Department of Sociology
Family, Sex, and Gender
The Family, Sex and Gender area in sociology at Purdue University combines the oldest specialization in the department (family) with two of the newest and most dynamic specialties within the discipline: gender and sexuality. This area investigates family, marriage and other intimacy-based relationships, sexualities, and gender in society. Graduate students can pursue Ph.D. and M.S. degrees with this specialization.
The department was founded in 1947 by Dr. Harold T. Christensen, an internationally renowned scholar in the sociology of family. Currently, the specialization attracts scholars studying a wide variety of issues such as family violence; gender and media; sexualities in non-Western cultures; masculinities; family-work connections; family and the law; gender diversity; gender and education; gender and welfare; gender and social movements; and gender and resistance.
The Family, Sex and Gender specialization is one of the largest and most diverse in the department. Students choosing this area are introduced to scholars in both sociology and anthropology who have diverse theoretical and methodological approaches. The specialty also benefits from the interdisciplinary programs: African American Studies, American Studies, Gerontology, and Women’s Studies, as well as the Black Cultural Center, International Center and the Department of Child Development and Family Studies.
The objective of the Family, Sex and Gender program is to prepare students as scholars in the areas of family, sex, and/or gender. Graduates may seek to conduct or apply research, to teach in universities or other settings, or to work with individuals, couples and families in more direct ways.
The following are faculty members who currently specialize in Family, Sex and Gender:Einwohner, Rachel L.
Feld, Scott
Gecas, Viktor
Hoffmann, Elizabeth
Loftus, Jeni
Miller, JoAnn
Moghadam, Valentine
Owens, Timothy
Perrucci, Carolyn
Subramaniam, Mangala
Suitor, Jill