Department of Sociology & Criminal Justice

Welcome to the Department of Sociology & Criminal Justice at Villanova University.

The department offers undergraduate majors and minors in Sociology and Criminal Justice.

Sociology is a perspective for understanding human behavior, and holds that people’s actions are largely a response to the conditions and situations in which they live. Human beings make decisions, but they make them under circumstances not of their own choosing. It is our mission to empower students to think critically about societies. The sociological perspective systematically analyzes human behavior by exploring the tension between decision making and life circumstances.

Criminology is the study of crime and delinquency and their prevention and control, and strives to investigate, understand, and solve social problems related to crime, law, punishment, and justice. Because criminal justice systems reflect the structure, ideas, and concerns of the societies in which they operate, the study of crime is truly interdisciplinary, pulling from a variety of fields such as sociology, psychology, political science, education, history, medicine, and economics. It is our mission to provide students with an understanding of the causes, social functions, nature, and application of various forms of social control and educate students about diverse theories exploring the many dimensions of crime and its applications for criminal and social justice policies.

Please take your time and explore our web site. You can find information about our programs, faculty, and graduates (you can read their comments about our department and their occupations). Should you have any additional questions, please do not hesitate to contact Dr. Thomas M. Arvanites, the Department Chair, at 610.519.4774. 

Job Opening- Assistant Professor (tenure-track, beginning in August 2012)

The Department of Sociology and Criminal Justice invites applications for a tenure-track assistant professor position to begin in August 2012 (teaching load is 3-2). This position requires a specialization in Race and Ethnic Relations. Additional specialization in Theory is desirable. Applications must include an application letter, CV, writing sample, evidence of teaching effectiveness, graduate transcripts, and three letters of recommendation. Letters of recommendation and graduate transcripts should be sent to Search Committee Chair, Department of Sociology and Criminal Justice, SAC 204, Villanova University, 800 Lancaster Ave., Villanova, PA 19085. All other material must be submitted online at http://jobs.villanova.edu. Review of applications begins October 15, 2011 and continues until the position is filled. Candidates must have a Ph.D. in Sociology by the time of appointment.