Department of Sociology and Criminology

Our essential mission is to prepare students to analyze, transform, and overcome conditions of oppression, exploitation and injustice.

Department of Sociology and Criminology
Lewis Downing Hall, Building 26
2300 6th Street NW | Suite 1124
Washington, DC 20059

Phone: 202-806-6853

University Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic

The University continues to closely monitor the spread of COVID-19, also known as the coronavirus, as additional cases are confirmed in the United States and other countries. The University continues to formulate and adjust its plans as needed.

Learn more about the response efforts

We live in an age of social conflict fueled by poverty, racism and other forms of inequality, but also by our knowledge that a better world is possible and our desires to make it so.

Social theory and research provide us with powerful tools for critically analyzing, transforming, and overcoming conditions of oppression, exploitation and injustice.

Our graduate and undergraduate programs give students training in the use of these tools and that prepare them for careers and lives in service to their communities and struggles for a better world.

We offer undergraduate programs in Sociology and Criminology, and a graduate program in Sociology.

Earn a B.A. degree in Sociology

Earn a B.A. degree in Criminology

Earn a M.A. or Ph.D. degree in Sociology

Ralph Gomes, Ph.D. - Celebration of Life

The Department will host a virtual celebration of his life on October 30, 2020 at 4 pm. Use this link https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88900786674?pwd=M2E4YW1iSkFlSVJaOVVDTzlOSURwZz09 to join the service Meeting ID: 889 0078 6674 Passcode: s5Nj7P.

Dr. Ralph Gomes was featured in a recent article in the Washington Post. https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/a-lifetime-studying-the-black-experience--and-collecting-art-related-to-it/2020/09/22/d280b5f2-fce8-11ea-9ceb-061d646d9c67_story.html

Contact Information

For Information on our programs including advising please contact the Program Directors:

Undergraduate Sociology Program, Dr. Eleanor King (emking@howard.edu)

Undergraduate Criminology Program, Dr. Ernest Quimby (equimby@howard.edu)

Graduate Sociology Program, Dr. Ron Manuel (rmanuel@howard.edu)

For General Information contact the Administrative Assistant Ms. Bonner (joanna.bonner@howard.edu)

Featured Article

Nicole Jenkins Ph.D. on NPR

NPR has been conducting a 5-part series on race and racism in Southern Nevada and for their final episode this Thursday (Oct 1, 2020) Adjunct Professor Nicole Jenkins, Ph.D. will be interviewed by Sam Sanders. She will discuss actions that the community of Las Vegas can take to work towards building a supportive community. https://www.npr.org/people/349243304/sam-sanders Read the Article

Faculty and Student Highlights

Celebrating Graduate Student Marie V. Plaisime, MPH

Doctoral student, Marie Plaisime is a recipient of the Health Policy Research Scholars Program (HPRS) Dissertation Award, which is supported by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF). The award provides funds to support her research on provider-bias in clinical settings, and its contributions to racial health disparities.

Marie's research has also been supported by the Howard University Just-JulianGraduate Research Fellowship, the Health Policy Research Scholars Program. She has been invited to present her research at the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, and National Institutes of Health (NIH). Her work has also earned her recognition within various professional organizations.

Celebrating Graduate Student Shannell Thomas

Doctoral student Shannell Thomas is the recipient of the first Winslow Sargeant Doctoral Award provided by the Ronald W. Walters Leadership and Public Policy Center. The $10,000 award, which accompanies a fellowship at the Center and is designed to support the research efforts of a doctoral student, will enhance Shannell’s ability to examine the use of felony disenfranchisement as a tool of voter suppression.

Dr. Mohammad with her Inside and Outside Class

HU Inside Out Program Director, Dr. Bahiyyah Muhammad engages inside and outside students in a small group discussion at the DC Department of Corrections.

Photo credit: Muntaquim Muhammad

PhD Students Cassandra Jean and Kenya Goods Conduct Research with Dr. Adams on the Impacts of Hurricane Irma and Maria in St. Thomas and Puerto Rico

PhD students Cassandra Jean and Kenya Goods conducted research with Dr. Adams on the Impacts of Hurricanes Irma and Maria on the residents and first responders of St. Thomas and Puerto Rico in Summer 2019.

https://newsroom.howard.edu/newsroom/article/10656/howard-university-researcher…