About the Department
Welcome from the Chair
Notre Dame Sociologists are engaged in innovative research on a wide range of topics. Our faculty members have published influential books and numerous ground-breaking articles in academic journals. In fact, a recent study shows that Notre Dame Sociology ranks fifth in the nation when it comes to placing articles in the discipline's top three journals. The Department is particularly strong in the sociology of education, sociology of religion, marriage and family, social movements, political sociology, and cultural sociology. However, research in the Department cuts across sub-disciplinary and disciplinary boundaries.
Students, as well as faculty, produce outstanding research at Notre Dame. Our graduate students regularly present their research at regional and national conferences. They also establish strong publication records, making them highly competitive on the job market upon graduation. Our graduate program--with 50 to 60 students working toward a Ph.D. each year--is large enough to promote collaboration among students sharing common research interests, but is small enough to ensure that each student can work closely with faculty members.
Our undergraduate students, also, have numerous opportunities to engage in research. Sociology majors can participate in research teams led by faculty and, in some cases, serve as a professor’s research assistant. We also offer an honors track that is especially valuable to students who are planning to go on to graduate school. Our undergraduate students have won numerous awards for their research and have published in academic journals including Sociological Voices: A Journal of Research by Undergraduates at Notre Dame. Students also participate actively the Department’s Sociology Club.
Perhaps more than most research universities, Notre Dame values quality teaching. Notre Dame Sociologists have won prestigious teaching awards and each member of the faculty is committed to teaching excellence both within and outside of the classroom.
Please take time to explore our website to learn more about Notre Dame Sociology. We invite you to contact any of our staff or faculty for more information.
Rory McVeigh
Associate Professor and Chairperson of Sociology