Department of Sociology

Contact Us

Assistance with General Questions

Staci Batchelor
Administrative Support Associate
704-687-7806
sbatche4@charlotte.edu

Sharon Green-Alston
Business Service Coordinator
704-687-7820
sgreenal@charlotte.edu

Advising

Sarah Valvo
Academic Advising
Sociology, B.A
Sociology, Minor
704-687-7830
svalvo@charlotte.edu

Mary McKenzie
Academic Advising
Sociology Online Major
Mary.Mckenzie@charlotte.edu

Department Program Contacts

Dr. Scott Fitzgerald
Department Chair
704-687-7805
sfitzger@charlotte.edu

Dr. Elizabeth Stearns
Associate Chair
704-687-7834
Elizabeth.Stearns@charlotte.edu

Dr. Victoria Rankin
Undergraduate Coordinator
704-687-1489
Victoria.Rankin@charlotte.edu

Dr. Joseph Dippong
Graduate Program Coordinator
704-687-0983
jdippong@charlotte.edu

What is Sociology?

Sociology is the scientific study of human social life.

It focuses upon the forces that organize and structure societies and smaller groups, as well as the forces that disorganize and threaten to dissolve them. As a science, sociology applies an objective and systematic method of investigation to identify the patterns and forms of social life and to understand the processes by which they are established and changed.

The study of sociology is attractive to students seeking a liberal education and immediate employment, as well as to those preparing for further study and professional careers. As a liberal arts program, it enables students to understand the social contexts in which they find themselves and the social forces that shape personality, actions, and interactions with others. As a pre-professional program it provides an excellent background for people entering social work, law, teaching, the ministry, journalism, planning, public relations and personnel services. It also provides analytical skills related to market research and program evaluation in human services, sales, management, and other business activities.