Sociology Courses
Sociology | Criminal Justice | Advanced

Sociology Courses

102 Sociology and Social Problems. The patterns of relationships among individuals, groups, organizations and social institutions in society. Students are introduced to different sociological perspectives and methodologies used in understanding social life. The nature, causes and attempted solutions to various American social problems are examined; these may include deviance, poverty, family violence, various forms of discrimination, health issues and environmental hazards. Fall, spring.

202 Sociology of Sex and Gender. A sociological analysis of gender construction and sexual inequality, including an introduction to general historical knowledge about men’s and women’s lives, social forces affecting reproduction, sexuality, intimacy, parenthood and gender role patterns.

208 Cultural Anthropology and Ethnography. Topics include the concept of culture from the anthropological perspective; an examination of cultural responses to various social and environmental conditions; and an introduction to basic ethnographic and anthropological concepts and theories. A particular ethnic group is studied in addition to the general textual material. Spring.

219 Social Deviance. Examines social definitions of deviant behavior, social control, labeling, stigma, and official records. Topics include prohibition era, drugs, child abuse, white collar crime, juvenile and adult criminal subcultures, and restorative justice.

230 Introduction to Art Therapy. See ART 230.

303 Race and Ethnic Relations. A sociological analysis of the concepts of race and ethnicity both in the United States and around the world. Special emphasis placed on relationships between ethnic groups and solutions to problems associated with race and ethnicity.

305 Social Research Methods. The logic and skills involved in doing social research, including examination of the assumptions, procedures and problems associated with historical/ documentary, field work, survey and experimental research; and use of the computer in social research, including statistical packages.

307 Marriage and the Family. Topics include the development of marriage and the family in their various forms up to the present; consideration of contemporary marriage patterns and relationships; family disorganization; and the effects of social change on marriage and the family.

309 Urban Sociology. Topics include types of communities; factors influencing urban growth and development in world regions and in the U.S.; demographic trends and ecological factors; urban planning and redevelopment; community agencies and services; social problems associated with urban life; and forms of interaction emanating from urban structures.

311 Class, Status and Power. Who gets what and why? An examination of social class, the social conditions which lead to class formation, class-related behavior, social class through the life cycle and the historical basis of stratification, particularly in the United States.

345 Global Economy Impact on Work and Organizations. Examines the variety of work, complex organizations and chaning labor markets. Explores power and control in the workplace and economy, global economic integration, and investor capital. How does the global economy impact today's college students?

350 Selected Topics in Sociology. Examination of a particular topic of current interest to faculty and students. Topics which may be considered include: applied sociology, conflict management, crime and gender, crime prevention, sexual deviance, terrorism violence, the sociology of culture, of film, of the media. May be repeated with a different topic.

402. Sociological Theory. Discussion of classical and contemporary sociological theories, with an emphasis of historical context of their origins, their contributions to sociological knowledge and application in today/s society.

407 Capstone: Senior Research. A critical, in-depth study of selected topics from the various fields of sociology, anthropology, criminal justice and human services. Each participant will write and present a formal research paper.


Criminal Justice Courses top

221 Introduction to Criminal Justice. A sociological approach to prevention as justice, followed by an introduction to topics such as the U.S. legislative and legal system, crime, politics, and the media, police, courts, probation, corrections, parole and prisoner reentry. Criminal justice occupations. Fall.

265 Law School, Legal Research, and Case Analysis. This course offers pre-professional skills training in legal research, case analysis, and preparing legal memos and briefs. This training includes interpreting judicial opinions, briefing cases and learning how to use online legal libraries. This course will also include a substantive analusis of how law schools function and the expectations they place on incoming law students.

266 Juvenile, Justice and Delinquency. Research on child development, family, school, neighborhoods, peers, and drug abuse as relates to criminology of youth crime. Introduction to the juvenile justice system, including teen court, juvenile probation, juvenile detention, residential treatment and aftercare for adjudicated youth.

267 Criminal Investigation and Forensics. Introduces aspects of police work involving investigative techniques, protecting and reconstructing the crime scene and use of natural and social sciences in gathering and analyzing evidence, and in preparing presentation for court.

351 Selected Topics in Criminal Justice. Topics of interest to faculty and students, may include juvenile treatment; domestic violence and batterers treatment; probation, prison, and parole; women and crime; federal law enforcement and public administration; stress and crime.

360 Criminology and Prevention. Introduction to major criminological theories and research, including fieldwork insights from criminals, prisoner stories, and ex-con academic criminologists. Application of criminological theory to design of crime prevention programs.

361 The Police in Urban Society. Issues in urban policing, including the history, organization, roles and styles of policing, the police subculture, patrol and investigative duties, community relations, discretion, corruption and accountability.

362 The American Courts. Structures and procedures within state and federal trial and appellate courts, including the Supreme Court. Attention is given to the role of participants, relevant substantive and procedural law, implications of court decisions, discretionary powers, strengths and weaknesses of each system and current efforts at reform.

363 Corrections and Rehabilitation. Introduces treatment and therapy modalities used in residential treatment for adjudicated youth, and in adult corrections. Exposure to U.S. prison system use of mass incarceration, roles of probation and parole, and reentry issues.

364 Drugs in American Society. The history of drug use in the U.S.; types of drugs and their effects; medical and health perspectives; social control and legal aspects of drug use; the "legalization" debate; the social consequences of drug use; the period of the "war on drugs" and its effectiveness. Drug policy in the criminal justice system.

365 Criminal Justice Occupations and Organizations. Advanced Criminal Justice course exploring organizational theory and management practice utilizing case method approach. Examines police, courts, probation, prison, parole agencies; individual and group processes; and management issues specific to criminal justice agencies including leadership, goals, environment, communication, motivation, job design, occupational socialization, power, conflict, decision-making, effectiveness, innovation and research.

366 Criminal Law. Introduce first year law school, American Court system, with focus on criminal law. Defense attorney's role, burdens of proof, forms of evidence, criminal evidence and legal reasoning. Introductory research skills for briefing a case.

394 Constitutional Law I: Government Powers.Study of the U.S. Supreme Court decisions that resolve struggles for power betweem the three branches of federal government and the federal state governments. Consideration of such issues as the governement's authority to regulate drugs, the president's commander-in-chief powers and the distinctions between federal and state court cases.

395 Constitutional Law II: Civil Liberties. Study of U.S. Supreme Court decisions that determine the extent to which individual liberties are protected under the U.S. Constitution, with special attention to the constitutional rights of the accused during criminal investigations and litigation and exporlation of civil rights issues and the limits of free speech and the religious expression.


Advanced and Special Classes top

199 Exploratory Internship. An observational internship providing opportunities to gain relevant career experiences and information in the fields of sociology and criminal justice. Open to second-semester freshmen and above.

299 Experimental Course.

399 Professional Internship. Students have the opportunity to participate in field projects or work with professional staff members in organizations such as police and sheriff’s departments, courts, probation departments, juvenile centers, correction facilities, prevention agencies, community organizations and human service organizations . Open to juniors and seniors.

451 Independent Study. Supervised reading and research in sociology, criminal justice, social work, or anthropology.

499 Advanced Experimental Course.