Featured Courses
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Sociology of Racism in America
Examines social history of major racial groups in the US and relationships to contemporary standing. Discusses central concepts sociologists use to analyze racial matters. Central theme: "racism" is not mere "prejudice," "ignorance," or intolerance, but a comprehensive historical system of racial... read more »
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Social Determinants of U.S. Health Disparities
Introduction to how social factors influence health and well-being, with a particular focus on contemporary U.S. society. Topics include obesity, aging, socioeconomic disadvantage, access to health insurance, public health systems, the role of the media, and racial/ethnic and gender inequalities.... read more »
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Sociology of Immigration and Health
An in-depth exploration of how global migration processes impact population health with particular attention to the social determinants of health. Course focuses on different immigrant groups in U.S. as well as refugee and migrant labor populations in other parts of the world, namely Middle East.... read more »
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Gender, Work, and Organizations
Research and theories on gender issues in the work organization. The socio-historical causes of gender segregation in the workplace and the contemporary consequences for wages and occupational status. Organizational and governmental work and family policies. Case studies of specific work... read more »
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Social Inequality
The nature, forms, and socioeconomic bases of inequality. Age, gender, race, ethnicity, class, region, and family as dimensions of inequality. Variations in the structure of inequality over time and across nations. How educational institutions, economic development, work institutions, and state... read more »
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Department of Sociology Graduation Ceremony
12:30 PM @ Bryan Center Griffith Film TheaterUndergraduate Offerings
Minors in Sociology
Students majoring in other disciplines see a Sociology minor as an effective way to round-out their skill set. Sociology broadens your education and helps you think more analytically. We offer a minor in Sociology, a minor in Medical Sociology, and will work with you and your advisors to design a program to meet your specific needs.
Major in Sociology
Sociology majors at Duke are equipped with a diverse skill set, including research proficiencies, analytical expertise, problem-solving and critical thinking abilities, that can be applied to tackle many of the most important questions facing society today. The major can be an effective stepping-stone on your way to a number of professional careers — including business, law, government, medical, teaching, and more.
Graduate Degree
Ph.D. Program
Our highly competitive Ph.D. program provides an intensive program of study, a supportive research environment, and the opportunity to learn the craft of scholarship from our productive and diverse faculty. We believe in fostering an inclusive environment where differences are respected, valued and integrated into every facet of the graduate experience. Through our commitment to diversity, we have an atmosphere conducive to high quality education and research that supports the broad spectrum of differences of our students, faculty and staff.
Hire A Duke Ph.D.
Research & Teaching Interests: Medical Sociology, Race/Ethnicity, Migration, Inequality, Research Methods, Mental Health, Global Health, Latin America
Research & Teaching Interests: Social networks, Computational social science, Statistical & research methods, Organizations, Demography
Alumni
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Business Development, Windsor Circle "One insight that I attribute to my degree has been realizing and remembering that I'm not just me as an individual, that I'm also me as a part of larger wholes. The older I get, the more this feels confirmed, and while some of that is admittedly bias, I can't... read more »
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Student, Harvard Law School (graduation in May 2017) "The field of sociology uniquely touches upon every aspect of society. The diversity of interests and areas of study to which I was exposed while pursuing a sociology degree equipped me for the similarly expansive law school curriculum, and I... read more »
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Vice President on the Credit Sales desk (Securities Division), Goldman Sachs "My Duke sociology degree allowed me to stand out as a “non-traditional” candidate when interviewing for roles in the banking industry. Goldman Sachs hires all majors from all backgrounds, and I felt especially prepared... read more »
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Founder and President, The Social Institute "A Duke sociology degree gave me the hard and soft skills to understand trends in society and, more importantly, figure out why those trends exist. It gave me an edge in being able to connect with people — in the workplace, on a team, in the marketing... read more »
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Portfolio Specialist/Analyst, Quantitative & Multi-Asset Class Investments, Neuberger Berman in New York, NY "As a whole, a major in Sociology has equipped me with an expansive skillset that is needed to succeed in all realms of life. This academic field has unquestionably improved my... read more »
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Production Supervisor, General Motors "Duke sociology helped me to understand people, and think outside of myself. I work in an environment with people from many different backgrounds, and it brings a lot of challenges. Duke sociology challenged me to gather an understanding of social order, social... read more »
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Obstetrics / Gynecology Resident, Advocate Illinois Masonic Hospital, Chicago "Earning my degree in sociology from Duke University prior to matriculating into medical school allowed me to view medicine in a different context than many of my peers. Many of the classes I chose to take at Duke... read more »
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Ph.D. Candidate, Harvard University "When I first came to Duke as a freshman, I had never imagined I would want to pursue a career in sociology. That is where the magic of Duke sociology came in. It show me how a sociological perspective could enable us to see so many things in the world which we... read more »
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Chronic Disease Research Analyst with the Hawai’i State Department of Health “A degree from Duke sociology allowed me to learn about health disparities and the underpinning societal factors that influence them. Duke’s sociology department trained me to analyze health care issues with a population... read more »
