Biology - Major in Biology Program

Requirements for a sociology major with a criminal justice concentration:

Core courses:
CRJ 110 Introduction to Criminal Justice

A sociological, historical, and philosophical examination of punishment and the criminal justice system. Included will be a summary of the role and impact of the courts, police, and corrections within our criminal justice system. Contemporary issues to include the death penalty, sentencing of juveniles, reentry and incarceration will be examined. Fulfills requirement: Social Scientific Inquiry. 3 credits.

CRJ 245 Violent Crimes: Homicide and Sexual Offenses

The course will examine theories of violence; the subculture of violence; gender, class, race and violent crime. It will explore the history and current practices employed by the criminal justice system to address violent crimes with an emphasis on homicide and sex offenses. It will discuss the motives and the characteristics of those who commit violent crimes and the criminal justice systems approach to assessment, treatment and management. Fulfills requirement: Social Scientific Inquiry. Prerequisite: CRJ 110. 3 credits.

CRJ 278 Juvenile Justice

An examination of the causes and effects of juvenile delinquency, the juvenile justice system and treatment programs for the juvenile offender. Fulfills requirement: Social Scientific Inquiry. Prerequisite: CRJ 110. 3 credits.

CRJ 331 Criminology

This course will focus on the criminological framework of the study of crime. It will offer an analytical structure in order to understand the facts and criminological patterns and trends. It will explore the field of criminological explanation to include definitions of crime, criminal activity, and how theories are integrated within the criminal justice system. It will also examine the extent and nature of victimization. Prerequisite: CRJ 110. 3 credits.

SOC 110 Introduction to Sociology

An introduction to the sociological perspective with a focus on how individual behavior is shaped by the social context. The nature and characteristics of human societies and social life are examined from a perspective known as the "sociological imagination". Topics range from the influence of culture on human behavior, the development of the self, group dynamics, deviance, population, and social inequality. Fulfills requirement: Intercultural Competence,Social Scientific Inquiry. 3 credits.

SOC 210 Social Problems

Contemporary social problems are examined from a constructionist perspective. Topics selected for study vary according to societal trends, but typically include an examination of social change, poverty, globalization, environmental degradation, deviance, and health. Fulfills requirement: . Prerequisite: SOC 110. 3 credits.

SOC 300 Research Methods in Social Science

Experiential-based course covering fundamental concepts and problems in social science research. Topics include ethics or research on human behavior, design, measurement, sampling, and interviewing and questionnaire construction. There is an emphasis on four research methods: available data, survey research, experiments, and field research. Prerequisite: SOC 110 and 9 credits of Sociology at the 200-level or higher, or POL 110, 215, and 245. 3 credits. (This course is cross-listed with CRJ 300)

SOC 301 Research Statistics for Social Sciences

This laboratory course builds skills in basic data management, statistical analysis, and interpretation of statistical information. The course reviews how to interpret both descriptive and inferential statistical analysis. The skills acquired in this lab are employed in research methods to aide students in the design, analysis, and presentation of their research project. Fulfills requirement: Quantitative Reasoning. Prerequisite: SOC 300, or permission of instructor. 3 credits. (This course is cross-listed with CRJ 301)

SOC 321 Social Theory

This course covers a critical examination of selected classical and contemporary theorists, including Marx, Durkheim, Weber, Parsons, Foucault, Bourdieu and Giddens. Classical, modern, post-modern and globalization theories will be covered. A meta-analytical approach will be used, looking at the social construction of theory. Prerequisite: SOC 110 and 6 credits in sociology at the 200-level or above, or permission of the instructor. 3 credits.

SOC 499 Sociology Senior Seminar

A critical analysis of the selected topic: Inequality. This course will specifically focus on poverty and the impact of adverse child experiences on human outcomes. The course will be conducted as a seminar with a significant portion using a service learning format. This is a capstone course, required of all graduating Sociology and Criminal Justice majors. Fulfills requirement: Immersive Experience. Prerequisite: SOC 110, 300, 301; SOC 321 or 331; and senior standing. 3 credits.

Six additional credits in sociology or criminal justice, not including internships.