Sociology

SOC 110 Introduction to Criminal Justice 3 hours
Course cross-listed with CJ 110; Term: 2
Historical overview of corrections systems, processes, and roles to present day. Includes adult and juvenile, male and female facilities. Raises current issues.

SOC 140 Introduction to Forensic Science 3 hours
Course cross-listed with Criminal Justice and Forensic Science.
Forensic science is the application of science to the law and encompasses various scientific disciplines. This course will introduce various methodologies and applications used in the forensic context. Topics discussed include organic and inorganic chemical analyses of physical evidence, principles of serology and DNA analysis, identification of fresh and decomposed human remains, ballistics, fingerprint analysis, facial reconstruction, drug analysis, and forensic entomology.

SOC 201 Sociological Perspectives 3 hours
General Education option. Prerequisites: sophomore status or second semester freshman; Term: 1, 2, 3 (alternate years)
The goal of this course is to provide you with a basic understanding of society through the lens of the sociological perspective by introducing you to the basic concepts, definitions, and research methods involved in modern Sociology.

SOC 202 Social Problems 3 hours
General Education option. Term: 2, 3 (alternate years)
Basic concepts and the analysis of major problems of contemporary society including the social causes of these problems and the public policy consequences of solutions. Special emphasis will be give to critical thinking abilities in evaluating causes, effects, and various approaches in dealing with social problems.

SOC 240 Correctional Institutions and Facilities 3 hours
Course cross-listed with CJ 240; Term: 2
Organizational and operational methods in correctional facilities (objectives, security levels, pre-release). Human concerns in custodial care. Includes co-ed and women’s facilities.

SOC 300 Special Topics in Sociology 1-3 hours
Prerequisites: ENG 108 and SOC 201; Term: Offered as needed
Selected topics and issues in sociology or criminal justice as chosen by the instructor.

SOC 305 Introductory Statistics 4 hours
Prerequisite: MTH 100 or equivalent; Term: 1, 2, summer
Fundamental principles of descriptive and inferential statistics with applications to
Social Sciences.

SOC 306 Ethnic and Racial Diversity 3 hours
Prerequisite: SOC 201 or an introductory Sociology course; Term: 2
Analysis of the social, economic, and political aspects of racial/ethnic relations in the
US. Effects of diversity on various racial and ethnic groups.

SOC 307 Introduction to Ethnic and Cultural Studies 3 hours
Prerequisites: LS 105; SOC 306 recommended; Term: 1
This course will define race, ethnicity and culture, gender and enculturation. The student will learn the components of our social structure and the bias inherent in a socially stratified society where power and authority is vested in one dominant group. The use of stereotypes to reinforce the inferiority of minority groups will be explained. Race as a scientific concept will be a topic for discussion.

SOC 311 Deviant Behavior 3 hours
Prerequisite: SOC 201; Term: 1
Emphasizes interplay between society and the person in the development of deviant behavior. Explores the different kinds of deviance, theory, social control, and social issues.

SOC 314 Advanced Statistics 2 hours
Prerequisite: PSY 305; Permission of Instructor; Term: Scheduled as needed
An exploratory analysis of data using statistical software (Excel, SPSS, DataDesk).
Complements a statistics course and assumes knowledge of basic statistics. Advanced statistical analyses include analysis of variance.

SOC 320 Juvenile Delinquency 3 hours
Prerequisite: SOC 201; Term: 2
Provides an overview of juvenile behavior and the juvenile justice system in American society. A critical approach is used exploring the history and social construction of juvenile delinquency as a social phenomenon, theoretical explanations for delinquent behavior, experiences of juvenile delinquents, and the organizational processes and politics of the contemporary juvenile justice system.

SOC 330 Criminal Behavior 3 hours
Course cross-listed with CJ 330; Term: 1
Recognition and understanding of normal and criminal behavior and prime factors
influencing their development. Identifies selected problems of offenders and emerging alternatives for social control in institutional and non-institutional settings.

SOC 340 Crime Scene Investigation and Evidence Collection 1 4 hours
Prerequisite: FSC 140; CHM 140; BIO 139. Course cross-listed with Criminal Justice and Forensic Science.
This course is designed to provide students with the basic theoretical and philosophical understanding of the investigatory process as well as fundamental investigation techniques such as crime scene analysis, collection, preservation, and testing of evidence, modus operandi, use of technology, types of evidence, and the science of criminalistics. Analysis of problems encountered in interviewing, interrogating, evidence
collection, and admissibility will be examined. Application of investigation theories to the administration of justice will also be developed.

SOC 341 Crime Scene Investigation and Evidence Collection 2 4 hours
Prerequisite: FSC 340. Cross-listed with Criminal Justice and Forensic Science.
This course is a continuation of Crime Scene Investigation and Evidence Collection 1.

SOC 345 Sociology of the Family 3 hours
Prerequisite: SOC 201; Term: 1, 2
Analyzes the family including marriage and kinship relationships, as both a social institution and a network of small group interactions. Sociological theories will be investigated as well as empirical research.

SOC 348 Death and Dying 3 hours
Prerequisite: Junior or senior status; Term: Offered as needed
Discussion of death in our society, death in different cultures, attitudes toward death, children and death, grief and bereavement, suicide, lethal behavior, search for immortality and other related topics.

Course cross-listed with CJ 350; Term: 1
Sensitivity to cultural diversity and the impact of discrimination. Explores attitude
formation and the role of perception in social relations. Applies theory and practice to correctional settings.

SOC 352 Women in the American Criminal Justice System 3 hours
Prerequisite: SOC 201; Term: Alternate years.
Focuses on women as offenders, victims and professionals in the criminal justice system with particular emphasis on ethnicity as an influencing factor.

SOC 358 Law and Society 3 hours
Prerequisite: Introductory course in Political Science or Social Science; Term: Alternate years
A study of American law as seen through the United States Constitution and interpreted by the federal and state court systems. Also a brief examination of the roots of American civil and criminal law.

SOC 360 Social Psychology 3 hours
Prerequisites: ENG 108, PSY 205; Term: 2
Study of people as social beings and members of groups. Topics include the Psychology of interpersonal influence, attitude change, attraction, anger, conformity and group process.

SOC 365 Group Dynamics 2 hours
Prerequisite: PSY 205; Term: 1, 3
Group processes as they apply to task, community and organizational groups.

SOC 368 Inequality in America 3 hours
Prerequisite: SOC 201; Term: 2.
Examines the issue of inequality in the US, a fundamental aspect of virtually all social processes, to develop an understanding of the effects of poverty, sexism and racism on American society.

SOC 375 Sociological Theory 3 hours
Prerequisite: SOC 201; Term: 1
Introduction to the classics in social theory, various schools of social thought, and modern developments in the discipline. Introduction to the major ideas of the classical and modern theorists, the social environment in which they wrote, and the implications of their contributions.

SOC 380 Criminal Law 3 hours
Course cross-listed with CJ 380; Term: 2
Processes of U.S. and state court systems. Studies constitutional law regarding due process, search, and seizure. Includes selected precedent-setting cases. Examines American Correctional Association standards.

SOC 385 Community and Organizational Change 3 hours
Prerequisites: SOC 201 and ECN 202; Term: 1, 2
Analysis of communities and organizations as social systems, including examination of critical problems. Also examines intervention and change strategies and skills that appear to be effective and how they can be applied. A service-learning component may be included.

SOC 393 Urban Social Issues 3 hours
Term: 2, 3 (alternate years)
Analysis of selected topics on the social concerns of urban life. An interdisciplinary Social Sciences approach is used to investigate the roots of these urban problems, their consequences for individuals, communities and societies, and strategies to deal with them.

SOC 491 Independent Study in Sociology 1-3 hours
Prerequisites: SOC 201, junior or senior standing, permission of the instructor;
Term: 1, 2, 3
Advanced research and presentation of critically evaluated data.

SOC 493 Readings in Sociology 1-3 hours
Prerequisites: SOC 201, junior or senior standing, permission of the instructor;
Term: 1, 2, 3
In-depth investigation of a selected area of Sociology.

SOC 496 Senior Seminar 3 hours
Prerequisites: ENG 312, SOC 201; junior or senior standing; permission of instructor. Term: 2
Topic to be selected by student with approval of instructor. May be library research based or an original research project. Requires written and oral presentations. Writing intensive.

SOC 498 Fieldwork in Sociology 2-6 hours
Prerequisites: SOC 201, junior or senior standing, permission of the instructor;
Term: 1, 2, 3
Practical application of sociological concepts and skills. Planned and supervised professional experience related to Sociology that takes place outside the formal classroom with business, industry, and private/public agencies.

The Bachelor of Arts with a major in sociology requires a minimum of 30 hours in sociology and completion of the following components:

A. General Education Requirements
See general education requirements

B. General Education Requirements inthe Social Sciences
PSY 205 Introductory Psychology
SOC 201 Sociological Perspectives
ECN 202 Economic Dimensions
POL 303 Political Reality and Public Policy

C. Required Sociology Courses
(16 credits)
SOC 201 Sociological Perspectives.
SOC 305 Introduction to Statistics
SOC 368 Inequality in America: Race, Class and Gender *
SOC 375 Sociological Theories *
SOC 496 Senior Seminar in Sociology

D. Sociology Electives (14 credits) **
Select additional courses in Sociology or Criminal Justice to complete the major.
SOC/CJ 110 Introduction to Criminal Justice
SOC/FCS 140 Introduction to Forensic Science
SOC 202 Social Problems.
SOC/CJ 240 Correctional Institutions and Facilities
SOC 300 Special Topics in Sociology
SOC 306 Ethnic and Racial Diversity
SOC 307 Introduction to Ethnic and Cultural Studies
SOC 311 Deviant Behavior
SOC 314 Advanced Statistics
SOC 320 Juvenile Delinquency
SOC/CJ 330 Criminal Behavior
SOC/FSC 340 Crime Scene Investigation and Evidence Collection 1
SOC/FSC 341Crime Scene Investigation and Evidence Collection 2
SOC 345 Sociology of the Family
SOC 348 Death and Dying
SOC/CJ 350 Ethnicity and Justice
SOC/CJ 352 Women in the American Criminal Justice System
SOC/CJ/POL 358 Law and Society
SOC 360 Social Psychology
SOC 365 Group Dynamics
SOC/CJ 380 Criminal Law
SOC 385 Community and Organizational Change
SOC 393 Urban Social Issues
SOC 491 Independent Study in Sociology
SOC 493 Readings in Sociology
SOC 498 Fieldwork in Sociology

E. Minor Area

F. Other electives to complete
128 required credits.

The requirements for the Bachelor of Arts in Social Science with a Sociology concentration are:

A. A minimum of 128 total credits is required.

B. General Education Requirements
See general education requirements.

C. Social Science General Education core course requirements
SOC 201, PSY 205, ECN 202, and POL 303 or POL 385

One writing intensive course:
HIS 309, POL 202, or POL 335

One of the following research courses: Introductory Statistics (SOC 305) or Social Research (SOC 355)

D. Senior Seminar in the Social Sciences – SOC 496S

E. Required Courses in Sociology include:
SOC 201 Sociological Perspectives
SOC 306 Ethnic and Racial Diversity -OR- SOC 307 Introduction to Ethnic and Cultural Diversity
SOC 311 Sociology of Deviant Behavior
SOC 368 Inequality in America

Additional hours in Sociology to total at least 18 credits

Recommended courses include:
SOC 202 Social Problems
SOC 320 Juvenile Delinquency
SOC 345 Sociology of the Family
SOC 393 Urban Social Issues

F. Required Courses in the other Social Sciences include:
18 credit hours from any of the other Social Sciences – History, Political Science, Economics, and Psychology.

G. Minor

H. Electives

The requirements for the minor in Sociology are:

A. A minimum of 20 total credits is required.

B. Required Courses in Sociology include:
SOC 201 Sociological Perspectives
SOC 306 Ethnic and Racial Diversity -OR-SOC 307 Introduction to Ethnic and Cultural Studies
SOC 368 Inequality in America

C. Additional 11 hours in Sociology and Correctional Science to total at least 20 credits. Recommended courses include:
SOC 202 Social Problems
SOC 311 Deviant Behavior
SOC 320 Juvenile Delinquency
SOC 345 Sociology of the Family
SOC 375 Sociological Theory
SOC 393 Urban Social Is

The requirements for the minor in Criminal Justice are:

A. A minimum of 24 total credits.

B. Included must be these courses:
CJ/SOC 311 Deviant Behavior
CJ/SOC 110 Introduction to Criminal Justice
CJ/SOC 330 Criminal Behavior
CJ/SOC 380 Criminal Law

C. An additional 12 credits are required in the following areas of Sociology, Psychology, Social Work, or Political Science. Possible electives include:
CJ/FSC 140 Introduction to Forensic Science
CJ/SOC 240 Correctional Institutions and Facilities
CJ/SOC 320 Juvenile Delinquency
SOC/FSC 340 Crime Scene Investigation and Evidence Collection 1
SOC/FSC 341 Crime Scene Investigation and Evidence Collection 2
CJ/SOC 350 Ethnicity and Justice
CJ/SOC 352 Women in the American Criminal Justice System
CJ/SOC 358 Law and Society
CJ/SOC 352 Women in the American Criminal Justice System
CJ/SOC 491 Independent Study in Criminal Justice/Sociology
CJ/SOC 498 Fieldwork in Sociology/Criminal Justice
PSY 360 Social Psychology
PSY 365 Group Dynamics
PSY 240 Developmental Psychology
PSY 435 Abnormal Psychology
SW 200A Working with Substance Abusers
SW 200C Working with Mental and Physical Illness

A. A minimum of 20 credits is required.

B. All students interested in obtaining a certifiable Sociology minor for secondary education must take the following courses:
SOC 201 Sociological Perspectives
SOC 202 Social Problems
SOC 306 Ethnic and Racial Diversity -OR- SOC 307 Introduction to Ethnic and Cultural Studies -OR-SOC 368 Inequality in America

C. Students must complete an additional 12 credits in Sociology. The following courses are recommended:
SOC 311 Deviant Behavior
SOC 345 Sociology of the Family
SOC 360 Juvenile Delinquency
SOC 365 Group Dynamics
SOC 368 Inequality in America
SOC 393 Urban Social Issues