2004 Graduate Study

resources &research

Graduate Study in Sociology at BU
Resources and Research

The sociology department offers multiple resources for students. The entire Boston and New England area serves as a research site for studies by faculty and graduate students. Opportunities are available for extensive contacts with various institutions, ethnic communities, and organizations. Consortium arrangements with Tufts University, Boston College, and Brandeis University (the Inter-University Consortium) enable graduate students to share library facilities and to take courses for credit in these schools. Close contact with several European centers and universities makes possible research sites abroad.

Graduate students also benefit from the working relations with the special Graduate School programs and institutes of Boston University, such as the Institute on Culture, Religion and World Affairs, African-American Studies Center, African Studies Center, Institute for Economic Development, American and New England Studies Program, Center for Law and Health Sciences, Institute for the Study of Economic Culture, School of Public Health, School of Social Work, Center for International Relations, Center for Gerontology, Center for Judaic Studies, and The University Professors. (Click here for a list of research centers and institutes along with relevant links).

The settings and facilities of the University offer unusually broad prospects for training and experience in research. Because our student to faculty ratio is small for a large research university, graduate students can avail themselves of various opportunities to participate in faculty research projects. They can do so for financial compensation, or for course credit by developing a 900 level Directed Research course in consultation with the professor (for specific information on faculty research projects and activities, consult the professors whose interests parallel your own).

The university and the department also offer strong research facilities and equipment. Graduate students have access to the department's computers and printers. They can also use the terminals nearby at 111 Cummington Street (the Office of Information Technology). There one may open an account free of charge that gives access to the mainframe computer and its packages of word-processing and statistical programs, and establish an E-mail address. Upstairs at the same address, Information Technology also has a graphics laboratory with available workstations and graphics programs.Trained personnel are available to assist with statistical and programming issues. An Audiovisual Laboratory in the department includes videotape recording and viewing equipment and other recording and photographic resources for use in research and teaching.

Further resources include:

Albert Morris Sociology Reading Room
In 1972 the department honored Professor Albert Morris, the department's first Chairman, by dedicating the Reading Room to him. It has a small library (approximately 1000 volumes), and is used for informal and formal gatherings and as a place for Sociology students to work.

Office Space for Graduate Students
The department allocates office space for teaching fellows, graders, and research fellows. Typically two or three students share an office. All students have access to the Graduate Student Lounge and the Reading Room.

Diversity and Setting
Many of our faculty have studied and done research overseas, and there is a diversity of viewpoints. Graduate students come from varied backgrounds and from different parts of the country and world. Students have their own Graduate Student Union and serve on departmental committees. There are colloquia presentations, departmental meetings, informal discussions, seminars, celebrations, and other activities that take place in the attractive quarters of the department. The department also occasionally hosts small conferences. Advanced graduate students are encouraged to present their research findings in professional meetings across the country.

Graduate Student Union
The Sociology Graduate Student Union is a voluntary association of graduate students who choose to take an active part in the department. Its structure is minimal and informal, and there are no fees for participating. The Graduate Student Union initiates projects and colloquia within the department, and it also selects representatives to departmental committees who, in turn, report back to its members.

Financial Aid
For entering students. Prestigious University Fellowships are awarded by the Graduate School on a highly competitive basis. They cover tuition for eight courses and carry a stipend. University Teaching Fellows lead discussion groups and grade for their assigned professor. In addition to receiving awards that cover tuition and fees, TF's also receive a stipend.

For continuing students. A few teaching fellowships are awarded annually by the department to students who have demonstrated competence in areas where assistance is needed for courses. The department also may hire graders to assist the faculty with large undergraduate courses. In addition, a few stipends per semester are awarded to cover fees.

Research Assistantships are sometimes available through faculty grants. Also, all eligible students should apply for the Work-Study Program.