Department of Sociology

The Department of Sociology supports a diverse community of faculty, staff and students working together to research and address real world social issues and problems. Faculty offer courses in race and ethnicity, social class, gender, popular culture, social psychology, organizations, community, environment, criminology, religion, global sociology, medical sociology, demography, and gerontology, among others. Some courses include hands-on service-learning opportunities in which students connect service and/or research in the community with course material. To further complement our courses in these and other areas of sociology, students have opportunities to work one-on-one with professors engaged in sociological research. For sociology majors seeking to enter applied fields, we have a highly praised internship program that offers practical experience in community nonprofit organizations, government agencies, and businesses.

Sociological training prepares students for graduate school and/or employment in a variety of occupations. Employers increasingly look for job candidates to have the critical thinking, writing, and research skills students will develop in our program. Sociology coursework provides students with the ability to live and work effectively in a diverse and global society by better understanding social diversity, cultural trends, inequalities, organizational behavior, and community and world events. Sociology provides an excellent background for students wishing to enter into the helping professions like social services, ministry, nursing, teaching, and law enforcement, and it provides an outstanding foundation for law, marketing, human resources, journalism, government, business management, and entrepreneurialism. 

Abel, Richard, Lecturer
Sociology
PHD, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 2020

Campbell, Mary E, Professor
Sociology
PHD, University of Wisconsin, Madison, 2004

De Lima Amaral, Ernesto F, Associate Professor
Sociology
PHD, The University of Texas at Austin, 2007

Dietrich, Katheryn A, Instructional Professor
Sociology
PHD, Texas A&M University, 1994

Duran, Robert, Associate Professor
Sociology
PHD, University of Colorado Boulder, 2006

Feagin, Joe R, University Distinguished Professor
Sociology
PHD, Harvard University, 1966

Fossett, Mark A, Professor
Sociology
PHD, The University of Texas at Austin, 1983

Foster, Holly A, Professor
Sociology
PHD, University of Toronto, 2001

Gatson, Sarah N, Associate Professor
Sociology
PHD, Northwestern University, 1999

Goldsmith, Patrick A, Professor
Sociology
PHD, University of Arizona, 1999

Hakim, Omar, Professor of the Practice
Sociology
MS, The University of Texas at Austin, 2004

Harden, Troy, Professor Of The Practice
Sociology
PHD, De Paul University, 2020

Hernandez, Alexander A, Instructional Associate Professor
Sociology
PHD, Boston College, 2014

Lakkimsetti, Chaitanya, Associate Professor
Sociology
PHD, University of Wisconsin, 2010

Mackin, Robert S, Instructional Professor
Sociology
PHD, University of Wisconsin, Madison, 1998

Mestrovic, Stjepan G, Professor
Sociology
PHD, Syracuse University, 1982

Moore, Wendy A, Associate Professor
Sociology
PHD, University of Minnesota, 2005

Morris, Theresa M, Professor
Sociology
PHD, Texas A&M University, 2000

Over, Defne, Assistant Professor
Sociology
PHD, Cornell University, 2017

Pals, Heili, Associate Professor
Sociology
PHD, Stanford University, 2006

Plankey Videla, Nancy B, Associate Professor
Sociology
PHD, University of Wisconsin, Madison, 1998

Prechel, Harland N, Professor
Sociology
PHD, University of Kansas, 1986

Santana, Emilce, Assistant Professor
Sociology
PHD, Princeton University, 2019

Smith, Kirstie, Lecturer
Sociology
PHD, Texas A&M University, 2021

Suzuki, Kazuko, Associate Professor
Sociology
PHD, Princeton University, 2003

Thornton, Patricia H, Professor
Sociology
PHD, Stanford University, 1993

Waren, Warren P, Instructional Associate Professor
Sociology
PHD, Texas A&M University, 2008

Wolf, Joan, Associate Professor
Sociology
PHD, University of Chicago, 1997

Woods, Timothy S, Instructional Professor
Sociology
PHD, Texas A&M University, 2000