Program Codes:
BAAPSOCCR
Bachelor of Arts
Introduction
The program in Applied Sociology maintains an educational philosophy characterized by the sharing of learning between professor and student. Students with applied sociological research skills and theoretical knowledge will find themselves prepared for the emergent occupations in our rapidly changing society. The department offers senior students options for a thesis or internship opportunities both locally or outside of the Erie community. A Criminology concentration is offered to Applied Sociology majors interested in the study of crime and criminal behavior. The courses emphasize skills in research, analysis, and evaluation. Minors are offered in Gerontology, Social Welfare, and Gender Studies. The Gender Studies Minor is interdisciplinary and listed separately in the catalog.
Mission Statement
The Applied Sociology program provides students with the necessary skills to understand human behaviors and the dynamics of our global society. Our curriculum is based on liberal arts and strives to enhance students’ critical thinking skills through a strong foundation of theory and research. A degree in applied sociology affords a strong foundation for graduate education and opens the doors to a wide range of career paths such as data analytics, law, social services, public policy, business, and communication.
The Sociology major must have a 2.5 GPA or higher in major courses
This course introduces students to the discipline of sociology-the scientific study of human behavior as shaped by collective forces and self-reflections. The primary aim of this course is to enhance students' ability to interpret and evaluate the social and cultural influences around us. To achieve this aim, the course compares and contrasts sociological theoretical paradigms, as well as discusses the strengths and weaknesses of the qualitative and quantitative research methodologies.
This course is designed to provide a context for students to critically explore selected social conditions that have been determined to constitute social problems in contemporary society. Each of the issues selected will be looked at from different perspectives using the lens of various theories. The contributions of opposing ideologies and ideas, and a critique of research related to the phenomena will be utilized to facilitate an understanding of the complexity of the phenomena and clarify one's perspective.
This course is focused on learning the basics of conducting social science research as well as critiquing and utlizing existing research. Students are exposed to key aspects of the research process including: choosing a research topic; identifying the population of interest; conducting a literature review; selecting a research design; collecting data; and descriptive analysis.
This course aims to familiarize students with contemporary sociological theories and how they build upon classical theorists such as Marx, Weber and Durkheim. Examples of contemporary theories covered include works from Giddens, Bourdieu, Smith, Hooks, Goffman, Foucault and others.
This course explores socio-cultural factors that connect human needs to global issues. Using a sustainable development paradigm, students will develop an understanding of the linkage between global problems such as overpopulation, food production/distribution disparities and environmental disasters with human/societal needs such as poverty, race and ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, aging, education, health and medicine, drug use, and war and terrorism. This course will introduce the perspectives and competencies required to prepare for citizenship in the global community of the 21st century.
The internship affords the student an opportunity to operationalize sociology concepts in a variety of work environments. The educational experience is administered by the Career Development Center.
Students can complete the sociology degree requirements by completing a research thesis which includes developing, implementing and successfully writing about an original research project. Oversight is provided by a faculty member from Sociology, Social Work or Criminal Justice.
This course provides the student with an understanding of drug abuse, crime, and the criminal justice system. The primary focus is on how police, courts, and corrections systems respond to drug-related crimes and drug-abusing offenders. The course reviews the history of the drug-crime nexus,compares criminal justice policies on drug abuse, critiques intervention strategies, and considers future initiatives to reduce the drug problem.
An in-depth analysis of criminal behavior systems, theoretical developments in explaining crime, and research methodology used in Modern American Criminology.
CRJS 101
This course is designed to provide students with a knowledge base concerning human diversity from a sociological perspective. Diversity is broadly defined to encompass many aspects of social life, including gender and sexuality, social class, race and ethnicity, and ability. Students will learn how to use each of these concepts in conversation and in writing, and to view them in combination using an intersectional lens. Phenomena such as stereotypes, prejudice and discrimination will be studied. The dynamics of oppression will be examined and ways to create a more just society explored.
An exploration of the purposes and process of criminal and civil law in the U.S. with emphasis on the actual operation of the legal system. Topics covered include the police, types of courts, the legal professions, corrections and the role of law in social change.
Aggressive behavior and violence is an issue of great concern for the mental health and criminal justice systems, as well as society. This course explores the biological, psychological, and social factors involved, as well as their interaction in children, adolescents, and adults. Emphasis is placed on controlling aggression, assessing and managing violence risk, and prevention and treatment strategies with a juvenile population.
PSYC 101
Two (2) Criminology Electives (6 credits)