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Department of Sociology News
The Department of Sociology offers courses that inspect concerns about human behavior, social life, and social change. Students examine topics such as crime; economic inequalities; gender; leisure and sports; marriage and family; occupations; race and ethnic relations; and religion.
Current Sociology News
A collection of news stories and highlights featuring UNLV students and faculty.
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As the nation's most-watched sports entertainment event rolls into town, UNLV researchers are available to provide expertise.
![collage of six people](/sites/default/files/styles/768_width/public/media/image/2023-11/roleplayers2.jpeg?itok=OLO409GU)
Meet some UNLV grads who've had a hand in shaping the city's sports identity.
A collection of news stories focused on research, expert insights, and academic achievement.
A roundup of prominent news stories highlighting university pride, research, and community collaboration.
A collection of news stories highlighting the experts and student changemakers at UNLV.
Sociology In The News
The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD) reported about a 50% jump in prostitution offenses in May, according to Las Vegas TV station KTNV. When comparing prostitution offenses between January 1 and May 31, 2023, vs. January 1 and May 31, 2024, for the Las Vegas Valley, the numbers were 675 in 2023 and 1,007 in 2024. That represents a 49.2% jump.
Nevada is the only state with legal prostitution — but only in certain counties. So why doesn’t Clark County, home to Sin City, have legal brothels? With prostitution arrests in the news again, we’re bringing back a conversation co-host Dayvid Figler had with UNLV sociology professor Barb Brents. They talk about why Clark County has held out against both decriminalizing prostitution and legalizing brothels, and what it would take to change those policies.
![Las Vegas Weekly](/sites/default/files/styles/100_width_25_height/public/news_source/logo/las-vegas-weekly.png?itok=ZDXAKfAu)
Ten years ago this month, Nevada rancher Cliven Bundy and his family hosted a swarm of armed protesters at their ranch in Bunkerville, 80 miles northwest of Las Vegas. The gathering was a sort of Woodstock for anti-government militias that were, in their view, defending the Bundys from the Bureau of Land Management (BLM).
In February 2024, American anti-government agitator Ammon Bundy posted a video with a provocative title to his YouTube channel: ‘Want to know where Ammon Bundy is?’
March is Women’s History Month, and several events are being held to commemorate the topic. Dr. Bernadette Barton is a professor of Sociology and Gender Studies at MSU. She said patriarchy works to minimize women’s contributions to the social world by erasing that history.
![NBC News](/sites/default/files/styles/100_width_25_height/public/news_source/logo/nbc-news.png?itok=_H7n6I3R)
After a dip from 2017 to 2021, it looks like America’s ultimate sporting event is back on top.
Sociology Experts
![Barbara Brents Headshot Barbara Brents Headshot](/sites/default/files/styles/100_width/public/experts/highres/Brents2020.jpeg?itok=FDNVbyLk)
![Michael Ian Borer headshot Michael Ian Borer headshot](/sites/default/files/styles/100_width/public/experts/highres/MichaelIanBorer.jpg?itok=XGYokcSY)
![Headshot of Robert Futrell](/sites/default/files/styles/100_width/public/experts/highres/dl_D68857_26.jpg?itok=5Ed51Oi_)