Sociology Department

Studying sociology at Covenant includes the study of social interactions, concerns, and institutions. Graduates of the program will develop a Christian perspective on the complex relationship between individuals, groups, and the larger society, with the goal of better understanding what it means to live “in, but not of” the world.

The goals of the Sociology Department are:

1. To enable the student to develop a Christian perspective relating to humankind’s involvement in groups and in the larger society. This is accomplished in three main areas:

• studying the various principles of interaction that govern human relationship (social interaction);
• studying the various problems that face contemporary society (social concerns);
• studying the basic institutions of society and their interdependence (social institutions).

2. To provide students the necessary methodological tools whereby they may uncover social reality in a variety of contexts (survey research, participant observation, and content analysis).

3. To demonstrate the practical relevance of the discipline by applying sociological insight and methodology to the work of God’s kingdom.

 

 

Sociology Coursework

Some of the course sociology students encounter include:

• Adolescence in Sociological Perspective
• Crime & Delinquency
• The Family
• Sociology of Emotion
• Contemporary Social Thought

 

 

Recent Student Internships

• Bethany Christian Services
• Standifer Place Nursing Home
• Big Brothers/Big Sisters
• Chattanooga Police Department
• Thrive at Brow Wood/Senior Living Community

 

Recent Senior Capstone Projects

• ”Joining the Conversation: How Young Adult Literature Encourages Discussion of Difficult Life Topics”
• ”Seclusion or Exclusion?: Holiness in the Light of a Larger Culture”
• “The Foster Care System and Family Reunification: Can Biology-Bias Do More Damage?”
• “‘That’s What She Plead’: The Trivialization and Stigmatization of Trauma”

 

Where Our Alumni Are

• Medical Operations Officer, Army National Guard
• Site-Based Mentoring Director, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Chattanooga
• Chaplain & Bereavement Coordinator, Crossroads Hospice
• CEO, Choices Pregnancy Resource Center
• Teen Suicide Prevention Specialist and Licensed Counselor, Sources of Strength

 

Departmental Events, Traditions, and Resources

• Attending the annual Southern Sociological Society spring conference
• “Social Work Career” dessert panel discussion each spring with 6-8 guests from a variety of social work fields
• Christmas party at a faculty member’s home
• Dr. Robinson’s “bottomless” open access office candy jar