University Catalog 2024-2025

EXPLORE PROGRAMSAPPLY

Sociology

For students who wish to become critical analysts of social problems, NC State’s graduate program in sociology offers excellent training for academic, research and applied careers.

The 72-credit hour doctoral program is an intellectually stimulating and academically rigorous, yet supportive, environment.

Doctoral students have the opportunity to:

  • Pursue a wide range of research topics and interests.
  • Receive top-notch methodological training.
  • Gain valuable teaching skills and experience.
  • Collaborate on scholarly and applied research with our outstanding faculty and fellow graduate students.

Admitted Ph.D. students also benefit from a competitive award package that includes a 9-month stipend, health insurance, tuition remission, office space, and a travel funding allotment. Program alumni go on to succeed in academic and applied careers.

More Information

Sociology Program Website

Application Requirements

A completed application includes transcripts, three letters of recommendation, a personal statement, and a writing sample. The Admissions Committee is unable to consider incomplete applications. GRE scores are not required but you may submit them if you would like.

  • Transcripts: You will need to upload unofficial transcripts of all your academic course work since high school, including each higher education institution you have attended. You only need to send official transcripts to the Graduate School if you are admitted.
  • Letters of Recommendation: We require three letters of recommendation. The online process includes a form for your references to use. This form only has a small space for comments. Please ask your references to add a letter in which they provide more detail. Specifics about their experience with you are particularly informative. If you are not currently in school, please take care in selecting people to write these letters, as we need to know how you are likely to perform in an academic setting.
  • Personal Statement: This is usually a relatively brief statement of about two pages. We are especially interested to know how graduate training in sociology fits into your professional and intellectual goals and plans. Please indicate in your statement which of our program specializations you are most interested in and why. If you have a preference for working with specific professors, that would be helpful to include as well. 
  • Writing Sample: We pay very careful attention to the example of your writing that you submit. We look for organization, use of evidence, logic of argument, and quality of analysis. Typical submissions include course papers and senior thesis chapters. We strongly prefer writing samples of approximately 15-25 pages in length. If you would like us to read part of a large work, you could attach an explanation of how the part relates to the whole. 
  • Graduate Record Examination (GRE): The GRE is optional for admission. Students do not have to submit GRE scores, and your application will not be penalized if you do not submit GRE scores. If you would like to submit GRE scores, the university’s code is 5496.

Applicant Information

  • Delivery Method: On-Campus
  • Entrance Exam: GRE (Optional)
  • Interview Required: None

Application Deadlines

  • Fall: January 1

Degrees

Faculty

Full Professors

  • Sarah K. Bowen
  • Martha L. Crowley
  • Stacy DeCoster
  • Andrea Leverentz
  • Anna Manzoni
  • Steven J. McDonald
  • Thomas Eugene Shriver
  • Melvin E. Thomas

Associate Professors

  • Michaela Anne DeSoucey
  • Kimberly Lynn Ebert
  • April Dawn Fernandes

Assistant Professors

  • Andrew Paul Davis
  • Laura DeMarco
  • Marbella Hill
  • Jessica Pfaffendorf
  • Lesley Schneider
  • Mia Brantley Wright

Practice/Research/Teaching Professors

  • Megan Glancy
  • Deann Judge
  • Virginia Riel
  • Margaret Stiffler
  • Jim Yocom

Emeritus Faculty

  • Virginia M Aldige
  • Maxine Atikinson
  • Ronald F. Czaja
  • William B. Clifford II
  • L. Richard Dellafave
  • Ted Greenstein
  • Stephen C. Lilley
  • Patricia Lou McCall
  • Robert Lonnie Moxley
  • Toby Parcel
  • Michael Schwalbe
  • William R. Smith
  • Maxine S. Thompson
  • Randy J. Thomson
  • Charles Ray Tittle
  • Eric M. Woodrum
  • Margaret A Zahn
  • James J. Zuiches

Courses

SOC 508  Social Organization  (3 credit hours)  

Introduction to study of social structure. Focus on inequality, work, organizations, the economy, the state. Classic writings and their impacts.

Prerequisite: SOC 400 or SOC 701

SOC 509  Population Problems  (3 credit hours)  

Examination of population growth, rates of change and distribution. Emphasis on functional roles of population, i.e., age, sex, race, residence, occupation, marital status and education. Stress on population dynamics fertility, mortality and migration. Analysis on population policy in relation to national and international goals stressing a world view.

Prerequisite: SOC 202

SOC 514  Developing Societies  (3 credit hours)  

Definition of major problems posed for development sociology and exploration of social barriers and theoretical solutions for development set forth with regard to newly developing countries. Review of significant past strategies and presentation of main themes in current development schemes. Proposal and discussion of untested strategies for the future. Examination of these problems in their national and international contexts.

Prerequisite: Six hrs. SOC or ANT or Graduate standing or PBS status

SOC 533  The Community  (3 credit hours)  

The community viewed in sociological perspective as a functioning entity. Presentation and application of a method of analysis to eight "dimensions," with emphasis on the unique types of understanding to be derived from measuring each dimension. Finally, analysis of effect of change on community integration and development.

Prerequisite: Six hrs. SOC

SOC 591  Special Topics In Sociology  (1-6 credit hours)  

An examination of current problems organized on a lecture-discussion basis. Course content varies as changing conditions require new approaches to emerging problems.

Typically offered in Spring only

SOC 601  Seminar  (1-3 credit hours)  

Appraisal of current literature; presentation of research papers by students; progress reports on departmental research; review of developing research methods and plans; reports from scientific meetings and conferences; other professional matters. Credits Arranged

Typically offered in Fall only

SOC 610  Special Topics In Sociology  (1-6 credit hours)  

An examination of current problems organized on a lecture-discussion basis. Course content varies as changing conditions require new approaches to emerging problems.

Typically offered in Fall, Spring, and Summer

SOC 642  Practicum In Sociology  (1-6 credit hours)  

Opportunity for student under supervision of graduate advisory committee chair and organization/agency supervisor to develop and demonstrate competency in the area of graduate specialization through application of sociological knowledge to practicalproblems facing the organization/agency.

Prerequisite: Graduate standing in the Master of Sociology program and nine hrs. of SOC at the 500-600 level

Typically offered in Fall, Spring, and Summer

SOC 685  Master's Supervised Teaching  (1-3 credit hours)  

Teaching experience under the mentorship of faculty who assist the student in planning for the teaching assignment, observe and provide feedback to the student during the teaching assignment and evaluate the student upon completion of the assignment.

Prerequisite: Master's student

Typically offered in Fall, Spring, and Summer

SOC 690  Master's Examination  (1-9 credit hours)  

For students in non thesis master's programs who have completed all other requirements of the degree except preparing for and taking the final master's exam. Credits Arranged

Prerequisite: Master's student

Typically offered in Fall, Spring, and Summer

SOC 693  Master's Supervised Research  (1-9 credit hours)  

Instruction in research and research under the mentorship of a member of the Graduate Faculty.

Prerequisite: Master's student

Typically offered in Fall and Spring

SOC 695  Master's Thesis Research  (1-9 credit hours)  

Thesis Research

Prerequisite: Master's student

Typically offered in Fall, Spring, and Summer

SOC 696  Summer Thesis Research  (1 credit hours)  

For graduate students whose programs of work specify no formal course work during a summer session and who will be devoting full time to thesis research.

Prerequisite: Master's student

Typically offered in Summer only

SOC 699  Master's Thesis Preparation  (1-9 credit hours)  

For students who have completed all credit hour requirements and full-time enrollment for the master's degree and are writing and defending their thesis. Credits arranged

Prerequisite: Master's student

Typically offered in Fall, Spring, and Summer

SOC 701  Classical Sociological Theory  (3 credit hours)  

The interdependence of theory and research in sociology; major theoretical classics in the discipline and how they provide foundations for subsequent developments and for analysis in substantive areas.

Requisite: Admission to SOC Graduate Program

Typically offered in Fall only

SOC 702  Contemporary Sociological Theory  (3 credit hours)  

Works by major figures representing leading schools of sociological theory in the post-World War II period studied as primary sources. Underlying assumptions made explicit, the structure of the theory, including propositions, examined critically anddiscussion of relationships with other theoretical perspectives.

Prerequisite: SOC 701

SOC 705  Historical Materialism Approaches to Social Theory  (3 credit hours)  

This sociological theory course will cover the development of Marxist social thought from the 19th century to the present. We will explore themes, arguments, and debates during this era, concentrating on theoretical developments and syntheses in the historical materialist traditions, and explore their relevance and application for sociological research. Issues and topics will be broadly organized around theories of class, gender, race, power, ideology, culture, capitalist development, science, social crises, social change, and social justice.

Typically offered in Spring only

SOC 707  Quantitative Sociological Analysis  (3 credit hours)  

Introduction to application of common quantitative methodologies in sociology including multiple regression and path analysis. Emphasis on selecting appropriate analytical techniques, model estimation and sociological interpretation of findings.

Prerequisite: Graduate standing

Typically offered in Spring only

SOC 708  Advanced Sociological Analysis  (3 credit hours)  

Examination of advanced analysis techniques adaptable to needs of sociological research. Special attention given to causal analysis, analysis of change and aggregate versus individual level data analyses. Consideration of sociological examples. Attention to emerging issues and techniques.

Prerequisite: SOC 711, ST 507 or ST 711

Typically offered in Fall only

SOC 710  Teaching Sociology  (3 credit hours)  

The objective of this course is for students to further their skills in teaching sociology. Students will plan an undergraduate course, construct a teaching philosophy, evaluate a variety of teaching techniques, and demonstrate an understanding of teaching as a sociological phenomenon.

Prerequisite: Admission to sociology graduate program

Typically offered in Spring only

This course is offered alternate even years

SOC 711  Research Methods In Sociology I  (3 credit hours)  

Issues in philosophy of science, causation, relationship of theory and research. Qualitative, experimental and survey design methodologies.

Requisite: Admission to SOC Graduate Program

Typically offered in Spring only

SOC 712  Advanced Survey Research Methods  (3 credit hours)  

Advanced survey methodology including research design, sampling, questionnaire development and surveys using the World Wide Web. Designing and executing substantive and methodological studies using surveys to perationalize behavioral and social constructs and to test hypotheses.

Prerequisite: SOC 711 and SOC 707

Typically offered in Spring only

This course is offered alternate odd years

SOC 713  Applied Research  (3 credit hours)  

Studies research process with emphasis upon its application to action problems. Stress upon development of research design to meet action research needs.

Requisite: Admission to SOC Graduate Program

Typically offered in Fall only

SOC 715  Qualitative Sociological Methods and Analysis  (3 credit hours)  

Survey of qualitative sociological research methods. Practice in research design and evaluation, multiple forms of data gathering and data analysis. Theoretical and epistemological issues as related to qualitative sociology, with special attentionto ritical and feminist epistemological debates.

Prerequisite: Graduate standing

Typically offered in Spring only

This course is offered alternate odd years

SOC 721  Deviant Behavior  (3 credit hours)  

Topics include: the inevitability of deviance and its social utility; cross-cultural variations in appearance and behavioral cues for labeling the deviant; descriptive and explanatory approaches to kinds and amounts of deviance in contemporary American society; social change, anomie and social disorganization theories; the process of stigmatization; formal and informal societal responses to deviance and the deviant; social action implications.

Prerequisite: Six hrs. SOC or ANT or Graduate standing or PBS status

SOC 722  Social Control  (3 credit hours)  

Examination of need, functions, utilization and effects of both informal and formal social control mechanisms. Emphasis and critical evaluation of theoretical perspectives on social control and the empirical support for these positions.

Prerequisite: Six hrs. SOC above 200 level or Graduate standing or PBS status

SOC 723  Research On Crime and Deviance  (3 credit hours)  

Major topics including an examination of conceptual problems and research issues and methods in study of crime and deviance; an assessment of current research on crime causation and deviance processes; an examination of research on social control processes and agencies; and an assessment of social action and evaluative research. A variety of substantive topics dealt with in the context of above topical areas including: delinquency, drug usage, mental illness, obesity, stuttering, suicide, prostitution, homicide and rape.

Prerequisite: SOC 721

SOC 725  Gender and Crime  (3 credit hours)  

This seminar will provide an overview of the literatures on gender, crime and violence. The course framework and readings emphasize the social structures of gender, social constructions of gender, symbolic meaning systems, and intersections of race, class and gender. We will examine theoretical approaches and empirical research that informs our understanding of the gendered commission of offending.

Typically offered in Fall and Spring

SOC 727  Comparative Societies  (3 credit hours)  

Sociological analysis of societies around the world with particular reference to North and South America. Special emphasis given to cultural and physical setting, population composition, levels of living, relationship of the people to the land, structure and function of major institutions and forces making for change.

Prerequisite: Six hrs. SOC

SOC 731  Survey of Family Sociology  (3 credit hours)  

Examination of structural and demographic continuities and changes for American families in general and within major subgroups (e.g., race, ethnicity, social class). Consideration of historical and cross-cultural comparisons. Assessment of the impact of families upon their members and the dynamics of marital and family relationships.

Prerequisite: Graduate standing

Typically offered in Fall only

SOC 732  Contemporary Family Theory and Research  (3 credit hours)  

Emphasis on contemporary research, theory and methodological techniques used by sociologists studying families. Critical examination of where field is now and where it appears to be heading. Primarily for graduate students designing or doing research about families.

Prerequisite: SOC 731

SOC 736  Social Stratification  (3 credit hours)  

The theoretical background, methodological approaches and analysis of the consequences of systems of stratification. Emphasis on static and dynamic qualities of stratification systems on relations within and between societies. Attention to the integrative and divisive quality of stratification as expressed in life styles, world views, etc.

Requisite: Admission to SOC Graduate Program

Typically offered in Fall only

SOC 737/WGS 737  Sociology Of Gender  (3 credit hours)  

Theories about the development and maintenance of gender. Historical development of gender stratification. How individuals "do gender" in their daily lives. Contemporary research and substantive readings about gender in public and intimate relationships.

Prerequisite: Graduate student, SOC 736 or 731

Typically offered in Fall only

This course is offered alternate even years

SOC 738  Race and Ethnic Inequality  (3 credit hours)  

Theoretical and methodological approaches and critical debates on race. Impact of racial discrimination on inequality. Effects of inequality on community institutions. Formation of attitudes and identities.

Requisite: Admission to SOC Graduate Program

Typically offered in Spring only

This course is offered alternate odd years

SOC 739/WGS 739  Social Psychology Of Inequality  (3 credit hours)  

The effects of race, class and gender inequality on the formation of group consciousness, self-evaluations, emotions, values, attitudes and beliefs. Attention to interpersonal processes through to reproduction of inequality in everyday life.

Requisite: Admission to SOC Graduate Program

Typically offered in Spring only

SOC 746  Sociological Social Psychology  (3 credit hours)  

Central issues in sociological social psychology, including formation of the self, effects of social structure on individual development, emergence of ritualized interaction and tension between individual agency and societal constraint. Emphasis on symbolic interactionist and dramaturgical perspectives.

Prerequisite: SOC 401t

SOC 752  Work and Industry  (3 credit hours)  

Control of economy and workplace. Special attention to economic restructuring, the labor process and recent workplace innovations. Theories include managerialism, bank hegemony and deskilling. Historical studies complement analyses of contemporary settings and issues.

Prerequisite: SOC 400 or SOC 508 or SOC 701

SOC 753  Inequality in Work and the Economy  (3 credit hours)  

Sociological study of structural inequality in labor markets and workplaces with implications for class, race, gender, and spatial disparities in employment-related outcomes. Special attention is paid to job quality, spatial disparities in employment opportunity, and processes contributing to race and gender disparities in job attainment and rewards.

Prerequisite: SOC 701

Typically offered in Spring only

SOC 754  Economic Sociology  (3 credit hours)  

Embeddedness of economic action by individuals, firms, and states within a social context. Topics include globalization, restructuring, the informal economy, social capital, spatial organization, labor markets and role of the state.

Prerequisite: SOC 701

Typically offered in Spring only

This course is offered alternate even years

SOC 755  Global Institutions and Markets  (3 credit hours)  

This course introduces students to sociological and related perspectives on the dynamics of global production and consumption processes, focusing in particular on how they shape and are shaped by their organizational, political, cultural, and natural environments.

Prerequisite: Graduate standing

Typically offered in Spring only

SOC 761  Contemporary Debates in Food & Environment  (3 credit hours)  

This course will be organized around contemporary debates related to the intersections between food and race, class, and gender inequalities. We will focus largely on recent books on these topics, with attention to both their substantive findings as well as the methods and theory employed.

Prerequisite: Graduate standing

Typically offered in Spring only

SOC 762  Sociology of Food Systems  (3 credit hours)  

This course examines the social relations surrounding the production, distribution, and consumption of food. Sociologists of food display considerable diversity in their theoretical approaches, research methods, and empirical foci. This course will traverse social science research and theorizing to offer an analytic taste on what we eat, how we produce and procure it, who benefits, what we think about it, and how it fits with contemporary social life and institutions.

Prerequisite: Graduate standing

Typically offered in Fall only

SOC 763  Environmental Sociology  (3 credit hours)  

This is a survey course in environmental sociology. We begin with a discussion of the emergence and development of environmental sociology, followed by an overview of theoretical perspectives in the field. We then conduct a survey of topics that have typically been addressed in the area. These topics include: environmental concern and values, environmental health, environmental inequality, environmental movements, technological disasters, and global environmental issues. Throughout the course we survey theoretical concerns as they relate to various topics within the field.

Prerequisite: Graduate standing

Typically offered in Fall only

SOC 791  Special Topics In Sociology  (1-6 credit hours)  

An examination of current problems organized on a lecture-discussion basis. Course content varies as changing conditions require new approaches to emerging problems.

Typically offered in Fall, Spring, and Summer

SOC 810  Special Topics In Sociology  (1-6 credit hours)  

An examination of current problems organized on a lecture-discussion basis. Course content varies as changing conditions require new approaches to emerging problems.

Typically offered in Fall, Spring, and Summer

SOC 885  Doctoral Supervised Teaching  (1-3 credit hours)  

Teaching experience under the mentorship of faculty who assist the student in planning for the teaching assignment, observe and provide feedback to the student during the teaching assignment, and evaluate the student upon completion of the assignment.

Prerequisite: Doctoral student

Typically offered in Fall, Spring, and Summer

SOC 890  Doctoral Preliminary Exam  (1-9 credit hours)  

For students who are preparing for and taking written and/or oral preliminary exams.

Prerequisite: Doctoral student

Typically offered in Fall, Spring, and Summer

SOC 893  Doctoral Supervised Research  (1-9 credit hours)  

Instruction in research and research under the mentorship of a member of the Graduate Faculty.

Prerequisite: Doctoral student

Typically offered in Fall and Spring

SOC 895  Doctoral Dissertation Research  (1-9 credit hours)  

Dissertation Research

Prerequisite: Doctoral student

Typically offered in Fall, Spring, and Summer

SOC 896  Summer Dissertation Research  (1 credit hours)  

For graduate students whose programs of work specify no formal course work during a summer session and who will be devoting full time to thesis research.

Prerequisite: Doctoral student

Typically offered in Summer only

SOC 899  Doctoral Dissertation Preparation  (1-9 credit hours)  

For students who have completed all credit hour requirements, full-time enrollment, preliminary examination, and residency requirements for the doctoral degree, and are writing and defending their dissertations.

Prerequisite: Doctoral student

Typically offered in Fall and Spring