Concentration

All social life is patterned. By studying these patterns, sociologists help us better understand—and influence—social outcomes. If you are interested in how social systems like race, gender, sexuality, class, nationality, governance, education, culture, crime, the economy, the workplace, or the natural environment shape individual lives and life chances, then you might consider studying sociology.

Sociology Program Requirements Comparison Sheet

Sociology Concentration
The sociology concentration requires students to take 12 courses that provide instruction in both social theory and research methods, and that engage a variety of substantive areas within the discipline. Some students choose to focus their classes on a relatively narrow topic (e.g., poverty and inequality), while others choose to engage a wide number of topics. All students are required to produce an independent research project in their junior tutorial, but senior theses are always optional.

Sociology and Data Analytics Track
Harvard Sociology introduces all concentrators to both qualitative and quantitative research methods. Students who want a deeper engagement with sociological research may choose the Sociology and Data Analytics track. Because studying social processes requires a broad range of approaches, we offer instruction in statistical modeling, in-depth interviewing, ethnographic observations, archival investigations, and computational analyses. These courses train students to think carefully about every stage of research, from the development of a sociological question, to the definition and operationalization of social variables like “poverty” and “health,” to the process of ethically and accurately collecting data, to the analysis and interpretation of research findings, and, ultimately, the communication of those findings to diverse audiences.