Sociology
CHAIRED BY YANG CAI, Ph.D.
The department offers B.A. degrees and minors in sociology and criminal justice. Internship and independent studies are available to qualified sociology and criminal justice majors.
Two fundamental learning goals of the sociology and criminal justice major are student competence in research methods and theory. The Department meets these goals through our courses in social science research methods, criminology, and sociological theory. Methods of Social Research I and II are required for both sociology and criminal justice majors, while Sociological Theory is required of sociology majors and Criminology is required of criminal justice majors. After completing the required outcomes assessment courses, sociology and criminal justice majors should be able to:
1. describe and apply classical and contemporary theories in at least one area of social reality;
2. describe and evaluate classical and contemporary theories of crime causation and apply these theories to real world phenomena;
3. identify basic methodological approaches and describe the general role of methods in building sociological knowledge;
4. design a research study in an area of choice;
5. develop proficiency in use of statistics for the comprehensive understanding of professional journals;
6. apply statistical skills to conduct data analysis using secondary data.
In each of the required theory and research courses, the instructor of the outcomes assessment course is responsible for awarding student grades; however, outcomes assessment is the shared responsibility of all full-time department faculty. It is at the discretion of the individual instructor whether or not to consider departmental faculty evaluations of student work in their courses when awarding student grades for the course.
For sociology majors, departmental faculty will review and evaluate the research paper submitted in Sociological Theory and the final paper submitted for SO 344 Methods of Social Research I as well as SO 346 Methods of Social Research II. For criminal justice majors, departmental faculty will critique and assess the research paper submitted in Criminology and the final paper submitted for Methods of Social Research II. For students majoring in both sociology and criminal justice, three evaluations will be done by departmental faculty: the research paper for Sociological Theory, Criminology, and Methods of Social Research II.
For a student to pass his/her outcomes assessment requirement, a majority of the departmental faculty must agree that the quality of the work done for both courses demonstrates competence. If a student fails to meet the necessary criteria for any of their outcomes assessment paper requirements, the student may: (1) revise the written work, submit a new paper for consideration prior to the end of the semester during which the student is enrolled in the course, and give an oral presentation of the paper before the department faculty reviewers; (2) request an Incomplete (in accordance with the Academic Policies set forth in the Caldwell University Undergraduate Catalog), revise the written work, submit a new paper for consideration within the allotted time period, and give an oral presentation of the paper before the department faculty reviewers; or (3) repeat the course (in accordance with the Academic Policies set forth in the Caldwell University Undergraduate Catalog).
It is possible that a student may pass his/her outcomes assessment but receive less than a C grade for the course in which the outcomes assessment work was done. In such a case, the student does not have to go through the outcomes assessment process again; however, the course has to be repeated, since students must achieve at least a C grade in all required courses for the major.
It is also conceivable that a student may fail the outcomes assessment process, yet achieve a C or better in the course in which the outcomes assessment work was required. In such a case, the student does not have to repeat the course, but must follow guidelines outlined above for students who do not pass their outcome assessment requirement.
STUDENTS WHO MAJOR IN SOCIOLOGY MUST COMPLETE:
Course Code : SO 101
Course Description :
Introduces the study of society and acquaints the student with principles and major areas of sociological inquiry. Examines topics related to the individual, culture, deviance and social inequalities.
Credit : 3
Course Code : SO 336
Course Description :
Examines the development and continuity of social thought concerning the nature of society and the individual within it. Major 19th and 20th century theorists are covered.
Course Code : SO 344
Course Description :
Surveys quantitative and qualitative research methods, introduces students to statistical applications in the social sciences, and teaches data file creation and management skills using SPSS. Students will draft an original social science research proposal.
Credit : 3
Course Code : SO 346
Course Description :
Enables students to execute an ethical study based on their own social science research proposal. Hypothesis testing, data analysis using SPSS, and presentation of findings are stressed. Skills for critically interpreting data and the methodologies used in scholarly journals will be emphasized.
Credit : 3
Prerequisites :
SO344
Course Code : SO 487
Course Description :
Offers qualified students the opportunity to do off-campus field work by individual arrangement. Students apply concepts learned in the classroom and gain practical knowledge and experience working under supervision in a professional setting. In consultation with a faculty advisor and the Career Planning and Development Office, the student secures an appropriate internship site. The student develops learning objectives and goals, works 120 hours at the internship site, and completes related academic assignments. Requires departmental approval.
Credit : 3
and a minimum of seven (7) additional sociology electives numbered 200 and above, among which up to two of the following cross-listed courses may be included:
All courses with a CJ prefix;
Course Code : CO 312
Course Description :
Examines the powerful role played by the media in American and world societies. Topics include television and politics, stereotypes in movies and violence in television programming.
Credit : 3
Course Code : PS 314
Course Group(s) : Psychology 300 Level Courses, Psychology Cluster 2
Course Description :
Examines socio-cultural, group and interpersonal influences on behavior. Topics include attitudes, communication, persuasion, mind control, social learning, psychic trauma, aggression, altruism, attraction, prejudice and applications of psychology to the courts.
Credit : 3
Social Justice Concentration (21 Credits)
Course Code : SO 326
Course Description :
Examines theories of inequality, social ranking, and the distribution of resources and opportunity as they affect individuals and groups in social institutions, lifestyles, value systems, and quality of life. Variables of power, power elites, class consciousness, alienation, class mobility, and stratification criteria will be explored.
Credit : 3
To complete the social justice concentration, students must take 4 courses from the list below in addition to SO 326:
Social Justice Concentration Electives (12 credits)
Course Code : SO 224
Course Description :
Reviews and critiques classical and contemporary perspectives and research with an interest in a critical examination of theories and mechanisms related to collective behavior, mass movements, modernization and social revolution.
Credit : 3
Course Code : SO 323
Course Description :
Involves the study of the history of ethnic, cultural and religious subgroups in present day societies; inter-group relations as they are influenced by competition, conflict and prejudice; the significance of these relationships to the structure of society.
Credit : 3
Course Code : SO 425
Course Description :
Examines contemporary issues of gender in the United States, focusing on socialization to gender identity, implications of gender in the family and at work, and current changes in gender roles.
Credit : 3
Course Code : SO 231
Course Description :
Investigates poverty as a product of a complex social system and theories and strategies for its alleviation.
Credit : 3
Course Code : SO 343
Course Description :
Explores education as a social institution, a transmitter of culture, an agent of socialization and a vehicle for social mobility and change.
Credit : 3
Course Code : SO 474
Course Description :
Focuses on selected problems of social disorganization, including problems related to poverty, drug abuse, racism, sexism and crime, through the application of sociological principles.
Credit : 3
Course Code : SO 476
Course Description :
Analyzes impact of urbanism on American society and Western civilization; examines changing structure of the city and associated suburban/inner city problems.
Credit : 3
Other Sociology Major Electives (6 credits)
Any Sociology or Criminal Justice courses
Recommendations if students choose to take a Criminal Justice course:
Course Code : CJ 201
Course Description :
Provides an overview of the American criminal justice system. Examines the history, functions, structures, processes and interactions of the three principal components of American criminal justice: police, courts and corrections. Prerequisite to required CJ courses.
Credit : 3
Course Code : CJ 275
Course Description :
Traces the historical development of the juvenile court. Theories of delinquency causation, prevention and control are examined. Discussion topics include the juvenile justice process, the juvenile court and procedural safeguards, juvenile institutions and diversion programs and trends in juvenile justice reform.
Credit : 3
Prerequisites :
CJ201
Course Code : CJ 250
Course Description :
Focuses on victims of crime. It will examine such topics as patterns and trends in victimization, theories of victimization, the impact of crimes on victims, victim services and programs, and the criminal justice response to criminal victimization.
Credit : 3
Course Code : CJ 350
Course Description :
Examines the place of women in the criminal justice system, including women as victims, criminals, and professionals in criminal justice. Explores myths about women and crime and current sociological theories about the causes of, and the place of, women in crime.
Credit : 3
Health, Family, and Social Services (21 credits)
To complete the concentration in Health, Family, and Social Services, students must take 5 courses from the list below:
Health, Family, and Social Services Elective Courses (15 credits)
Course Code : SO 224
Course Description :
Reviews and critiques classical and contemporary perspectives and research with an interest in a critical examination of theories and mechanisms related to collective behavior, mass movements, modernization and social revolution.
Credit : 3
Course Code : SO 231
Course Description :
Investigates poverty as a product of a complex social system and theories and strategies for its alleviation.
Credit : 3
Course Code : SO 323
Course Description :
Involves the study of the history of ethnic, cultural and religious subgroups in present day societies; inter-group relations as they are influenced by competition, conflict and prejudice; the significance of these relationships to the structure of society.
Credit : 3
Course Code : SO 330
Course Description :
Examines American dating, marriage, and family patterns with emphasis on the family life cycle, parenting and family disorganization.
Credit : 3
Course Code : SO 334
Course Description :
Examines major topics in the sociology of medicine including socio-cultural concepts of health and disease; consequences of illness; the social context of health care; and problem areas such as mental illness, ethical issues and the high costs of health care.
Credit : 3
Course Code : SO 339
Course Description :
Details the non-physical aspects of aging; the developmental and group behavior of adults following maturation.
Credit : 3
Course Code : SO 343
Course Description :
Explores education as a social institution, a transmitter of culture, an agent of socialization and a vehicle for social mobility and change.
Credit : 3
Course Code : SO 476
Course Description :
Analyzes impact of urbanism on American society and Western civilization; examines changing structure of the city and associated suburban/inner city problems.
Credit : 3
Other Sociology Major Electives (6 credits):
Students may take:
- any Sociology or Criminal Justice courses
- PS 330 Psychology of Addiction
Recommendations if students choose to take a Criminal Justice course:
Course Code : CJ 201
Course Description :
Provides an overview of the American criminal justice system. Examines the history, functions, structures, processes and interactions of the three principal components of American criminal justice: police, courts and corrections. Prerequisite to required CJ courses.
Credit : 3
Course Code : CJ 275
Course Description :
Traces the historical development of the juvenile court. Theories of delinquency causation, prevention and control are examined. Discussion topics include the juvenile justice process, the juvenile court and procedural safeguards, juvenile institutions and diversion programs and trends in juvenile justice reform.
Credit : 3
Prerequisites :
CJ201
Course Code : CJ 250
Course Description :
Focuses on victims of crime. It will examine such topics as patterns and trends in victimization, theories of victimization, the impact of crimes on victims, victim services and programs, and the criminal justice response to criminal victimization.
Credit : 3
Course Code : CJ 388
Course Description :
Covers the basic principles and techniques of counseling adult and juvenile offenders. The course includes interviewing, case conferences, case histories, individual and group counseling, classification procedures and treatment programs for offenders.
Credit : 3
In order to enroll in outcomes assessment courses of SO 236, SO 344, and SO 346, sociology majors must attain a grade of “C” or better in SO 101 Introduction to Sociology.
The department suggests that students with a major in sociology choose a minor in business, computer science, psychology, Spanish or communication and media studies. Students should also consider a double major with criminal justice or psychology