The Institute of Sociology is made up of the following academic units:

Department of Theoretical Sociology (chaired by Prof. Dr. (habilitated) Piotr Sztompka )

The department's interests concentrate on the issues of theoretical sociology and the history of sociology, as well as social/political problems in various countries. It also addresses the issues of political change and the question of European integration. Two workshops are linked to the department: The Centre for Analysis of Cultural Change 'Europa '89' (Centrum Analiz Zmian Kulturowych 'Europa '89') led by Prof. Piotr Sztompka, and the Workshop for the Sociology of Leadership (Pracownia Socjologii Władzy) led by Prof. Hieronim Kubiak).

Department for the Research of Group Processes (chaired by Prof. Dr. (hab.) Marian Niezgoda)

Studies concentrate on micro-sociology and the theory of change and conflict, as well as addressing characteristics of status.

Department of Rural Sociology and Agrarian Relations (chaired by Prof. Dr. (hab.) Lucjan Kocik)

The department deals with issues of the transformation of rural areas and of farming, as well as farming movements and organisations that function both locally and that address globalisation.

Department of Social Anthropology (chaired by Prof. Dr. (hab.) Maria Flis)

Issues dealt with by the department concentrate on the problems brought to light by theories of culture, ethnicity, social identity, symbolic anthropology as well as research in economic anthropology.

Department for the Comparative Study of Civilisations (chaired by Dr. (hab.)Andrzej Flis)

The department interests itself in research on different European civilisations and their development as well as inter-civilisation studies.

Department for the Sociology of Norms and Organisations (chaired by Dr. (hab.) Grażyna Skąpska)

The department concentrates on the problems concerning societal change (with regards to citizenship), as well as cultural legislature. It also deals with the roles of poverty and wealth in social life. Problems to do with commercial change and local authoritative systems are also looked at.

Department of Applied Sociology and Social Work (chaired by Prof. Dr. (hab.) Krzysztof Frysztacki)

Research interests lie in urban sociology, social problems, gender-sociology, the phenomenon of social demographics and social work.

Department for the Sociology of Commerce and Education
(chaired by Prof. Dr. (hab.) Jarosław Górniak)

The department deals with research regarding commercial institutions, commercial influence on csocial life, marketing and educational institutions.

The Department of Research Methods and Techniques (chaired by Prof. Dr. (hab.) Marian Niezgoda)

The department raises issues on the problems concerning methodology and the techniques used when conducting sociological study, with particular emphasis on mass social change. Problems regarding quality of data are also addressed, as well as computer analysis.