First, how are individual?s lives shaped by their social environment? Second, how and why do societies change? And third, why do some groups in society enjoy greater power, opportunity, and wealth than do others? To address these kinds of questions, sociologists, guided by a set of big ideas or theories, conduct research that involves observations collected from individuals and societies.

What factors explain intergenerational poverty? How does participation in a religious congregation impact mental and physical health? How do immigrants cooperate with one another to launch small businesses? These are the kinds of questions addressed by sociologists and the kinds of questions that students in the program explore.

The department mission statement captures the faculty?s goals for our students. ?The Department of Sociology at Samford University equips students with the skills and knowledge to explore the social world and inspires them to lives that build flourishing human communities.?