Here at Providence College, studying within the sociology curriculum offers students an opportunity to obtain...

• ...A new way to look at the world
  Studying sociology provides students with a unique perspective or “imagination,” valuable in its own right and through which they can examine social reality.  The sociological perspective can be applied to a range of social phenomena (like the workings of a business or office) and the interaction between people (such as a boss and his/her employee or a counselor and his/her client).  It can also help us to understand why certain social problems exist and the variables we should target in order to bring about desired changes.
• ...Relevant explanations and information
  Studying sociology provides students with knowledge of substantive issues and theories pertinent to understanding and explaining social phenomena.  Unlike many other disciplines, sociology emphasizes analysis of the operations of social institutions and cultural processes as they affect individuals and groups.
• ...Useful skills
  Studying sociology provides students with the techniques necessary to conduct research, analyze the results of such research, and develop useful applications to real-world situations.  At any given point in time, many of the sociology faculty are engaged in doing research.  Therefore, students have the opportunities to gain first-hand experience in various phases of the research process.