About Sociology

The Sociology Department of John Jay College has a distinguished faculty of internationally known scholars in sociology, criminology, dispute resolution, and related areas and offers outstanding academic programs at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. The department’s wide array of foundational, specialized, and interdisciplinary courses encourage students to develop a sociological understanding of the nature and structure of society and its institutions.

The Bachelor of Arts in Sociology provides students with a comprehensive understanding of sociological theories and methodologies, as well as the research and analytical skills they need to work in and contribute to today's globally interconnected world. The major focuses on the globalized nature of our society and the intensification of inequalities and related demands for social justice. The Bachelor of Arts in Criminology provides students with both traditional and groundbreaking theoretical and empirical understandings of crime – including its causes and consequences and how it is defined and processed.

Courses offered by the department play a key role in the interdisciplinary Bachelors of Arts in International Criminal Justice as well as the Dispute Resolution Certificate Program, one of the nation's pioneer academic programs in dispute resolution, designed to provide students with an understanding of the conceptual issues involving conflict and the skills required to act effectively as a dispute resolver.

Courses offered by the department also play an important role in the baccalaureate programs in Criminal Justice and Deviant Behavior and Social Control as well as the Master’s Degree programs in Criminal Justice and Forensic Computing. Minors in Criminology, Dispute Resolution, and Sociology are also offered.

Members of the faculty also teach in the Sociology and Criminal Justice Doctoral Programs of the City University of New York (CUNY). Plans are currently underway to create a Master’s Degree in Criminology.