About the Institute

The origins of sociology in Rzeszów date back to 1968, when the Department of Socio-Historical Studies was established at the then Pedagogical University. This structure existed until 1981, when, based on the Interfaculty Department of Social Sciences at the Pedagogical University, the Institute of Philosophy and Sociology was established. In 1982, a new field of study — social sciences — was launched. The sociology program was introduced in the 1992/1993 academic year, offering specializations in social work, local government, and social, political, and cultural issues of borderland areas. The Institute comprised three departments: the Department of Sociology, the Department of Philosophy, and the Department of Social and Economic Thought.

On October 1, 1996, the independent Institute of Sociology was separated from the Institute of Philosophy and Sociology, marking another stage in the development of sociology in Rzeszów. In the 2008/2009 academic year, the Institute of Sociology comprised eight scientific departments, headed by independent academic staff members: the Department of Urban and Regional Sociology, the Department of Large Social Structures, the Department of Rural and Agricultural Sociology, the Department of Cultural Anthropology, the Department of Territorial Communities, the Department of Social Policy and Ethics, the Department of Eastern Studies, and the Department of General Sociology.

In the following years, the structure of the Institute of Sociology underwent further transformations. The Department of Rural and Agricultural Sociology, the Department of Eastern Studies, the Department of Large Social Structures, and the Department of Urban and Regional Sociology were closed. In their place, new units were established: the Department of Sociology of Organization and Management (2012), the Department of Sociology of Social Problems (2012), and the Department of Central European Studies (2016).

In the 2018/2019 academic year, the Institute of Sociology consisted of six departments, headed by professors: the Department of Sociology of Organization and Management, the Department of Sociology of Social Problems and Family (until 2018: the Department of Sociology of Social Problems), the Department of Cultural Anthropology, the Department of Social Policy and Social Work (until 2010: the Department of Social Policy and Ethics), the Department of Urban Sociology and Territorial Communities (until 2015: the Department of Territorial Communities), and the Department of Central European Studies.

In the 2019/2020 academic year, as a result of the reorganization of the structure of the University of Rzeszów, the Institute of Sociology was transformed into the Institute of Sociological Sciences and became part of the College of Social Sciences.

Currently, the Institute consists of five departments: the Department of Sociology of Organization and Regional Development, the Department of Sociology of Family and Social Problems, the Department of Social Work, the Department of Social Policy, and the Department of Sociology of Education. The Institute of Sociological Sciences employs 26 full-time research and teaching staff, who conduct classes within the fields of sociology and social work.

The position of Director of the Institute is held by Rev. Prof. Witold Jedynak, PhD, DSc (University of Rzeszów).

INS has facilities with a total area of 930 square meters, located in building A1 at 16C Rejtana Street. The premises include 2 lecture halls, 3 seminar rooms, 2 specialized research laboratories (FGI and CATI), and 1 computer lab. The room designated for staff meetings also houses the institute's library.