College of Letters and Sciences

DEPARTMENT OF SOCIOLOGY, CRIMINOLOGY, AND ANTHROPOLOGY

The Department of Sociology, Criminology and Anthropology offers a variety of programs that link coursework in the social sciences to students' career goals and also prepares students for graduate school in a variety of professions such as law, criminal justice, urban planning, public health, social work, university teaching and research, and more. In addition to their commitment to teaching, faculty in the Department are active in research and publication in their areas of specialization. This scholarly activity enhances students' classroom experience by focusing on cutting-edge contemporary issues. In addition to coursework, students are encouraged to engage in hands-on learning through undergraduate research, internship placements, and travel-study opportunities.

Contact us

Loren Wilbers
Department Chair & Associate Professor
Phone: 262-472-1407
Location: Laurentide Hall 2110

Joan Fox-Drake
Department Assistant
Phone: 262-472-1133
Location: Laurentide Hall 2112

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Mission Statement

Our department mission aligns with the UW-Whitewater Mission, Core Values, and Strategic Plan as well as that of the College of Letters & Sciences. Our department mission provides an inclusive, safe, and secure learning environment committed to the development of the individual while engaged in the pursuit of knowledge. The department will:

1. Provide a current and robust curriculum with an array of undergraduate majors, minors and emphases in the areas of Sociology, Criminology, Anthropology, and Family, Health, & Disability Studies.

2. Support the general education curriculum, related academic programs, and the department’s majors and minors by providing essential elements of a liberal education in the social sciences, advancing student critical thinking and analytic reasoning skills, and improving students' ability to analyze issues and develop alternative solutions.

3. Foster ethical and socially sensitive personal and professional growth and the capacity for life-long learning in students through traditional instruction and through experiential-based learning in student internships and research, global learning, and community-service opportunities, and by encouraging/recognizing student achievements and supporting a student club of majors and minors.

4. Create and maintain a positive and inviting environment all students, including multicultural students, students with disabilities, students of all sexual and religious orientations, and non-traditional students.

5. Offer effective preparation for students interested in continued pursuit of knowledge via graduate school or other professional programs, as well as those interested in starting a career with a bachelor’s degree.

6. Create and maintain a supportive environment for faculty to engage in scholarly activity, including research, scholarship and creative endeavors.

7. Create and maintain a supportive environment for faculty to engage in service on campus, in their professional fields, and in the community regionally, nationally, and/or internationally.

8. Create and maintain a supportive environment for faculty to provide an engaging, creative, high quality education in multiple formats including in-classroom, on-line, and out of classroom instruction.

9. Create and maintain a supportive environment for faculty to provide advising and non-classroom support or learning opportunities for students.

10. Offer support for faculty in their pursuit of professional development.

Brian M Bentel

Brian M Bentel

Adjunct Instructor

Department(s): SOCIOLOGY CRIMINOLOGY & ANTHRO

bentelb@uww.edu

Laurentide Hall 2127 |

Melissa A Deller

Melissa A Deller

Adjunct Instructor

Department(s): SOCIOLOGY CRIMINOLOGY & ANTHRO

dellerm@uww.edu

Laurentide Hall 2126 |

(262) 472-1968

Yuka  Doherty

Yuka Doherty

Assistant Professor

Department(s): SOCIOLOGY CRIMINOLOGY & ANTHRO

dohertyy@uww.edu

Laurentide Hall 2120 |

(262) 472-5774

Joan M Fox-Drake

Joan M Fox-Drake

Department Assistant

Department(s): SOCIOLOGY CRIMINOLOGY & ANTHRO

foxj@uww.edu

Laurentide Hall 2112 |

(262) 472-1133

Michael Seth Friedson

Michael Seth Friedson

Associate Professor

Department(s): SOCIOLOGY CRIMINOLOGY & ANTHRO

friedsom@uww.edu

Laurentide Hall 2125 |

(262) 472-7176

Julien  Grayer

Julien Grayer

Assistant Professor

Department(s): SOCIOLOGY CRIMINOLOGY & ANTHRO

grayerj@uww.edu

Laurentide Hall 2132 |

(262) 472-1098

Robert W Greene

Robert W Greene

Adjunct Instructor

Department(s): SOCIOLOGY CRIMINOLOGY & ANTHRO

greener@uww.edu

Laurentide Hall 2121 |

(262) 472-1847

Gregory T Jeffers

Gregory T Jeffers

Lecturer 1

Department(s): SOCIOLOGY CRIMINOLOGY & ANTHRO

jeffersg@uww.edu

Laurentide Hall 2106 |

(262) 472-1253

Leda E Kanellakou

Leda E Kanellakou

Professor

Department(s): SOCIOLOGY CRIMINOLOGY & ANTHRO

kanellal@uww.edu

Laurentide Hall 2116 |

(262) 472-1125

Alaz  Kilicaslan

Alaz Kilicaslan

Associate Professor

Department(s): SOCIOLOGY CRIMINOLOGY & ANTHRO

kilicasa@uww.edu

Laurentide Hall 2100 |

(262) 472-7177

Pete  Killoran

Pete Killoran

Lecturer 2

Department(s): SOCIOLOGY CRIMINOLOGY & ANTHRO

killorap@uww.edu

Laurentide Hall 2134 |

(262) 472-1422

Olivia  Mclaughlin

Olivia Mclaughlin

Adjunct Instructor

Department(s): SOCIOLOGY CRIMINOLOGY & ANTHRO

mclaugho@uww.edu

Laurentide Hall 2134 |

(262) 472-5262

Krista B Mcqueeney

Krista B Mcqueeney

Associate Professor

Department(s): SOCIOLOGY CRIMINOLOGY & ANTHRO

mcqueenk@uww.edu

Laurentide Hall 2117 |

(262) 472-1093

Jessica T Walz

Jessica T Walz

Senior Lecturer

Department(s): SOCIOLOGY CRIMINOLOGY & ANTHRO

walzj@uww.edu

Laurentide Hall 4237 |

(262) 472-1154

Loren E Wilbers

Loren E Wilbers

Associate Professor

Department(s): SOCIOLOGY CRIMINOLOGY & ANTHRO

wilbersl@uww.edu

Laurentide Hall 2110 |

(262) 472-1407

Wenquan (Charles)  Zhang

Wenquan (Charles) Zhang

Associate Professor

Department(s): SOCIOLOGY CRIMINOLOGY & ANTHRO

zhangw@uww.edu

Laurentide Hall 2119 |

(262) 472-7178

There are numerous scholarship opportunities available to students, both through the university, the College of Letters and Sciences and the Sociology, Criminology, and Anthropology Department. To make life a little easier, all of the university's scholarship applications and requirement listings are available online.

  • Hadley G. Klug Memorial Scholarship
  • Michael T. Remer Sr Criminology Scholarship
  • Dean Goza Sociology Scholarship
  • Chuck and Martha Heinrich Scholarship

  • The J.T. von Trebra Outstanding Senior Award (A formal plaque of recognition given in honor of an achievement)
  • The Patricia Searles Outstanding Junior Award (A formal plaque of recognition given in honor of an achievement)

Student Interests and Presentations

With the department including Sociology, Criminology and Anthropology, the research that students are involved in is quite diverse! Check out what students are studying and how many of them got involved by utilizing the grants and fellowships provided by the Undergraduate Research Program here at UW-Whitewater. See website for a list of all grant and fellowship opportunities and deadlines. Students have presented their research at local, regional, and national conferences.

Alumni Graduate Studies

Several students graduating from our department have gone on to get their Master's and Ph.D. degrees in graduate schools. Undergraduate research is a great jumping off point for graduate education.

Criminal Justice Organization

The Criminal Justice Organization (CJO) is a student-run organization for any student interested in the study of criminology, criminal justice, or any profession in the criminal justice field. You need not be a major in criminology to join. As will most student organizations, it is free to join, and you may attend meetings and events that suit your schedule. Events over the years have included things like Narcan training, exploring and processing a mock crime scene, CPR/AED training, finger-printing and canine unit demos, gun safety, coffee with police officers, field trips to prisons and/or drug courts, and presentations by FBI field office agents, county medical examiners, domestic violence reduction advocates, criminologists, and more. The group meets 1-2 times per month, and they include social outings as well.

UWW Empower

Some students have trouble finding a job and FALSELY think the solution is to keep going to school. They think that graduate school is just a continuation of their undergraduate education and will magically result in a good job. Here are some things to keep in mind.

Graduate and professional schools vary greatly. There are master's and doctorate degrees in many fields (Criminology, Sociology, Anthropology, etc.) and professional schools (Public Health, Law). Getting accepted and the intensity of the program vary widely. Some (e.g., master's degree in local university) are not too competitive but others are extremely difficult to enter and very expensive ($40-50,000 per year tuition). Do not think that going to graduate school as just an extra year or two of your undergraduate education.

Getting into a top graduate or professional school is very competitive. Top graduate or professional schools get dozens more applicants with GPA's over 3.8 than they can accept. A high GPA may get your "foot in the door" but you need more to be competitive. You also need high scores on the GRE (Graduate Record Exam), LSAT or similar standardized test, several very good letters of reference from professors who really know you, and some experience doing an undergraduate research project. A low GPA (i.e., defined as about 3.0 overall) means you might be able to get into a small, low-prestige graduate program. Just remember, the better the graduate program, the harder it is to get in, but the better the chances of you being able to land a good job afterwards.

A graduate or professional degree is not a job guarantee. Some people with master's degrees, law degrees and PhD's have trouble finding jobs. There are PhDs driving taxis because they did not go to a top graduate school, do extremely well in graduate school, and master the professional academic way of life. While there are unemployed people with master's dgrees and PhDs, but not as many as unemployed people with bachelor's degrees. Adding more degrees is not a simple solution to starting a good career, it is only one part of the puzzle.

Know what you want to do. Graduate and professional schools seek bright and highly motivated people who have a good sense of their direction in life. Directionless people rarely succeed and they tend to "wash out" and leave graduate school without a degree. If you are going to graduate school "because there was nothing better to do" the odds of success are low. You need a clear vision, a plan, very strong work ethic, and a passion to learn if you are to succeed.

Do your research and be prepared to relocate. The state of Wisconsin has two PhD programs in Sociology, and one (UW-Milwaukee) is small and only a few years old. The other PhD program is at UW-Madison. It is usually rated in the top 5 - in the world. It accepts top students from anywhere and gives no preference to students from Wisconsin. While there are about 200 PhD programs in a field like Sociology (far fewer in Criminology or Anthropology), they vary a lot by prestige, specialization, how graduate students are treated, etc. Some graduate schools fund almost no incoming students, others give 90% of their accepted students financial aid or related job on campus.You should write to multiple graduate schools to get information, visit the graduate schools to talk with faculty and students, and ask your professors or people in the career that is your goal as part of the process of deciding where to go.

Be ready for the long haul and intense work. A master's or law degree involves 2-3 years of intense work. PhD programs typically require 5-8 years full-time beyond the bachelor's degree. In more prestigious, stronger programs the work load can be intense. A beginning graduate-level course might require 3-4 times of the work/effort as an upper-level course at the undergraduate level on the same topic. There are a lot of essay tests and research papers, with few if any multiple choice tests. The PhD is a research degree, so you better enjoy doing research if your goal is the PhD. Self-confidence, organization, and good writing and speaking skills are important for success in graduate school as in most areas of professional life.

Start early. Most graduate schools award scholarships, fellowships, teaching assistants, etc. only to early applicants. Most graduate schools only accept students in fall, and they often have deadlines in January. This means you need to start the process of applying about a year in advance of your date of entry. Ideally, you need to start thinking seriously about graduate school by your junior year of college if you plan to begin a graduate program, law school or similar program the fall after graduation.

You can download and print off this information here [PDF]

Internships

The Department has a very active internship program that has been in operation for over three decades. Interested students can be placed in internships in a variety of occupational settings. The internships, which are taken by a majority of majors, enable students to gain valuable employment experience and learn to apply classroom knowledge to solving real-world social problems. 

Internship Opportunities

Business Management and Marketing - The Department has some limited internship opportunities in the business management/marketing field. In the past we have placed students with the City of Whitewater, Generac, Verlo Mattress, etc.
Investigation (non-law enforcement) - The Department has internship placement opportunities for students interested in non-law enforcement investigation careers. In the past we have placed students with the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services, Wisconsin Office of the Public Defender, and other private security companies.
Juveniles - The Department has internship placement opportunities for students interested in working with juveniles both involved and not involved in the corrections system. In the past we have placed students with the Milwaukee County Juvenile Services, Rock County Juvenile Diversion Program, Rock County Juvenile Probation, Walworth County Restorative Justice Program, Mentoring Positives, Opportunities Incorporated, Boys and Girls Club and YMCA.
Adult Probation/Parole - The Department has internship placement opportunities for students in adult probation/parole careers. In the past we have placed students with the Wisconsin Department of Corrections (Probation/Parole Services) across Wisconsin and State of Illinois.
Human Resource Management - The Department has some limited internship opportunities in the human resources field. In the past we have placed students with the City of Whitewater, Beloit, Community Action, as well as other private human resource firms.
Law Enforcement (local, state, and federal) - Investigation (non-law enforcement) - The Department has internship placement opportunities for students interested in law enforcement careers. In the past we have placed students with numerous Wisconsin cities, as well as County Sheriff's Offices, and some limited Federal agencies (i.e., U.S. Marshal's Service).
Paralegal - The  Department has some limited internship opportunities in the paralegal field. In the past we have placed students with the Rock County Circuit Court, Wisconsin Department of Safety & Professional Services, Wisconsin Office of the Public Defender and private law firms.
Public Health - The Department has some limited internship opportunities in public health. In the past we have placed students with the Huntington Place, Stoughton Hospital, Community Action.

Interested in an Internship?

INTERNSHIPS (SOC 493)

Students are given permission to register for SOC 493 in WINS after they have been placed in an internship.  

Students are encouraged (but not required) to find their own internship opportunities and then follow the below process to discuss those opportunities with the internship coordinator.

Internship Placement Process

  1. Determine Eligibility and Semester
  2. Use Sign-up Sheet to Schedule Meeting with Internship Coordinator
  3. Determine Internship Interests Prior to Meeting      
          

1. Determine Eligibility and the Semester You Wish to Intern

Determine the semester you will be eligible (at least 85 credits) and would like to do an internship. Internships can be completed in the fall, spring, or summer.

2. Use Sign-Up Sheet to Schedule a Meeting with the Internship Coordinator

You do not need to email the internship coordinator. Instead, simply sign up to meet with the coordinator during one of the designated internship meeting times for the semester you would like to intern.

A sign-up sheet to meet with the internship coordinator is emailed to all majors and posted on this website on the following dates each semester.  

Sign-up Sheet for Meetings to Discuss:

FALL SEMESTER internships: April 15

SPRING SEMESTER internships: September 10

SUMMER SESSION internships: February 1

Either watch for the email with the link to the sign-up sheet or return to this site to access the sign-up sheet to schedule a meeting with the coordinator for the semester you would like an internship. 

3. Determine Your Internship Interests Prior to Meeting with Coordinator

Prior to your meeting with the internship coordinator, you should have some idea of your interests. If you do not have a specific career in mind, identify content covered in your courses that you found interesting so that you and the coordinator can define your interests and identify related internship opportunities.

If you have already identified an internship opportunity, you will use this meeting to discuss whether that opportunity will satisfy the requirements for your major.

Students must have completed 85 credits of university coursework, including some coursework related to their internship, and have an overall GPA of 2.0 or higher. Internships are assigned on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Yes, the following are internship deadlines:
I want a Fall internship-­ā€-­ā€-­ā€-­ā€-­ā€-­ā€-­ā€-­ā€-­ā€-­ā€-­ā€-­ā€-­ā€-­ā€-­ā€-­ā€-­ā€-­ā€-­ā€-­ā€-­ā€-­ā€-­ā€-­ā€-­ā€-­ā€-­ā€Must meet with Internship Coordinator on or before April 30
I want a Spring internship-­ā€-­ā€-­ā€-­ā€-­ā€-­ā€-­ā€-­ā€-­ā€-­ā€-­ā€-­ā€-­ā€-­ā€-­ā€-­ā€-­ā€-­ā€-­ā€-­ā€-­ā€-­ā€-­ā€-­ā€-­ā€-­ā€-­ā€Must meet with Internship Coordinator on or before October 16
I want a Summer internship-­ā€-­ā€-­ā€-­ā€-­ā€-­ā€-­ā€-­ā€-­ā€-­ā€-­ā€-­ā€-­ā€-­ā€-­ā€-­ā€-­ā€-­ā€-­ā€-­ā€-­ā€-­ā€-­ā€-­ā€-­ā€-­ā€-­ā€Must meet with Internship Coordinator on or before February 12

Yes and No. While a student can initiate a preliminary discussion with a proposed agency, the Internship Coordinator must work out all the details, review, and approve of an internship placement. You must meet with the coordinator even if you have made some initial contacts and have ideas about a possible placement.

Students may use up to 6 internship credits towards their major, and an additional 6 credits toward the 120 credits needed for graduation. Typically, students receive 3 credits for every 10 hours per week of internship work, with most students working 20 hours per week.

Yes, students must register for SOC 493 credits during their internship. Students must receive permission from the department to register for SOC 493. Internship credits are taken on a pass/fail basis.

Most commutes to agencies are between 20-45 minutes.

Yes, you will be enrolled in an online course while completing your internship. As an intern, your primary job is completing your weekly internship hours and doing a good job at your placement site. For the class component of your internship, you will keep a weekly log documenting your activities as an intern, write two reflection papers about their experiences as an intern, create a LinkedIn account, and meet twice with the internship coordinator during the semester.   

A student brushes away debris covering a grave marker.
Anthropology Minor
A student explains their research at undergraduate research day.
Applied Research Certificate (Undergraduate)
A young student wearing a suit and tie mingles at a career fair.
Corporate Social Responsibility Certificate (Undergraduate)
A student is outside in the dark next to a car during a crime scene simulation.
Criminology Major/Emphasis, Minor
A student makes the sign for love in sign language.
Disability Studies Certificate (Undergraduate)
A student walks down a hallway with her mother.
Family, Health and Disability Studies Minor
A student inspects hair in a tweezers.
Forensics Science Certificate (Undergraduate)
Two students high five.
Sociology Major/Emphasis, Minor
A person stands near several mini flags from around the world.
Sociology (Global Comparative Studies) Major/Emphasis
Minor

Delve into the studies of many different societies and cultures' foundations and development through an Anthropology minor. Take courses in archeology, geography, humanities, social sciences (religious, gender, racial, and ethnic studies,) history, and much more to give yourself a better understanding of the diverse peoples who make up our world.

Certificate (Undergraduate)

The Applied Research certificate is designed to teach undergraduate students how to properly answer a question for a client, such as a university unit, non-profit organization, or government agency. With this certificate, students will be able to present their research findings to a client.

Certificate (Undergraduate)

The Corporate Social Responsibility certificate is designed to inform students of proper behavior to practice in the workplace. This will better prepare students to become professional leaders in business.

Major/Emphasis, Minor

Study crime, the mindset of criminals, and the many societal factors that influence them. In our Criminology program, you’ll learn the ins and outs of the American criminal justice system and investigate the correlations between crime and society's reactions to it. Courses include the sociology of crime, forensic science, crime investigation, health and safety, and more.

Certificate (Undergraduate)

The Disability Studies certificate will allow students to expand their knowledge and experience with people with disabilities.

Minor

Through a minor in family, health, and disabilities studies, students will engage in courses in the social and behavioral sciences that will enhance their understanding of the interrelationship between family and health issues. Get ready for a job or graduate study in medical-health support, human services, and community service fields locally and globally.

Certificate (Undergraduate)

The Forensics Science certification will allow students to cultivate leadership skills in the application of science to the legal system, gain professional competencies developed through course work that includes presentations to moot court settings, and lab work.

Major/Emphasis, Minor

In sociology, you will gain a better understanding of the development, structure, and functioning of societies, while focusing on society, patterns of social interaction, human social behavior, the aspects of culture that correspond to everyday life and the reasons behind them.

Major/Emphasis

Gain a more worldly understanding of society and social systems by exploring topics in sociology, history, politics, economics and religion in places in Asia, Europe, Africa, the Middle East and Latin America.