Student Work
Andrew Harmon decided to major in sociology the first quarter of his freshman year. He took Associate Professor Michael Dreiling’s introduction to sociology class, and “it turned my world upside down.” For his honors research project, Harmon delved into how the Internet has changed the environmental movement, which he presented at the American Sociological Association’s conference in Montreal last year. Harmon says that “sociology has affected every aspect of my life,” from becoming an environmentalist to understanding other cultures.
Senior Rebekah Young felt that sociology was an area where she could push herself and decided on becoming a sociologist before coming to the UO. She felt the UO program was a great fit for her, and she recently co-authored an article with Assistant Professor Michael Aguilera on her research on child-bearing considerations. “It was really exciting to find a professor who wanted to publish with an undergraduate,” Young says.
Kane Kim, a senior majoring in both sociology and biology, transferred to the UO because of the open-minded mentality he found in Eugene. Also an honors student, his research involves an ethnographic study of U.S. veterans who have recently resumed their undergraduate studies after serving in Iraq. Kim recently helped usher the Veterans and Family Student Association (VFSA) into becoming a recognized student group on campus. “Take part in anything and everything,” Kim says. “Too many people put themselves in a box before they know who they are.”
Selected Faculty Work
Associate Professor Michael Dreiling’s research interests include collective action and social movements, environmental sociology, political sociology, social network analysis, and sociology of work. He teaches courses about American society, work and labor, community and the environment, and social movements.
Professor John Foster teaches environmental sociology, social theory, Marxism, and political economy. His research interests include ecological crisis, economic crisis, imperialism, and social theory.
Professor Marion Goldman researches
gender and new religious movements and cults. She teaches classes on the sociology of religion,
social movements, and historical
method in sociology.
Associate Professor Mia Tuan teaches about racial and ethnic identity formation, intergroup
relations, transracial adoption,
immigrant adaptation, and in-depth interviewing.
Career Prospects
This broad and practical body of knowledge provides a stable foundation in any number of careers. Your research and interviewing techniques will serve you well in areas from journalism to human services to education. A background in sociology might lead to a career in social work, law, or work with government agencies. It can also be useful in medical and health-care careers and can be a strong base for further education in business or medical school, as well as future graduate work in sociology to become a professor, researcher, or applied sociologist.
The undergraduate degree provides a breadth of knowledge that helps students excel in entry-level positions throughout business, social service, and government arenas. Employers often seek people with the skill set that an undergraduate education in sociology provides.