Sociology Minor

The study of sociology analyzes the cultural, economic, political, and social structures that influence human behavior. You master the theoretical and methodological skills to develop practical research on people’s communities, customs and traditions, group interactions, habits, institutions, organizations, and social practices, based on a thorough understanding of power relations and dynamics; structural inequalities along class, ethnicity, gender, race, and sexuality; and collective movements organized to provoke social change, domestically and internationally. As a sociology minor, you are exposed to fundamental knowledge about the social fabric and power structures within, which will inform your major field of study.  

The Department of Sociology and Anthropology is a vibrant, interdisciplinary, and diverse community of faculty, students, and alumni who enjoy extracurricular opportunities such as guest lectures, research collaborations, student-led publications, and symposia, as well as networking events such as Criminology Connections (held every fall) and Sociology Connections (held every spring).  

“Sociology changed the way I view the world and helped me understand from a justice lens why certain things in this country are the way they are, and how I can be a vessel for change,” said Ashley Falzone ’10C. “I learned about race, class, gentrification, and our health-care system, just to name a few, and they were my favorite classes I took at St. John’s. They helped me move forward in the world. I wanted to make sure I was in a career and field where I felt like I was making a positive impact in the lives of other people, which I am happy to say I do in my current role. I earned a master’s degree in school counseling and work with underrepresented high school youth at a local New York City-based nonprofit.”