Department of Sociology

Chair's Welcome

The sociology department is guided in its work by the UNLV strategic goals to build "rigorous educational programs and the highest standards of a liberal education" and "confront the challenges of economic and cultural diversification, urban growth, social justice, and sustainability." Our mission is to study urban life, help the region tackle its social problems, integrate students' learning experience with civic engagement, and promote sustainability, cultural diversity, and social justice in Nevada and the United States.

Focused on urban and community sociology, our program takes full advantage of its location in Las Vegas, a major metropolis that serves as a natural laboratory for exploring the problems of urban communities in the United States and the world. We are committed to public sociology and make concerted efforts to bring rigorous research to bear on the social problems of 21st century urban life. UNLV sociologists work with colleagues across campus and community partners to ensure that our scholarship improves local and regional quality of life.

The sociology department makes concerted efforts to recruit a diverse student body. It has developed a student-friendly, community-oriented program distinguished by its record of research, publications, and community service. UNLV sociology has achieved national and international recognition for its mix of theoretical, ethnographic, and quantitative research, and successful placement of its graduates. Our students work closely with the faculty on projects funded by local and national foundations, with their research findings presented at scholarly conventions and published in professional journals.

The department extends warm welcome to prospective students, community partners, and scholars interested in collaborative research. Please contact us with any questions regarding our sociology program.

Dmitri N. Shalin
Chair, Sociology Department
Director, Center for Democratic Culture