Department of Sociology

Through the exploration of social and individual dynamics, we prepare our students to enrich social scientific understandings of the complex problems societies face today.

Undergraduate

Graduate

Our Commitment to Equity & Diversity

Professor Savelsberg giving public lecture

Sociology Workshops & Speaker Series

A forum for faculty and students to present work and work in progress on a range of substantive areas, perspectives, and research methodologies.

See our upcoming events

Recent News

Washington Avenue Bridge shot with data lines, points, and bars overlaid.

Data in the Liberal Arts—and Beyond

As co-chair of the University’s Data Science Initiative (DSI), Galin Jones’ goal is to deepen our knowledge—how we understand the world and improve our society.

Woman with black hair, gray shirt, and glasses sitting down and using tool to shred corn in tan bucket.

Using Ethnography to Investigate Gender Inequality in Thailand

Fink Summer Research Fellowship recipient Mao Lee, a sociology PhD student, spent six weeks in Thailand conducting ethnographic fieldwork.

Carolyn Liebler and Nicole MartinRogers pose against a bright blue backdrop

Reclaiming Identity

“Blood quantum was a tool of genocide that was imposed on us. And now, we are trying to find a way to get out from under that trauma.”

Learning Abroad in an Immigration Destination

Recent graduates Madlyn Ott and Jasmine Rouzegar had the chance to travel to Sicily to study human rights and immigration. It became an amazing experience to research an issue…

Justice Department Report Revives Police Reform Discussion in Minneapolis

Dr. Michelle Phelps has been researching attempts to reform and dismantle the Minneapolis Police Department. She provides commentary on the Department of Justice's report on…

Upcoming Events

Online

September 25, 2023

UMN Sociology Workshop: Stephen Wulff (Zoom Only)

UMN Sociology Workshop: Stephen Wulff

Online

October 16, 2023

UMN Sociology Workshop: Isabel Arriagada (Zoom Only)

UMN Sociology Workshop: Isabel Arriagada

Hybrid

November 20, 2023

UMN Sociology Workshop: Dr. Michelle Eilers