At A Glance

Sociology students probe the links between historical eras and personal biographies between social structures and private lives. This modern mode of thought is useful in diverse walks of life, which benefit from an informed, critical view of society’s master, middle-range, and minor institutions.

Major

  • Sociology

Minor

  • Sociology

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Sociology examines social patterns and change among people, organizations, and systems both small and large to reveal the critical interplay of economic, racial, and gender inequality.

Carthage students learn to analyze the roots of social problems and examine potential remedies — skills valuable in almost any field. Many pair sociology with a second major in psychology, social work, GIS, criminal justice, women’s and gender studies, or a foreign language. Students go on to careers in applied research, consulting, survey research, urban planning, and more.

  • <div class="lw_widget lw_widget_type_blockquote"><blockquote class="blockquote"><div class="blockquote__image"><picture class="lw_image"> <source type="image/webp" srcset="/live/image/gid/116/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,0,1537,1537/472_Nina_Alfano.rev.1638389813.webp 1x, /live/image/scale/2x/gid/116/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,0,1537,1537/472_Nina_Alfano.rev.1638389813.webp 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/116/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,0,1537,1537/472_Nina_Alfano.rev.1638389813.webp 3x"/> <source type="image/jpeg" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/116/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,0,1537,1537/472_Nina_Alfano.rev.1638389813.jpg 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/116/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,0,1537,1537/472_Nina_Alfano.rev.1638389813.jpg 3x"/> <img src="/live/image/gid/116/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,0,1537,1537/472_Nina_Alfano.rev.1638389813.jpg" alt="Nina Alfano ?24" width="183" height="183" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/116/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,0,1537,1537/472_Nina_Alfano.rev.1638389813.jpg 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/116/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,0,1537,1537/472_Nina_Alfano.rev.1638389813.jpg 3x" data-max-w="1537" data-max-h="1537" loading="lazy"/> </picture> </div><div class="blockquote__content"><div class="blockquote__quote"><svg aria-hidden="true" class="icon icon-round-left-quote" width="48" height="33"><use xlink:href="#icon-round-left-quote"/></svg><p> “Sociology is amazing, and I’ve learned so much information that connects to my other courses that have been useful. I’m learning about our world and how everyone can be equal with equity.”</p></div><footer class="blockquote__footer"><span class="blockquote__author"><a href="/live/profiles/511-nina-alfano">Nina Alfano</a> ’24</span></footer></div></blockquote></div>
  • <div class="lw_widget lw_widget_type_blockquote"><blockquote class="blockquote"><div class="blockquote__image"><picture class="lw_image"> <source type="image/webp" srcset="/live/image/gid/116/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,0,530,519/36799_5956_163701665847155.rev.1675261837.webp 1x, /live/image/scale/2x/gid/116/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,0,530,519/36799_5956_163701665847155.rev.1675261837.webp 2x"/> <source type="image/jpeg" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/116/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,0,530,519/36799_5956_163701665847155.rev.1675261837.jpg 2x"/> <img src="/live/image/gid/116/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,0,530,519/36799_5956_163701665847155.rev.1675261837.jpg" alt="Kasia Kurz" width="183" height="183" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/116/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,0,530,519/36799_5956_163701665847155.rev.1675261837.jpg 2x" data-max-w="530" data-max-h="519" loading="lazy"/> </picture> </div><div class="blockquote__content"><div class="blockquote__quote"><svg aria-hidden="true" class="icon icon-round-left-quote" width="48" height="33"><use xlink:href="#icon-round-left-quote"/></svg><p> “After touring Carthage’s campus for the first time, I knew this was it. I belonged here. The breathtaking campus right on Lake Michigan; friendly staff, professors, and students; and the superior academic program are all great reasons why Carthage was my first choice.”</p></div><footer class="blockquote__footer"><span class="blockquote__author"><a href="/live/profiles/2273-kasia-kurz">Kasia Kurz</a> ’25</span></footer></div></blockquote></div>
  • <div class="lw_widget lw_widget_type_blockquote"><blockquote class="blockquote"><div class="blockquote__image"><picture class="lw_image"> <source type="image/webp" srcset="/live/image/gid/116/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,0,443,444/36436_4847_163701665847155.rev.1669737299.webp 1x, /live/image/scale/2x/gid/116/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,0,443,444/36436_4847_163701665847155.rev.1669737299.webp 2x"/> <source type="image/jpeg" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/116/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,0,443,444/36436_4847_163701665847155.rev.1669737299.jpg 2x"/> <img src="/live/image/gid/116/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,0,443,444/36436_4847_163701665847155.rev.1669737299.jpg" alt="Kiannah Hayes" width="183" height="183" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/116/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,0,443,444/36436_4847_163701665847155.rev.1669737299.jpg 2x" data-max-w="443" data-max-h="444" loading="lazy"/> </picture> </div><div class="blockquote__content"><div class="blockquote__quote"><svg aria-hidden="true" class="icon icon-round-left-quote" width="48" height="33"><use xlink:href="#icon-round-left-quote"/></svg><p> “I chose Carthage College because of the eagerness our professors and staff have to ensure students like me are successful.”</p></div><footer class="blockquote__footer"><span class="blockquote__author"><a href="/live/profiles/2200-kiannah-hayes">Kiannah Hayes</a> ’25</span></footer></div></blockquote></div>
  • <div class="lw_widget lw_widget_type_blockquote"><blockquote class="blockquote"><div class="blockquote__image"><picture class="lw_image"> <source type="image/webp" srcset="/live/image/gid/118/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,0,1956,1956/34504_Serena_Richardson_24.rev.1651691259.webp 1x, /live/image/scale/2x/gid/118/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,0,1956,1956/34504_Serena_Richardson_24.rev.1651691259.webp 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/118/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,0,1956,1956/34504_Serena_Richardson_24.rev.1651691259.webp 3x"/> <source type="image/jpeg" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/118/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,0,1956,1956/34504_Serena_Richardson_24.rev.1651691259.jpg 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/118/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,0,1956,1956/34504_Serena_Richardson_24.rev.1651691259.jpg 3x"/> <img src="/live/image/gid/118/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,0,1956,1956/34504_Serena_Richardson_24.rev.1651691259.jpg" alt="Serena Richardson ?24" width="183" height="183" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/118/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,0,1956,1956/34504_Serena_Richardson_24.rev.1651691259.jpg 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/118/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,0,1956,1956/34504_Serena_Richardson_24.rev.1651691259.jpg 3x" data-max-w="1956" data-max-h="1956" loading="lazy"/> </picture> </div><div class="blockquote__content"><div class="blockquote__quote"><svg aria-hidden="true" class="icon icon-round-left-quote" width="48" height="33"><use xlink:href="#icon-round-left-quote"/></svg><p> “My favorite class by far has been Arts of Africa taught by Professor Jody Berman. After taking this class, I knew I wanted to study something along the lines of anthropology or sociology. This class made me think outside of the western standard.”</p></div><footer class="blockquote__footer"><span class="blockquote__author"><a href="/live/profiles/1871-">Serena Richardson</a> ’24</span></footer></div></blockquote></div>
  • <div class="lw_widget lw_widget_type_blockquote"><blockquote class="blockquote"><div class="blockquote__image"><picture class="lw_image"> <source type="image/webp" srcset="/live/image/gid/116/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,38,1283,1319/38266_9456_163701665847155.rev.1692576751.webp 1x, /live/image/scale/2x/gid/116/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,38,1283,1319/38266_9456_163701665847155.rev.1692576751.webp 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/116/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,38,1283,1319/38266_9456_163701665847155.rev.1692576751.webp 3x"/> <source type="image/jpeg" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/116/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,38,1283,1319/38266_9456_163701665847155.rev.1692576751.jpg 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/116/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,38,1283,1319/38266_9456_163701665847155.rev.1692576751.jpg 3x"/> <img src="/live/image/gid/116/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,38,1283,1319/38266_9456_163701665847155.rev.1692576751.jpg" alt="Kortni Robinson ?24" width="183" height="183" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/116/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,38,1283,1319/38266_9456_163701665847155.rev.1692576751.jpg 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/116/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,38,1283,1319/38266_9456_163701665847155.rev.1692576751.jpg 3x" data-max-w="1283" data-max-h="1281" loading="lazy"/> </picture> </div><div class="blockquote__content"><div class="blockquote__quote"><svg aria-hidden="true" class="icon icon-round-left-quote" width="48" height="33"><use xlink:href="#icon-round-left-quote"/></svg><p> “The professors have really inspired me to follow my passions. Having good relationships with faculty strengthens my trust in Carthage and what it has to offer.”</p></div><footer class="blockquote__footer"><span class="blockquote__author"><a href="/live/profiles/2491-kortni-robinson">Kortni Robinson</a> ’24</span></footer></div></blockquote></div>

Sociology at Carthage strives to foster the development of each student’s sociological imagination. Students learn to:

  • Thoughtfully analyze the roots of social problems
  • Examine potential remedies
  • Think critically about an individual’s role in society
  • Think critically about complex social institutions
  • Look beyond their own cultural _ and perhaps ethnocentric — world views to better understand other cultures, both present, and past

Sociology students probe the links between historical eras and personal biographies between social structures and private lives. This modern mode of thought is useful in diverse walks of life, which benefit from an informed, critical view of society’s master, middle-range, and minor institutions.

Courses in sociology


Opportunities for Carthage sociology students

At Carthage, sociology students can benefit from opportunities for field experiences and internships, and scholarships within the department.

Beyond the classroom, students can get involved in clubs and organizations. Strong scholars are inducted into Carthage’s sociology honor society, Alpha Kappa Delta. Service-oriented student organizations like Pals and Partners and Habitat for Humanity are popular with these majors.

Research is built into the Carthage experience through the required senior thesis and options such as a paid summer research program. Many of our students present their work at the campus-wide Celebration of Scholars or at professional conferences.

Opportunities for sociology students


Where Carthage sociology graduates go

Some alumni have entered top graduate programs, while others work in a wide range of settings for employers such as:

  • National Opinion Research Centers
  • C.H. Robinson
  • Rotary International
  • Lerner & Rowe Injury Attorneys
  • SC Johnson
  • Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
  • Product Evaluations Inc.
  • Kenosha County Human Development

Careers in sociology