Sociology, Social Work, and Criminology
Programs
| Sociology, B.A. | Degree | B.A. |
| Sociology, Criminology Concentration, B.A. | Degree | B.A. |
| Social Work, B.A. | Degree | B.A. |
| Criminology, A.A. | Degree | A.A. |
| Sociology, Minor | Minor | |
| Gender and Sexuality Studies, Minor | Minor |
Department Overview
The interconnected programs in the Department of Sociology, Social Work, and Criminology contribute together to the mission of the College of Arts and Letters and encourage collaboration with other departments and programs within the College. The Department focuses on research, practice, and service to the community. The community plays a pivotal role in the life of individuals and serves as a platform from which to study health and illness, diversity and social hierarchies, and criminal justice. The focus on community enables us to showcase the usefulness of Sociology for understanding society; to create a niche for Social Work, particularly in the areas of child welfare, gerontology, and sexual diversity; and to find a pivotal role for Criminology through emphasizing rehabilitation and reintegration of offenders into the community. The agenda of the DHHS Healthy People 2020 serves as a foundation for conducting qualitative and quantitative research, theory building, and securing external funding.
The Department of Sociology, Social Work, and Criminology offers courses leading to the Bachelor of Arts in Sociology, the Bachelor of Arts in Sociology with a Criminology Concentration, the Bachelor of Arts in Social Work, the Associate of Arts in Criminology, and also the Sociology minor and the interdisciplinary Gender and Sexuality Studies minor. The Department also offers two graduate degrees, the Master of Arts in Sociology and the Master of Social Work. For a full description of these graduate degrees, please refer to the Graduate Catalog.
Student Learning Outcomes
B.A. in Sociology (including the Criminology Concentration)
- Understand and apply core sociological theories.
- Know how sociologists use the scientific method to gather information, analyze data, and reach tentative conclusions.
- Think critically about systems of power and privilege in a diverse, global society, and understand the effects of inequality.
- Apply sociological perspectives and methodologies to community issues.
B.A. in Social Work
- Demonstrate ethical and professional behavior.
- Engage diversity and difference in practice.
- Advance human rights and social, economic, and environmental justice.
- Engage in practice-informed research and research-informed practice.
- Engage in policy practice.
- Engage with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.
- Assess individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.
- Intervene with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.
- Evaluate practice with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.