About
Established in 1972, the UNCW Department of Sociology is committed to providing a quality liberal arts education for its students, producing new knowledge through scholarship and research, and performing service to its profession, the university, and community.
Through this mission, we seek to increase knowledge of human society from a global perspective and to enhance understanding of the various multicultural segments of American society.
Academic Excellence
Our programs deliver curricula that encourage critical thinking, intellectual curiosity, and an understanding of the social science perspective.
Through various and innovative instructional modes, including technologically enhanced and web-based courses, individualized instruction, interdisciplinary curricula, distance learning, internships, and practice, the department seeks to fulfill the university's commitment to providing a robust learning experience for its students.
Along with excellence in scholarship and research, we prioritize applied learning and service to the region — from the special perspective of sociology and criminology — in preparing our students for success.
Message from the Chair
In July 1972, UNCW founded the Department of Sociology, offering a B.A. in 50 years of UNCW Sociology and Criminology. It is exciting to think about.
We have a talented and dedicated faculty committed to excellence in scholarship and teaching. One of the strengths in our department is a public sociology and public criminology cluster that focuses on scholarly engagement in the region.
The Department of Sociology and Criminology is committed to the mission and vision of the College of Humanities, Social Sciences, & the Arts that focuses on "serving the betterment of the region, state, nation, and world."
You will see evidence of this throughout this website as you read the biographies, research and teaching interests of our accomplished faculty, as well as the great work of our undergraduate and graduate students.
Julia F. Waity
Professor and Chair
Mission
The Department of Sociology and Criminology is committed to providing quality undergraduate liberal arts education for its students, producing new knowledge through scholarship and research, and performing service to its profession, the university, and community.
As an academic unit within the College of Humanities, Social Sciences, & the Arts and the primary department goal is the creation and transmission of knowledge through its two social science disciplines, sociology and criminology.
To this end, the department's programs provide curricula that encourage critical thinking, intellectual curiosity, and an understanding of the social science perspective. Through various and innovative instructional modes, including technologically enhanced and web-based courses, individualized instructions, interdisciplinary curricula, distance learning, internships, and practice, the department seeks to fulfill the university's commitment to providing a quality learning experience for its students.
Excellence in scholarship and research is also viewed as essential to providing an effective and meaningful educational environment. Performing service in the region from the special perspective of sociology and criminology and providing students with the professional training necessary for success in applied settings is also a basic department responsibility.
The Department of Sociology and Criminology seeks to increase knowledge of human society from a global perspective and to enhance understanding of the various multicultural segments of American society.