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Sociology

Welcome from the Chair

Dr. Christopher Sullivan 

Welcome to the Department of Sociology at Fresno State!

What is Sociology? Good question! There are different ways to answer, but I like to think of Sociology as the study of social life and social change. Sociologists focus on analyzing social problems and the social causes and consequences of human behavior. Sociologists ask questions like:

  • Why are so many college students struggling with anxiety and depression?
  • Why do many college graduates delay marriage and children until their 30s?
  • Why do working mothers receive less compensation than women without children in the workplace?

The Department of Sociology at Fresno State offers training in understanding, analyzing, and theorizing social problems, inequalities and injustices. Our faculty offer expertise in many different areas of sociology – from sociological theory and research methods to the study of housing inequalities, food and environmental injustices, terrorism and genocide, culture and the body, race, class, gender and sexualities, family systems, health and illness and global inequities.

Our Department has a strong connection to California’s Central Valley. We are a campus leader in service-learning programs, and have a deep commitment to outstanding teaching, advising and mentoring of our students. Our faculty are passionate about teaching, research and service to our students, the campus community, and the Central Valley.

Please join us in the Department of Sociology. Feel free to learn more about our faculty members, the courses we offer, and what you can do after graduation with a Sociology degree.

"Sociologists on Sociology" by the American Sociological Association (ASA)