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COLLEGE OF LIBERAL ARTS AND SCIENCES

DEPARTMENT OF SOCIOLOGY AND CRIMINOLOGY

image of Brianna Remster teaching class.

The Department of Sociology and Criminology at Villanova University helps students trace the structural and cultural root of inequalities, crime, and discrimination.

Our department offers undergraduate degrees in both sociology and criminology, as well as minors in each. Sociologists and criminologists believe that people’s actions are strongly influenced by the forces beyond their control. Everybody makes decisions, but we analyze their decisions in concrete structural, institutional, and historical contexts.

Our curriculum includes a wide range of courses covering theories of social and criminal behaviors, methodological courses that equip students with tools to carry out independent research and analysis, and elective courses that focus on different subfields within sociology and criminology. Our goal is to help students think critically about social issues, crime, and criminal justice. 

Department Chair:
Dr. Allison Payne
Office: SAC 204
Phone: 610-519-5299

Administrative Assistants:
Mary Ann Hostler
Sociology
Phone: 610-519-4742

Shelly DuBois
Criminology
Phone: 610-519-4786

NEWS & EVENTS

NEW FACULTY MEMBERS

Welcome to our new faculty members Lorena Ávila, Ph.D, and Guillermo Jesús Escaño! MORE...

SCHOLARSHIP@VILLANOVA EVENT WITH DR. GLENN BRACEY ON “THE RELIGION OF WHITENESS”

Event postponed, new date TBD. Glenn Bracey, PhD, Assistant Professor, Department of Sociology & Criminology will discuss his new co-authored book, The Religion of Whiteness: How Racism Distorts Christian Faith in Speakers’ Corner, Falvey Library. The book offers a new perspective that racial inequality is perpetuated because it is a necessary feature of a religion, a religion practiced and held dearly by millions of people. That religion, which they label the Religion of Whiteness, raises racial interests to the level of spiritual commitment, rivaling followers’ commitment to Christianity itself. In the wake of the 2020 racial uprising and the current political context, this exploration of the complex relationship between race, religion, and politics is beyond timely. MORE...

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR 2024 STUDENT AWARD WINNERS

The medallion of excellence award winners are Fikayo Ajeigbe (sociology, left) and Paisley Hahn (criminology, right). The McGarry award winner is Jameson Ford (sociology, center). MORE...

COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION

Our department is committed to providing an inclusive intellectual community that recognizes, values, and embraces diversity in its many forms. The department diversity statement outlines the specific details. MORE...

STUDENT TESTIMONIALS

Our students are involved in various professional development, research and internship opportunities. Hear recent graduates talk about some of these experiences including how majoring in sociology can help prepare students for an internship or job, conducting research with faculty members, and tutoring with the prison literacy program. MORE...

EDUCATION WITH IMPACT

 

AN EDUCATION IN THE LIBERAL ARTS AND SCIENCES promotes intellectual curiosity and rigor; instills the fundamentals of critical insight, mature judgment and independent thinking; and strengthens students’ sense of their moral responsibility for others and for the betterment of society.