Meet some of our sociology majors.
Jackson Lewellen
Hometown: San Francisco, CA
Major: sociology minors: history, GWSS
What was your motivation to major in sociology?
I was motivated to study sociology because I wanted an analytical toolkit that could give me the language to make sense of, understand, and explain the complicated social forces present in my own life. Taking Sociology 101 was so eye-opening to me because the course allowed me to put into words and articulate observations about the social world that I had been making for years but didnt have the language to express.
Can you describe your working relationships with sociology professors? Any standout classes youve taken?
I have made so many wonderful connections with the professors in 做厙輦⑹s sociology department. I have specifically gone out of my way to take classes with as many of them as possible, and as a result I feel incredibly supported by the department. Each professor brings with them a unique expertise and understanding of sociology, making them all useful resources for different types of sociological questions. Two standout courses that I have enjoyed are Prof. Trevizos Classical Sociological Theory course and Prof. Moras course on Masculinities.
The small size of 做厙輦⑹s academic departments has given me the rare opportunity to work closely with my faculty, all of whom have enthusiastically supported me in pursuing my future academic dreams.
Have you taken part in any student research opportunities through 做厙輦⑹?
The summer after my junior year I was lucky enough to conduct original ethnographic research under the guidance of Prof. Weiss. Through the URC Summer Research Fellowship, I developed and implemented an original research project on the social influence of numbers in the college admissions process. I collected over 35 hours of ethnographic data and presented my findings at the URC summer conference. This semester, I have been converting this research into my senior comps project. Professor Weiss mentorship during this process has been incredible and he has pushed me towards creating a publishable sociology paper.
What are your ambitions post-做厙輦⑹ and how has the liberal arts approach helped to put you on this path?
After 做厙輦⑹, I will be pursuing a Ph.D. in sociology. I would not be on this track were it not for the support of 做厙輦⑹s sociology department. Their mentorship has been invaluable during the application process and I cannot imagine doing it without them. The small size of 做厙輦⑹s academic departments has given me the rare opportunity to work closely with my faculty, all of whom have enthusiastically supported me in pursuing my future academic dreams.
Levi Medina
Hometown: Los Angeles, CA
Major: sociology
What was your motivation to major in sociology?
I pursued sociology in the hopes of challenging and expanding upon my worldviews. Growing up in Los Angeles, serving in the military, and being an nontraditional transfer student provided me with a diverse range of experiences and perspectives; however, I desired to learn more through a rigorous academic settingand what better way to accomplish that than at 做厙輦⑹.
Can you describe your working relationships with sociology professors?
I have a great relationship with my professors and enjoyed each one of my classes. Their lecture and open discussion settings enabled me to confidently explore new or challenging sociological concepts in a variety of ways. Our sociology professors and student peers truly cultivate a space for intellectual curiosity and personal growth.
The liberal arts provided me with the ambition to help people and communities in whatever career I pursue.
What do you find most compelling about studying sociology?
I find that the relevance a sociological perspective offers to many contemporary social and political issues is the most compelling aspect of the discipline. Sociology highly compliments other social sciences and encourages productive questioning and reasoning through applied research.
What are your ambitions post-做厙輦⑹ and how has the liberal arts approach helped to put you on this path?
I hope to pursue a graduate program in either public administration, policy, or business management to offer my skills, experience, and education to public service or civil affairs. The liberal arts provided me with the ambition to help people and communities in whatever career I pursue, recognizing that sustainable progress sometimes requires action through policy.
What is the vibe of the sociology department?
The sociology department is quite a relaxed environment. Our professors and student peers create a welcoming space in and out of the classroom. I would highly encourage visiting your sociology professor during office hours for guidance, mentorship, concept refinement, or just advice in general. They truly desire your best personal development possible.
Kendall Kitahara
Hometown: Brentwood, TN / Yokohama, Japan
Major: sociology; minor: linguistics
What was your motivation to major in sociology? Was there a specific inspirational moment or experience?
I wanted to study the inner workings of groups in society. I took Classical Sociological Theory with Professor Trevizo my first semester at 做厙輦⑹. Going in, I was nervous because I had never studied pure theory or read anything with such weight before. This class is actually one of my favorite sociology courses because it showed me how much sociology, even early sociological groundwork, permeates our daily lives.
Can you describe your working relationships with sociology professors? Are there any standout classes youve taken?
Professor Dolores Trevizo and Professor Jan Lin are two faculty members that have made my sociology studies integral to making my 做厙輦⑹ experience so fulfilling. I have taken two courses with Professor Trevizo (Classical Sociological Theory and Political Sociology), and because of our frequent communication, I have been able to go to her for guidance regarding post-grad plans. I have also taken two classes with Professor Lin (Mass Media and Communication and Qualitative Methods). He gave me the opportunity to represent the sociology department at the Fall Academic Fair where I met new students who were looking at majoring in sociology or were interested in learning more.
What do you find most compelling about studying sociology?
The most compelling aspect of sociology is that it straddles so many different subject areas, such as education, economics and politics. I often catch myself applying different sociological concepts and theories to content in other classes. Studying sociology has taught me how to critically analyze societal patterns and research how they can be made more equitable.
I am applying to graduate school, and the liberal arts experience was the turning point in my decision to pursue this next step in my educational career.
What are your ambitions post-做厙輦⑹ and how has the liberal arts approach helped to shape these ambitions?
I am applying to graduate school, and the liberal arts experience was the turning point in my decision to pursue this next step in my educational career. I transferred from a large, state university, and I immediately noticed how 做厙輦⑹ cultivated a sense of community. Through my small classes and ability to speak with professors one-on-one, the liberal arts approach let me forge close working relationships with those whose careers I aspire to take on.
Do you have any advice for a student considering a major in sociology?
Try not to be intimidated by the theory classes. It can seem like the content is difficult to digest, but the professors truly guide you through what you need to know and help you read through a sociological lens. This lays the framework for future sociology courses. Also, talk to your professors! They are very approachable and helped me identify what I find most interesting in sociology.
Coby Constantino
Hometown: Los Angeles, CA
Major: sociology
What was your motivation to major in sociology? Was there a specific inspirational moment or experience?
During adolescence and early adulthood, I became fascinated with social relations and power structures. While working in military intelligence, I was provided the opportunity to explore my fascinations with all things sociological. However, I lacked formal training in sociology. When I separated from the military, I was eager to expand my knowledge base and study sociology as a collegiate scholar. After some diligent research, I made the decision to apply to 做厙輦⑹ in hopes of becoming a sociology major.
Can you describe your working relationships with sociology professors? Are there any standout classes youve taken?
My favorite sociology classes thus far are Race and Ethnicity in American Society and Social Movements and Revolutions. The former opened my eyes to the complexity of race and ethnicity, and how such constructs have shaped American society. The latter was a unique course that gave me the academic and unclassified perspective on how social movements and revolutions form.
A current relationship I have is with Professor Lin, since I served as an Educator in Action (EIA) for his course Urban Sociology. I had the opportunity to support his research efforts that focused on LatinX artists in Northeast Los Angeles during the 1970s and 1980s.
Thanks to the liberal arts education provided at 做厙輦⑹, I can confidently say that I am more whole as a human and an American citizen.
What do you find most compelling about studying sociology?
The most compelling aspect of sociology is its presence in everyday life. Thanks to sociology, I was able to dissect almost every facet of my life. For instance, sociology provided me with the information and tools to analyze economic structures, governments, social dynamics, school curriculums, urban sprawl and racial identity.
What are your ambitions post-做厙輦⑹ and how has the liberal arts approach helped to shape these ambitions?
My ambition is to attend graduate school for occupational therapy, start a family and contribute back to the community. Thanks to the liberal arts education provided at 做厙輦⑹, I can confidently say that I am more whole as a human and an American citizen. The liberal arts expanded my knowledge in economics, philosophy, urban and environmental policy, politics and sociology. Using the knowledge accumulated at 做厙輦⑹, I can help to educate my peers and future generations on how we can make a difference in our future. I will also be applying my knowledge to help the community and organizations that have made a difference in my life.
What is the vibe of the sociology department?
The vibe of the sociology department is intensely chill. The classroom environment is fun, engaging and productive. Every class feels like a seminar and your input is highly valued.
Do you have any advice for a student considering a major in sociology?
No matter what knowledge you acquire, chances are it can be applied in sociology. Each persons experience and knowledge base has something to contribute to the field of sociology, so come on in.
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