Sociology, Criminology, and Criminal Justice

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Department Office
Stevenson 3115
(707) 664-2934

https://ccjs.sonoma.edu/ and https://sociology.sonoma.edu/

Department Chair
Emily Asencio

The Department of Sociology, Criminology, and Criminal Justice Studies brings together two fields that examine how societies are organized, how social structures and inequalities develop, and how communities respond to social issues, including those involving law, conflict, and social control. As a unified academic department, it offers two distinct programs—Sociology and Criminology and Criminal Justice Studies—that provide students with a broad understanding of social processes, institutions, and systems of justice.

The department’s programs explore the ways individuals and groups shape—and are shaped by—social institutions such as families, schools, workplaces, and political and legal systems. Students examine patterns of inequality and social change; the development and consequences of norms, laws, and policies; and the roles played by organizations and public agencies, including those within the criminal justice system. Across both programs, students gain theoretical and methodological tools for analyzing social life, understanding social problems, and engaging with the social, structural, and institutional forces that influence communities and everyday experiences.

Sociology

Sociological research seeks to improve understanding of the human condition within a strong tradition of social justice and human equality. Sociology examines how society shapes individuals and groups, and how individuals and groups shape society. Areas of study range from the behavior of the individual as a social actor to the structure of entire societies. Key topics include social psychology, socialization, deviant behavior, group behavior, organizations and institutions, power, inequality, and social change. Major social institutions—including the family, education, religion, social welfare, medicine, work, politics, and the media—are explored in detail.

To develop skills for studying society, students are introduced to research techniques such as survey research, sampling, observational methods, content analysis, experimentation, interviewing, and computer applications in research. Because sociology is a core subject within the liberal arts, the department offers a variety of courses of interest to non-majors concerning social issues such as aging, drugs and society, social inequities, media, education, globalization, and the information revolution.

The major allows each student, in consultation with an advisor, to develop an individualized program of study. Required courses ensure a solid grounding in sociological concepts, theories, and research methods.

Upon degree completion, Sociology majors will be able to 

1. Apply sociological theories to understand social phenomena 
2. Critically evaluate explanations of human behavior and social phenomena 
3. Apply scientific principles to understand the social world 
4. Evaluate the quality of social scientific methods and data 
5. Rigorously analyze social scientific data. `
6. Use sociological knowledge to inform policy debates, promote social justice, and engage in public exchange of ideas

Sociology provides excellent preparation for a wide range of careers in government, human services, research, public administration, counseling, recreation, senior services, social welfare, vocational services, and business (including management, human relations, public relations, industrial relations, and marketing). The department sponsors a chapter of the national sociology honor society Alpha Kappa Delta and annually awards the Kathy Charmaz Undergraduate Research Paper Award, the Joseph J. Byrne Memorial Scholarship, and the Robert Holzapfel Scholarship.

Criminology and Criminal Justice Studies

The Criminology and Criminal Justice Studies (CCJS) major offers a liberal arts curriculum concerned with the changing nature and content of law; the shifting public expectations of criminal justice agencies; the implications of diversity along the lines of race, gender, and class; and the reactions of those agencies to social perceptions and political pressures.

Students are offered an interdisciplinary, multi-methodological approach to understanding mechanisms of social control, the resolution of criminal justice problems, and knowledge of accepted procedures and alternatives within justice systems. This academic foundation supports students’ exploration of specialized areas such as adult and juvenile probation, law enforcement, judicial administration, public advocacy, prevention and diversion, and correctional services. CCJS majors are prepared to pursue graduate education in justice studies, criminology, law, and related graduate fields.

Upon degree completion, CCJS majors will be able to:

1. Demonstrate strong critical thinking and analytical skills
2. Communicate effectively in both written and oral forms
3. Relate theoretical perspectives to practical issues in criminal justice settings
4. Understand and apply research methods to evaluate policies, programs, and practices
5. Recognize and assess the ethical dimensions of criminal justice decision-making

Programs

• Criminology and Criminal Justice Studies, BA
• Sociology, BA

• Criminology and Criminal Justice Studies, Minor
• Sociology, Minor

• Criminology and Criminal Justice Studies, BA, Sample Four-Year Plan
• Sociology, BA, Sample Four-Year Plan

• Criminology and Criminal Justice Studies, BA, Sample Two-Year Plan
• Sociology, BA, Sample Two-Year Plan

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