western michigan university's sociology program is designed to give students the ability to analyze the world around them, its people and their institutions.

professional sociologists concentrate on several diverse areas within the field. sociologists may focus on one of the social institutions, such as family, religion, medicine, the economy or politics. some specialize in deviance, disorganization and conflict. others concentrate on stratification—the formation and influence of various social hierarchies. specifically, they may examine issues of race, class, gender or age. still others study population and the environment. wmu's sociology department also has a growing emphasis on analysis of global and cross-cultural issues.