Harvard University Department of Sociology

The Department of Sociology at Harvard has a rich and varied history. Whether it be the social systems approach of Talcott Parsons or the social exchange tradition pioneered by George Homans, the department has always been home to sociologists who are deeply committed to the development of sociological theory in the service of addressing fundamental sociological questions about the empirical world. The Harvard department of the 21st century is characterized by unsurpassed methodological breadth and depth, with faculty and students engaged in methods ranging from ethnography, in-depth interviews, and archival work to advanced statistical modeling. Deep engagement with central social issues in the American landscape such as urban inequality and mass incarceration is coupled with expertise in political, economic, and social and cultural issues in other parts of the world such as Latin America, Asia, and Europe.