CSUN Sociology Faculty Statement on Police Violence and Systemic Racism:
Once again we find ourselves in an extraordinary moment in which many people are compelled to act in response to a long legacy of systemic and institutionalized oppression in our country. The recent police killing of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, David McAtee, Tony McDade, and many others who are disproportionately from Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) communities, is a symptom of the systemic racism that exists in the United States and globally. These murders are one part of a larger pattern of anti-Blackness, institutional racism, and white supremacy—patterns that we, as sociologists, are trained to critically examine and interrogate. Sociologists are committed to understanding our social world which necessitates using an intersectional lens to illuminate how race, ethnicity, gender, class, sexuality, ability status, and citizenship status influence our lives. This includes shedding light on injustice and speaking out about violence. To that end, we stand in solidarity with Black, Indigenous, and other racialized groups who have been subject to continued state and state-sanctioned violence. We are committed to addressing issues of racial justice through education and will continue to critically engage in these conversations through listening, learning, reflecting, and teaching. We remain in solidarity with the local and global uprisings and with all communities who have resisted, protested, and taken actions to disrupt systemic oppression.
—In Solidarity,
David Bogumil
David Boyns
Lori Campbell
Moshoula Capous-Desyllas
Michael Carter
James Davidson
Laura Edles
Monicka Guevara
Beth Jakubanis
Briauna Johnson
Ali-Akbar Mahdi
Lauren McDonald
Roya Mavaddat
Stacy Missari
Karen Morgaine
Daniel Olmos
Ana Prata
Stephen Scheff
In addition to the solidarity statement endorsed by numerous department faculty, the Sociology Department stands in strong support with the recent American Sociological Association statement regarding systemic racism in the criminal justice system:
The ASA shares in the public outrage over the police killing of George Floyd and numerous other Black and brown people at the hands of racist cops. We wish to acknowledge and condemn the systemic racism in society and the criminal justice system. Indeed, the death of Floyd is but the most recent in a sordid history of violence against Black people in America. Over the centuries, police brutality has played a key role in oppressing African Americans and people of color. Further, as sociologists have documented, police departments are funded through a predatory system that unfairly draws on revenue from communities of color. Institutional racism in all its forms must be condemned in the strongest possible terms. As sociological scholars and citizens, we have a responsibility to study and speak out regarding all forms of racism and injustice.
Message from the Chair
Dear CSUN Sociology Community:
At this time of unprecedented stress and upheaval I would like to acknowledge the anxiety, fear, and outrage that many students, faculty, staff, and community members are experiencing. As we continue to navigate through these uncertain times, most recently brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic which has burdened BIPOC and low-income communities disproportionately, and the tragic deaths at the hands of police, we have a responsibility to speak out about injustice. In addition to important statements of solidarity, it is crucial that we take concrete steps to help our community and to eradicate racism and oppression. To that end, the sociology department will keep you informed about department and university-wide efforts through the department webpage and we welcome input about programming, resources, and information you would like to see developed and/or highlighted.
Karen Morgaine
Professor & Chair
CSUN Sociology
Please visit here for resources and virtual discussions addressing police violence and systemic racism
What Can I Do with a BA in Sociology?
Please click on the links below for handouts that were recently given out at sociology department events.
Careers in Sociology & Searching for Jobs (.pdf)
Preparing for the Job Market (.pdf)
Career paths in Social Welfare & Social Justice(.pdf)
Career paths in Human Resources, Career Counseling, and Labor & Community Organizing (.pdf)
Mission
The Department of Sociology and faculty are committed to creating a supportive environment for student centered learning and achievement. Our students are exposed to all aspects of sociology and acquire sociological perspectives and the techniques for studying society. They learn to critically examine the value assumptions of our institutions and social practices, including the values and practices of our discipline itself. This reflexive stance is an essential element of sociological understanding. Our students will learn how sociology has been used to solve problems for clients, foundations, agencies, and the community, and has contributed to social policy formulation and policy analysis. They will learn how sociologists engage in dialog and engagement with different publics in the civil society. Through their education, our students will understand that sociology and civil society are interdependent, both flourishing in an open and democratic discourse on the issues and crises of modernity.
