Sociology/Anthropology/ Criminal Justice Concentrations/Tracks

 

 

SOCIOLOGY CONCENTRATION (minimum 39 total units)

This is a new curriculum forthcoming Fall 2006.  Previous versions of the sociology curriculum for continuing students are available at the department office.

 

Course of Study in Sociology

Students in the sociology concentration complete courses in five areas.  First, courses required in the Sociology-Anthropology (SOAN) Common Core provide broad-based knowledge of society and culture, as well as an introduction to statistical techniques used by sociologists to analyze data.  Second, lower-level sociology electives introduce specific examples of the subject matter of sociology and more closely examine the sociological perspective on society and the sociological imagination.  Third, courses in sociological theory and research methods give the foundational understanding of sociology as a discipline and provide the knowledge and tools for both formulating and answering sociological questions.  Fourth, the combined applications, engagement, and advanced study requirement involves the in-depth exploration of sociological concepts to understand and address contemporary issues in the social world.  Here students pursue an additional applied data analysis or theory course, an external internship, a capstone seminar that culminates in the writing and presentation of a scholarly paper, independent research under the tutelage of a specific faculty member, or the first course leading to the honors thesis.  Fifth, upper level sociology electives allow for closer study of a range of critical substantive areas within the discipline of sociology.  Courses are offered on a variety of subjects built around the areas of expertise among faculty in the department.  Students interested in pursuing the Ph.D. degree in sociology or engaging in higher-level research are encouraged to complete the departmental honors sequence and other recommended methodologically-based courses beyond the minimum 39 hours.  A minor in sociology is also available in the department.

 

Sociology Key Learning Objectives

Upon completion of the course of study in sociology, students should be able to:

  • Communicate effectively in the presentation of sociological material: write proficiently, read and synthesize sociological literature, speak confidently on sociological issues.

  • "Take the role of other", i.e. understand how people from varied backgrounds are shaped by and experience a social world that includes diversity, inequality, social issues, social institutions, social structures and processes.

  • Exercise their sociological imagination and apply multiple theoretical perspectives to sociological questions and social issues/problems.

  • Formulate basic sociological research questions and understand the research process, including operationalization and measurement of concepts, quantitative or qualitative data collection and analysis, the use of SPSS or other research software, and the use of basic statistics.

  • Critically interpret and evaluate sociological information, e.g. read tables of information, correctly interpret basic statistics (e.g. measures of central tendency), assess whether concepts are adequately grounded in data, identify good research.

 

SOCI-ANTH (SOAN) COMMON CORE (9-10 units)

Please note that the Common Core for sociology varies from that required under our anthropology concentration at this time and requires students to complete fewer units than previously in this section. 

One of the following courses:

ANTH 207  Cultural Anthropology (3)   

ANTH 208  Human Evolution and Prehistory (3)

ANTH 210  Honors Cultural Anthropology (3)

 

One of the following courses:

SOCI 101    Introduction to Sociology (3)

SOCI 102    Honors Introduction to Sociology (3)

 

One of the following courses:

MATH 231  Basic Statistics (3)

PSYC 212  Behavioral Statistics (4) 

ECON 205 Statistics for Business and Economics I (3)

SOCI  2__  Social Statistics***

LOWER LEVEL SOCI ELECTIVES (6 units)

Two of the following courses:

SOCI 210   Sociology of Sport (3)

SOCI 241   Blacks in America (3)

SOCI 243   Sociology of Race, Class and Gender (3)

SOCI 249   Social Problems (3) 

SOCI 265   Status, Friendship, Intimacy (3)*

 

THEORY and METHODS REQUIREMENT (6 units)

The ‘Theory’ course should be completed before the ‘Methods’ course.

Both of the following courses:

SOCI 381   Sociological Theory (3)*

SOCI 391   Research Methods (3)*

 

APPLICATION, ENGAGEMENT, and ADVANCED STUDY (3-4 units)

One of the following courses:

ANTH 380  Ethnographic Field Methods (3)

SOCI  300   Sociological Analysis (AWC) (3)***

SOCI  329   Demography (3)

SOCI  353   Theories of Crime (3)

SOCI 370   Topics in Sociology: ________ (3)**

SOCI 470   Special Topics in Sociology: ________ (3)**

SOCI  485   Seminar in Sociology (3)***

SOCI  491   Internship in Sociology I (3)

SOCI  495   Independent Research (3)

SOCI  498   Readings in Sociology (Honors) (4)*****

 

UPPER LEVEL SOCI ELECTIVES (15-16 units)

Five courses from the following three thematic categories, but at least one course must be completed from each group, and at least four courses must be SOCI code courses:

 

Social Inequalities

ANTH 321   Gender in Cross Cultural Perspective (3)

ANTH 365   North American Indians (3)

ANTH 353   Latinas in the Americas (3) 

CRMJ 307   Issues in Domestic Violence (3)*

CRMJ 345   Race and Crime (3)*

CRMJ 348   Women and Crime (3)

SOCI 312    Sociology of Gender (3)

SOCI 341    Class, Status and Power (3)

SOCI 343    Sociology of Race and Ethnicity (3)***

SOCI 370    Topics in Sociology: ________ (3)**

SOCI 440    Sociology of Immigration (3)

SOCI 492     Internship in Sociology II (Placement: _____) (3)

SOCI 499     Honors Thesis***** (Topic: _____________) (4) 

 

Social Processes/Interaction

ANTH 325  Moral Panics (3)**

CRMJ 358   Interpersonal Violence (3)

SOCI 311   Individual and Society (3)

SOCI 313   Introduction to Social Psychology (3)

SOCI 323   Social Movements (3)****

SOCI 336   Sociology of Mental Illness (3)

SOCI 351   Deviant Behavior (3)

SOCI 359   Social Gerontology (3)

SOCI  370  Topics in Sociology: ________ (3)**

SOCI 492   Internship in Sociology II (Placement: ______) (3) 

SOCI 499   Honors Thesis***** (Topic: ______________) (4)  

 

Social Institutions/Contexts

SOCI  301    The Family (3)*

SOCI  327    Urban Sociology (3)

SOCI  333    Political Sociology (3)

SOCI  335    Medical Sociology (3)

SOCI  355    Delinquency & Juvenile Justice (3)

SOCI  362    Work and Occupations (3)*

SOCI  365    Organizations and Society (3)*

SOCI 370    Sociology Outside the Classroom (3)*

SOCI 370    Topics in Sociology: ________ (3)**

SOCI 383    Sociology of Law (3)

SOCI 492    Internship in Sociology II (Placement: _____) (3) 

SOCI 499    Honors Thesis***** (Topic: _____________) (4)

 

(SOCI 492 / SOCI 499: Faculty advisor will determine whether or not Honors Thesis or external Internship placement is to be counted under Inequalities, Processes, or Institutions category.  Advisor initials required for approval in designated area.  Course cannot be counted in more than one place.)

 

(*Course was previously taught under a different course number.  Courses marked “xx” will appear under a new course number by Fall 2006.  Not open to students who have already completed course carrying the same title but that was offered under a different number in previous years. 

**No more than two 37_ level “Topics” courses total can be completed for major credit.  Unless already listed, advisor initials required for approval in designated area.  Same course cannot be counted in more than one place.

***Recommended for students considering graduate school in sociology.

****Not open to students who have already completed course with the same number but that was offered under a different title in previous years.

*****Students who wish to graduate with Departmental Honors must complete both SOCI 498 and SOCI 499 and follow Honors procedures.) 

 

Top of Page

 

ANTHROPOLOGY CONCENTRATION (minimum 39 total units)

 

Course of Study in Anthropology

Towson University’s Department of Sociology, Anthropology, and Criminal Justice offers both a major concentration and a minor in anthropology.  Students who pursue either course of study are expected to successfully complete core courses in human evolution and prehistory, cultural anthropology, statistics, anthropological theory, and ethnographic or archaeological methods.  Concentrators also choose among three areas of study that reflect the program’s greatest strengths: cultural anthropology, archaeology, or globalization and development.  Students select seven elective courses related to one of these areas to both enrich their understanding of the field of anthropology as a whole and to delve deeper into a specific realm of anthropology.  In addition to their regular coursework, anthropology students are encouraged to participate in the department’s honors program and in a variety of hands-on research, field study, and internship experiences.  There are opportunities for interested students to participate in archaeological research at several local excavation sites.  We actively encourage our anthropology students to study abroad, and in recent years our students have participated in ethnographic and archaeological fieldwork programs other places in the U.S., Korea, Kenya, and Mexico. Anthropology concentrators can gain pre-professional experience and earn up to six units of credit by taking part in internships in businesses, cultural institutions, and agencies in the community. 

 

Anthropology Key Learning Objectives

Upon completion of the course of study in anthropology, students should be able to:

  • Understand the range and patterning of human and cultural variation.

  • Recognize and value difference and understand the connections between and among communities.

  • Understand how local context and global processes are articulated today and in the past.

  • Critically examine the assumptions, evidence, and methods of anthropological research and related materials.

  • Effectively communicate contemporary anthropology through varied modes of transmission, including written, visual, and oral means.

  • Use ethnographic or archaeological methods to address significant anthropological questions.

 

SOCI-ANTH (SOAN) COMMON CORE (12-13 units)

Please note that the Common Core for anthropology varies from that required under our sociology concentration at this time and requires students to complete more units in this section. 

One of the following courses:

ANTH 207   Cultural Anthropology (3)   

ANTH 208   Human Evolution and Prehistory (3)

ANTH 210   Honors Cultural Anthropology (3)

 

One of the following courses:

SOCI 101   Introduction to Sociology (3)

SOCI 102   Honors Introduction to Sociology (3)

 

One of the following courses:

ANTH 209  Anthropology of American Culture (3)

ANTH 211  Honors Anthropology of American Culture (3)

SOCI 241   Blacks in America (3)

SOCI 243   Sociology of Race, Class and Gender (3)

SOCI 249   Social Problems (3)

 

One of the following courses:

MATH 231   Basic Statistics (3)

PSYC 212   Behavioral Statistics (4) 

ECON 205  Statistics for Business and Economics I (3)

 

FOCUS AREA IN ANTHROPOLOGY (27units)

Completion of the Anthropology Concentration requires a minimum of 27 additional course units beyond the Common Core.  Select one of the following four focus areas to complete the anthropology concentration.

 

Combined ANTH-SOCI Focus Area

Involves taking more courses in sociology than other options.

One of the following courses not taken in the common core:

ANTH 207   Cultural Anthropology (3)

ANTH 208   Human Evolution and Prehistory (3)

ANTH 210   Honors Cultural Anthropology (3)

 

Both of the following courses:

ANTH 380   Ethnographic Field Methods (3)

ANTH 401   Anthropological Theory (AWC) (3)

 

One of the following courses:

SOCI 300   Sociological Analysis (3)

SOCI 391   Research Methods (3)

 

Plus five upper-level elective courses not taken elsewhere, three in ANTH and two in SOCI.

 

General Anthropology Focus Area

One of the following courses not taken in the Common Core:

ANTH 207 Cultural Anthropology (3)

ANTH 208 Human Evolution and Prehistory (3)

ANTH 210 Honors Cultural Anthropology (3)

 

Both of the following courses:

ANTH 380 Ethnographic Field Methods (3)

ANTH 401 Anthropological Theory (AWC) (3)

 

Plus six courses with the following stipulations:

(a) at least 1 must be an Upper Level course in archaeology.        

(b) at least 5 of the total must be Upper Level anthropology courses.      

(c) at least 1 must be from among Area courses in anthropology, or from among ENGL 350, ENGL 452, SOCI 243, SOCI 300, SOCI 329, SOCI 381, SOCI 391.           

 

C.  Archaeology Focus Area

One of the following courses:

ANTH 381   Archaeological Methods and Theory (3)

ANTH 393   Archaeological Field School (3)

 

The following course:

ANTH 401   Anthropological Theory (AWC) (3)

 

Three of the following courses (can only select those courses not counted elsewhere):

ANTH 311   Archaeology of Maryland (3)

ANTH 381   Archaeological Methods and Theory (3)

ANTH 383   North American Archaeology (3)

ANTH 387   Native American Archaeoastronomy (3)

ANTH 391   Archaeological Lab Methods (3)

ANTH 393   Archaeological Field School (3)

ANTH 370  Topics in Anthropology (must be Archaeology Course) : _______ (3)*

ANTH 470  Special Topics in Anthropology (must be Archaeology Course): _______(3)*

 

Plus two additional upper level courses in anthropology.

 

One of the following courses:

GEOL 121   Physical Geology (4)  

BIOL 201    Biology I: Cellular Biology and Genetics (4)

BIOL 213    Human Anatomy and Physiology (4)

BIOL 307    Introduction to Paleontology (4)

 

One of the following courses:

ART 107     Ceramics for Non-Art Majors (3)

ART 231     Ceramics I (3)

GEOG 101  Physical Geography (3)

GEOG 232   Introduction to Geographic Information Systems (3)

HIST 101    Introduction to Ancient Civilization (3)

 

Globalization and Development Focus Area

At least 24 course units must be at the upper level.

All of the following courses:

ANTH 368   Globalization in Cross Cultural Perspective (3)

ANTH 388   Peasant Cultures (3)

ANTH 401   Anthropological Theory (AWC) (3)

 

One of the following courses:

ANTH 380   Ethnographic Field Methods (3)

SOCI 300    Sociological Analysis (3)

SOCI 329    Demography (3)

SOCI 391    Research Methods (3)

 

Two of the following Area courses:

ANTH 331  Eskimo Ethnography (3)

ANTH 353  Latinas in the Americas (3)

ANTH 365  North American Indians (3)

ANTH 366  South American Indians (3)

ANTH 367  Peoples of the Middle East (3)

ANTH 369  Tradition and Revolution in Latin America (3)

ANTH 370  Anthropology of African Media (3)

ANTH 370  Korea and Globalization (3)

ANTH 370  Topics in Anthropology (must be Area Course) : _______ (3)*

ANTH 470  Special Topics in Anthropology (must be Area Course):  _______ (3)*

 

Two of the following Theme courses or one Theme course from below and one additional Area course from the previous list:

ANTH 321   Gender in Cross Cultural Perspective (3)

ANTH 325   Moral Panics (3)

ANTH 341   Information Age Cultures (3)

ANTH 346   Wealth, Power & Politics (3)

ANTH 361   Controversies in Anthropology (3)

ANTH 364   Religion, Magic and Witchcraft (3)

ANTH 370  Drugs in Global Perspective (3) 

ANTH 370  Topics in Anthropology (must be Theme Course): ______ (3)*

ANTH 382  Visual Anthropology (3)

ANTH 491   Internship in Anthropology (3)

ANTH 470   Special Topics in Anthropology (must be Theme Course):  _______(3)*

 

One of the following courses from another discipline not counted in any other category:

COMM 379   Intercultural Communication (3)

ECON 323   Comparative Economic Systems (3)

ECON 326   Economic Development   (3)

GEOG 102   World Regional Geography (3)

POSC 339    Comparative Political Systems (3)

SOCI 300     Sociological Analysis (3)

SOCI 323     Social Movements (or Change) (3)

SOCI 327     Urban Sociology (3)

SOCI 329     Demography (3)

SOCI 331     Deviance and Organizations (3)

SOCI 365     Organizations and Society (3)

SOCI 391     Research Methods (3)

WMST 233   International Perspectives of Women (3)

 

(*Topics courses in either the Archaeology or the Globalization and Development Focus Areas require the approval and initials of a department advisor where indicated.)

 

Top of Page

 

CRIMINAL JUSTICE CONCENTRATION (minimum 42 total units)

 

Course of Study in Criminal Justice

All students in the criminal justice concentration take four required courses that establish the foundational disciplinary framework for the study of criminology and criminal justice.  Included are basic introductory courses in sociology and criminal justice, a course on crime theory, and a basic statistics course.  Students must also select one additional upper level advanced study course in either sociological theory, research methods, or data analysis, depending on their interest.  These courses establish a deeper understanding of the sociological origins of many crime theories or provide exposure to the range of research approaches in the social sciences.  Beyond this disciplinary and scientific core, students then select five content courses that focus on the themes of social control, criminology, and special issues in the field of criminal justice.  Our social control offerings include courses on institutional or community corrections, the linkage between law and society, the organization of policing, or even criminal forensics.  Our criminology offerings include courses that address crime and inequality, other forms of social deviance such as mental illness or suicide, youth gangs or youth crime, crime profiling, or lethal or sexual violence.  Our special issue courses focus on ethics, domestic violence, campus violence, conflict resolution, moral panics and public fear, police work, and criminal investigation, among other topics.  Completion of the concentration also requires that students select two supporting courses in sociology or anthropology that underscore the context of crime and control, including courses on American culture, race and ethnicity, the family, social class, urban life, or small group interaction.  Finally, students select two additional elective courses from among seven contributing departments, including psychology, computer science, geography, political science, health, history, or philosophy.  The concentration provides students with a wide choice of courses and opportunities for study in many areas of critical concern to criminal justice professionals today.

 

Criminal Justice Key Learning Objectives

Upon completion of the course of study in criminal justice, students should be able to:

  • Apply theories and concepts of criminology, social control and the criminal justice system to address effectively the issue of crime in society: e.g., link criminological theory to criminal justice policy; recognize implications, impact and consequences of policy decisions.

  • Understand how an individual’s experience with crime and social control are shaped by a social world that includes diversity, inequality, social structures and processes.

  • Exercise sociological understanding of contemporary issues related to criminology, social control and the criminal justice system.

  • Communicate effectively in the presentation of criminology and criminal justice materials; write proficiently in the substantive field; read and synthesize related literature.

  • Formulate and answer basic research questions related to criminology, social control and criminal justice; understand the research process, including quantitative and/or qualitative data collection and the use of basic statistics; critically interpret data on crime and criminal justice.

 

Required Courses (15-17 Units)

There are five required courses total in this section.

All of the following must be completed:

SOCI 101    Introduction to Sociology (3) OR

SOCI 102    Honors Introduction to Sociology (3) 

CRMJ 254    Introduction to Criminal Justice (3) OR

CRMJ 354   Writing for Criminal Justice (AWC) (3)  

CRMJ 353   Theories of Crime (3)*  

PSYC 212  Behavioral Statistics (4) OR

MATH 231  Basic Statistics (3)

 

(*Students must complete CRMJ 353--“Theories of Crime” at TU even if they have completed “Criminology” elsewhere.)

 

One additional theory or methods course also must be completed from among the following:

ANTH 380  Ethnographic Methods (3)

CRMJ 368    (or 377) Research Methods in Criminal Justice (3)

CRMJ 375   Introduction to Crime Analysis

PSYC 314   Research Methods in Psych (AWC) (4)

SOCI 300    Sociological Analysis (AWC) (3)

SOCI 329    Demography (3)

SOCI 381    Sociological Theory (3)

SOCI 391    Research Methods (3)

Core Areas (15 Units)**

Select and complete any two courses from the SOCIAL CONTROL core area, any two courses from the CRIMINOLOGY core area, and one additional course from either the SPECIAL ISSUES core area or any other core area as listed below (five courses total):

 

A.  Social Control (at least 2 courses)

ANTH 357    Introduction to Forensics (3)

ANTH 457    Advanced Forensic Crime Investigation

CRMJ 331   Criminal Justice and Film

CRMJ 337   Controversies in CRMJ

CRMJ 352   Community Corrections (3)                                                    

CRMJ 356   Prisons in America (3)

CRMJ 375   Criminal Law

CRMJ 385   Police Administration (3)

SOCI 383    Sociology of Law

B.  Criminology (at least 2 courses)

CRMJ 345   Race and Crime (3)

CRMJ 348   Women and Crime (3)

CRMJ 355   Delinquency and Juvenile Justice (3)

CRMJ 358   Interpersonal Violence (3)

CRMJ 370  Kids, Gangs & Guns (3)

CRMJ 370 Profiling Serious Offenders

SOCI 331   Deviance and Organizations (3)

SOCI 336   Sociology of Mental Illness (3)

SOCI 351   Deviant Behavior (3)

 

C.  Topical Issues (no more than 1 course)

ANTH 376  Moral Panics (3)

CRMJ 307   Issues in Domestic Violence (3)

CRMJ 309   Issues in Campus Violence (3)

CRMJ 332  Conflict Resolution and Criminal Justice (3)

CRMJ 375  Criminal Investigation (3)

CRMJ 387  Issues in Policing   (3)

CRMJ 393  Ethics in Criminal Justice (3)

CRMJ 431 Criminal Justice Outside the Classroom

 

Sociology/Anthropology Electives (6 Units)**

Select and complete any two courses listed below from the disciplines of sociology or anthropology:

ANTH 209  Anthropology of American Culture (or Hnrs 211) (3)

ANTH 370  Drugs in Global Perspective (3)

SOCI 241   Blacks in America (3)

SOCI 249   Social Problems (3)

SOCI 301   The Family (3)

SOCI 311   Individual and Society (3)

SOCI 312   Sociology of Gender (3)

SOCI 313   Introduction to Social Psychology (3)

SOCI 327   Urban Sociology (3)

SOCI 341   Class, Status and Power (3)

SOCI 343   Sociology of Race and Ethnicity (3)

SOCI 362   Work and Occupations (3)

SOCI 365   Organizations and Society (3)

SOCI 491   Internship in Sociology I   (3)

SOCI 492   Internship in Sociology II (3)

SOCI 495   Independent Research (3)

 

Outside Electives (6 Units)

Select and complete any two courses listed below from two different disciplines:

COSC 111   Information & Technology for Business (or Hnrs 112) (3)

GEOG 356   Geography of Crime (3)

GEOG 391   Urban Systems (3)

HIST 368     Bill of Rights and the Constitution (3)

HIST 382     Afrrican-American History from the Mid 19th Century (3)

HLTH 208   Mental Health, Stress Management, and Crisis Intervention (3)

HLTH 220   (or 221) Sexuality in a Diverse Society (3)

HLTH 405   Drugs in Our Culture (3)

PHIL 253    Contemporary Ethical Problems (3)

PHIL 321    Philosophy of Law (3)

PHIL 341    Ethics (3)

POSC 375  Public Administration (3)

POSC 384  The Judicial System (3)

POSC 420  Constitution Protections   (3)

PSYC 350   Personality (3)

PSYC 361   Abnormal Psychology (3)

PSYC 404   Adolescent Psychology (3)

 

(**With the approval of a major advisor, the CRMJ concentration director, or the department chair, other ANTH, SOCI, or CRMJ 37X“Topics" or 47X “Special Topics" courses not listed courses can be completed for credit.  The department will designate the area where new topic courses will count at the time those courses are first offered.)

 

Top of Page

 

Major Advising

 

All majors in sociology-anthropology are encouraged to seek advising in the department on a regular basis.  Students should visit the department office to have a major advisor assigned to them.  All full-time faculty in the department participate in advising students in our concentrations.  Beyond receiving important guidance about course selection in the major, faculty advisors provide insight about career opportunities and future goals, and can offer valuable information about the campus culture and upcoming scholarly events within the college and across the university. 

 

When students visit the department office to seek advising, an advising file is created to help track the progress of students.  During this initial visit, students are given a concentration check sheet outlining the curriculum they must complete, and they also receive a list of some of the basic university requirements the department has compiled as a general guide that must be met to graduate.  All students are also asked to complete the Declaration of Major form in the department even if the major has been declared elsewhere, so that the correct concentration is recorded. 

 

Importantly, while the department routinely accepts transfer credits in the major (up to six courses or 18 credit hours), students must see a faculty advisor in the department to determine whether or not a transfer course will actually count towards completion of the major.  This is a separate process from transferring courses into Towson University.  For USM schools or Maryland community colleges or universities, the department asks students to supply the course description for each course they would like considered.  For courses completed outside of Maryland, a syllabus must be submitted to the department advisor for review and consideration.

 

Because of the strong demand for many courses, we ask our students to seek advising from faculty in the major substantially prior to the beginning of the registration period.

 

Top of Page

Announcements
  Are you interested in an internship in Sociology, Anthropology and Criminal Justice?  If so, contact internship coordinators Dana Kollmann and Erik Hartmark.
 
  Upcoming CLA Events
   © 2009 • Towson University Last Updated: Tuesday, March 31, 2009   
   Towson University • 8000 York Road • Towson, Maryland • 21252-0001 • 410-704-2000 Copyright Information | Privacy Statement | Contact Us