The University of Wisconsin – Madison, Sociology Department enjoys a reputation as one of the top rated Sociology departments in the country. Located at 1180 Observatory Drive, Madison, Wisconsin (53706-1393), the Department occupies space on all but the fifth floor of the eight story Sewell Social Sciences Building. The main administrative office is in room 8128. Sociology is one of the largest departments within the College of Letters and Science (L&S). L&S administrative offices are located on Bascom Hill in South Hall. Eric Wilcots is the Dean of L&S.
The Sociology Department is chaired by a faculty member elected by all members of the legal faculty. An election is held every year, though terms generally run for three years. The Chair chooses an Associate Chair to assist in managing the Department. The Chair oversees all the workings of the Department including budget, personnel, and curriculum. The Associate Chair’s main administrative responsibilities involve junior faculty recruitment, hiring and administering teaching assistants and graduate student lecturers, and assigning building space and furnishings, including computer equipment. The current Department Chair is Eric Grodsky. This term, there are two associate chairs: Ivan Ermakoff, Associate Chair for Hiring, and Chad Alan Goldberg, Associate Chair of Teaching.
The Director of Graduate Studies (DGS) is a faculty member who generally serves a three year term and is appointed by the Chair. The Director chairs the graduate student admissions and awards committee and acts as the advisor for new students until they choose a faculty advisor in their interest area. The current Director of Graduate Studies is Michael Light.
The Department Administrator coordinates and manages all the business support services of the Sociology Department including budget, personnel, and administrative support. This position may also serve as a liaison between faculty and staff. The current Department Administrator is Tina Hunter.