| 253.535.8305 | www.plu.edu/sociology-criminal-justice/ | soci@plu.edu |
| Laura McCloud, Ph.D., Chair |
Bachelor of Arts Degree
- Due to the shared core curriculum, students may not double major in sociology and criminal justice.
- Majors are required to attain a minimum grade of C- in sociology and criminal justice classes.
Major in Sociology
40 semester hours, including:
- SOCI 101, 232, 330 or 336, 496, 499
- STAT 233
- 4 semester hours of a 200-level SOCI course. Choose from 210, 240, or 287 (ST in Sociology).
- 4 semester hours of a 400-level SOCI course. Choose from 410, 494, or 495.
- Plus: 8 semester hours of SOCI electives not used above. Choose from 210, 240, 287 (ST in Sociology), 330, 332, 336, 378, 387 (ST in Sociology), 391, 410, 494, or 495.
Major in Criminal Justice
40 semester hours, including:
- SOCI 101, 201, 232, 336, 413, 495, 499
- STAT 233
- 4 semester hours of a SOCI Inequality Elective course. Choose from SOCI 210, 240, 332, or 410.
- 4 semester hours of a Criminal Justice Elective course. Choose from SOCI 226, 287 (ST in Criminal Justice), 387 (ST in Criminal Justice), 494, BUSA 303, PHIL 125, 128, 227, or 229.
Requirements for those majoring in both sociology and social work
84 semester hours including:
- SOCW 245, 250, 350, 360, 460, 465, 475, 476, 485, 486, 498, and 499
- SOCI 101, 210 or 240, 330 or 336 (330 is recommended), 496, 499, a 400-level elective, and 8 elective hours
- SOCI/SOCW 232
- STAT 233
- BIOL 111 and PSYC 101
Minors
- A maximum of 8 credits may be double-counted for a Sociology major and Criminal Justice minor, Criminal Justice major and Sociology minor, or a Sociology and Criminal Justice double minor.
- Minors are required to attain a minimum grade of C- in sociology and criminal justice classes.
Minor in Sociology
20 semester hours, including:
- SOCI 101
- 16 semester hours of sociology. Choose from SOCI 210, 232, 240, 287 (ST in Sociology), 330, 332, 336, 378, 387 (ST in Sociology), 391, 410, 494, 495, and 496.
- STAT 233 may be included in the minor
Minor in Criminal Justice
20 semester hours, including:
- SOCI 101 and 201
- 4 semester hours of a SOCI Inequality Elective course. Choose from SOCI 210, 240, 332, or 410.
- 4 semester hours of a SOCI Criminal Justice Elective course. Choose from SOCI 226, 287 (ST in Criminal Justice), 387 (ST in Criminal Justice), 413, 494, or 495.
- 4 semester hours of a Criminal Justice Elective course. Choose a SOCI course not already used above, including SOCI 226, 287 (ST in Criminal Justice), 387 (ST in Criminal Justice), 413, 494, 495, or approved courses outside SOCI, including BUSA 303, PHIL 125, 128, 227, or 229.
Prerequisites
SOCI 101 and/or SOCI 201 or consent of instructor are prerequisites to all 300- and 400-level courses.
Transfer Student Policy
The department accepts, for transfer credit from another college or university, only those courses equivalent to SOCI 101 (Introduction to Sociology) and SOCI 240 (Social Problems). If students wish to have additional courses considered for transfer to either their major or minor requirements, they must first meet with the department chair.
Majors may transfer in a maximum of 16 semester hours towards the Sociology or Criminal Justice major, unless they have permission from the chair of the Department of Sociology and Criminal Justice.
Minors may transfer in a maximum of 8 semester hours towards the Sociology or Criminal Justice minor, unless they have permission from the chair of the Department of Sociology and Criminal Justice.
Sociology (SOCI) - Undergraduate
SOCI 101 : Introduction to Sociology - A, SO
An introduction to the discipline of sociology. Features an analysis of contemporary American society with emphasis on the interconnections of race, class, and gender. Sociological concepts include socialization, social roles, stereotypes, power, and stratification. (4)
SOCI 190 : FYEP190: Inquiry Seminar
A four-credit seminar to introduce students to the methods and topics of study within a particular academic discipline or field. Students practice the academic skills that are at the center of the General Education Program. (4)
SOCI 201 : Introduction to Criminal Justice
An examination of the American Criminal Justice System. This course will address law enforcement, the court system and correctional system, along with attention to race, class, and gender inequalities. (4)
SOCI 210 : Gender and Society - A, SO
An examination of gender as a social construction and a system of stratification. Focus is on the structural aspects of gender and upon the intersection of gender with other social categories, such as race, class, and sexuality. (4)
SOCI 226 : Delinquency and Juvenile Justice
An examination of juvenile delinquency in relation to the family, peer groups, community and institutional structure. Includes consideration of processing the juvenile delinquent by formal agencies of control. (4)
SOCI 232 : Research Methods - SO
An overview of the methods to explore, describe, and analyze the social world. General issues in the design and implementation of research projects, as well as specific issues that arise in conducting interviews and field observations, constructing and administering surveys, analyzing existing data, and planning program evaluations. Required for sociology and social work majors. Prerequisite: SOCI 101, SOCI 201, or consent of instructor. (4)
SOCI 240 : Social Problems - A, SO
Critical examination of poverty, discrimination, drugs, crime, homelessness, violence, and family breakdown. Course addresses contemporary social problems, an analysis of their social roots, and an evaluation of the policies designed to eradicate them. (4)
SOCI 287 : Special Topics in Sociology or Criminal Justice
To provide undergraduate students with new, one-time, and developing courses not yet available in the regular curriculum. The title will be listed on the student term-based record as ST: followed by the specific title designated by the academic unit. (1 to 4)
SOCI 288 : Special Topics in Sociology or Criminal Justice
To provide undergraduate students with new, one-time, and developing courses not yet available in the regular curriculum. The title will be listed on the student term-based record as ST: followed by the specific title designated by the academic unit. (1 to 4)
SOCI 289 : Special Topics in Sociology or Criminal Justic
To provide undergraduate students with new, one-time, and developing courses not yet available in the regular curriculum. The title will be listed on the student term-based record as ST: followed by the specific title designated by the academic unit. (1 to 4)
SOCI 291 : Directed Study
To provide individual undergraduate students with introductory study not available in the regular curriculum. The title will be listed on the student term-based record as DS: followed by the specific title designated by the student. (1 to 4)
SOCI 330 : The Family
An examination of the institution of the family in the United States, with emphasis on how families are affected by social forces such as the economy, race and ethnicity, gender, and social politics. Prerequisite: SOCI 101 or consent of instructor. (4)
SOCI 332 : Race and Racism - A
A critical examination of race and racism in the United States. The course will explore the social construction of race and how racism shapes social institutions, such as the economy, education, and criminal justice. Prerequisite: SOCI 101 or consent of instructor. (4)
SOCI 336 : Deviance
A general introduction to a variety of nonconforming, usually secretive, and illegal behavior, such as corporate crime, drug dealing, prostitution, industrial spying, child abuse, and suicide, with emphasis on the conflict of values and life-experiences within a society. Prerequisite: SOCI 101, SOCI 201, or consent of instructor. (4)
SOCI 378 : Consumption
An examination of the relationship between goods, individuals, and society. The course deconstructs the social bases of consumption to better understand the role consumption plays in shaping our identities and maintaining social distinctions. The course also addresses the relationship between consumption and social problems like consumer debt, inequality, and sustainability. Prerequisite: SOCI 101 or consent of instructor. (4)
SOCI 387 : Special Topics in Sociology or Criminal Justice - SO
Selected topics as announced by the department. Prerequisite: departmental consent. (1 to 4)
SOCI 388 : Special Topics in Sociology or Criminal Justice
To provide undergraduate students with new, one-time, and developing courses not yet available in the regular curriculum. The title will be listed on the student term-based record as ST: followed by the specific title designated by the academic unit. (1 to 4)
SOCI 389 : Special Topics in Sociology or Criminal Justice
To provide undergraduate students with new, one-time, and developing courses not yet available in the regular curriculum. The title will be listed on the student term-based record as ST: followed by the specific title designated by the academic unit. (1 to 4)
SOCI 391 : Sociology of Religion - SO
An investigation of the American religious scene with particular emphasis on the new religious movements, along with attention to social settings and processes which these new religions reflect and produce. Prerequisite: SOCI 101, one religion course, or consent of instructor. Cross-listed with RELI 391. (4)
SOCI 410 : Social Stratification A, SO
An examination of the cultural and structural causes of social stratification and its consequence, social inequality. The course focuses on stratification and inequality on the basis of race, class, and gender, exploring what social forces shape individuals' differentiated access to society's valued resources. Prerequisite: SOCI 101 or consent of instructor. (4)
SOCI 413 : Criminological Theories
An analysis of influential criminological theories of the 19th and 20th centuries, to the recent contemporary schools, and to the underlying patterns of thought which both unite and divide the criminological tradition. Required for senior criminal justice majors. Prerequisites: STAT 233, SOCI 101, 201, 232, and 336; declared major or minor in criminal justice. (4)
SOCI 487 : Special Topics in Sociology or Criminal Justice
To provide undergraduate students with new, one-time, and developing courses not yet available in the regular curriculum. The title will be listed on the student term-based record as ST: followed by the specific title designated by the academic unit. (1 to 4)
SOCI 488 : Special Topics in Sociology or Criminal Justice
To provide undergraduate students with new, one-time, and developing courses not yet available in the regular curriculum. The title will be listed on the student term-based record as ST: followed by the specific title designated by the academic unit. (1 to 4)
SOCI 489 : Special Topics in Sociology or Criminal Justice
To provide undergraduate students with new, one-time, and developing courses not yet available in the regular curriculum. The title will be listed on the student term-based record as ST: followed by the specific title designated by the academic unit. (1 to 4)
SOCI 491 : Independent Study
Readings or fieldwork in specific areas or issues of sociology or criminal justice under supervision of a faculty member. Prerequisite: departmental consent. (1 to 4)
SOCI 494 : Gender and Violence
An examination of gendered violence in American society. Focal topics will vary by semester and may include sexual violence, intimate partner violence, stalking, or masculinity and violence. The course will address how violence is gendered, theoretical explanations of gendered violence, and the response of the criminal justice system. Prerequisites: SOCI 101, SOCI 201, WMGS 201, or consent of instructor. Recommended: junior or senior standing. (4)
SOCI 495 : Internship
Students receive course credit for working in community organizations and integrating their experiences into an academic project. Placements are usually arranged by the student and may include the public school system, private and public social service organizations, criminal justice system agencies, local and state governmental agencies, and businesses. Prerequisite: SOCI 101 or SOCI 201. (1 to 4)
SOCI 496 : Sociological Theories
An analysis of influential sociological theories of the 19th and 20th centuries with attention to the classic theories of Marx, Durkheim, Weber, DuBois, and Gilman to the recent contemporary schools, and to the underlying patterns of thought which both unite and divide the sociological tradition. Required for senior sociology majors. Prerequisites: STAT 233, SOCI 101, 232, and 330 or 336; declared major or minor in sociology. (4)
SOCI 499 : Capstone: Senior Seminar - SR
Students design and carry through an independent research project involving the collection of data and the analysis of findings. Students demonstrate their mastery of the field by relating their research to the existing body of sociological literature and knowledge. Required for senior majors. Prerequisites: SOCI 496 or SOCI 413. (4)