*Primary Major in the College of Arts & Sciences: Students whose primary major is in the College of Arts & Sciences must go to the A&S Advising Center, 202 POT, to add a minor in criminology.
Primary Major in Another College: Students not currently in the College of Arts & Sciences who are interested in adding a criminology minor should go to their primary college (B&E, Fine Arts, Engineering, etc.). The primary college will add the criminology minor.
Credit Hours
A minor requires a minimum of 18 credit hours.
Pre-minor Requirements (3 hours)
SOC 235: Inequalities in Society (3 hours)
Minor Core Requirements (6 hours)
SOC 302: Sociological Research Methods (3 hours)
or one of the following options
- PSY 215 Experimental Psychology (4 hours)
- PS 372 Introduction to Political Analysis (3 hours)
- ANT 490 Anthropological Research Methods (3 hours)
- SW 450 Social Work Research (4 hours)
- COM 365 Introduction to Communication Research Methods (3 hours)
and
SOC 339: Introduction to Crime, Law, & Deviance (3 hours)
Electives (9 hours, 3 of which must be 400-level)
We currently offer the following courses:
- SOC 350: Control and Prevention of Crime & Delinquency
- SOC 350: Criminology through Film
- SOC 438: Cross-National Crime
- SOC 439: Drugs & Crime
- SOC 439: Family Violence
- SOC 439: Inside Out
- SOC 439: Juvenile Delinquency
- SOC 439: Law & Society
- SOC 439: Mental Illness in Crime, Law, & Deviance
- PS 391 - 003* - Criminal Courts and Justice
* For Spring 2015 only; after which will be changed to PS 363 permanently.
Substitutes for SOC 302: Sociological Research Methods
PSY 215 EXPERIMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY. (4)
A study of the application of scientific methods to psychological research. Special emphasis is placed on the critical evaluation of contemporary research in experimental psychology. Particular attention is focused on the design, execution, and written report of laboratory research. Lecture, three hours; laboratory, two hours. Prereq: PSY 100 or equivalent and PSY major or PSY minor, or consent of instructor. Registration is open only to PSY majors during the priority registration window.
PS 372 INTRODUCTION TO POLITICAL ANALYSIS. (3)
Introduction to the basic knowledge of research methodology in political science; a review of methods of data collection; historical, quantitative and comparative techniques of analysis. Prereq: UN2 status; PS majors only.
ANT 490 ANTHROPOLOGICAL RESEARCH METHODS. (3)
Introduction to anthropological research methodology and techniques in ethnology, biological anthropology and archaeology.
SW 450 SOCIAL WORK RESEARCH. (4) (students must meet pre-requisites)
An introductory study and application of the processes of research in building social work knowledge and developing effective social work practice. Prereq: Open only to social work majors, basic statistics course, SW 444, SW 435.
COM 365 INTRODUCTION TO COMMUNICATION RESEARCH METHODS. (3)
An introduction to the methods of philosophy of scientific research into the origins, nature, and effects of communication processes. Provides skills necessary for designing research projects and for interpreting and critically evaluating research results. Prereq: STA 210.
Electives from Other Departments
(3 of the 9 hours of electives may be taken from other departments, using the list below. Courses with criminological content that do not appear on this list may be considered at the discretion of the Sociology DUS.)
PS 360 POLITICS OF LAW AND COURTS. (3)
A survey of the actors in American government and society who shape the meaning of the law, focusing especially on the judiciary. The course will outline the structure of the judicial system including both state and federal courts as well as the judicial process followed within that system. Prepares students for advanced study in public law and judicial politics. Prereq: UN2 status.
PS 415G COMPARATIVE JUDICIAL POLITICS. (3)
A comparison of the judicial institutions operating across a wide variety of political systems. Emphasis will be on topics such as why different nations or regions evolve different types of courts, how those courts gain legitimacy with the public, and what forces shape the behavior of judges serving in these various court systems. Prereq: PS 210, PS 212, or PS 360.
PS 437G DYNAMICS OF INTERNATIONAL LAW. (3)
An examination of the politics of the development of international law and its operation in a multicultural world. Legal principles and international political processes are discussed through illustrative issue areas: management of conflict; distribution of territorial resources; environmental problems; and human rights. Prereq: PS 235 or PS 360.
PS 463G JUDICIAL POLITICS. (3)
A survey of how politics influences, and in turn is influenced by, the behavior of judicial institutions and the judges who staff them. Draws heavily on the social science literature studying judicial behavior, the structure of the court system, and the implementation of legal rulings. Prereq: PS 101 and UN2 status.
PS 465G CONSTITUTIONAL LAW. (3)
A non-chronological study of major Supreme Court decisions and recent issues relating to separation of powers, federalism, the commerce clause, taxes, criminal justice and other non-civil liberties areas. Prereq: PS 360.
GWS 430 GENDER, POWER AND VIOLENCE. (3)
This course is organized around three selected but interrelated themes to help us examine the interconnections between gender, power, and violence in different cultural settings. We will examine state, institutional, and interpersonal violence and critically analyze the ways in which gender and power are articulated at each of these levels. In our discussions, we will pay special attention to the various forms (physical, psychological, economic, sexual, and symbolic) violence may take and analyze the causes and consequences of different articulations of gender, power, and violence.
PSY 331 PSYCHOLOGY OF ADJUSTMENT (3)
The individual’s psychological adjustment to society is analyzed from a mental health perspective. The course provides a general orientation to the normal-abnormal continuum of behavior, including individual, social, and cultural determinants of behavior. Prereq: PSY 100 or equivalent. Not open to students who have had CH 520.
PSY 533 ABNORMAL PSYCHOLOGY. (3)
A study of the major mental disorders, especially the psychoneuroses and the psychoses, and the biological, psychological, and sociological factors which contribute to their causation. Prereq: PSY 100 or equivalent and one of the following: PSY 215, 216 or 223.
PSY 534 CHILD PSYCHOPATHOLOGY. (3)
The course is designed to cover issues in the classification, assessment, and treatment of the major childhood behavior disorders, including attention deficit and conduct disorders, learning disabilities, depression, and child abuse. In addition, issues relating to parent-child relations, divorce, and children’s attributions will be covered. Prereq: Completion of one of the following: PSY 427, 430, 440, 450, 456, 460, or 552.
SW 512 SOCIAL WORK IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM. (3)
Criminal justice processes are studied and evaluated. Factors influencing criminality are examined, as well as consequences and costs to offenders and to society of current policies to control and prevent crime. Traditional and innovative community and institutional programs for adult and juvenile offenders are emphasized to prepare those wanting to work with this population. Prereq: Junior standing or consent of instructor.
SW 580 TOPICAL SEMINAR IN SOCIAL WORK. (1-4)
Study of issues of current and special significance for social work practice. Issues selected in accordance with the needs and interests of students enrolled. May be repeated to a maximum of eight credits. Prereq: Open to the student of social work or consent of instructor.
Note: This course accepted at the discretion of the Sociology DUS based on topic.
SW 505 CHILD WELFARE SERVICES. (2-3)
This course provides a comprehensive introduction to child abuse and neglect, including historical perspectives, indicators of maltreatment, theories about its etiology, and effective interventions on the micro and macro levels. Students will learn about child protective policies and services, and the social worker’s roles and responsibilities.
SW 571 SOCIAL WORK AND THE LAW. (3)
The course examines the lawyer’s method and the legal system; the organization and ethics of the practicing bar; the impact of legal decision-making and lawyers on society in such selected situations as civil rights, juvenile and criminal justice and consumer debtorcreditor relationships; and working relationships between social workers and lawyers.
COM 314 THE DARK SIDE OF INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION AND RELATIONSHIPS. (3)
Provides an overview of research and theory related to the “dark side” of interpersonal communication and relationships. This course will cover topics such as secrets, bullying, cyberstalking, verbal abuse, and revenge between romantic partners, family members, friends, and sometimes strangers.