2011-2012 Archived Catalog Information

General Sociology Concentration

The concentration in General Sociology offers a broad and substantial exposure to the problems and prospects associated with culture, institutions, social inequities, human relations, social process, social movements, and social change. It provides students with a fundamental critical social science knowledge base from which to approach a variety of careers in the professions or work in human service, non-profits, community advocacy, government, or business. It is also an excellent foundation for entrance into graduate study. In addition to the 16 credits in the required core, students in General Sociology are required to take five additional Sociology electives (20 credits); at least one of these must be at the 200 level; at least two must be at the 300 level; one must fulfill the globalization requirement and one must fulfill the social policy requirement. Students are strongly encouraged, in consultation with their advisors, to select courses that provide a broad and balanced knowledge of the discipline of Sociology.

Core Requirements for General Sociology 16 Credits

SOC 113/116 Introductory Sociology course (Minimum passing grade for majors and minors is "C")
SOC 214 Research Methods
SOC 310/315 Sociological Theory or
SOC 333 Sociological Theory: Sociology of Crime 
SOC 433/443/453 Senior Seminar

Crime and Justice Concentration

The concentration in Crime and Justice equips the student with the necessary knowledge and skills to enter, and be effective in, the various fields of adult and juvenile justice, youth development, community justice, criminal justice, victim advocacy, and human services.

Core Requirements 16 Credits

SOC 113/116 Introductory Sociology (Minimum passing for majors and minors is "C")            
SOC 214 Research Methods
SOC 333 Sociological Theory: Sociology of Crime
SOC 433 Senior Seminar in Crime and Justice

Concentration Requirements 12 Credits

SOC 234 Criminal Justice Systems and two courses (8 credits) from the following Crime and Justice electives; at least one of these must be at the 300 level:

SOC 230 Bad Girls
SOC 231 Victims of Crime
SOC 232 Street Gangs
SOC 235 Sociology of Law
SOC 236 Deviance and Social Control
SOC 238 Cops and Robbers: Crime on Film
SOC 239 Men and Violence
SOC 241 Drugs and Society II
SOC 275 Women and Crime
SOC 285 Terrorism and Counterterrorism
SOC 334 Sociology of Policing
SOC 335 Corrections and Punishment
SOC 336 Probation and Parole
SOC 337 Juvenile Justice and the Law
SOC 338 White Collar Crime
SOC 339 Sociology of Violence
SOC 363-366 Special Topics in Crime and Justice
SOC 502 Comparative Criminology

Students must select two courses (8 credits) in Sociology from outside the Crime and Justice concentration.

In order to fulfill the requirements for the major, one of the above courses must be a designated Globalization course.

Because of the close relationship between Crime and Justice and related social science disciplines, students should consult with their advisors regarding selection of electives in such areas as forensic science, psychology, psychological services, education, women’s and gender studies, history, and economics.

Health, Medicine, and the Body Concentration

The health care sector is the fastest growing job sector today in many parts of the United States. The Health, Medicine, and the Body concentration prepares students for employment in this rapidly growing sector by providing students with:

• Understanding of the ways in which cultural patterns influence bodies and health
• A comprehensive overview of the social, economic, and political forces that shape the American health care system
• Understanding of the global inequalities that give rise to disparities in health status
• Understanding of the health experiences of women, children, the elderly and other populations

Many Health, Medicine, and the Body concentrators seek jobs in the health care sector upon graduation. These jobs may be in hospitals, government agencies, insurance companies, and community organizations. Others will choose to continue their education at the graduate level. The Health, Medicine, and the Body concentration is good preparation for graduate study in education, public health, social work, hospital, or public administration, as well as joint RN/MS programs that fast-track college graduates into the nursing profession.

Core Requirements 16 Credits

SOC 113/116 Introductory Sociology course (Minimum passing grade for majors and minors is "C")
SOC 214 Research Methods
SOC 310/333/315 Sociological Theory
SOC 443 Senior Seminar in Health, Medicine and the Body

Concentration Requirements 8 Credits

SOC 253 Sociology of Health and Illness and one of the following:
SOC 254 U.S. Health Care Landscapes 
SOC 357 Global Health and Healing 

Students must select one course (4 credits) from the following:

SOC 240 Drugs and Society I
SOC 241 Drugs and Society II
SOC 243 Introduction to Health and Human Services
SOC 256 Sociology of Aging
SOC 276 Sex and Society
SOC 342 Law, Health, and Human Rights
SOC 354  Death and Dying
SOC 355  Women and Health

In addition, students must select two courses (8 credits) in Sociology from outside the Health, Medicine, and the Body concentration.

In order to fulfill the requirements for the major, one of the above courses must be a designated Globalization course and one must be a designated Social Policy course.

Because of the close relationship between Health, Medicine, and the Body and related disciplines, students should consult with their advisors regarding selection of electives in such areas as psychology, psychological services, education, women’s and gender studies, and economics.