The graduate program of the Sociology Department consists of four sub-departments: Sociology, Studies of Social Relations, Comparative Studies of Cultural Behavior, and Comparative Sociology.

In the Sociology sub-department, both sociological theories and historical sociology are taught. In Studies of Social Relations, cultural phenomenon and communication in contemporary society are studied with empirical research. In Comparative Studies of Cultural Behavior, socio-cultural anthropology and rural sociology are taught. Seminars are organized on social problems, popular culture, and social stratification in the Program of Comparative Sociology.

The Department has conducted empirical research on various aspects of the contemporary world. Among recent projects are ones on Japanese popular culture in a global context, comparative sociological studies of the Asian family. Rural sociological fieldwork of a Japanese mountain village in the Kumano region has been in progress since 1998. The department publishes Kyoto Shakaigaku Nenpo (Kyoto Journal of Sociology) with English abstracts.

In this department, students are required to be familiar both with sociological theories and empirical social research methods.

• http://www.socio.kyoto-u.ac.jp/english/