At Hollins, sociology begins with an interest in people: how we cope; how society influences our behavior; how, together or as individuals, we preserve or change the social order. The study of sociology develops a deeper understanding of the world in which we live and provides a foundation that can lead to a variety of interesting careers.

The Hollins sociology curriculum explores broad social questions and issues. In classes and in the field, you'll consider such questions as: How does society work? How does it affect the individual? How can individuals and groups initiate positive personal and social change?

All majors select a specialized concentration of courses and complete a common core of foundation studies in the history, research methods, and theoretical perspectives of the discipline. In classes and internships, students have opportunities to apply sociological concepts and methods of inquiry to contemporary issues and social problems.

The department offers a major and minor in sociology and minors in social work and anthropology.

Test the career waters with hands-on internships

Internships, an integral part of a Hollins University education, will give you entrees into careers. Most students do internships, particularly during the January Short Term. Recent internship sites have included:

• Roanoke County Department of Social Services
• Victim/Witness Program, Salem, Va.
• Roanoke United Methodist Home
• Lewis-Gale Behavioral Health, Salem, Va.
• Richfield Retirement Community, Salem, Va.
• Refugee and Immigration Services, Roanoke, Va.
• Child Health Investment Partnership (CHIP) of Roanoke Valley
• Roanoke Valley Juvenile Detention Center
• Girl Scouts Virginia Skyline Council, Roanoke, Va.
• Planned Parenthood Health Systems
• Hollins Outdoor Program

Alpha Kappa Delta Society

Alpha Kappa Delta Society was founded in 1920 in the Sociology Department of the University of Southern California by Dr. E.S. Bogardus. The name, Alpha Kappa Delta, represents the first three letters of three Greek words: anthropon (mankind), katamanthanein (to investigate thoroughly or to conduct research) and diakonesein (for the purpose of service). The name, freely interpreted, signifies social research for the purpose of service. There are more than 600 chapters of the Society and more than 97,000 lifetime members. We hope to include you among the members!

Undergraduates must be sociology majors or demonstrate a serious interest in sociology within an official program of a host institution with a chartered chapter of the Society. Students must:

• Be at least a junior
• Rank in the top 35% of their class, or an overall GPA of 3.3
• Have a sociology GPA of at least 3.0
• Have taken at least four courses in sociology at the host institution

If you meet these criteria, please contact Professor Creek at creeksj@hollins.edu to obtain an application.




Photo above: Alpha Kappa Delta induction, April 5, 2012. Left to right: Morgan Conroy '12, Rebecca Pfiel '13, Amanda Marcus '12, Marjorie Nye '12, Darshana Griggs '13, Kathy Shaw '12, and Brenda Hale.