PhD in Sociology - Power, History, and Social Change in Ann Arbor United States | University of Michigan Ann Arbor

This program examines the evolution of power dynamics, resource allocation, and key societal structures through comparative and historical lenses. Core areas of study encompass revolutionary movements, large-scale societal shifts marked by phenomena like colonialism/imperialism, class structures, state development, economic progress, the emergence of capitalist systems and modern business entities, and transitions to modernity/postmodernity. The curriculum prioritizes examining cultural shifts, sociopolitical evolution, and economic transitions, particularly regarding class, race, national identity, civic participation, gender, sexuality, and other dimensions of power dynamics and social stratification. A distinctive feature is the department's expertise in analyzing worldwide changes across different eras. Faculty members bring specialized knowledge of regions including Western and Eastern Europe, Latin America, the Middle East, and Asia. American societal developments may also be explored within broader historical and comparative frameworks. This program stands unique among U.S. sociology departments for its comprehensive global and historical scope. Instructional approaches incorporate historical analysis, qualitative narratives, ethnographic research, and statistical methods, all with an emphasis on temporal and comparative dimensions. Faculty research interests span neo-Weberian frameworks, gender studies, various Marxist interpretations, poststructuralism, institutional analysis, and other macro-level sociological theories. The Power, History and Social Change program is ideal for students focusing on political sociology, collective action, comparative systems, global economic relations, or development studies.