Sociology

As a Sociology major, you'll belong to a vibrant community of scholars studying the structure of groups, organizations, and societies and the impact of various dynamics on groups and individuals

a sociology class and instructor sit in the grove house outdoor classroom

About This Program

  • As a Sociology major, you’ll be immersed in hands-on learning opportunities like fieldwork, internships, and service learning. Complete original research during your senior year as part of your capstone course. 
  • You’ll delve into the dynamics of race, ethnicity, age, class, gender, and sexuality, exploring their intersections with history and  institutional power. 
  • Our Sociology faculty are dedicated teachers committed to undergraduate education and come from a wide-range of backgrounds and interests.  

At a Glance

Degree Awarded

  • Bachelor of Arts

Field Group

Sociology

Program Type

Area of Study

Sociology and Our Values

Pitzer’s core values are woven throughout all of our academic programs. Learn how our Sociology program addresses Social Responsibility and Interdisciplinary Learning.

Social Responsibility

“As someone who is positioned in society the way that I am, it needs to be known that everything I’m able to produce and touch – that is decolonial work.”

Alé Rodriguez '24

Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellow

Sociology major

28k Service Hours

Donated annually by students, staff, and faculty.

40+ Community Engagement Hours

All Pitzer students take part in a service-learning component required for graduation.

Explore CASA Pitzer, an affiliate program
professor alicia bonaparte teaches a sociology class

Professor Alicia Bonaparte: Teaching Daring Students to be Thoughtful Citizens

Interdisciplinary Learning

“No subject is completely isolated from others, and looking at subjects through the lens of another not only makes my studies more interesting, but can offer better insight and creativity.”

Soren Laskin '25

they/them

Organizational Studies and Sociology major

27 Field Groups

Our faculty from various disciplines influence each other’s work and often co-teach classes together.

Get Involved

quentin jenkins portrait wearing a sagehens sweater

Several Mellon Mays Award recipients have been sociology majors. View past Mellon Mays award winners. 

Awards

Quentin Jenkins Jr. ’23, a Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellow and Sociology major, conducted research during his fellowship that examined the ways disciplinary policies and punitive practices in the education system disproportionately impact Black and Brown students. 

 

portrait of jesus ceja in front of the pitzer green wall

Internships

Psychology major and sociology minor Jesus Ceja ’24 served as a coordinator for the Weekly Writing Workshop, an organization that helps elementary and middle school students develop and grow their creativity and confidence in writing. 

Read the Story

Sociology Program Details

View Course Catalog

What You Will Learn

  1. Identify and articulate the interplay of macro and micro level structural forces and the influence of culture in shaping behavior.
  2. Understand the power dynamics in the social construction of society and its intersectionality with race, class, gender, sexuality, and nationality.
  3. Recognize and communicate effectively about institutional challenges to and opportunities for freedom and democracy.
  4. Understand the stratified nature of globalization and the importance of intercultural differences within and between local and global communities.
  5. Identify, describe, and apply core sociological theories/perspectives to sociological phenomena.
  6. Understand and describe the connection between sociological theory and methods in a cogent manner.
  7. Understand and distinguish quantitative and qualitative research methods and identify their strengths and weaknesses.
  8. Incorporate ethical considerations into research and other scholarly practices.

Learn More

Visit the Sociology Field Group page for more information and resources. 

Sociology Field Group

Sociology Faculty

faculty portrait of Denise Ambriz

Denise Ambriz

  • Assistant Professor of Sociology
  • Sociology Field Group
portrait of alicia Bonaparte

Alicia Bonaparte

  • Professor of Sociology
  • Sociology Field Group
Azamat Junisbai

Azamat Junisbai

  • Professor of Sociology
  • Sociology Field Group
Professor Jessica Kizer

Jessica Kizer

  • Associate Professor of Sociology
  • Sociology Field Group
portrait of erich Steinman

Erich Steinman

  • Professor of Sociology
  • Sociology Field Group
portrait of Phil Zuckerman

Phil Zuckerman

  • Professor of Secular Studies and Sociology
  • Associate Dean of Faculty
  • Secular Studies and Sociology Field Groups

Contact Us

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