2013-2014 Catalog - Virginia Wesleyan College

168 SOCIOLOGY/CRIMINAL JUSTICESOCIOLOGY/CRIMINAL JUSTICE169270 Social Problems andSocial Solutions (4)SA critical investigation of selected current socialproblems—their issues, causes, development, andalternative solutions. Offered each spring.303 Small Groups (4)An experiential course in which sociologicaltheories and methods are used to analyze the structureand processes of small social groups. Prerequisite:junior/senior status. Offered each fall.308 Visual Sociology (4) WA survey of basic concepts in sociology as they areportrayed in selected motion pictures and musicvideos. Serves as a systematic application ofsociological theory and practice. Prerequisite: ENG105 with a grade of C or higher; any sociology coursewould be helpful but not required. Offered eachsemester.311 Family (4) S,WExamines the contemporary American family andthe history, forms, and functions of families in othertimes and cultures. Special attention is given to thefamily as a social institution, its relationship withother institutions, forces of social and culturalchange, and the future of the family. Prerequisite:ENG 105 with a grade of C or higher. Offered eachfall.319 Feminist and Gender Theory (4) WExamines contemporary arguments about thenature of women and men and the biological, social,and aesthetic categories of male, female, intersex,masculine, feminine, heterosexual, and transgendered.Gender issues are studied in relation to historical andcross-cultural contexts, in relation to Westernwomen’s movements of the 19th and 20th centuries,and in relation to local and global issues affected bythe politics of gender. Prerequisites: ENG 105 with agrade of C or higher; WGS/SOC 219, WGS 220, orENG 311; or consent. Identical to ENG 319 andWGS 319. Offered spring of even-numbered years.345 Foundations of Sociology (4)An examination of major theorists andperspectives contributing to the sociological tradition,and of historic and current issues regarding sociologyand its relationship to other academic disciplines.Required of all majors. Prerequisite: SOC 100 or 188.Offered each spring.350 Introduction to Social Research (4)An examination of the logic, the strategies and themethods of sociological inquiry; an analysis ofclassical and contemporary models of research. Afoundation course required for sociology majors.Prerequisite: junior/senior status. Identical to CJ 350.Offered each semester.351 Medical Sociology (4) SDesigned to provide students an introduction tosociological perspectives on the study of health,illness, and health care. Topics include epidemiology,the structures and organization of health care systemsand medical encounters, bioethical issues, and currentissues shaping the future of health, illness, and healthcare. Offered intermittently.353 Applied Sociology (4)Focus is on engaging the sociological imaginationand the sociological toolkit to address real-lifequestions and problems. These tools are used toidentify, examine, and seek solutions for various socialissues. Attention is given to careers in appliedsociology. Includes a service-learning component.Prerequisite: junior/senior status or consent. Offeredeach spring.360 Nationalist Social Movements (4)A survey of racial-ethnic and nationalist socialmovements in the United States, such as the Ku KluxKlan, Nation of Islam, and Civil Rights movements.Addresses the criminogenic and terrorist aspects ofthese movements, their influence on U.S. culture andpolitics, and various theoretical approaches tounderstanding them. Offered when circumstancespermit.418 Family Violence (4) WExamines the nature of family violence, riskfactors related to violent victimization andperpetration, and outcomes associated with familyviolence. Further, it explores changes that have takenplace in recognizing and responding to familyviolence situations. It also breaks down myths andexamines family violence in special populations.Prerequisites: junior or senior status or consent.Identical to CJ 418. Offered when circumstancespermit.430 Women’s/Gender Studies Seminar (4) IAn examination of current issues pertinent towomen and gender. Students are exposed to a varietyof feminist, gender, and cultural theories. Topics varyfrom semester to semester. Recent topics include“Violence, Non-Violence, and the Body,” “GenderTrouble,” and the “The Female Athlete.”Prerequisites: WGS 219 or WGS 319 and junior orsenior status or consent. Identical to WGS 430. Maybe repeated for credit as topics vary. Offered spring ofodd-numbered years.460 Readings in Sociology (2, 4)Students select a topic concerning sociologicaltheory or research, survey the relevant literature, anddiscuss their findings with their major professor. (Twoor four semester hours depending on the scope of theproject.) May be repeated for credit. Prerequisite:prior consent of the project advisor. Offered eachsemester.480 Senior Research Project (4) WStudents conduct a sociological research project oftheir own design, present the results in appropriatewritten form, and defend the effort in an oralexamination. Research problems may focus ontheoretical or empirical topics. Relevant methods mayrange from bibliographic search to field observation.Prerequisites: ENG 105 with a grade of C or higher,SOC 350, junior/senior status, and prior approval ofa written proposal. Committee defense optional.Offered each spring.484 Internship in Criminal Justiceand Sociology (8)Practiced, supervised experience in direct studentlearning in applied social settings. Students learn howacquired knowledge and research writing skills can beapplied to the workplace. Practical and appliedlearning through student performance in the appliedsetting gives the student a “competitive edge” forfuture community/workplace contribution. Prerequisites:18 hours of sociology or criminal justice andCJ 483 or SOC 483. Students must contact thedepartment faculty to review full eligibility for thiscourse. Identical to CJ 484. Offered each spring.489 Senior Integrated Assessment (4) IStudents assess and analyze the connectedness oftheir academic learning in light of their future goals.Contemporary topics take a holistic and systematicperspective focusing on a variety of issues such asjustice, ethics, and community needs. Prerequisite:junior/senior status. Juniors need consent from theinstructor. Identical to CJ 489. Offered each fall.CRIMINAL JUSTICE COURSES (CJ)205 Issues in Criminal Justice (4)Engages students in critical analysis of thecriminal justice system in America. Emphasizes theinvestigation of social order and the notion of“justice” as defined by the various social institutions.Students explore the significance of law, state andproperty relations, and the administration of justicethrough police, the courts, and corrections. Offeredeach semester.210 Corrections (4)Provides an appreciation of the processes andstructures of corrections within an American andinternational framework. Examines historical, legal,economic, and sociological issues in maintainingcontrol and order over those defined as criminal.Provides a critical examination of the concepts ofpunishment, deterrence, and rehabilitation.Prerequisite: CJ 205. Offered each fall.336 Sociology of Religion (4) VExamines the origin and development of religionas a social institution: theories concerning its natureand function; sociocultural dimensions of religiousbeliefs, values, and conduct; contemporarydenominations, sects, and cults in the United States;the relationship between religion and other socialinstitutions. Identical to RELST 336. Offeredintermittently.400 Topics in Criminal Justiceand Sociology (4)An advanced seminar addressing announcedtopics in criminal justice and sociology. Topics mayinclude victimology, administration of justice,criminalistics, sociology of terrorism, communitysystems, war, peace and conflict, sociology ofenvironment, consumerism, child welfare, and more.May be repeated for credit as designated topicschange. Prerequisite: consent. Identical to CJ 400.Offered as topics become available.483 Internship Preparation Course (2)Designed for students intending to participate inan internship for sociology or criminal justice credit.The process of selecting an internship site,completing applications and forms, andunderstanding the requirements set forth by theDepartment of Sociology and Criminal Justice can beoverwhelming. Lectures and scenario training providestudents with practical information that should bebeneficial to students who desire an internship insociology or criminal justice. Prerequisite: consent ofinternship director. Offered each fall.250 Topics in Criminal Justice (4)A seminar addressing announced topics that mayinclude public policy in criminal justice,controversial/debated laws in the U.S., taboopractices, understanding violence, murder, propertycrime, corruption, ethics, and more. May be repeatedfor credit as designated topics change. Prerequisite:sophomore status or consent. Offered whencircumstances permit.