Sociology programs
Criminal Justice Major
Located within the sociology department, the criminal justice major prepares students for a future career in law enforcement and related professional fields. Its instructors train students to think critically about the criminal justice system and to understand and implement evidence based practices. The department encourages students to apply these skills toward the pursuit of restorative justice as they live out their calling.
The criminal justice major is designed to assist students in entering an area of expanding need. The need is for professionalization and better prepared personnel in law enforcement, the court system, and in diverse areas in the corrections system. This major is also good preparation for graduate school, providing a knowledge and understanding of theory, social organization, methods and techniques. An internship of one semester is part of the major in order to provide additional practical experience in the field.
| Requirements
| | SOC 202 - Social Problems
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) | | SOC 218 - Deviance & Social Control
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) | | SOC 220 - The Criminal Justice System
| | SOC 304 - Ethnicity, Power, Identity
A study of racial and cultural minority groups in the United States and other societies emphasizing value systems, power relationships, forms of social organization, and cultural contributions. This course helps students develop an understanding of, appreciation for, and capacity to relate effectively with minority groups. Appreciation for heterogeneity is stressed. In-depth treatment of Hispanics and Hispanic culture in the United States. Prerequisite: recommend general education writing requirement. (4 credits) | | SOC 305 - Policing & Law Enforcement
| | SOC 307 - Corrections
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) | | SOC 310 - Criminology
| | SOC 340 - Sociological Research
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) | | SOC 410 - Restorative Justice
| | SOC 417 - Internship
(4 credits may apply toward the major) | | Cognates
| | PSC 225 - Intro to Law
This course briefly surveys the landscape of the American legal system. Most of the course, however, is devoted to examining significant constitutional issues, such as government powers, civil rights and civil liberties. (4 credits, alternate years, consult department) (American politics) | | PSC 201 - State and Local Government
This course examines the political relationships between the federal, state and local levels of U.S. government. Though we focus primarily on state and local governments and policy making, we also seek to determine which level of government is best suited to address the different social and economic problems. The role of the Christian in politics is also explored. (2 credits) (American politics) | | Total Credits Required: 46
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