Sociology

Department of Sociology

Are you intrigued by the social interactions around you? Fascinated by the way various groups of humans interact and relate? Perhaps the Department of Sociology at Indiana University Kokomo is the place for you! Sociology is the scientific study of social behavior and human social groups, from individual families to nations. It has a lot to offer, especially in an increasingly diverse and globally connected world. Martin Luther King, Jr., Ronald Reagan, and Michelle Obama all studied sociology!

Learning sociology means learning about your world – from your friends, family, and coworkers, to the globe at large.

As a student majoring in sociology you have an opportunity to obtain the excellent communication, interpersonal relations, and critical thinking skills employers look for and that make for good global citizens. You will learn to analyze both at the small- and big-picture level, to understand how perspectives influence how we view life. We offer a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Science in Sociology and a minor in sociology. To get involved with your fellow sociology peers, you can join our Facebook group and become a part of IU Kokomo’s Sociology Club!

 

Student Chelsee Carroll

Sociology student teaches responsibility through crafting

Glitter, a hot glue gun, beads, and acrylic paint are more than just the components for an awesome day of crafting.

They are also the tools Chelsee Carroll uses to teach the StepUp Principles of being Respectful, Responsible, Reliable, and Ready.

As program resource director for Kokomo Urban Outreach’s StepUP program, the Indiana University Kokomo student plans the craft projects more than 50 girls, ages 10 to 18, create and sell in the StepUp boutique. Money earned goes back to the girls, as well as points that can later be used to purchase items such as winter coats, or even a Thanksgiving meal for their family.

Making a difference
Professor Jamie Oslawski-Lopez

Sociology professors study podcasts as teaching tools

Can a podcast be an effective teaching tool?

Under the right circumstances, yes.

Jamie Oslawski-Lopez, assistant professor of sociology at Indiana University Kokomo, teamed up with Gregory Kordsmeier, dean of the School of Social Sciences and associate professor of sociology at IU Southeast, for a research study about use of podcasts in their classrooms. Their findings, along with best practices for using podcasts as instructional material, will be published in the October 2021 Teaching Sociology, a top-tier research journal focused on the scholarship of teaching and learning in sociology.

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Professor Niki Weller

Sociology professor leads experts in juvenile justice forum

An Indiana University Kokomo faculty member is part of a group studying girls, to help researchers and service providers understand why they are incarcerated and identify interventions to break the cycle.

“Our goal is to gain an academic and practical understanding of the issues these girls face, so solutions can be implemented in practice,” said Niki Weller, associate professor of sociology, who facilitates the series with Theresa Ochoa, associate professor in the IU School of Education, Bloomington.

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Ready to begin your journey?