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 and analytical skills 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.  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 Introduction to Sociology or SOC 116 Social Problems 
SOC 214 Research Methods
SOC 310/315 Sociological Theory or SOC 333 Sociological Theory: Sociology of Crime 
SOC 433/443/453 Senior Seminar

Sociology major or minor students must have earned a minimum passing grade of “C” in an Introductory (100-level) sociology course before taking Research Methods in Sociology (SOC 214) or a Sociological Theory course (SOC 315, SOC 333).

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 Introduction to Sociology or SOC 116 Social Problems 
SOC 214 Research Methods
SOC 333 Sociological Theory: Sociology of Crime
SOC 433 Senior Seminar in Crime and Justice

Sociology major or minor students must have earned a minimum passing grade of “C” in an Introductory (100-level) sociology course before taking Research Methods in Sociology (SOC 214) or a Sociological Theory course (SOC 315, SOC 333).

Concentration Requirements (12 Credits)

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

SOC 210 Juvenile Justice and the Law
SOC 211 Corrections and Punishment
SOC 218 Crime and Law in Indian Country
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 275 Women and Crime
SOC 285 Terrorism and Counterterrorism
SOC 334 Sociology of Policing
SOC 336 Probation and Parole
SOC 338 White Collar Crime
SOC 339 Sociology of Violence
SOC 340 Licit or Lethal: America's Legal Drug Problem
SOC 341 International Drug Control Policy
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.

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 Introduction to Sociology or SOC 116 Social Problems
SOC 214 Research Methods
SOC 310/315 Sociological Theory or SOC 333 Sociological Theory: Theory of Crime
SOC 443/453 Senior Seminar

Sociology major or minor students must have earned a minimum passing grade of “C” in an Introductory (100-level) sociology course before taking Research Methods in Sociology (SOC 214) or a Sociological Theory course (SOC 315, SOC 333).

Concentration Requirements (12 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 243 Introduction to Health and Human Services
SOC 256 Sociology of Aging
SOC 276 Sex and Society
SOC 340 Licit or Lethal: America's Legal Drug Problem
SOC 341 International Drug Control Policy
SOC 342 Law, Health, and Human Rights
SOC 354 Death and Dying
SOC 355 Women and Health

Students must select two courses (8 credits) in sociology from outside the health, medicine, and the body concentration.

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.