Doctor of Philosophy

As a required first course for all Ph.D. students, this course is designed to offer skill-building necessary for new researchers, particularly in the areas of data literacy, strategies in writing for publication, and effective reviewing of other scholars' research. It will also introduce students to the topics of the structure of the academy and interdisciplinary research. While engaging the scholarly literature, students will examine various epistemologies, methodologies, and theories. The final paper for this course is typically an interdisciplinary literature review in the students' primary research areas as an early preparation for a dissertation proposal.

Alternative approaches to exploring continuing and recent issues and controversies in Sociological theory. Implications of different theoretical positions for the conduct and interpretation of empirical research. The particular theoretical issues and controversies examined will be determined, in part, by student interests and linked to the development of their dissertation proposals. Prerequisite: SYA 6126 (Contemporary Sociological Theory) or its equivalent.

The overall purpose of this course is to assist advanced Ph.D. students in sociology and other social science disciplines in designing their dissertation research and describing it in a coherent and detailed dissertation proposal. Throughout the semester, besides receiving feedback from the instructor, students are asked to provide constructive comments on each other’s work in progress, and they are urged to solicit additional feedback on their research plans and written work from their advisors and dissertation committee members. We will also think and talk about how to develop and communicate one’s larger scholarly identity and general research agenda through statements and CVs. The course ends with a session on finding and applying for dissertation-related funding opportunities. While you will write and defend only one dissertation proposal, consider that writing research proposals of all kinds, and communicating your scholarly identity and agenda to peers and other colleagues, are critical professional skills for your entire academic career.

The dissertation represents the culmination of the research experience for Sociology doctoral students and will involve the creation of an original book-length study with many interrelated parts. May be repeated for credit.

This course will guide Ph.D. students toward the completion of their dissertation proposal under close supervision of their faculty mentors.

Emphasizes logical and conceptual dimensions of theory and theory construction.

Logic and practice of research; problems of observation and data collection, data processing, and evaluation.

Designed to introduce students to qualitative research methods, such as participant observation and intensive interviewing that require the researcher to get close to the social situation of interest.
Note: For Sociology PhD Students, this course counts as a specialty methods course.  

Examines the theoretical and practical issues in ethnographic research and various styles of ethnography. Provides hands-on training in ethnographic data collection and qualitative data analysis.

Logic and application of parametric and nonparametric statistical analysis for sociological data.

Independent Study

Directed Research

Topics vary depending on student and faculty interests. Topics in recent semesters have included: Social Psychology; Race and Immigration; Religion, Culture & Society; Religion and Social Change; Narrative Identity; Women’s Status & Global Conflict; Sociology of Health and Illness. These elective courses for M.A./Ph.D students are offered at a maximum once every four semesters.

Introduction to the methods by which properties of networks are described, quantified, and analyzed with attention to networks of interest to social scientists (such as, social, knowledge, and semantic networks).

Provides training in the field of urban and community sociology. Focuses on the field’s early theoretical foundations, “classic” research, and contemporary debates. Concentrates on the U.S. although some cross-cultural comparisons will be offered.

Introduces students to the historical development of race, the social construction of racial and ethnic identities, race-class-gender interrelationships, and various issues of immigration. Students will explore numerous theories -- both cultural and structural -- used to explain racial and ethnic inequality today.

Provides a key link for future teaching sociologists, assisting them to make the switch from consumers to educators of the sociological perspective. Places equal emphasis on theoretical and practical issues surrounding teaching Sociology.
Note: This course is mandatory for second-year funded sociology M.A. students and all first year sociology Ph.D. students. Unfunded and part-time M.A. students are not required to take this course, but it will count as an elective.

Application of sociological theory to the social institution of education. Primary attention directed toward the social organization of educational systems.

This course critically evaluates current controversies about the utility of a variety of theoretical perspectives and research methods in understanding the lived experience of disability in 21st century urban society.

An examination of social problems using social constructionism theoretical perspectives. Topics focus on how humans create meaning and how this meaning influences reactions to conditions defined as social problems.

Explores the role of emotions in the everyday lives of individuals, within the micro-social contexts of identities, interactions, and social relationships.

Provides an overview of the various theoretical perspectives used to explain the emergence, growth, strategies and success of social movements in contemporary America and in other countries.