Department of Anthropology, Criminology and Sociology

This course offers an interdisciplinary exploration of crime, its causes and notions of justice. The concepts of crime and justice will be explored drawing on writings from the humanities (English literature, philosophy, religious studies, history) and research from the social sciences (sociology, anthropology, economics, political science and psychology).

*Required for CJS major. Elective for all SOC concentrations.

An introduction to sociology’s contributions toward an understanding of men and women and their social world. The course examines social interaction as the basis of social behavior and the foundation of social groups. Sociological concepts and methodology are used to provide meaning and understanding of such phenomena as gender roles, the development of the self, the family, social class and stratification, deviant behavior, behavior in organizations and bureaucracy, urban life, power and politics and social change.

*Required of all sociology majors and a pre-requisite for many advanced SOC courses.

This course is a thematic introduction to sociology; it presents basic concepts and principles of sociological and criminological analysis. Different types of deviant behaviors are examined and explained using both individualistic and social structural theories. Students will acquire the tools needed to conduct a critical analysis of any social behaviors, including deviance.

*Required for the SOC/CCJ concentration and the CJS major. Can be used in the “3 of” menu for the SOC/EDU concentration. SOC elective for all other concentrations.

A social scientific study of contemporary and historical forms of marriage and family life in America. We will compare different types of American families with family structures in other parts of the world and other historical periods. We will study interactions between family systems and work, education, health care and legal systems and focus on their public policy implications.

*Can be used in the “2 of” menu for the SOC/CCJ concentration and “3 of” menu for the SOC/HS and SOC/EDU concentrations. SOC elective for all other concentrations

Using sociological perspectives, this course will examine family violence including the abuse of partners, children and elders. It will focus on understanding the origins and the larger forces leading to and reinforcing family violence, and as well as on the micro dynamics of violence within families. It will also examine how family violence varies across differences such as race/ethnicity, sexual orientation and disability.

*Can be used in the “2 of” menu for SOC/CCJ and SOC/EDU concentrations and “3 of” menu for the SOC/HS concentration. SOC elective for all other concentrations.

An analysis of contemporary developments in stratification theory from both the conflict and structural-functional perspectives. Differences between and among social groups are examined in detail as they are manifested in socialization, educational opportunities, occupational status, life styles, income and health. Special emphasis is placed on the concept of class and the changing American class structure, female status attainment and poverty. Prerequisite: SOC 101 or its equivalent.

*Can be used in the “3 of” menu for SOC/HS, SOC/R&T, SOC/CCJ and SOC/EDU concentrations and the “2 of” or “3 of” menus for SOC/EDU concentration. SOC elective for all other concentrations.

This course introduces students to the basic concepts, theories and methodologies in anthropology by focusing on the classic four fields of the discipline: physical anthropology, archaeology, linguistics and cultural anthropology. This course focuses on the evolution of the human species and theories of early culture, the reconstruction of the past through archaeological analysis, the structure and usage of language as part of culture, and the description and analysis of societies and cultures utilizing comparative theories and methodologies in cultural anthropology.

*Can be used in the “3 of” menu for SOC/HS and SOC/CCJ concentrations and the “2 of” menu for SOC/EDU concentration. ANT elective for all other concentrations.

This course is an introduction to the research methodologies employed by social scientists. Major analytic issues covered in the course include measurement validity and reliability, the grounds for making causal inferences, sampling and research ethics. Major techniques to be studied include participant observation, survey research, experimentation, intensive interviewing and evaluation research.

*Required of all sociology/criminology majors. Prerequisites: SOC 101, CJS 101 or PSC 101 and MTH 111 or in progress.

This course explores sociological and anthropological theory by studying a number of the classical thinkers in the disciplines. We study the origins of and interrelationships among these theories in their particular social and historical milieus, as well as their relevance to sociology and anthropology today. The student is expected to gain both a competence in the historical development of social scientific theory and an ability to theorize about social phenomena.

*Required of all SOC majors.