Our Mission
It is the mission of the sociology program to cultivate the sociological imagination, which involves the ability to understand how individual and group behavior is shaped by society’s historical development, how personal problems are connected to public issues of social structure, and how to work with others to improve social conditions. This imagination promotes critical thinking skills, which are essential for effective participation in professional, personal, and public affairs.
News
Drs. Mike Stout, Tim Knapp, and John Harms were recognized by MSU president Jim Cofer for the Civic Health Index report.
Announcing Dr. Mike Stout's brand new Public Sociology blog.
Find it here or click on the lower left media button.
Drs. Mike Stout, Tim Knapp, and John Harms study civic participation in the Show Me state.
The report finds potential cracks in Missouri’s blue-collar base for civic participation. In case you missed the press conference, you can listen to it here.
Dr. Mike Stout Makes Headlines
Read the News-Leader article on Dr. Stout's presentation to city leaders on demographic changes in Springfield. Find it here.
Dr. Tricia McTague Named 2010 Rutgers Research Fellow.
Watch Dr. McTague's interview from the Beyster Fellowship Symposium on Employee Ownership.
Dr. Lorene Stone on Jailing Juveniles with Adults
Read the MSU News Release and listen to the interview with Dr. Stone. Find it here.
KSMU - MSU Survey Looks at Neighborhood Trust
Mike Smith interviews Dr. Mike Stout as part of the Sense of Community Series. Find it here.
KSMU interview with Drs. John Harms and Mike Stout on Social Capital Survey
Lisa Langley interviews Missouri State University Sociology professors Dr. John Harms and Dr. Mike Stout about the findings of their social capital survey for the Springfield area.
Dr. Lora Vess Awarded Curriculum Innovation Grant
The FCTL has awarded a Curriculum Innovation Grant to Drs. Lora Vess, Assistant Professor of Sociology and Alexander Wait, Professor of Biology for their project entitled: “Sustainability in the Curriculum Workshop”.
