Department of Sociology, Criminology, and Justice Studies
Sociology helps us see social forces that transcend the individual. With that critical perspective, sociology empowers those who work to make the world a better place. At Otterbein’s Department of Sociology, Criminology, and Justice Studies you will learn how to be a positive catalyst for effective social change. We prepare students to engage complex challenges that affect our communities and social institutions.
Our courses consider questions such as:
- Who is empowered and whose voices are missing?
- Is an institution fair?
- What alternatives can we imagine; and importantly?
- What resources are required to create social change?
If you have a passion for understanding society and the social forces that shape behavior, we invite you to help answer these vital questions using sociological research methods and critical justice perspectives.
Student, Faculty, and Alumni Spotlights
STUDENT SPOTLIGHT
Shay Locke presented her research, titled “Criminal Justice Reform: Rethinking Pretrial Risk Assessment Instruments” at the Ohio Council of Criminal Justice Education (OCCJE’s) 20th Annual Research Conference and Awards Ceremony held at Bluffton University.
Shay Locke ’22
Sociology Major with Minors in Criminology and Justice Studies
STUDENT SPOTLIGHT
Majoring in sociology will give you many resources to develop new and vital perspectives. These, when combined with Otterbein’s Integrative Studies general education curriculum, provide a well-rounded education which will prepare you for nearly any situation, both professionally and personally.
Anna Stamper ’22
Sociology Major with a History Minor
Former Ohio Governor John Kasich visits Criminology and Justice Studies classes to talk about a governor’s role in clemencies, sentence commutations for death row inmates, and private prisons.
Mitch Gitelman, video game developer with Harebrained Schemes, talked with students in our Video Games and Society class about designing socially responsive games and changing gaming culture.
ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT
The courses and experiences I had in the Department of Sociology, Criminology and Justice Studies helped me realize my full potential as a student, scholar, and community organizer.
Mina Zaky ’20
Sociology and Criminology & Justice Studies double major
Mina is a law student at The Ohio State University and judicial extern to Federal Magistrate Judge Chelsey Vascura in the Federal District Court for the Southern District of Ohio.
ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT
The skills I learned at my internship as a Government Relations Intern, coupled with my classes in Sociology, Criminology, and Justice Studies set me up to be not only employable in the field of my choice, but a competitive applicant to law school.
Selena LaBair ’20
Sociology and Criminology & Justice Studies double major, minors in Philosophy and Psychology
Selena will be attending Law School at the University of Michigan.
Deputy Matthew Wetzel visits Criminology and Justice Studies classes to talk about career opportunities at the Franklin County Sherriff’s Department.
The department’s capstone internship experience gives seniors a culminating immersive experience that allows them to apply their knowledge in a wide range of professional settings. Ronni Royer is pictured here during her internship with the Columbus Police Department.
Department Features and Student Opportunities
Scholarships and Honors
SCJS majors can receive several departmental scholarships in addition to institutional financial aid. These awards support student success, academic achievement, and engagement in scholarly research.
Alpha Kappa Delta
Otterbein is proud to host a chapter of AKD. Alpha Kappa Delta seeks to acknowledge and promote excellence in scholarship in the study of social problems, sociology, and intellectual activities that lead to the improvement in the human condition.
Teaching and Mentoring
SCJS Students learn about social movement organizations, not-for-profit management, and social justice advocacy and will be able to collaborate with faculty on research projects involving community organizations and criminal justice systems.
Theory and Practice
We offer a combined scholarly and applied course of study that lets our majors pursue their interests in academic or applied careers in criminal justice research and work at the community, national, or global level.
Double Majors
A degree in sociology pairs productively as a double major with public health education. Graduates work as health educators, conducting research in their communities to advocate for health services and environmental justice.
Student Research
We encourage our students to engage in scholarly research and support their efforts. One example is Corinne Saul ’19, who presented her research on Feminist Trauma Theory at the (2019) Northeast Undergraduate Sociological Symposium.
Sociology, Criminology, and Justice Studies Department News
Senior Spotlight: Otterbein Sociology Major Turns Internship into Dream Job Helping Immigrants
News - April 26, 2022
By Riley Hysell ’22 When senior sociology major Asool Sarameh began her internship with US Together, she did not necessarily intend for it to play a large role in her plans after graduation. Now, with a full-time job at the non-profit agency waiting for her after graduation day, Sarameh does not know if her passion for the work there will ever fade. An interest in the refugee resettlement process led Sarameh to apply for an internship with US Together, which…
National Symposium Presentation Fostered by Otterbein Support
News - May 13, 2021
By Paige Skaff ’22 Paige Skaff is a junior majoring in sociology and women’s, gender, and sexuality studies with minors in political science and race and ethnic studies. Her research paper on U.S. government-led forced sterilization in Puerto Rico was selected for presentation at the 2021 Latin American and Latinx Studies Symposium and for publication by The Johns Hopkins Journal of Latin American Studies. Paige Skaff '22 The writing, publication, and presentation journey of No Más Bebés began in a political science course, Latin American Politics, taught by Professor Rachel Schwartz. For our final course project, I…
Otterbein Student in Cancer Remission Felt Supported by Otterbein from the Start
News - November 10, 2020
During her junior year of high school, Jasmine Konneker received news that would change the course of her academic future. “When I was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, a rare form of bone cancer, I had to immediately stop going to school and make my health my main priority,” she said. “My grades were frozen for that year so I could focus on treatment.” Jasmine Konneker '23 Battling cancer for the remainder of her junior semester and then into her senior year, Konneker was determined to graduate on time with her classmates. While in the hospital, she completed…Programs of Study in Sociology, Criminology, and Justice Studies
Our Institutional Partners
Contact Us
Department of Sociology, Criminology, and Justice Studies
Towers Faculty Suite
1 S. Grove St
Westerville, OH 43081
Administrative Assistant
Patti Welch
614-823-1361
pwelch@otterbein.edu
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