Sociology is the study of group life. Sociologists apply both quantitative and qualitative social science methods to understand how broader social forces influence our thoughts, beliefs and behavior. As a social science, sociology combines scientific and humanistic perspectives in the study of social issues--everything from urban and rural life to family patterns and relationships, social change, social policy, intergroup relations, social class, environment, technology and communications, health care and illness, social movements, community responses to disasters, and more.

Sociology is a valuable liberal arts major for students planning careers in a wide variety of fields including social research, criminology, demography and immigration, social psychology, public administration, gerontology, education, rehabilitation, social work, and market research. It provides a useful background for those planning to enter human resources, criminal justice, sports, law, business, medicine, community planning, architecture, and politics. In many professional schools, sociology courses are an integral part of the required curriculum.