student-faculty collaborative research. Beyond the optional one-on-one faculty-mentored research experiences, every student carries out an original survey research project from beginning to end via the Eau Claire Longitudinal Student Survey (ECLSS).

Kati Barahona-Lopez of sociology and student research mentee
Advising and Mentoring

Blugolds in the Sociology program have incredible support from the department. Our faculty — including our Department Chair — regularly meet with interested Blugolds one-on-one. We also have several student assistants majoring in Sociology who offer weekly office hours to discuss the major from a student perspective.

When you declare your major, our faculty advisors will share important information about advising, registration, course offerings, service-learning opportunities, jobs, internships, and student engagement events.

Facts List

Just
the
facts

100% Conduct Research
All sociology majors conduct original research twice during their undergraduate career; many others participate in more than two research projects.
Explore A New Campus
Participate in the National Student Exchange Program and choose from 180 schools, including universities in Canada, Guam, and the Virgin Islands.
Student Opportunities
Student Opportunities
Events List

Most sociology majors and minors have a strong interest in studying specific areas of our social world such as families and children, gender, social inequality, social media, health, education, environmental concerns, deviance, and many others. Students will gain a solid foundation within sociology and through their many learning opportunities ranging from courses to internships will apply their sociological perspective to their specific areas of interest. As Sociology examines many different areas of social and human phenomena, Sociology pairs well with many majors, minors, and certificates.

Sociology Courses Contribute to These Programs at UWEC:

  • Family Studies
  • Criminal Justice
  • Race, Ethnicity, Gender, and Sexuality Studies
  • Social Work
  • Gerontology
  • Child Welfare
  • Latin American and Latinx Studies
  • Middle Eastern Studies
  • Public Health and Environmental Studies
  • Transnational Asian Studies

Mission

Our students learn to analyze social interactions and institutions; and to engage with questions of social justice within and beyond the Eau Claire community. Their training in sociological theory and research methods enables them to assess social problems; and to formulate equitable and inclusive policies in communities marked by systems of privilege and power.

Vision

We are a community of scholars who embrace the University mission through high quality teaching, scholarship, and service activities. We support the Wisconsin idea through applying our sociological knowledge to the citizens of Wisconsin. Our scholarship analyzes local, state, national, and global social change. 

Sociology Department

Hibbard Humanities Hall 629
124 Garfield Avenue
Eau Claire, WI 54701
United States

Sociology Hours
MondayCLOSED
Tuesday8:00 am – 4:00 pm
Wednesday8:00 am – 4:00 pm
ThursdayCLOSED
Friday8:00 am – 12:00 pm
SaturdayCLOSED
SundayCLOSED
What's Next

What's Next?

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