Requirements

Major/Minor

The Sociology /Criminology Department is designed to advance the overall university mission by offering a value-centered approach to the social sciences alongside substantive preparation for a variety of professional endeavors. The mission of the department is to provide for students a program that combines the scientific study of social institutions and the social organization of human behavior with a critical understanding of law, human rights, social justice, social action and advocacy. The major in criminology offers a career enhancing, liberal arts curriculum based upon the sociological study of law, conceptions of justice and social control, and provides an understanding of the structural roots of deviance, delinquency, crime, victimization, crime control and related social policies. Students majoring in criminology undergo a comprehensive program of study and are prepared for professional employment in a number of occupations related to social service and law, for graduate study in criminology, the sociology of law, justice studies, or for law school. Students are also encouraged to acquire practical experience through internships and service learning opportunities. For additional information regarding the criminology major, students should consult an advisor in the Department of Sociology
and Criminology.

Major Requirements
Thirty-nine semester hours chosen in conference with an advisor, including:
• Twelve semester hours of sociological foundation courses consisting of Sociology 110, 200, 361, 362;
• Nine semester hours of criminology courses consisting of Criminology 255 and two courses from Criminology 242, 265, 320, or 370;
• Six semester hours in specialized social and legal theory consisting of Criminology 372 and 406; or Criminology 372 or 406 and one of the following: Sociology 380, 382, 407 or 409;
• Twelve additional semester hours chosen from Criminology 242, 265, 320, 370, 406, Sociology 204, 206, 210, 220, 222, 225, 240, 245, 250, 268, 280, 285, 286, 302, 350, 355, 380, 382, 407, or 409.

Course substitutions are permitted when deemed necessary in consultation with an advisor and subject to the approval of the department chair. A minimum of six courses in the major field must be completed at
Dominican. Internships are strongly recommended.

Minor Requirements
• Eighteen semester hours consisting of Sociology 110; Criminology 255, 372; and three courses from Criminology 242, 265, 320, 370, or 406.

Course substitutions are permitted when deemed necessary in consultation with an advisor and subject to the approval of the department chair. A minimum of four courses in the minor field must be completed at Dominican.

COURSES

242. JUVENILE DELINQUENCY AND JUVENILE JUSTICE (3)
An examination of theories of delinquent behavior and an introduction to the field of juvenile justice practice. Explores the social construction of childhood, adolescence, deviance and delinquency and analyzes the social, historical and legal contexts within which delinquency occurs.
This course will satisfy the social science core area requirement.

255. CRIMINOLOGY (3)
The study of criminal behavior, legal norms and social attitudes toward crime and criminals. Criminology draws upon the sociology of law, analysis of conflict as theoretical explanations of the cause of crime and the study of the social psychological determinants of crime. Methods of apprehension and punishment, individual and social reform and the prevention of crime are emphasized.
Prerequisite: Sociology 110, or Criminology 242 or 265, or consent of instructor

265. CRIME AND SOCIAL JUSTICE (3)
An inquiry into the relationship between state, crime and social structure with special emphasis on the linkages between social oppression, social inequality and criminalization of social conduct as reflected in contemporary issues.
This course will satisfy the social science core area requirement.

299. SERVICE LEARNING (1)
Taken in conjunction with a regularly listed criminology course, this one-credit-hour option involves community service and guided reflection.
Prerequisite: Consent of instructor

320. GENDER AND VIOLENCE (3)
An examination of the structural roots of gender-based violence, including domestic abuse, sexual assault, hate crimes, colonization and genocide, law enforcement abuse, international violence, and war. Strong focus on anti-violence organizing.
Prerequisite: Sociology 110, or 230, or 240, or 280 or 350, or consent of instructor
Listed also as Sociology 320.

370. DEVIANCE AND SOCIAL CONTROL (3)
The analysis of norms related to the law, the origins and functions of deviance in society, the institutional production and categorization of deviance, the impact of deviance on personal identity, deviant careers, and deviance and social change.
Prerequisites: Sociology 110 and Criminology 255, consent of instructor

372. LAW AND SOCIETY (3)
An advanced analysis of the legal order from a critical, sociological perspective. The rise of modern law and its relationship to other social institutions is treated, with consideration given to social theories of legality and current controversies within the field.
Prerequisites: Sociology 110, Criminology 255 and junior standing or consent of instructor
Listed also as Sociology 372.

406. THEORIES OF CRIME CONTROL (3)
The capstone course in criminology. An in-depth analysis of the US prison industrial complex, including analysis of alternative sentences structures in community-based corrections, theories of incapacitation and deterrence, comparison of international criminal legal systems, and strategies for building healthy communities.
Prerequisites: Sociology 110, Criminology 255 and senior standing or consent of instructor

450. INDEPENDENT STUDY (2-8)
An opportunity to do independent research or study under faculty supervision. Consent of the supervisory instructor is required.

455. INTERNSHIP (2-8)
Internships in a variety of agencies and organizations involved with the delivery of social services, criminal justice, social justice advocacy, and/or research and policy analysis are available under faculty supervision. Students enhance their research proficiency while gaining valuable work experience in an area of their interest.
Prerequisites: Junior standing and consent of supervisory instructor

INDEPENDENT RESEARCH OR CREATIVE INVESTIGATION (1-3)
Introductory, Intermediate, Advanced, Senior Thesis Independent Research or Creative Investigation is a course in which students collaborate with faculty
mentors on an ongoing faculty research project or conduct an independent project under the guidance of a faculty member. This directed undergraduate research or creative investigation culminates in a conference presentation, journal article or other creative/scholarly project.
Prerequisite: Consent of instructor