Sociology Departments and Social Reform

[mgs81]

I am applying for a PhD in Sociology for Fall 2014 and am wondering which of the following departments value sociology research towards social reform/change and in which departments this is not valued and I should only talk about straight theoretical investigation. The relevant departments of sociology are at the following schools:

Princeton

Columbia University

NYU

CUNY Graduate Center

Rutgers

 

Any other information about the priorities/focuses/values of these departments would be helpful. Thanks!

[ohgoodness]

I am not 100% sure about what you means by this but it sounds like you referring to the general focus/tradition within sociology?

If so - it's 2013 and the only thing that matters would being able to investigate empirical matters in a proficient manner.

 

Focusing on either aspect in your application would be impossible as you just want to showcase your own qualities and interests rather than try to place yourself on either side of such a schism.    Apply by fit/interest and then tailor your application as to why you see that school being a perfect place for your qualities/future development as a researcher. 

Edited October 30, 2013 by ohgoodness

[RefurbedScientist]

Of the departments you listed (with the exception of Rutgers, about which I know nothing), CUNY is by far the most amenable to activist research. If by "reform" you mean policy applications, several programs have joint programs in sociology and social policy. Princeton's Woodrow Wilson school has one such joint program with the soc department, as does Harvard. 

 

As a general rule, departments prefer to think of their graduate students as professors in the making, not social reformers. Therefore, few are explicitly friendly toward activist or policy applications of sociology. Make sure that your research interests, and not your reform agenda, are central to your application at any program.