REQUIRED CORE

Take the following courses:

SO-101 Introduction to Sociology

The study of human social groups and the social processes that lead to both structural and cultural integration and differentiation primarily within contemporary American society.

3 CreditsS

PS-101 Introduction to U.S. Government

An introduction to the theory and practice of United States government. The course surveys the underlying structure of U.S. politics, its economic, cultural and legal foundations and the daily practice of politics, e.g. groups, parties, and the mass media.

4 CreditsS, WK-SIPre- or Co-requisite: FYC-101

PL-106  Introduction to Ethics

Examines the historically valid ethical approaches to problems, i.e., pragmatic, relativistic, and absolute, and the application of such methods to contemporary ethical dilemmas, e.g., abortion, terrorism, euthanasia, and capital punishment.

4 CreditsH,SW-ER

CJ-260 Introduction to Criminal Justice

Explores the nature of crime, the history of criminal justice, and the process of the modern justice system. 

3 CreditsS 

SO-302 Social Deviance and Criminology

Examines contemporary psychological and sociological theories of behavior deviation, including crime, delinquency, substance abuse and selected other categories. Typologies for classifying and studying crime are developed and evaluated. Trends in behavior deviation, including the characteristics of offenders and victims, are critically explored. Informal and formal, as well as proactive and reactive, social control systems aimed at managing behavior deviation are described and analyzed. 

3 CreditsSPrerequisites: SO101 or AN151.

CJ-360 Policing in the United States

This course will examine the history, organization, functions, and current issues among policing in the United States. Some of the issues discussed will be race & community relations, militarization, use of force, discretion, subculture, and policing strategies. Students will evaluate each issue to learn its causes and ways in which society can better address these concerns.

3 CreditsPrerequisite: CJ-260 or SO-260

CJ-370 Crime & United States Court System

This course will explore the purpose, structure, function of criminal courts in the United States. There will be specific attention placed on adjudication, prosecution, defense, and sentencing of offenders in the criminal justice system. Students will learn about various reforms affecting the courts regarding sentencing, the impact extralegal factors, and judicial selection.

3 CreditsPrerequisite: CJ-260 or SO-260

CJ-380 U.S. Correctional System

The course investigates the history, ideologies of punishment, and various types of punishments given to convicted individuals in the United States. Students learn about most common sanctions likes probation, intermediate sanctions, jail, and prison. Special attention is placed on reentry of those leaving incarceration and the troubles that they face readjusting to society.

3 CreditsPrerequisite: CJ-260 or SO-260


MINORITY EXPERIENCES

Complete 3 credits from the following courses below:

CM-210 Race and Language in the United States

This class examines racism as a cultural system observed through our beliefs and practices about spoken English. The goal of the course is to develop an understanding of how linguistic prejudice contributes to the cultural programs of racism in the US.

3 CreditsSW-US 

PY-211 Race, Ethnicity, and Identity Studies

This course explores the constructs of race, ethnicity, and identity with a focus on how they help us understand ourselves, societies, and the relationship between self and society. The course explores race, racism, antiracism, equality, and hierarchy. As a Social Inquiry course, this course emphasizes social scientific methodologies to address these topics.

3 CreditsS,WK-SIPre- or Co-Req: FYC-101 or EN-110 or EN-109.

EN-203 Class/Status/Identity in US Literature

This class willfocus on representations of social and economic class in U.S. literature. These texts illustrate how social class can define identity and shape perceptions of the American Dream. The class will collect and distribute oral histories about work experiences in collaboration with the local Huntingdon community members.

4 CreditsSW-LEPrerequisite or corequisite: FYC-101 or EN-110 or EN-109

EN-217 Disability in Fiction

This course considers how various texts portray individuals with disabilities. Via short stories, novels, theoretical articles, films, and memoirs we will explore ways that stereotypical portrayals can stigmatize and discriminate against people with disabilities. The class will also examine narratives and voices that question the definition of 'normal' as well as reinterpret traditional representations of disability. We will consider key concepts such as ableism, justice, access, and the medical and social models of disability. The course will also introduce some of the ways that disability intersects with other aspects of identity such as gender, sexuality, race, and class.

3 CreditsH 

EN-237 Constructing Identities

Applying various cultural and theoretical perspectives, students will view and read works from Quentin Tarantino, Christopher Nolan, Kurt Vonnegut, Salman Rushdie, David Foster Wallace and others to examine ways that consumerism, technology, social institutions and other facets of modern culture and society shape identities and influence the human condition. 

4 CreditsCAPrerequisites: EN110 or EN109.

PS-206 The Culture War

Is the U.S. at war with itself over core political and cultural values? This culture war is waged over hot-button policy issues including abortion, school prayer, gay rights, religion in politics, marijuana, immigration, and diversity. Students explore the complex political contexts that shape the lived experiences of traditionally marginalized groups and examine how power, privilege, and marginalization influence policy outcomes.

4 CreditsCA, S, SW-US 

SO-203 Minority Experiences

An exploration of the factors that shape the experiences of minority group members in both domestic and global contexts. The social processes that functions to construct minority identity among racial, ethnic, gender, and ability groups are studied.

3 CreditsSPrerequisites: SO101 or AN151.


METHODS REQUIREMENT

Take the following courses below: 

SW-214  Integrated Research Methods & Stats I

An integrated course sequence applying processes of social inquiry to the assessment of historically oppressed and vulnerable populations, and of the interventions used to help those populations. This course integrates key research concepts and commonly used quantitative and qualitative methods in the social sciences, with the ability to communicate effectively about research with written and verbal skills. The course teaches students not only to conduct social science research but also to consume and utilize social science research in a critical way, including in practice as a helping professional.

3 CreditsS,WK-SI 

SW-215  Integrated Research Methods & Stats II

The second part of an integrated course sequence applying the scientific process to the fields of Social Work and Sociology, emphasizing key research concepts, commonly used quantitative and qualitative methods, and the ability to communicate effectively about research with written and verbal skills. The course teaches students not only to conduct research but also to consume and utilize research.

3 CreditsS 


ELECTIVES

Complete 6 or more credits from the designated subjects/areas below:

CJ-362 Juvenile Justice

The issues, trends, and challenges facing juvenile justice professionals are explored in this course. The history and philosophy of juvenile justice, processing, detention, and diversion of juvenile offenders are topics of the course.

3 CreditsCW, S, SW-ERPrerequisite: FYC-101

SO-244 Drugs and Society

This course explores the history of substance abuse, models of addiction, physiological effects of commonly abused substances and treatment effectiveness. Some of the programs that will be examined include the 12-step program.

3 CreditsSPrerequisites: SO101.

SW-230  Introduction to Social Work Practice

Examines the generalist knowledge, values and skills of the social work profession. Emphasizes interviewing and communication skills, the development of a helping relationship, the strengths perspective and problem solving strategies. 

4 CreditsSPrerequisites: SO101 or permission of instructor.

SW-231  Social Problems & Social Welfare

This course explores persistent social problems including poverty, inequality, unemployment, homelessness, family violence, substance abuse, and lack of healthcare access, using historical, philosophical, and social science perspectives. The development of social policies and services as institutional responses to these problems are described and analyzed. Over the course of the term, students will review a significant body of literature related to a social problem/policy of choice, and conduct a case study with a community member who has experienced consequences of that same problem/policy. 

3 CreditsS,WK-SIPrerequisites: FYC-101, EN-110, or EN-109.

SW-333  Social Welfare Policies and Services

A conceptual study of the meanings, nature, scope, implementation and evaluation of social policy as it relates to issues of social welfare. 

3 CreditsSPrerequisite: SW-231

SW-330  Social Work Practice: Individual, Family & Small Groups Laboratory

Supervised field work in an approved social work agency. Provides opportunity to observe agency function and apply beginning social work practice skills. 

2 CreditsSCorequisite: SW331. Prerequisite: SW230.

SW-331  Social Work Practice: Individual, Family & Small Groups

Explores the problem solving process used in social work practice with individuals, families and small groups. Interviewing and problem solving skills, family systems analysis and group process are refined in preparation for beginning practice with individuals, families, and small groups. 

4 CreditsSCorequisite: SW330. Prerequisite: SW230.

SO-243 Death & Dying

An introduction to the social, psychological and cultural aspects of death and dying. The course is designed to lessen misconceptions concerning death and dying, to enable individuals to deal constructively with their feelings about personal death and the death of meaningful others and to help people cope more effectively with grief and bereavement.

3 CreditsS 

SW-221  The Life Cycle

This course provides an introduction to lifespan development from conception, through birth, infancy, childhood, adolescence, and various stages of adulthood. Explores perspectives on the biological, psychological, and socio-cultural aspects of development over time. Examines human diversity as well as similarities in growth and development, utilizing theory and research. Discusses implications for prevention and intervention related to common developmental challenges and adversities. 

3 CreditsS,WK-SIPre-Req or Co-Req: FYC-101 or EN-110 or EN-109

SW-241  Children, Youth, and Family Services

This course involves a critical analysis of child and family services, practices, and policies, while exposing students to the challenging risks and needs, traumatic and institutional experiences of high-risk youth and families, as well as sources of strength, protection, and resilience. Students will participate in analyzing and interpreting research using needs assessment data provided by the instructor, and complete a scaffolded research paper assignment to analyze a specific issue of interest.

3 CreditsCW,S,WK-SI 

PACS-105  Introduction to Conflict Resolution

A survey of the field of conflict, this course explores the causes and consequences of social conflict. Theory and case studies are used to understand interpersonal disputes, the intricacies of groups in conflict and international issues and crisis. Emphasis is given to understanding the basic theoretical concepts of the field and developing basic conflict resolving skills.

3 CreditsS 

PACS-108  Mediation

Students learn the basic model of interest-based mediation and the theoretical framework that guides its use. Role-plays and simulations will be used to prepare students to serve as mediators in a variety of contexts. Students will be trained to use a co-mediation model to resolve interpersonal and small group conflicts. There will be Saturday and Sunday meeting times 9 am-5 pm. There are 3 weekends. You will enroll for 1 weekend if you take 1 credit, 2 weekends if you do 2 credits and 3 if you take 3 credits. Homework assignments will be completed online.

1-3 CreditsS 

PY-190 Introduction to Poverty Studies

The Introduction to Poverty Studies course will offer students an interdisciplinary exposure to the study of poverty, challenging them to explore the ways in which factors such as class, culture, race, gender, and geographic place operate to form an interrelated system that produces poverty and alters the trajectory of many important life outcomes. Among other course objectives, students will gain an evidence-based understanding of theoretical models of poverty and the ways in which poverty manifests differently within this country and across the globe.

3 Credits

PY-312 Cultural Psychology

Cultural psychology is the scientific study of how cultural norms influence how individuals think, feel, and behave. Cultural psychologists study the ultimate social situation: culture. Questions from this field are relevant to our everyday lives and are important in shaping our understanding of ourselves and views of others.

3 CreditsS 

CONN-360 Criminalistics

This course will debunk popular misconceptions about crime scene investigation. Students will learn to apply social inquiry and scientific methods to investigate a simulated crime scene. In labs and lectures, students will work in small groups to collect evidence, build a case, and then present an affidavit of probable cause to the " court ". NOTE: Students are expected to be in their third or fourth year when taking a Connections course.

4 CreditsCONN

PY-205 Social Psychology

The study of human interaction and interpersonal relationships, including selected areas of current research and theory such as social perception, interpersonal communication, attitude formation and change, conformity, aggression, and interpersonal attraction. 

3 CreditsS 

PY-203 Abnormal Psychology

A brief consideration is given to the historical approaches to " mental illness, " followed by a consideration of present day classification, diagnostic measures, and therapy. Emphasis throughout is upon experimental data as applied to the various disorders.

3 CreditsSPrerequisite: PY101.


CAPSTONE

Complete at least 6 credits from the following courses below:

SO-401 Sociology Senior Seminar

Sociology Senior Seminar is the capstone course for students who have focused their academic work in the sociological discipline. The course provides an opportunity for students to apply key curricular components previously explored during their undergraduate sociology coursework. The course is a designated service learning and experiential learning course. Students will assume substantial responsibility for the exploration of materials and presentation of those materials to their student colleagues. Students will also interact with campus and community partners during the semester. The course uses a student-led seminar format, coupled with community engagement and service learning components.

3 CreditsSPrerequisite: Senior standing.

CJ-490 Criminal Justice Internship

Must have junior or senior standing and required approvals.

2-9 CreditsCorequisite: CJ-495

CJ-495 Internship Seminar

Must have junior or senior standing and required approvals.

2-6 CreditsCorequisite: CJ-490


POE Credit Total = 47

Students must complete at least 18 credits at the 300/400-level.  Any course exception must be approved by the advisor and/or department chair.