Sociology, Criminology, & Anthropology Department
Mission Statement
The Department of Sociology, Criminology, and Anthropology and Social Science is committed to the principles of a liberal education. Our central objective is to teach and communicate the sociological and anthropological ways of viewing the world. The programs in sociology, criminology, anthropology, and women’s studies and social science offer curriculum designed to increase the student’s knowledge of social organization and social relationships and to assist students in developing skills in the processing, integration and utilization of knowledge, rather than its simple transfer. Each program in the department supports the long-standing interest of our disciplines in examining the human condition and understanding stability and change in social life. The department prepares students to work in a wide variety of occupations or to pursue professional or graduate studies. Our mission is to produce graduates who are motivated and equipped to make meaningful contributions to the enhancement of the human condition.
The department’s mission relates to the mission of the College of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences in the following ways:
- The department programs provide classroom environments that stimulate critical thinking and assist students to further develop critical thinking skills;
- Social action and responsibility, personal morality and accountability, and professional ethics are focused on throughout the curriculum in classes that examine the interplay between individual agency and social influence;
- The broad disciplines within the department are committed to producing motivated and socially aware graduates equipped to make meaningful contributions within a diverse community and increasingly interdependent world.
Women's Studies
Mission
The Women’s Studies program exists to offer students a different perspective for understanding their disciplines, themselves, and others. Drawing from the rich history of feminist theory and gender studies, this perspective examines intersectionality and incorporates issues of gender identity, race, ethnicity, class, sexuality, and other dimensions of human diversity to examine contemporary social issues, media,the arts,culture, communication, education, civic engagement, social activism, inequities and social justice, and the global contributions of women, past to present.
Anthropology (ANTH)
Undergraduate Courses
Introduction to the concepts by which anthropology understands particular lifestyles, and to the constructs by which it accounts for similarities and differences among lifestyles. (F, S) (Gen Ed: SS, GT-SS3) (CC)
The course examines humans as biological organisms from an evolutionary perspective. Other primates and the significance of genetic diversity in modern human populations are discussed. Corequisite: ANTH 101L (AN) (Gen Ed: ST)
The lab will reinforce and extend student understanding of biological anthropological concepts. Corequisite: ANTH 101. (AN) (Gen Ed: ST)
Americans live in a complex and diverse society. This course examines the nature, impact and strategies for dealing with diversity in personal and social contexts. (AN)
Cross-cultural introduction to language processes in human society. (AN) (Gen Ed: SS) (CC)
An examiniation of the human lineage focusing on major cultural events from Miocene apes to the Mesolithic. (AN)
An examination of major cultural events from the Neolithic to early civilizations. (AN)
Familiarize students with the basic procedures used by forensic anthropologists to obtain evidence in criminal investigations. (F,S,SS,O,E,AN)
Special Topics. (AN) Repeatable (99).
This course describes how modern archaeologists acquire and interpret archaeological evidence. (AN)
A review of the diversity of North-American prehistoric cultures. (AN)
Examines migration processes, with a particular focus on immigration to the United States. Migration patterns are analyzed considering social, political, and historical context, including structural global patterns. (AN)
Special Topics. (AN) Repeatable (99).
Qualitative and quantitative methods and designs in anthropological research. Prerequisite: Junior or senior standing and permission of instructor. (AN) Repeatable (3).
Seminar. (AN)
Practical experience in an agency setting. Prerequisite: Junior or senior standing and permission of instructor. (AN) Repeatable (99).
Directed study for students interested in specific areas of anthropological concern. Prerequisite: Permission of instructor. (AN) Repeatable (99).
Criminology (CRIM)
Undergraduate Courses
This class will address the historical, theoretical and methodological foundations for understanding crime and criminology; various types of crime, & responses to crime by police, the courts and correctional institutions. (AN)
This course examines the origin, nature, and use of criminal law; policing, court adjudication, sentencing; crime victims; jails and prisons; community based corrections; criminal justice policy; justice and inequity. (AN)
Familiarize students with the basic procedures used by forensic anthropologists to obtain evidence in criminal investigations. (F,S,SS,E,O,AN)
The purpose of this course is to explore the complicated relationship between cannabis and society. The past, present and future of cannabis will be discussed. Examination of how cannabis has sparked various social changes. (F)
Special Topics. (AN) Repeatable (99).
Explores historical and contemporary intersecting issues of race and crime in the United States. Theoretical grounding and factual information provide the foundation for the course. Prerequisite: SOC 101 or SOC 155. (AN)
Theory and history of delinquency; relationship to family, peer groups, schools, gangs, drugs, young offenders legislation, juvenile courts and police response, youth corrections. (AN)
Examination of major theoretical explanations of crime and their policy implications. Prerequisite: CRIM 101. (AN)
Examines migration processes, with a particular focus on immigration to the United States. Migration patterns are analyzed considering social, political, and historical context, including structural global patterns. (AN)
The purpose of this course will be to explore the fast-evolving realm of cannabis policy, focusing primarily on the United States. (S)
Employ theoretical perspectives to better understand motivations of Hollywood criminals and the peculiar aspects of a society with an insatiable appetite for crime as "entertainment". (AN)
This course focuses on sociological understandings of crime and other social phenomena. Through science fiction literature, movies, and TV, the class explores how current social realities are reflected in science fiction. (SS)
Crime and justice studies. Each has a subtitle; no subtitle may be repeated for credit. Prerequisite: Junior or senior standing or permission of the instructor (AN) Repeatable (6).
The origins and functions of law; the social organization of legal institutions and decisions; the relationship of law to morality, justice and social change. (S)
The extent, seriousness, and impact of major forms of family violence, including child maltreatment, dating and partner violence, stalking, and mistreatment of elders. Gender, race and social class implications are examined . (F)
Examination of crimes and social injuries perpetrated by organizational structures that do physical or economic harm to the environment, their employees, and their customers. (F)
Course introduces students to variable aspects of Medicolegal Death Investigation. Students will learn about investigating deaths caused by homicide, suicide, accidents, and natural causes. (AN)
Trends, organizational characteristics, processes, and causative factors associated with gangs in contemporary American society. (F)
Seminar occurs in a correctional facility. Students and incarcerated men or women together examine topics such as crime, justice, freedom, and inequality to learn from others' perspectives and re-think current understanding. Prerequisite: Junior or senior standing. Permission of the instructor. (F, S)
Examines assumptions about race, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, religion, nationality and other factors that are used to justify the bias behind hate crimes; examines social/legal definitions, causal factors & consequences. (S)
Independent research project. Prerequisite: Junior or senior standing and permission of instructor. (AN) Repeatable (99).
Practical on-the-job experience in an agency setting. Prerequisite: Junior or senior standing and permission of instructor. (F,S) Repeatable (99).
Independent Study. Prerequisite: Previous coursework in criminology and permission of instructor. (AN) Repeatable (99).
Sociology (SOC)
Undergraduate Courses
The scientific study of patterns and processes of human social relations. (AN) (Gen Ed: SS, GT-SS3)
Americans live in a complex and diverse society. This course examines the nature, impact and strategies for dealing with diversity in personal and social contexts. (AN)
Sociological perspectives applied to an understanding of global and domestic social problem, including the environment, corporate control, economic and political inequalities, health care, and crime. (F) (Gen Ed: SS, GT-SS1)
This course examines origin, nature, and utilization of criminal law; policing, court adjudication and sentencing; jails and prisons; community based corrections; criminal justice policy. (AN)
Marriage and family from an institutional and relationship perspective: cross-cultural diversity, mate selection, marital dynamics, parenting, divorce, remarriage, emerging patterns. (F, S) (Gen Ed: SS)
We will use our sociological imaginations to explore the often puzzling relationships that humans all over the globe have developed with their environment. (S)
The purpose of this course is to explore the complicated relationship between cannabis and society. The past, present and future of cannabis will be discussed. Examination of how cannabis has sparked various social changes. (F)
Special Topics. (AN) Repeatable (99).
An analysis of elementary forms of spontaneous and unstructured behavior (panics, rumors), and complex forms of more structured group phenomena (riots, social movements.) Prerequisite: SOC 101 (S)
Theory and history of delinquency; relationship to family, peer groups, schools, gangs, drugs, young offenders legislation, juvenile courts and police response, youth corrections. (AN)
Advertising, television, music, novels, and the news are among the topics to be investigated for their social significance. (AN)
Social, political and historical conditions under which segregation, racial/ethnic hierarchies and r/e conflict emerge, and the institutions through which boundaries and hierarchies are produced and reproduced in the U.S. (F)
General and applied psychological principles of the individual's interaction with a group. Prerequisite: PSYC 100. (AN)
Examines migration processes, with a particular focus on immigration to the United States. Migration patterns are analyzed considering social, political, and historical context, including structural global patterns. (AN)
An in-depth look at the images of social life and social relationships contained in popular movies. (AN)
The purpose of this course will be to explore the fast-evolving realm of cannabis policy, focusing primarily on the United States. (S)
Employ theoretical perspectives to better understand motivations of Hollywood criminals and the peculiar aspects of a society with an insatiable appetite for crime as "entertainment". (AN)
This course focuses on sociological understandings of crime and other social phenomena. Through science fiction literature, movies, and TV, the class explores how current social realities are reflected in science fiction. (SS)
The course provides a social historical analysis of the development and impact of an important form of contemporary popular culture - rock 'n' roll music. (AN)
Poverty in the United States, its measurement and extent, perpetuating conditions, lifestyle and anti-poverty programs. (AN)
The origins and functions of law; the social organization of legal institutions and decisions; the relationship of law to morality, justice and social change. (S)
Social and structural implications of science and technology as they affect society. (AN)
Examines historical and contemporary issues for women of various economic, social, and ethnic groups, especially in the US; examines gender ideologies about paid, unpaid work. Prerequisite: Junior or senior standing or permission of instructor. (AN)
Prevailing theoretical model of large organizations and suggested alternatives. (AN)
Introduces the variety of qualitative methods used in the social sciences for conducting research studies, gathering data and interpreting and analyzing research findings with a focus on interviewing techniques. (AN)
Seminar occurs in a correctional facility. Students and incarcerated men or women together examine topics such as crime, justice, freedom, and inequality to learn from others' perspectives and re-think current understanding. Prerequisite: Junior or senior standing and permission of the instructor. (F, S)
Projects identified by each faculty member in concert with his/her interests. Prerequisite: Sociology major and junior or senior. (AN) Repeatable (99).
Special Topics. (AN) Repeatable (99).
Qualitative and quantitative methods and designs in sociological research. Prerequisite: Junior or senior standing and permission of instructor. (AN)
Practical on-the-job experience in an agency setting. Prerequisite: Junior or senior standing and permission of instructor. (F,S) Repeatable (99).
Independent Study. Prerequisite: Previous work in sociology and permission of instructor. (AN) Repeatable (99).
Womens Studies (WS)
Undergraduate Courses
An interdisciplinary course examining women's lives and roles through socio-economic, political, historical and biological perspectives. Introduces feminist theories and gender as a structure and process. (F, S) (Gen Ed: SS) (CC)
Americans live in a complex and diverse society. This course examines the nature, impact and strategies for dealing with diversity in personal and social contexts. (AN)
Statistical overview of the current status of women, followed by examination of theories concerning equality of the sexes. Prerequisite: PSYC 100. (F)
To raise awareness of social inequities, promote cultural competency & appreciation of differences. (AN)
Introduction to women's health issues and a basic understanding of how women's health has been influenced historically, culturally and by socio-economic factors. (AN)
Marriage and family from an institutional and relationship perspective: cross-cultural diversity, mate selection, marital dynamics, parenting, divorce, remarriage, emerging patterns. (F, S) (Gen Ed: SS)
The historical and cultural implications of the mass media's portrayal of women and the extent of their media participation from colonial to contemporary times. (AN)
Intensive study of literature written by women, in historical, cultural, and critical contexts. Prerequisite: ENG 102. (AN)
Special Topics. (AN) Repeatable (99).
Examination of gender, sexuality, race, class, and other variables connecting thoery to activism. Exploration of how multiple identities intersect to create a whole. (AN)
A social, cultural, and historical overview of the Chicana experience and contributions. (F, S)
Examination of the global dimensions of women's organizing and policymaking, drawing on both historical and contemporary examples. Exploration of global debates regarding contemporary feminism. (AN)
A discussion course which examines gender roles in theatrical and documentary film while considering the perspective of producers, actors, and spectators and salient film theories. Prerequisite: Upper division standing in MC or Women's Studies. (AN)
This course examines the ways that gender affects communication behaviors and helps develop an awareness of the processes that affect gender socialization and stereotyping. (AN)
Survey of Chicana writers from the early 1900's to the present. Along with the literature, aspects of history, sociology and politics will be incorporated. (AN)
This course focuses on Third World women's challenging views of global feminism and feminist representations of 'other' women. (AN)
The extent, seriousness, and impact of major forms of family violence, including child maltreatment, dating and partner violence, stalking, and mistreatment of elders. Gender, race and social class implications are examined . (F)
Examines historical and contemporary issues for women of various economic, social, and ethnic groups, especially in the US; examines gender ideologies about paid, unpaid work. Prerequisite: Junior or senior standing or permission of instructor. (AN)
Examines assumptions about race, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, religion, nationality and other factors that are used to justify the bias behind hate crimes; examines social/legal definitions, causal factors & consequences. (S)
Students will develop a project in which they will develop and execute a research assignment related to ethnicity, gender, or diversity. Prerequisite: Senior level standing and permission of the instructor. (AN)
Allows one or more students to conceptualize, create, and complete a project relating to women's studies, under supervision of faculty member(s) approved by WS program. Prerequisite: WS minor and junior or senior standing and approval of WS curriculum committee. (AN) Repeatable (6).
Special Topics. Prerequisite: Junior or senior standing with adequate preparation or permission of instructor. (AN) Repeatable (99).
Research project selected by student and supervised by a faculty member with the approval of WS. May be repeated for a maximum of 6 credits. Prerequisite: WS minor and junior or senior standing and approval of WS curriculum committee. (AN) Repeatable (6).
Application of the WS disciplinary framework to an off-campus volunteer work experience, under the supervision of a faculty member approved by WS. Prerequisite: WS minor and junior or senior standing and approval of WS curriculum committee. (AN) Repeatable (6).
Independent Study. Prerequisite: Permission of instructor. (AN)
Application of the WS disciplinary framework to a work experience, under the direction of the selected site and a faculty member approved by WS. Prerequisite: WS minor and junior or senior standing, and approval of WS curriculum committee. (AN) Repeatable (6).