Sociology - Crime & Social Justice Concentration, B.A.

Students interested in criminology and the criminal justice system may elect a Concentration in Crime and Social Justice. This interdisciplinary concentration allows students to apply sociological tools to the study of crime, and to infuse this development of knowledge with an appreciation of how society’s definition and reaction to crime support or hinder social justice.  Unlike programs with a technical focus, a flexible, liberal arts curriculum allows students to develop analytical, critical thinking, and communication skills while learning more about the sub-field of criminology and the criminal justice system. 

In particular, students will: 

• consider how definitions of crime, awareness of crime, and reactions to crime are rooted in larger economic, political, and social contexts;
• develop a critical perspective on the criminal justice system’s role as a system of social control;
• discover how social identities affect the system;
• research policies for prevention, intervention, and reform that promote a more socially just system;
• analyze how crime intersects with other social institutions. 

This concentration is a useful foundation for students interested in pursuing a wide range of occupations or graduate degrees in fields such as: 

• law,
• criminal justice (law enforcement, corrections, probation or parole systems),
• social work,
• government and non-profit agencies,
• counseling and rehabilitation services,
• family services,
• education,
• juvenile justice,
• community development and empowerment,
• program evaluation and planning.

Sociology majors with a concentration in Crime and Social Justice must complete 39 credit hours, in addition to MATH 1020  .  In addition to 12 credit hours of core coursework (SOCI 1010 , SOCI 2500 , SOCI 2530 , SOCI 2530L , SOCI 3030 ), students must complete:  1)  SOCI 2020  and SOCI 2042 ; 2) either an internship SOCI 4950 , or a total of three credit hours of independent study (SOCI 4901 , SOCI 4902 , SOCI 4903 ); 3) one seminar course (SOCI 4020 , SOCI 4080 , SOCI 4810 ); 4) 12 credit hours of Crime and Social Justice Electives drawn from Sociology, Communication Studies, and/or Political Science approved courses (see below); and, 4) a capstone seminar (SOCI 4800 ).  Majors must also pass a senior comprehensive examination (SOCI 4999 ).