Our lab? The world.
Sociology helps you look beneath the surface: at the forces shaping migration, opportunity, identity, and political participation. At Macalester, you’ll learn to spot patterns others miss and think creatively about building a more just world.
Big Questions and Evidence-Based Answers
Sociology uses diverse forms of evidence to understand the larger stories of the world. You’ll learn to use quantitative, qualitative, and comparative research methods to explore questions such as: Why do some neighborhoods thrive while others struggle? How does social class shape opportunity? Who has power—and how does it work?
Research that Matters
Research here goes beyond the classroom. Students have surveyed peers about political participation, analyzed transit systems for the Metropolitan Council, and partnered with organizations across the Twin Cities. You might design your own project with a faculty mentor—even spending a summer conducting paid research through the Mahnaz Kousha Student Research Fund.
Study Away, and Take Sociology with You
Study away fits into the sociology major. Some students turn their experience into capstone research. Others go to explore and return with new perspectives, new goals, or even a job lead.
A Welcoming Community
Community starts at a large wooden table in the department. On Pickle Fridays, students and faculty gather for snacks and conversation. Most days, you’ll find classmates studying, catching up, or talking sociology.
We show up for each other—at senior research presentations, at our annual holiday party, and in the everyday moments between classes. You’ll do independent, challenging work here, but you’ll never do it alone.
You need a lot of persistence [in this sector], but one of the things I learned at Mac is I was meant to do this work, and this is the way I can make the world better.Cristobal Ramón ’06 Senior advisor on immigration for UnidosUS, sociology major
Sociology in the cities
Explore policy issues at the state legislature 5 miles from campus
70+
Regional and national awards for research developed in our sociology courses
Courses often partner with local organizations, such as the International Institute of Minnesota and COPAL
A major that keeps doors open
Our graduates become lawyers, doctors, teachers, policy analysts, nonprofit leaders, and researchers. Some pursue PhDs. Others protect civil rights, shape public policy, or work directly with communities to solve urgent problems.
Job markets change (as do individual careers). A sociology degree prepares you to be ready for the future. It gives you tools to analyze systems, understand people, and adapt for developments and disruptions.
Are You a Future Sociology Major at Macalester?
If you’re considering Mac, let us know. We’ll keep you up to date on application deadlines and visit opportunities.
