Department of Sociology Statements

Department of Sociology Mission Statement

The Sociology Department at the University of Indianapolis educates about and works to overcome social, political, economic, and environmental problems and injustices while also exploring and celebrating our differences and shared humanity. We pursue these goals through our courses, meetings, events, scholarship, and related work at our university and in our city, state, and world. As professional sociologists, we proudly support our university’s policy of non-discrimination, which welcomes all people regardless of “race, color, national origin, sex, disability, sexual orientation (or gender identity or expression) or age”. We recognize that diversity improves our lives, makes us better people, promotes innovation, and helps make our world a more beautiful, interesting place in which to live.

Statement on Inclusivity

Following in the guidance of the American Sociological Association, the Department of Sociology proudly supports the University of Indianapolis’ policy on non-discrimination and the University statement Commemorating Juneteenth. We stand with and recognize ongoing struggles for civil rights and social movements for Black Lives, Indigenous Rights, LGBTQ+ Rights, Gender Equality, Climate Justice, Disability Rights, Fair and Affordable Housing, and other movements which challenge social inequality. As sociologists who use intersectional, anti-racist, and feminist practices, we are dedicated to promoting social and economic justice and dismantling intersecting systems of oppression.

We recognize that inequalities are multifaceted and that no one issue can be understood through a solitary lens. The matrix of race, class, gender and other components of identity require our steadfast attention to the various results of structural inequality and racism. We aim to use our resources and knowledge to implement actionable changes to move our society to a more equitable world. This begins in our classrooms and curriculum, where we are committed to bringing in underrepresented and historically silenced voices via diversified course content, and will be extended into our broader department programming and events.

Our major, and others on our campus, center the lived experiences of minoritized communities in their courses. We ask our students to interrogate interlocking systems and structures of power and oppression that maintain both local and global inequities. We recognize that some students of color, ethnic minorities, and LGBTQ+ students may feel hurt, scared, and frustrated by current events. We are committed to providing an education in which students can recognize themselves and where systems of oppression can be challenged and transformed. As faculty and activist-scholars, we realize action is crucial inside and outside of educational settings.

To embody these values, we, as a department, regularly engage in the following practices::

Reviewing and revising our syllabi to amplify historically marginalized voices.
Organizing opportunities for students to read about, discuss, and reflect on issues in society.
Seek feedback and collaboration, where appropriate, from our students about curricular needs, guest speakers, department events, etc.
Work with university administration to support hiring and retaining faculty and staff from diverse backgrounds that represent our student body.
Finally, we join others in academia in calling for the intentional diversification of curriculum, research, and public scholarship in ways that amplify the work done by Black and other historically marginalized scholars.

Sociology faculty will continue to fight for racial, social, and economic justice in our classrooms, as well in the policies, laws, and practices of our campus, community, and society.

We witness. We act in solidarity.

The Faculty of the Department of Sociology