Sociology and criminal justice courses

(4 credits)(IGE option under Self and Society) An introduction tosociology, its major concepts, tools and perspectives. This courseprovides an understanding of societies; of culture; of major socialinstitutions such as the family, religion and education; of socialinequality; and of social change.

A study of the basic sociological theories of the family from a Christian perspective. Topics include: the structure and functions of families, historical and social changes, cross-cultural analysis, institutional and functional aspects of dating, courtship, marriage adjustment, gender roles, parenthood and child rearing.(4 credits)

A discussion of myths and facts leading toward an understanding of many social problems, such as sexual deviance, drugs and alcohol, health care and illness (physical and mental), crime and delinquency, violence, wealth and poverty, inequality of opportunity, work, aging, sex inequality, racial minorities and discrimination, education, family problems, war, pollution, ecology and population. Emphasis is placed upon difficulties in defining, critiquing and proposing meaningful solutions.(4 credits)

An introduction to demography and human population studies. Comparisons and contrasts between the population of the United States and other developed countries and that of less developed countries. Interrelations of population, technology and resource use. Uses of demographic knowledge and research in business, teaching and government.(2 credits, alternate years, consult department)

This class employs the sociological imagination to think about what ?family?is and how the social world has shaped both families and the images andideals that suggest what families or marriage should be. This class will usethe tools of sociology to think critically about "family" as a socialinstitution. We will wrestles with various ways of defining what family is,work to understand how families are shaped by the social world, and ask ifusing the sociological imagination can help us to look at current debatesabout family in a new and productive way. (4 credits)

This course involves the study of the way individuals think about, influence and relate to one another. Topics include: attitude change, social thinking, conformity, obedience, persuasion, prejudice, aggression, altruism, roles, norms and environmental influences on social behavior. The major aim of the course is to encourage an appreciation of the relationship between personal and situational determinants of social behavior.Prerequisite: PSY111, 221, or SOC101.(4 credits)

This class focuses on a sociological understanding of deviance. We will explore how both culture and structure may shape the prevalence, definition and reaction to deviance. Various theoretical perspectives will be examined and discussed to see how deviance may be both understood and even perhaps predicted. Finally, a number of more "concrete" areas will be examined, to both see how the theory holds up in real life, and to deepen the understanding of deviance and attempts at social control of deviance. (4 credits)

This course provides an introduction to the criminal justice system. Theprimary goal of this course is to develop a general understanding of thecriminal justice system?s response to crime in society. It is important tonote the general theme of this course involves the delicate balance betweencommunity interests and individual rights that criminal justice decisionmaking requires. This theme is explored by examining the criminal justiceprocess in some detail, focusing on how the system is structured to respondto crime. This requires an understanding of the core elements of thecriminal justice system: police, courts, and corrections. (4 credits;alternate years, consult department)

A study of selected topics in sociology which are not adequately covered in other courses. Offered as a response to student or faculty needs or interests. Possible topics include: social change, social reform movements, the sociology of unconventional lifestyles, sociology of women, sociology of education, medical sociology, sociology of war and terrorism, and native American issues.(2 or 4 credits, non-yearly, consult department)

Some of the most troubling aspects of society are also the most persistent.In fact, social problems frequently seem ?too big? to address. Yet, we alsoknow that people are sometimes successful in reducing human suffering andreconciling social injustices. This course examines how they do so. Thereadings and class discussions will critically examine three questions: Whatmotivates altruism and social engagement? What strategies do groups use toaddress human needs or to transform cultural and structural patterns? Whatis the potential of these efforts for creating meaningful, lasting change insociety? (4 credits; alternate years, consult department)

(4 credits)(IGE option under Cross-Cultural Engagement) This course is about learning a way of seeing and understanding other cultures and our own culture(s) - introducing and drawing on ideas and insights from the field of Cultural Anthropology. In a globalizing and increasingly interconnected world these ideas and insights can serve a critical need in helping us understand and learn how to live in with cultural diversity and complexity. Thus the value of this course is in learning a new way of seeing and understanding, a way that helps us think about what it means to be human, a way that helps us understand and live with our neighbors -- locally and globally.

A study of the development of, issues in, and new directions for, the American criminal justice system. Each step of the system is critiqued in terms of intended and unintended consequences as well as official and operative goals, and is related to a detailed discussion of various correctional treatment programs: prisons, halfway houses, group homes, community-based treatment programs, probation, parole and others. Those in the criminal justice career concentration should take SOC218 first. Prerequisite: recommend general education writing requirement. (4 credits, alternate years, consult department)

(4 credits)(IGE option under Cross-Cultural Engagement) This coursedevelops a sociological perspective on ethnicity, power, and identity.Sociologists frequently seek to balance an emphasis on both the generalpatterns that we observe across social phenomena and the uniqueness ofeach specific case. The primary goal of this course is not simply learnthe characteristics of specific historically marginalized populations.Instead, this course will seek to answer the question: What is therelationship between power, ethnicity, and identity? Our readings anddiscussions will shed light upon this question from differentperspectives. Along the way, we will also draw upon learning materialsthat address the unique historical situations of specific groups as theyendure and struggle against power imbalances (for example, the AfricanAmerican Civil Rights Movement).

This course will provide an introduction to policing and law enforcement andwill include a history of policing, police-community relations, policeoperational and administrative practices and an examination of importanttrends, issues, and limitations issues facing law enforcement today. Thecourse will also examine police behaviors and attitudes, police culture, andhow officers exercise discretion. (4 credits; alternate years, consultdepartment)

Evolution of and debates concerning community and non-community based correctional programs, relationships between correcting, reforming, rehabilitating, and punishing, tensions between protection of public safety and rights of the accused, evaluation of incarceration, probation, parole, diversion, alternate and restorative justice programs, issues in "proactive" and "reactive" debate. Prerequisites: SOC218 and 303. Recommend general education writing requirement. (4 credits, alternate years, consult department)

An examination of the topic of gender, predominately using a sociological perspective. The study of gender from a sociological perspective develops an appreciation for how social structure, institutions and culture shape gender roles and the lives of those who play these roles - at the same time that gender roles shape culture, institutions and social structure. Attention will also be given to the "inherent or constructed" debate about gender roles, the role of the media in shaping gender, and the intertwining of gender and family, politics, work and religion.(4 credits, alternate years, consult department)

This course is a survey of the field of criminology. It examines the nature,location, and impact of crime in the United States by exploring a broadrange of issues related to criminology. Topics include the theoreticalunderpinnings of criminality, how we measure criminal acts, the developmentof criminal careers, the various typologies of offenders and victims, and acritical analysis of public policies concerning crime control in society. (4credits; alternate years, consult department)

This course surveys the historical development of American Indian peoples, particularly during the period of contact and conquest by Euro-Americans and particularly in the trans-Mississippi West region of what became the U.S. Topics include pre-contact life, oral literature, Indian accommodation and selective adaptation to Euro-American societies, Spanish, French and U.S. Indian policies, Native American religion, Christian mission work among American Indians, activism by and on behalf of American Indians, and reservation life. Prerequisite: recommend general education writing requirement. (4 credits, alternate years, consult department)

A comprehensive introduction to sociological research methods with emphasis on survey research. An opportunity for sociology majors or others to apply this methodology in the conduct of major research in an area determined in consultation with the instructor. Finished research reports will be considered for presentation at various sociological association meetings. Prerequisites: SOC101 or equivalent. Recommend general education writing requirement, (4 credits, alternate years, consult department)

An in-depth study of the philosophical foundations of the social and cognitive sciences. Issues discussed include, e.g., a) laws and explanations in social science, b) objectivity and values in the social sciences, c) rationality, d) relations between different social sciences and the physical sciences, e) philosophy of mind.Prerequisites: at least one philosophy course. PHI202 or 342 may prove helpful, but not required.(4 credits, alternate years, consult department)

An overview of ethnographic methods, goals, and the theoretical assumptions underlying them. Ethnography, the description and analysis of human life or culture, is based on qualitative fieldwork. The goal is to understand the "native's'' point of view, to learn from people rather than study them. Students will have an opportunity to practice fieldwork methods and write a brief ethnography. Prerequisite: recommend general education writing requirement. (4 credits)

(Writing intensive) An overview of ethnographic methods, goals, and the theoretical assumptionsunderlying them. Ethnography, the description and analysis of human life orculture, is based on qualitative fieldwork. The goal is to understand the"native's" point of view, to learn from people rather than study them.Students will have an opportunity to practice fieldwork methods and write abrief ethnography. Note: Preceding course recommendation: SOC290. (4 credits)

The study of major theories and theorists, addressing such theories as functionalist, conflict, social exchange, symbolic interactionist, ethnomethodological/ phenomenological, and sociobiology. Emphasis is placed on how various perspectives impact and alter our understanding of reality, of causation, of the past, present and future. Prerequisites: SOC101, sociology major or permission of instructor. Recommend general education writing requirement. (4 credits, alternate years, consult department)

This course focuses on restorative conceptions of justice related to thecriminal justice system. It places justice in the context of social healthrather than only in relation to punishment or criminality. Prominent is theconcept of restoring social rights and order threatened by harm to victims,society, and offender. A key goal of restorative justice is to repair harmand restore relationships broken by crime and other wrongdoings. It alsorecognizes the perspective of the survivors of various crimes and seeks tobring about healing through attempted reconciliation. Crucial conversationsare core to the change process through both victim offender dialogue andmotivational interviewing. (4 credits; alternate years, consult department)

(4 credits may apply toward the major)