What are some good programs in political sociology?

[Politicalgeek]

After a long and circuitous route that led me from poli sci through organizational behavior, I've finally decided that sociology is probably the best disciplinary "home" for me. But I'm not sure what are the best programs for me to be looking at.

Broadly, I'm interested in political sociology and social movements. More specifically, I'm interested in what makes social movements successful at creating change, with a particular interest in social networks and leadership development.

Does anyone have any ideas of some good programs for this? I'm looking for second and third tier in addition to the top-10 programs.

Thanks in advance!

[Politicalgeek]

...No political sociology/movement types here?

[gezzloume]

...No political sociology/movement types here?

There are! I just don't know the stats on the "top schools" as of yet. Why not check out the schools with political socio programs you like and go from there. That's what I am doing. While the "top schools" are a nice idea they may not be the best place for you to excel in your research interests.

Peace

[jacib]

There are! I just don't know the stats on the "top schools" as of yet. Why not check out the schools with political socio programs you like and go from there. That's what I am doing. While the "top schools" are a nice idea they may not be the best place for you to excel in your research interests.

Peace

I know Columbia is known for social networks stuff.

[hoobers]

This isn't my field, but you should look into Stanford--McAdam is there and he is a big player in political soc, and stanford has some very strong networks people (both in sociology and in other departments--education, econ, computer science).

[heathenist]

This is the area I'm interested in as well. From what I've read/heard Irvine is the place to be for Social Movements. Also, Pittsburgh has been going out and recruiting a lot of big names in the Social Movements field. I believe Vanderbilt also has a strong movements program. Can't remember any of the other big schools off of the top of my head.

Zombie thread.

[coqui21]

Purdue and Notre Dame might also be worth looking into for Social Movements stuff. Both have a number of well recognized scholars in the field.

[readyforachange]

Notre Dame. The sociology department has ties with political science (some jointly appointed faculty I believe), as well as the Center for the Study of Social Movements and Change, and the Interdisciplinary Center for Network Science and Applications. Mobilization is edited at ND, with Rory McVeigh, who is also the sociology department chair, as editor.

[hoobers]

Places like Notre Dame, Pittsburgh, Vanderbilt etc might be strong in social movements, but they aren't "top 10" schools in the discipline. If you are choosing between a medium-ranked department that is very strong in a subfield and a high-ranked department that is only ok in the subfield, you should go with the high-ranked department. In an ideal world this would not be the case, but the prestige of your department determines a lot about where you can get jobs in the future. It is very hard to get a post at a department that is higher ranked than the one where you got your phd. The specific strength in a subfield is important for the quality of education you will get, but it doesn't matter nearly as much for your future ability to teach in a top-tier school. The top 10- or 15- programs essentially exchange graduate students, with few people from elsewhere even given interviews. If you think you've got the record (and the obsessive workaholism) to be aiming for a top-15 job in the future, then study up on those US News & World report rankings.

Edited November 7, 2010 by hoobers

[heathenist]

I've always been told to go to the school that fits you and I think I agree in this case. Not everyone cares about getting a teaching position at a top 10 university. I think many would be happy with non-top 10 schools. If I had to choose between a good education at a place that fit me better but wouldn't get me a teaching position at a "top" school and a school that I only liked okay but was higher ranked and could get me teaching positions at "better" schools. I can't say for sure because I haven't been in that position, but I'd like to think I'd pick the school that fit me the best, regardless of prestige. Then again, I'm not interested in teaching at an IVY league school.