Introduction

 Sociology is a social science that seeks systematic and diverse understanding of the modern society and serves as the foundation for other disciplines such as political science, management science, social welfare studies, newspapers and broadcast sciences, and other applied and inter-disciplinary studies. All aspects of human societal relationships are the subjects of study in terms of society structure and changes. Thus, the Department of Sociology preferentially cultivates young men and women with the ability to objectively understand and analyze the diverse social phenomena, rather than merely train them with practical and technical knowledge, for making our society a better place to live.

 Principal areas of the sociology majors curricula consist of Sociology Theory and Methodology, Industrial Society, Regional Society, Social Welfare and Policy, and Cultural Theory. Students are also urged to take general education courses  including History, Political Science, Theology, Economics, and Geography. The department  also develop and offer sociology-related majors including Social and Child Welfare.  Specific courses offered by the Department of Sociology include Social Changes, Sociology Theory, Social Psychology, Social Survey Methods, Social Statistics, Social Survey Practice, Social Problems, Regional Societies, Industrial Sociology, Social Stratification Theory, Social Welfare Theory, Information Society Theory, Environmental Sociology, Religious  Sociology, Historical Sociology, and others. These courses are taught through classroom lectures, informal discussion, and practical problem solving exercises. For those who seek more advanced and practical studies, the department has opened the masters degree program in 1995.

Aims

 Sociology starts with our interest in the people and their society, and serves as the knowledge base for the social sciences. It explores how one can live wisely and contribute to the development of society. Knowledge learned through the social sciences equips the students with the ability to think as well as the imaginative power in responding to diverse social phenomena and problems.

 The department’s ultimate goal is to educate the intellectually well-rounded students equipped with the capacity for objective understanding and systematic analysis of a variety of social phenomena and prepares them to meet the needs of the rapidly changing modern society.

Careers

 The students educated in sociology are capable of adapting to changes in social conditions through their creative ability to observe and make judgement in responding to the rapidly changing contemporary and future societies. Thus, the prospects for our graduates continue to be bright in diverse career areas.

 Many of the sociology majors find their positions with journalism and media companies (newspapers, broadcasting, magazine), publishing houses, advertising firms, planners, public opinion polling organizations, social welfare and policy agencies, secondary schools and colleges (teachers and professors, respectively), NGO (non-governmental organizations), industry, political parties, governmental service, etc. With a degree in sociology, one can get certificates of qualification as 「Social Survey Analyst」, 「Social Welfare Agent」, and「Social Welfare Specialist」. Courses in the sociology curricula are included in the national certification examinations for 「Social Survey Analyst」and 「Social Welfare Agent」(by double majoring in Sociology and Social Welfare) certified by the Ministry of Employment and Labor since 1999.