Sociology and criminal justice courses

This course is about learning to critically think about society and various problems in society. This course will examine a number of social issues as we wrestle with how we can decide if an issue is a social problem, decide which social problems might be more significant than others, and evaluate potential solutions for social problems. We are going to wrestle with some challenging questions with the goal of helping us to think deeply about how we might seek justice on an individual level and within society. (4 credits)

In this course, we are going to explore a number of questions about the boundaries of acceptability within societies. Instead of just taking such boundaries for granted, we will look at how the creation of normality and deviance is a process of social construction. We will examine how society can influence or constrain people to live within or outside of the socially constructed boundaries. As we explore this subject, we will be challenged to reexamine our own understanding of what is deviant and what is normal, to reflect on how definitions of deviance shape our identities and values, and to wrestle with how definitions of deviance and attempts at social control affect others. (4 credits)

This course provides an introduction to the criminal justice system. The primary goal of this course is to develop a general understanding of the criminal justice system's response to crime in society. It is important to note the general theme of this course involves the delicate balance between community interests and individual rights that criminal justice decision making requires. This theme is explored by examining the criminal justice process in some detail, focusing on how the system is structured to respond to crime. This requires an understanding of the core elements of the criminal justice system: police, courts, and corrections. (4 credits; alternate years, consult department)

This course develops a sociological perspective on ethnicity, power, and identity. Socialists frequently seek to balance an emphasis on both the general patterns that we observe across social phenomena and the uniqueness of each specific case. The primary goal of this course is not simply learn the characteristics of specific historically marginalized populations. Instead, the course will seek to answer the question: What is the relationship between power, ethnicity, and identity? Our readings and discussions will shed light upon this question from different perspectives. Along the way, we will also draw upon learning materials that address the unique historical situations of specific groups as they endure and struggle against power imbalances (for example, the African American Civil Rights Movement). (4 credits) (NWCore option under Cross-Cultural Engagement)

This course will provide an introduction to policing and law enforcement and will include a history of policing, police-community relations, police operational and administrative practices and an examination of important trends, issues, and limitations issues facing law enforcement today. The course will also examine police behaviors and attitudes, police culture, and how officers exercise discretion. (4 credits; alternate years, consult department)

This course offers students the opportunity to learn the role of community-based corrections in the criminal justice system. The course will address all aspects of probation and parole supervision, the current prison systems, and evidence based practices in working within the criminal justice system. Critical thinking, reflective decision-making and collaboration will be emphasized. (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 broad range of issues related to criminology. Topics include the theoretical underpinnings of criminality, how we measure criminal acts, the development of criminal careers, the various typologies of offenders and victims, and a critical analysis of public policies concerning crime control in society. (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. (4 credits, alternate years, consult department)

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

(4 credits may apply toward the major)

(4 credits)(IGE option under Self and Society) An introduction to sociology, its major concepts, tools and perspectives. This course provides an understanding of societies; of culture; of major social institutions such as the family, religion and education; of social inequality; and of social change.

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)

This class employs the sociological imagination to think about what "family" is and how the social world has shaped both families and the images and ideals that suggest what families or marriage should be. This class will use the tools of sociology to think critically about "family" as a social institution. We will wrestle with various ways of defining what family is, work to understand how families are shaped by the social world, and ask if using the sociological imagination can help us to look at current debates about family in a new and productive way. (4 credits; alternate years, consult department)

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)

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)

(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.

(4 credits)(IGE option under Cross-Cultural Engagement) This course develops a sociological perspective on ethnicity, power, and identity. Sociologists frequently seek to balance an emphasis on both the general patterns that we observe across social phenomena and the uniqueness of each specific case. The primary goal of this course is not simply learn the characteristics of specific historically marginalized populations. Instead, this course will seek to answer the question: What is the relationship between power, ethnicity, and identity? Our readings and discussions will shed light upon this question from different perspectives. Along the way, we will also draw upon learning materials that address the unique historical situations of specific groups as they endure and struggle against power imbalances (for example, the African American Civil Rights Movement).

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 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. (4 credits; alternate years, consult department) (Writing intensive) Note: Preceding course recommendation: SOC290.

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)

(4 credits may apply toward the major)