The world of sociology is quite expansive, therefore Hiram sociology majors undertake coursework spanning the topics of health and medicine, families, inequalities (class, race, gender), social problems and movements, ethnicity and religion.
The sociological imagination enables us to grasp history and biography and the relations between the two within society. That is its task and its promise.
-C. Wright Mills
Sociology is a scientific discipline — replete with theories, forms of data, and methods of analysis – that offers a systematic way of knowing the social worlds in which we and others live. Sociology majors at Hiram hone skills in critical thinking, analytic writing, applied analyses, oral communication, and in drawing connections between complex social phenomena and their own lives in context.
Because most sociology professions involve working with people, hands-on and volunteer work (in settings such as nursing homes, hospitals and other community organizations) is built into the curriculum. Students gain experience in the “science” of sociology by partnering with organizations like Summa Health System to collect and analyze data on the effectiveness of health programs. Each year, students also accompany faculty to conferences and symposiums to both present their own projects and network with professionals.
Accelerated Social Work Dual Degree Program
Students who desire careers as licensed social workers can take advantage of Hiram College’s accelerated partnership with Case Western Reserve University. After completing three years at Hiram, students who meet academic and admission requirements gain direct entry into the Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences’ Master of Science in Social Administration (M.S.S.A.) program, ranked ninth in the nation for social work. This two-year program fulfills many of the requirements of social work licensure in all 50 states.
