UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAM

What is Sociology?  

• Sociology is a broad based discipline that studies the various ways people interact, organize, and act in such areas as: families, cities, societies, cultures, ethnic/racial groups, social class, religions, businesses, and many other types of groups.
• Sociologists study such contemporary social issues as: crime, drugs and violence, juvenile delinquency, poverty, aging, health and illness, prejudice and discrimination, social justice and inequalities, the environment, and sexuality and gender, both within the U.S. and internationally.
• In other words, the discipline exposes students to theoretical insights about human behavior, and teaches critical analytical thinking and skills to work with and help understand people.

What is Criminology?

• Criminology is the scientific study of crime and criminal behavior.
• Criminology examines the cause, extent, and types of crime in society.
• Criminologists also study crime prevention and law enforcement, forensics, and victimization.

The Sociology & Criminology Major (36 credit hours)

• Required courses: SC 101 - Introduction to Sociology, SC 201 - Social Problems, SC 400 - Sociological Theory, SC 460 - Research Methods (taken in conjunction with computer lab SC 460L).
• Eight other sociology courses (a minimum of four of these must be taken at the 300 or 400 level).
• Students may take these eight courses in the three specialized tracks within the Department of Sociology and Criminology (See below) or chose from a variety of courses.
• For information about requirements and a list of all Sociology and Criminology courses in the '09-'11 UG Bulletin see: http://www.jcu.edu/undergraduatebulletin/college/sociology.htm

  The Sociology & Criminology Minor (21 credit hours)

• Required courses: SC 101 - Introduction to Sociology, SC 201 - Social Problems, and SC 400 - Sociological Theory
• Four other sociology courses.
• Students may take these four courses in the three specialized tracks within the Department of Sociology and Criminology (See below) or chose from a variety of courses (See link above).

Specialized Tracks within Sociology & Criminology

• We also provide students the opportunity to focus their studies within the sociology major or minor in certain tracks: 1) Criminology; 2) Human Service, Health, and Social Justice, and 3) Cultural Diversity. Department Faculty members also either coordinate or participate in interdisciplinary programs such: Aging Studies, Environmental Studies, East Asian Studies, Latin American Studies, and Peace and Social Justice Studies, programs that provide students the chance to study topics across a number of different departments.

Internships

• Majors in Sociology and Criminology have the opportunity to participate in internships within the specialized tracks. Internships have been arranged for students at over 75 nonprofit and governmental agencies throughout the Cleveland Metropolitan Area.

Poverty Initiative

• The department also participates in the university-wide Poverty Initiative.