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Sociology
Sociology programs
The School of Politics, Society, Justice and Public Service offers a Social and Criminal Justice major and minor, a Youth Studies major and minor and a Sociology major. With one of these degrees, you will learn how people in our world work together.
Our sociology graduates work in research, teaching, health care and public policy. By studying how people behave and the patterns they follow, you can create strategies to deal with issues like inequality, bias and poverty. The goal is to work towards a fair and just world for everyone. With a degree in youth studies, our alumni are working in community development, social work and family studies. Our graduates who earn a degree in social and criminal justice are getting jobs as police officers, private investigators, crime prevention, correctional officer, victim advocacy and federal agencies.
Social and Criminal Justice minor
If you're driven to make a difference in your community through justice and reform, a minor in social and criminal studies is the perfect fit. You’ll immerse yourself in the study of corrections and criminology and prepare for a rewarding career at the intersection of social justice and criminal reform. Our minor gives you the knowledge and skills to advocate for meaningful change in the justice system.
Youth Studies minor
A minor in youth studies builds your understanding of the issues young people face and prepares you to work with children and adolescents in a variety of settings. CMU is the nation’s first and only school to offer a youth studies concentration in the sociology major as well as a youth studies minor.
Sociology major
Our sociology major examines the impact of inequality and explores social justice and diversity. Learn to solve real-world problems using data-driven research and effect lasting social change.
Social and Criminal Justice major
Immerse yourself in the study of our social and criminal justice major through the lens of inequality and social justice. This program leads to fulfilling careers in corrections, advocacy, social services, policing and beyond.
Youth Studies major
Make a real impact on young lives with our youth studies major. This program equips you with the tools and knowledge needed to thrive in community and school settings focused on youth development. You'll gain practical skills through hands-on experiences and coursework that addresses the unique challenges young people face today. Prepare for a fulfilling career where you can drive change and advocate for the next generation.
Faculty advisors
Sociology
Aaron Foote | Email Aaron Foote | 989-774-1038
Alan Rudy | Email Alan Rudy | 989-774-7611
Cedric Taylor | Email Cedric Taylor | 989-774-1478
Elbert Almazan | Email Elbert Almazan | 989-774-7337
Mary Senter | Email Mary Senter | 989-774-2336
Youth Studies
Amanda Garrison |
Email Amanda Garrison | 989-774-1942
David Kinney |
Email David Kinney | 989-774-1488
Social & Criminal Justice
Mensah Adinkrah |
Email Mensah Adinkrah| 989-774-3367
Elizabeth Bradshaw |
Email Elizabeth Bradshaw | 989-774-3469
Rebecca Hayes |
Email Rebecca Hayes | 989-774-3442
Brian Smith |
Email Brian Smith | 989-774-3428
An introduction to novels like The Brothers Karamazov by Fyodor Dostoevsky and War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy in high school piqued Calvin Older’s interest in Russian culture and history. The Clare, Michigan, senior was inspired by these works to learn Russian by immersing himself in Russian movies and books, creating flashcards, and by practicing with online Russian language partners.
Older, who is majoring in international relations and minoring in geographic information sciences, made strong language gains through his self-study. He realized that to become fluent, he needed to take his efforts to the next level. In 2024, he applied for and won a Critical Language Scholarship, a program of the U.S. State Department. With funding from the U.S. Government, Older spent eight weeks in Tbilisi, Georgia in formal intensive language study, lived with a Russian-speaking host family, and participated in cultural activities.
“Coming from a rural town and growing up in a family that didn't have the opportunity to travel outside of the United States, living in Tbilisi, where my friends, host family, teachers, and even strangers spoke to me in my target language, was one of the most valuable experiences when it comes to my language study. I found myself becoming more and more confident with speaking Russian and engaging in much more complex topics,” he said.
Older’s experiences in Georgia expanded his interest in learning more about this former Soviet republic. He will return to Tbilisi for approximately two months this summer to continue his intensive language study through the American Councils (AC) for International Education’s Advanced Russian Language and Area Studies Program (RLASP). He received multiple AC awards to fund his trip, including the Dan E. Davidson Fellowship, an AC Study Abroad Alumni Scholarship, and an AC Title VIII Scholarship.
“Before going to Georgia for the first time for CLS, I considered myself to be knowledgeable on the country's politics, history, and culture based on the work I did in my classes at CMU,” he said. “However, after my first summer there I only came to realize how little I actually knew and how much more I had to learn. I became more motivated after seeing the political crisis in the country unravel following their elections in the fall. This led me to apply for the RLASP to return and continue to learn about Georgia and how it has developed in the past year.
Older received support through the application process from Christi Brookes in world languages and cultures and the CMU National Scholarship Program. Approximately 500 U.S. students receive Critical Language Scholarships annually to “learn languages that are strategically important to U.S. national security, economic prosperity, and engagement in the world.”
Ultimately, Older plans to pursue a career as a Foreign Service Officer (FSO) under the political career track; however, he will first gain experience before taking the challenging FSO test.
“Upon returning from Georgia, I hope to pursue my master’s in international affairs while under the Pickering Fellowship at George Washington University in Washington D.C.,” he said.
