Fulbright College of Arts & Sciences

PreviouNex

Message from the Chair

Welcome from Dr. Mindy Bradley

As we live through a time of enormous political, economic, cultural, and medical shifts and uncertainties, sociology and criminology are more important than ever. Many of today's controversies involve basic questions about how we should organize our societies, what constitutes justice, and the correlates and consequences of social conflict and social control responses.

The Department of Sociology and Criminology at the University of Arkansas stands as a vibrant hub of academic inquiry and social exploration. Renowned for its commitment to fostering critical thinking and understanding of societal dynamics, our department offers a diverse range of programs and courses that delve into the complexities of human behavior, culture, and institutions. With dedicated faculty comprising accomplished teachers and researchers, students engage in thought-provoking discussions, rigorous research endeavors, and community-driven projects that address pressing social issues. Our faculty members are active researchers publishing scholarly books as well as articles in many of the leading journals in our fields. Faculty research projects have been funded numerous federal and state agencies and local partners, including the National Science Foundation, the National Institute of Justice, National Institutes of Mental Health, Walton Foundation, and the City of Little Rock. The department's collaborative and inclusive environment encourages students to challenge assumptions, develop empathy, and contribute meaningfully to the betterment of local and global communities. Through its innovative curriculum and emphasis on real-world application, our department equips graduates with the tools to navigate and shape an ever-evolving world.

An undergraduate major in sociology and/or criminology offers rigorous preparation for graduate study in sociology, justice studies, political science, and other social and behavioral sciences. It is also an excellent preparation for professional training in law, medicine, business, education, or social work. A sociology and/or criminology major also provides a strong foundation for careers in the private sector, government, social services, law enforcement, correctional agencies, and non-profit organizations. I invite students interested in pursuing a sociology or criminology major or minor to meet with our undergraduate coordinator for more specific information and advice on requirements, courses, and departmental activities in general. On our web site, you will find detailed information about our undergraduate and graduate program requirements; biographical information about our faculty, students, and staff; and a description of the various projects, teaching, and research interests in which our members are involved. I invite you to take a closer look and see the many opportunities available in our department.

 

• Data Snapshot: Characteristics of Bias Homicides Against the LGBTQIA+ Community
  • Background: Five people were killed and at least 17 injured on November 19, 2022 just before midnight at Club Q, an LGBTQIA+ club in Colorado Springs, CO. The shooting ended after a 22-year-old gunman wielding an AR-15 style rifle was disarmed by club patrons. Federal, state, and local law enforcement officials continue to investigate the mass shooting. The alleged shooter has been charged with murder and hate crimes.

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• Data Snapshot: Less than Half of Racially-Motivated Homicides Result in Official Hate Crime Charges
  • Background: On February 23, 2020, Ahmaud Arbery, a 25-year-old Black man, was gunned down while jogging near his Georgia home. Portions of the physical altercation were caught on camera by one of the three men charged in the murder. The shooter reportedly uttered a racial epithet at Arbery as he lay in the street dying. Georgia is one of the four states without hate crime laws in the United states, but the FBI is currently investigating the shooting as a potential hate crime.

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• Data Snapshot: Failed and Foiled Islamic Terrorist Plots Targeting Military Personnel in the United States Since 9/11
  • Background: On May 21, 2020, Navy police officers interrupted a terrorism- related incident by neutralizing a 20-year old gunman who opened fire on military personnel at an entrance gate outside of the Naval Air Station Corpus Christi in Texas. One sailor was injured before the gunman was killed by Naval police officers.

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• Datasets Available to Sociology and Criminology Graduate Students and Faculty Link ->

• The Bias Homicide Database (BHDB)

• The Bias Homicide Database (BHDB) is an open-source, relational database housed in the Terrorism Research Center (TRC). BHDB data include information on incident, victim, and offender attributes of bias homicides in the United States from 1990 to 2019. Students in the TRC contribute to the Bias Homicide Database (BHDB), an open-source, relational database containing information on bias homicides from 1990 - 2019.   Link ->

   

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