Department of Sociology and Criminal Justice

Chair: John Porter Lillis

Faculty:  Yawo Bessa, Calvina Ellerbe, Melanie Escue, Kenethia Fuller, Jessica Godsey, Kristin Godwin, Matthew R. Hassett, E. Brooke Kelly, Victoria Kurdyla, Renee Lamphere, Abigail Malick, Jesse M. McQueen, Lauren Norman, Ashley N. Parsons, Corey R. Pomykacz, Abigail Reiter, E. Miranda Reiter, Robert Michael Spivey, Mecca K. Terry Tracy Vargas

The purpose of the Department of Sociology and Criminal Justice is to provide students with classroom and real-life experiences designed to stimulate critical thought about the social environment and to prepare students for meaningful participation in society.

The Department offers both a major and an academic concentration in Sociology and a major in Criminal Justice. In addition, minors are available in Sociology, Criminal Justice, Substance Abuse, Medical Sociology, International Sociology, Gender Studies, and Community Development.

The Department places emphasis on applied sociology and criminal justice. Many courses within the department allow students to test classroom learning through real-life experience (field-work placement) in the community. Such experiences enhance students’ employment opportunities following graduation.

The Department of Sociology and Criminal Justice strongly recommends that prospective majors, minors, and those developing specialty concentrations consult the Department Chair.

Graduate Courses in Criminal Justice and Sociology

The department participates in the Concentration in Criminal Justice of the Master’s of Public Administration program. Undergraduate enrollment for graduate courses is permitted for some seniors subject to the policies of The Graduate School. See the Graduate Programs  section of this catalog for those policies and a description of the MPA program and courses.

See the Graduate Programs  section of this catalog for a description of graduate Sociology courses offered as electives for the M.A. and M.A.T. in Social Studies Education.

Programs

• Sociology, Academic Concentration

• Criminal Justice, B.A.
• Sociology, B.A.

• Applied Gerontology, Minor
• Community Action and Social Change, Minor
• Criminal Justice, Minor
• Gender Studies, Minor
• Medical Sociology, Minor
• Sociology, Minor
• Substance Abuse, Minor
• Terrorism Studies, Minor

Courses

• SOCS 4xxx. Special Topics (3 credits)