Sociology Undergraduate Program

The first annual Symposium on Aging was held on Nov. 5, 2010 at the ISU Alumni Center. The symposium highlighted some of the challenges and opportunities faced by an aging society. View the full program
If you are interested in a minor in anthropology, contact (309) 438-5201 or (309) 438-2111.
The sociology minor is popular with students in a range of majors, including psychology, communication, history, and business. Sociological knowledge and skills are relevant to almost any profession, are sought after by employers, and can add depth and diversity to most majors.
Sociology Minor Requirements:
If you are interested in a minor in sociology, contact the sociology minor advisor: (309) 438-5201 or
The interdisciplinary gerontology minor provides students with a background in theoretical as well as empirical research and also applied/professional knowledge relevant to an aging society. Although issues and problems of later life are a prominent focus in the minor, social gerontologists view aging as a life-long process which is shaped by social, historical economic, political, cultural, and even organizational factors.
The U.S. and other nations are experiencing societal aging. Demographic projections are that, by the year 2030 or so, roughly twenty percent of the U.S. population will be over the age of 65. This change presents both challenges and opportunities across many domains of social life—including family life; health care and social service provision; continuing education; voluntary and non-profit work; human resources; and even architecture and interior design (as we work to accommodate more people with limitations in mobility).
Among the academic and professional areas in which the demand for knowledge of aging is especially strong are: the health professions; social work; psychology (both research and clinical aspects); urban planning and transportation; education; marketing; and law. Aging in society is a dynamic process, which demands that we answer the call issued by C.Wright Mills (in The Sociological Imagination) to connect biography and history, which is an elegant way of capturing the broader aspiration in sociology to link micro-and macro-level features of social life.
Gerontology Minor Requirements:
There are 21 hours required in the Gerontology minor.
If you have questions about the Gerontology Minor, please call the sociology undergraduate advisor, Teri Farr-Behnke: ; 438-8669 or the Gerontology Program Coordinator, Dr. Chris Wellin: ; 438-7698
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