Department of Sociology and Criminology

Vision

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

Contact Us

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

Phone: 202-806-6853

Campus-Wide Announcements

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.

Transition to Workday - July 1, 2021

Workday is Howard's new system to manage HR and financial processes. On July 1, 2021, it will go live and replace all existing systems.

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.  

Sociology Program

Earn a B.A. degree in Sociology

Criminology Program

Earn a B.A. degree in Criminology

Graduate Program

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

Events

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August 2, 2021 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM

Social Justice Week 2021

New External Grants Awarded to Faculty Members

Dr. Eleanor King Awarded NSF Grant

Dr. Eleanor King was awarded an NSF grant for more than $250,000 for a collaborative project entitled “Collaborative Research:  Exploration of Maya Marketplaces in the Three Rivers Region of Northwest Belize.”  The project is a collaboration between university scholars, specialized consultants, and K-12 educators in Belize. 

Dr. Bahiyyah Muhammad Co-PI on Two New External Grants

Dr.  Bahiyyah Muhammad is a Co-PI on two new external grant awards.  She is the co-PI on the $5M Mellon Foundation project entitled "The Just Futures Award," which provides funds to support the Social Justice Consortium and the Social Justice Certificate Program.  Dr. Muhammad is also the co-PI on the Knight Foundation award for the "Mis-information and Dis-information and the Voting Patterns of Black Residents in DC" project.

Visting Professor Dr. Michelle Dovil Wins NSF Grant

Dr. Michelle Dovil is the PI for the "Full STEAM Ahead: Powering Connections Among Different Generations of Geoscientists" project funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF) for $295,885.  The research project seeks to expand NSF's efforts in bringing diversity and inclusion in the government, industry, and academic community for underrepresented individuals within the geoscience fields through mentorship and professional development. Moreover, the project includes a social science component in order to drive the next generation of leaders full STEAM ahead.

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)

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…

Graduate Students Presenting Research

Graduate students Akiv Dawson, Marie Plaisime, and Mi'Cheal Wright participated their research at Howard University's Research Conference.

Ralph Gomes, Ph.D. - Celebration of Life

Ralph Gomes, Ph.D.

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

News

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June 17, 2021

Howard University Pennant is Among HBCU Flags Joining Starliner Cargo Flying to Space

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April 9, 2021

MPD Announces Partnership with Howard University to Host Community Listening Sessions
March 16, 2021

WHUR Set to Receive Coveted NAB Crystal Heritage Award
January 21, 2021

Howard University Receives $5 Million for Just Futures Initiative from Mellon Foundation Grant