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Sociology and Criminal Justice Department

Students who find human behavior interesting, puzzling and worthy of study often choose to major in a sociology related field.

The sociology and criminal justice department prepares students to participate actively and responsibly in their local communities and in society at large. The major offers students the basic knowledge, skills and opportunities to begin graduate school or careers in a variety of fields.

Sociologists study what people do when they do things together, whether they are two people relating to one another as friends or entire nations interacting in a global system. They study the social significance of social class, race, ethnicity and gender discrimination and inequality. They investigate social processes such as deviant behavior, social control and conflict. They use the qualitative and quantitative research tools of sociologists and anthropologists. Social researchers gather empirical data that describe human institutions such as law, religion, education, the family and the health care system. They then formulate theories that understand, interpret and explain those institutions and processes.

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Degrees Offered

Criminal Justice

The study of criminal justice at Briar Cliff is a special interdisciplinary program drawing from the disciplines of sociology, political science, psychology and social work. It is designed to prepare a generalist at the undergraduate level for such career options as community policing and community corrections, juvenile diversion and monitoring, court administration, correctional institutions, probation and parole, victim reconciliation and mediation programs, security administration, investigation and research.

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Criminal Justice Minor

The minor in criminal justice is designed to develop basic comprehension of crime, law enforcement, adjudication and corrections in our society

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Legal Studies Minor

The program in legal studies is designed to prepare students in any major for success in law school.

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Sociology Major

Sociology is the scientific study of society: the social lives of individuals, groups, culture, and major social institutions. It covers both the impact of individuals on society and of society on the individuals living within it. The major prepares students for a career in a variety of fields as well as providing a foundation for graduate school.

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Sociology Minor

The sociology minor is designed to develop basic comprehension of the social lives of individuals, groups, culture and major social institutions. These skills are valuable in a variety of career fields, including business, law, law enforcement, government, social work, health care and education, among others.

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Social Research Minor

This minor prepares interested students to participate actively and responsibly as researchers in their local communities, for business and governmental agencies, and for national and international organizations.

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Social Studies Teaching

The sociology teaching endorsement prepares students to instruct classrooms on the social lives of individuals, groups, culture and major social institutions. This endorsement is for students interested in a teaching career for grades 7-12.

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Courses

SOCY 124 - Principles of Sociology
SOCY 228 - Contemporary Global Problems
SOCY 235 - Sociology of Marriages and Families
SOCY 240 - Racial, Ethnic and Gender Inequality
SOCY 319 - Social Movements
SOCY 320 - Restorative Justice
SOCY 340 - Social Science Research Methods
SOCY 341 - Statistical Analysis
SOCY 342 - Advanced Research Methods
SOCY 375 - Independent Sociology Study
SOCY 376 - Sociology of Law
SOCY 384 - Geographic Information Systems
SOCY 420 - Social Stratification
SOCY 430 - Sociology of Religion
SOCY 439 - Sociological Theory
SOCY 446 - Crime and Deviant Behavior
SOCY 447 - Theories of Deviant Behavior
SOCY 475 - Independent Sociology Study II
SOCY 490 - Social Research Internship
SOCY 499 - Special Topics

Faculty

Wendy Brame
Assistant Professor of Sociology; Department Chair of Sociology and Criminal Justice
712-279-5492
Paul Olson
Associate Professor of Sociology and Chair, Division of Social & Behavioral Sciences
712-279-1756
Jeonglim Kim
Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice
712-279-5488

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