PhD in Sociology - Culture in Ithaca United States | Cornell University

The Sociology Graduate Field accepts approximately 6-7 PhD candidates annually, maintaining a total enrollment of around 40 students. These graduate students receive guidance from over 30 distinguished Sociology Graduate Field Faculty members spanning Cornell University. While many faculty hold primary appointments in the Sociology Department, students may choose advisors from any field faculty member. Prospective applicants should examine faculty research specialties and contact relevant professors, though admission isn't tied to specific mentors or labs.

First-year sociology doctoral students begin with general registration, completing core theory and methodology courses before selecting two specialization areas from the options below. Students may combine one major and one minor focus or two major concentrations.

Following first-year coursework, students complete two concentration exams and develop a Qualifying Paper - an original, publishable research article. Successful completion leads to Doctoral Candidacy, typically achieved by the third year's start. The candidacy exam precedes dissertation planning, research, and final defense.

Sociology shares significant ground with disciplines like anthropology. Culture concentration students must grasp sociological-anthropological intersections regarding cultural analysis. This concentration examines influential social institutions (media, sports, religion) shaping daily behaviors, requiring methodological proficiency in cultural studies.