Department of Sociology at Columbia University

Description

The doctoral program combines an emphasis on competence in social theory and research methods, training in core substantive areas of the discipline, and opportunities for the development of each student's own scholarly interests. Doctoral candidates are expected to achieve a high level of proficiency in theory and research as applied to a substantive area of their choice so that they are qualified to teach sociology in a college or university and to embark on a productive research career. Students are encouraged to take advantage of the diversity of specialties covered by the department's faculty, the sociological and interdisciplinary research centers and research groups located at Columbia, and the unique intellectual, social, and cultural resources available within New York City and its surrounding area. The department emphasizes rigorous training in theory, research methods, and core substantive fields within the discipline of sociology. It includes a sequence of required and elective courses on theory and theory construction, designed to acquaint every student with skills necessary for developing social explanations. Required and elective courses in qualitative and quantitative methods and statistics familiarize students with the basic techniques for collecting and analyzing data on social processes. The methods sequence ensures that every student acquires the competence to formulate and test research questions. In addition, the department offers a collection of cou