Major Spotlight: Sociology

Growing up, I always questioned why things were the way they were. I was curious why the world worked the way it did, why certain systems functioned in specific ways, why there were certain unspoken social rules nobody talked about yet everyone followed. When choosing a major, I wanted to carry this same curiosity into my field of study. Additionally, I wanted to utilize New York City as a classroom, bringing my education to the real world whenever the opportunity presented itself. The Sociology major has allowed me to do just that.

The Barnard Sociology Department offers a wide variety of courses each semester that encourage students to examine everything from their day-to-day experiences and interactions to the various forms of inequalities that have and continue to shape society and impact its members. My education in sociology at Barnard has opened my eyes to the world around me in ways I did not think was possible before. Whether it be small encounters on the subway or the large-scale functioning of organizations, I can now examine “why things are the way they are” through a concrete, educated lens.

Classes

All Sociology majors begin their time as a major by taking three introductory courses. These courses set students up for success for the duration of their coursework in the department. Right now, the three introductory courses are The Social World, Social Theory, and Research Methods. These courses critically examine and analyze foundational sociological concepts and theories, as well as prepare students to conduct and contribute to research. As someone who was unfamiliar with the field of sociology prior to my time at Barnard, I love how the major’s introductory courses assume no prior sociological knowledge, teaching students everything they need to know to be successful in the major. Even if you decide majoring in sociology isn’t for you, I highly recommend taking these introductory courses, as they completely shifted my worldview and have expanded the depth of my knowledge and skills in courses outside the Sociology Department. For example, I took a course called The Social Animal in the Digital Age, where we discussed the sociological concept of “performance” in depth. We explored micro and macro interactions alike, exploring why people follow unspoken rules—and what happens when those social rules are broken. I now find small interactions like someone walking on the wrong side of the sidewalk and how the people around them react to be exciting, and sociologically rich. Prior to my education in sociology, I would not think twice about interactions like these—but now, I pause and think, even in the most mundane moments. 

Some of my favorite sociology courses—and some of the most popular sociology courses offered during the 2025-2026 academic year—include Surveillance, Social Movements, Creativity and Technology: War and Commerce, Environmental Sociology, Sociology of Gender, Medical Sociology, and Sociology of Education. As you can see from these popular courses, sociology is a very interdisciplinary major. While the introductory courses are broad and expose majors to a wide range of topics, these upper-level lecture- and seminar-style courses take a deep dive into specific areas of focus. As someone who was unsure of what I wanted to major in during my first two years at Barnard, I found this to be especially appealing because it combined a lot of my interests. Despite only being a Sociology major, I am exposed to the content I was looking to explore in other departments such as Education, Computer Science, Environmental Science, and more.

Faculty

The saying, “It is the people that make the place,” is given meaning at Barnard. This saying also couldn’t be more true of the Sociology Department’s faculty: the professors truly make the major and its coursework come to life.

My major advisor, Professor Mignon Moore, has been one of the most helpful and reliable faculty members rooting for my success during my time at Barnard. Whether it be advice on coursework, research, or life, my advisor is always in my corner, supporting and rooting for me. Additionally, I love conversing with other members of the department, hearing more about their work and the courses they teach.

The Sociology Department’s faculty is composed of notable figures in the field and on campus. Professor Mignon R. Moore, who focuses on race, gender, and sexuality, was the 2022–24 President of the American Sociological Association. Additionally, the department chair, Debra Minkoff, focuses on social movements and political activism. She has received many accolades for her sociological research and contributions, such as the 2005 Best Published Article Award for her paper on “Conceptualizing Political Opportunity” (with David S. Meyer). Professor Minkoff is incredibly involved on Barnard’s campus, chairing the inaugural year of the Council for Diversity and Inclusion in 2017–18.

New York City as a Classroom

One of the biggest reasons I chose to major in sociology was its emphasis on utilizing New York City as a classroom. I am originally from the Midwest and was unfamiliar with New York City prior to my time at Barnard. The Sociology major has encouraged me to go out into the city, where I have been able to observe the world around me through a sociological lens, meet with different communities, and take advantage of the many student discounts offered to Barnard College students at museums and other learning spaces. One of my favorite sociology classes is called Surveillance, where we had the opportunity to learn about various forms of surveillance, from blatant forms of surveillance such as security cameras, to more subtle mechanisms like self-surveillance through fitness tracking technology. The course allowed us to conduct research in many NYC neighborhoods, where I built lasting friendships with classmates while bonding over our work and shared exploration of the city.

Research

There is so much room to conduct research within the field of sociology, and Barnard provides students with a plethora of outlets to do so.

Many sociology majors participate in the Laidlaw Scholars Program, which is a research program that takes place over two summers. Students can conduct research in their area of interest and work alongside a member of the Barnard faculty. The program even includes a travel stipend, allowing students to travel to the place their research focuses on and conduct research on the ground.

There is also ample opportunity to conduct research through coursework in sociology classes. For example, in the introductory Social Research Methods course, students are asked to conduct three mini, original research projects:, an in-depth interview, a survey, and an ethnography. These projects are often a starting point for senior thesis ideas and can be expanded upon throughout your time at Barnard. For my projects, I explored different topics spanning from LinkedIn usage and its impact on mental health, to how the cosmetic industry adapts to unique consumer demographics, and even conducted an ethnography at Barnard’s Milstein Library. I hope to continue my research from this introductory course during my senior year in a semester-long Senior Research Seminar course.

Lastly, all sociology majors complete either a two-semester senior thesis or a research paper project over the course of their senior year. This is a great opportunity for majors to conduct their own research—or expand on existing research—, dive deeper into topics of interest, and build strong relationships with professors through mentorship and advising.

If I had to do it over again, I would choose the Sociology major every time. The combination of passionate peers, caring and accomplished professors, depth and variety of course offerings, and the ability to explore New York City through my classes is a combination of factors that have made my academic journey at Barnard a truly unforgettable experience.