Master of Arts

Sociology

Sociology is the scientific study of human societies and social interaction. Sociologists study how people’s thoughts, feelings, and actions are influenced by broader social structures and processes, such as labor markets, government policies, family relationships, culture, and socialization. These structures and processes are characterized by patterns of social inequality, as illustrated by gender differences in wages, ethnic differences in educational opportunities, and class differences in socialization experiences. In turn, sociologists focus on patterns of inequality and how these patterns shape people’s outlooks, actions, and everyday interactions.