Department of Sociology

Framingham State University’s Department of Sociology offers two major programs of study, including Criminology and Sociology. Students majoring in Sociology can choose from 6 distinct concentrations.

As social scientists, sociologists apply scientific reasoning and methodologies to understanding the array of formidable problems facing our country and our world. Just as the problems never cease neither do the sociologist’s curiosity or search for answers. Sociology identifies social problems, analyzes the problems, proposes possible solutions, and evaluates the efficacy of social programs. Sociologists help distinguish “what should be” from “what is”. Just as medical scientists use science to help cure diseases like cancer, sociologists use science to help study and alleviate social problems.

Andrea Leverentz Associate Professor of Sociology University of Massachusetts-Boston “Community Constructions of the ‘Crime Problem’" Tuesday, March 12, 2013 4:30pm, Heineman Ecumenical and Cultural Center Talking about crime is a common way to express concerns about race and place. There is a shared narrative in the U.S. about crime and criminals, which is racially coded and gendered – offenders are primarily seen as Black and Latino men committing violent, drug-related offenses. However, this narrative holds different meanings depending on who is shaping it. Drawing on interviews and observations in several Boston communities, this talk explores factors that shape how crime narratives play out differently across social contexts.

Undergraduate Research Conference:

Sociology

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