Sociology at Chico State

Committed to the notion that data alone does not tell a story, students learn how to merge data and theory to frame problems and solutions to local, national, and global phenomena. Students learn how to collect and work with data, and in doing so, become better consumers of the endless stream of bewildering information that fills contemporary life. In all of our classes, students learn about and practice theory to better map and understand the social world. A unique year-long theory sequence of courses allows students to learn about the foundational classical social theories that underpin our understanding of modernity followed by foundational contemporary theories that shake up our understanding of contemporary social life.

Our curriculum offers students the chance to focus on micro, social-psychological scales or on macro, planetary scales. Though race, class, and gender underpin every course in our curriculum, the department offers specialized classes in all three. Additionally, classes such as Women, Work, and Family; Global Perspectives on Ethnicity and Nationalism; the Prison Industrial Complex; and Environmental Sociology apply the theories of race, class, and gender inequality in various contexts.

Lastly, the cohort model has students take the methods, theory, and capstone sequence as part of a cohort. Thus, students can expect to take multiple classes with many of the same students. This allows students to develop meaningful connections and helpful relationships. Other opportunities for connection include the Sociological Association of Chico State (SACS) student group, our local chapter of the national sociology honors society AKD, and the honors program in the major, where students work with individual faculty to complete an honors thesis.

Join a passionate and student-centered faculty and a diverse and engaged student body to challenge received ideology and build a better world.