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
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.
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.
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.
Lisa Begley ’05
Project Manager, BetterHealth A Planned Parenthood Partnership
Devon Collins ’05
Senior Vice President, Clinical Information Systems, Cohen Veterans Network
Kiristin Kendrick ’15
Retention Manager, Pearson
Amanda Crawford Stutman ’09
Staff Attorney, Way Finders
Kathryn Powell Rachid ’11
Global Concerns Officer, UWC South East Asia
Annabelle Kempster ’12
Senior Manager of Data Analytics, National Association of Corporate Directors
Real World Experience
See for Yourself
Get a feel for Rollins’ unique brand of engaged learning and personalized attention through one of our virtual or in-person visit experiences.
Popular 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.
Keep 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 28, 2023
Savala Earns Second Book Award from Latin American Studies Association
History professor Joshua Savala earns a second accolade from the Latin American Studies Association for his book on Peruvian-Chilean social history.
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.
May 25, 2023
4 Rollins Students Earn Fulbright Scholarships
Four Tars have received the distinguished Fulbright Scholarship, including two teaching assignments and two awards to pursue graduate school and research opportunities.
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
Amy Armenia, PhD
Professor of Sociology
Research interests: Intersection of family and work, and the challenges and contradictions faced by those who do paid care work
Stephanie Gonzalez Guittar, PhD
Assistant Professor of Sociology
Research interests: Housing and food insecurity, intersectionality, reproduction, and the scholarship of teaching and learning
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
Matthew Nichter, PhD
Associate Professor of Sociology
Research interests: Social movements, especially the African-American civil rights movement and its relationship to labor unions and the socialist movement