Policy & Institutions: Family, Education, Health & Social Work

Government pursues public policies with the aim of improving or protecting the individual or social welfare of its citizens.  Wide-ranging policies touch every aspect of life, including the family, economic support, education, and health.  This concentration serves both to increase students overall understanding of sociological institutions (and the literature about them) while also focusing how specific policies are developed and the ramifications of policy for individuals, families, and society.  Courses that address public policy issues include “Social Welfare Policy”, “The Family”, “Children & Public Policy”, “Education”, “Medical Sociology” and a range of other courses that touch on social work and community organizing as well.

Course Offerings:
Sociology of the Family 201                               
Sociology of Education 203
Intro to Social Work Profession 231
Community Organization and Action 235
Social Welfare Policy 237
Child Welfare 239
Medical Sociology 301
Work & Society 315W [Writing Intensive Course]
Sociology of Organizations 321
Food and Society 325
Organizational Dynamics 425.46
Children & Public Policy 330
LGBTQ & Public Policy (New)
Field Work (New)

Professors Affiliated
Prof. Margaret Chin
Prof. Erica Chito-Childs
Prof. Mark Halling
Prof. Jessica Hardie
Prof. Donald Hernandez
Prof. Howard Lune
Prof. Pamela Stone

Areas of concentration