Sociology Academics
Bachelor of Arts in Sociology
The major 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. (Prerequisites & Requirements, Admissions Information)
Program Learning Goals:
A graduate of this major should be able to:
- Demonstrate through assignments and class discussion a sociological imagination, i.e., the ability to see connections between local, personal experiences and larger global, societal forces, and between individual troubles and pervasive social problems, in a global context.
- Understand through readings and class discussion how the scientific study of society transcends common sense beliefs and conventional wisdom about people's attitudes and behaviors.
- Test the veracity of research hypotheses and be able to formulate basic research questions to guide studies of societal behavior, processes, and institutions by using qualitative and quantitative methods of collecting evidence.
- Demonstrate familiarity with written works of classic and contemporary sociological theories that explain why people think and act as they do.
- Demonstrate an understanding and mastery of sociological concepts through writing, explanatory, and presentation skills.
SP. 24-Major Coordinator: Professor TBA, Department of Sociology, socadvising@jjay.cuny.edu Main:212-237-8666, Rm.520HH
Bachelor of Arts in Criminology
The criminology major focuses on the nature and causes of crime, the behavior of criminals, and how society reacts to crime and criminals. The major, which contains courses in sociology and in other social science disciplines as well as in the humanities, will interest students planning to attend graduate or professional school, as well as those currently working in criminal justice or other public service careers or planning to do so in the future. (Prerequisites & Requirements, Admissions Information)
Program Learning Goals:
A graduate of this major should demonstrate:
- Thorough knowledge of the core literature and debates that make up the discipline of criminology
- An understanding of the key components of criminological theory and the ability to apply theory to specific contexts
- An understanding of the methods of criminological research
- The ability to make reasoned and informed judgment on issues relating to crime and punishment
- The ability to organize thoughts and communicate arguments effectively in writing
SP. 24-Major Coordinator: Professor TBA, Department of Sociology, socadvising@jjay.cuny.edu Main:212-237-8666, Rm.520HH
Bachelor of Arts in International Criminal Justice
The major in international criminal justice introduces students to the nature and cause of crime at the international level and to the mechanism for its prevention and control. Components of the criminal justice system as they apply to transnational and international crime are studied, as well as the impact of international law and human rights in addressing crimes against humanity. The major is intended to equip students with the knowledge and skills needed for careers in which the globalization of crime plays an important role. It also is designed to prepare students for advanced work in graduate and professional school.(Prerequisites & Requirements, Admissions Information)
Program Director: Professor Rosemary Barberet, Sociology Department, rbarberet@jjay.cuny.edu 212.237.8676, 520.10HH
Dispute Resolution Certificate Program
The Dispute Resolution Certificate Program, one of the nation’s pioneer academic programs in dispute resolution, offers training in the techniques of dispute resolution, the theory and the methods of defusing conflicts. The program is designed to provide students with an understanding of the conceptual issues involving conflict and conflict management, the skills required to act effectively as a dispute resolver, and internship opportunities for the application of knowledge and skills. Internships are available at a wide range of agencies in New York City. (Prerequisites & Requirements, Admissions Information)
Faculty Coordinator: Professor Maria Volpe, mvolpe@jjay.cuny.edu, 212.237.8693, 3245 NH
Minor in Sociology
The Sociology minor considers the following areas in the study of modern society: social groups, social organization, the sociology of institutions such as law, the courts, the family, the process of interacation, social disorganization and change. Topics such as violence, delinquency, deviant behavior, social control, and ethnic, race and class relations are central to minor concentration. Issues of culture, personality. and urbanization are studied. (Requirements)
Program Learning Goals:
A graduate of this minor should be able to:
- Develop a sociological imagination with the ability to see connections between personal experiences and larger societal forces between personal troubles and pervasive social problems
- Develop an understanding of how the scientific study of society transcends common sense beliefs and conventional wisdom about people's attitudes and behaviors
- Gain awareness of some classicial and contemporary sociologicial theories that explain why people think and act as they do
- Develop the necessary writing and explanatory skills through which to articulate an understanding of sociological concepts
SP. 24-Minor Coordinator: Professor TBA, Department of Sociology, socadvising@jjay.cuny.edu Main:212-237-8666 , Rm.520HH
Minor in Criminology
The criminology minor focuses on the nature and causes of crime, the behavior of criminals, and how society reacts to crime and criminals. (Requirements)
Program Learning Goals:
A graduate of this minor should demonstrate:
- Broad knowledge of the literature and debates within the discipline of criminology
- Develop an understanding of criminological theory and be able to begin to apply theory to specific contexts
- Develop the ability to critically analyze issues related to crime and punishment
- Develop the ability to communicate effectively in writing
SP. 24-Minor Coordinator: Professor TBA, Department of Sociology, socadvising@jjay.cuny.edu Main:212-237-8666 , Rm.520HH
Minor in Dispute Resolution
The Dispute Resolution minor provides students with an opportunity to learn about the causes, complex dynamics, escalation, de-escalation, and constructive resolution of conflicts in a variety of contexts from the interpersonal to the international levels. Students will also gain knowledge and techniques necessary to negotiate, facilitate, and mediate a wide range of situations. (Prerequisites & Requirements )
Minor Coordinator: Professor Maria Volpe, Department of Sociology, mvolpe@jjay.cuny.edu, 212.237.8693, 3245 NH
Bachelor of Arts in Culture and Deviant Studies
The major in Culture and Deviance Studies is designed to provide students with a basic interdisciplinary understanding of deviance as a concept of difference and diversity within the framework of cross-cultural research and how deviance has been related to important social problems and institutional responses to treat and control them. This foundation is enhanced by a comprehensive and critical understanding of cultural variation and macro- and micro-social and historical contexts as these apply to human conflict. This major also teaches students the ethnographic and ethnological perspectives and skills used in professional field research, while maintaining strong interdisciplinary content. The Culture and Deviance Studies major prepares students to be professionally effective in diverse and challenging fields, including social services, protective and corrective services, probation, parole, community reintegration and treatment. The research, writing, and interdisciplinary theoretical training provide majors with the background necessary for graduate programs in social work, law, or the social sciences. The core requirements pertain to theory, ethnographic methods, cross-cultural research and analysis, while electives demonstrate applications of both theory and method to particular problems.(Prerequisites & Requirements, Admissions Information)
Faculty Coordinator: Professor Edward Snajdr, Department of Anthropology, esnajdr@jjay.cuny.edu, 212.237.8262, 9.63.19 NB
Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice
The criminal justice major provides opportunities for the study of many facets of the criminal justice and it will interest students who plan to attend graduate or professional school or to pursue careers in criminal justice or other forms of public service. Students may choose from five concentrations: Law and Due Process, The Police and the Community, The Courts and the Criminal Justice System, Corrections, Crime and Society. (Prerequisites & Requirements, Admissions Information)
Faculty Coordinator: Professor Evan Mandery, Department of Criminal Justice, emandery@jjay.cuny.edu, 212.237.8389, 2121 NH
Master of Arts in Criminal Justice
The aim of the Master of Arts in Criminal Justice is to broaden the perspective of those already in the criminal justice profession and prepare students for further graduate work and scholarship. Its courses provide a general survey of the field covering research methods, causes of crime, and analyses of the police, courts, and correctional system. Students must specialize in one of eight areas: Criminology and Deviance, Criminal Law and Procedure, Police Administration, Correction Administration, Computer Applications in Criminal Justice, Study of Drug and Alcohol Abuse, Investigative Techniques, Juvenile Justice. (Course Listings, Admissions Information)
Program Director: Professor Avram Bornstein, Department of Anthropology, abornstein@jjay.cuny.edu, 212.237.8287, 9.63.18 NB
Doctoral Program in Criminal Justice
The Doctoral Program in Criminal Justice of The City University of New York at John Jay College offers interdisciplinary education in the fields of criminal justice, criminology, and forensic science. The program prepares students for careers of scholarship and teaching in criminal justice and related areas. Students receive rigorous training in four core areas: criminological theory, forensic psychology, criminal justice policy and criminal law. All students develop a concentration in at least one of these areas as well as a firm grounding in social science research methods and statistics. (General Information, Admissions)
Executive Officer: Professor Deborah Koetzle, Department of Public Management, dkoetzle@jjay.cuny.edu, 212-621-3758, 3118 NH