Sociology (SOC)

SOC 101 Intro to Sociology (3 credits)

Introduction to the scientific approach to the study of society, including the study of social structures; studies such topics as how we acquire self-identity, gender, our behavior in groups, bureaucracies, stereotyping, the role of the state, survey research, culture, and collective behavior.

Attributes: Diversity Course, GEP Social Science, Undergraduate

SOC 102 Social Problems (3 credits)

A sociological analysis of contemporary social issues including economic crises, concentration of wealth, poverty, crime, sexism, race and ethnic relations, mental illness, population growth, war and peace, and relations with other countries.

Attributes: American Studies Course, Diversity Course, Faith Justice Course, Gender Studies Course, GEP Social Science, Undergraduate

SOC 103 Intro to Anthropology (3 credits)

This is an introductory course in anthropology, which can be defined as the holistic study of the human species. We will spend time examining the four fields of anthropology: archaeology, physical/biological anthropology, linguistic and cultural anthropology, and their various contributions to understanding the human condition.

Attributes: Undergraduate

SOC 150 Social Problems and Change (3 credits)

Freshman seminar courses examine a range of topics dealing with sociology and criminal justice. Please be advised that the “Social Problems and Social Change” seminar is part of a two-semester service-learning course for first-year students. This Social Problems section of SOC 150 includes attributes for service learning, faith justice, and gender studies. All other sections only fulfill the attributes below.

Attributes: First-Year Seminar, Undergraduate

SOC 170 Special Topics in Sociology (3 credits)

Topics will vary according to the semester in which the class is offered.

Attributes: Undergraduate

SOC 190 Strategies for Success (1-3 credits)

Our class is designed to provide students with the tools needed to thrive and succeed at SJU and in your major. We will focus on the development and application of college-level study skills, personal success strategies, and the use of campus resources that enhance individual student achievement. Topics discussed will include: learning styles, study techniques, note-taking, test-taking, effective writing and reading, time management, career and educational planning, personal wellness and finance, and interpersonal skill development. We will investigate the variety of offices and resources available to students across campus, as well as how to use some of the more common software systems (Canvas, Starfish, Google Applications, etc). Successfully completing SOC 190 is required of all incoming Freshmen students majoring in Sociology or Criminal Justice, and grading is based on P/NP.

Prerequisites: SOC 101 or SOC 102 or SOC 150 or SOC 202

Attributes: Undergraduate

SOC 202 Advanced Social Problems (3 credits)

This is the second course of a two-course sequence (with a designated section of FYS 150) that explores contemporary social problems in society--their inception, consequences, and methods of modification and eradication. In comprehending the social and philosophical background concerning contemporary social problems, students will acquire an appreciation of the complexity involved in defining social problems and a greater understanding of the social structure itself. Students will strive to understand how social problems are identified and the social systems which are involved. Some of the issues we will address include-binge drinking, addiction, hate crimes, intimate partner violence, and “hooking up.” To obtain a full understanding of each issue, we will continually ask several questions: How was this identified as a social problem? What is the history of this issue? What are the structural causes of this problem? How can it be eradicated? Which social groups or institutions are affected by this problem? What groups benefit by the existence of this problem? What are the most popular arguments surrounding this issue? By answering these questions, we will develop a greater understanding of the social problems facing American society.

Attributes: American Studies Course, Diversity Course, Faith Justice Course, Gender Studies Course, Service Learning Course, Undergraduate

SOC 205 Ethnic & Minority Relations (3 credits)

This course provides an analysis of relationships between dominant and minority groups, with a particular focus on ethnic and racial stratification in the U.S. As part of this discussion, we focus on intersecting statuses that shape the outcomes of individuals and groups experiences, including their interactions with each other and social institutions. While the course largely focuses on issues of race/ethnicity, we will also address other forms of minority-dominant group relations, such as sexual orientation, social class, and gender, as the intersectionality of statuses is important in any attempt to gain a better understanding of all these types of relationships. We begin the course by addressing the issue of race as a social construct rather than a biological fact, but a construction that carries very real consequences. We then shift to a focus on prejudice, stereotypes, and discrimination, with particular attention on how they serve to create, sustain, and reproduce oppression and inequalities. We then examine how privileged statuses, particularly white privilege serve to marginalize nonwhites and the damaging paradox of this privilege for economically disenfranchised whites. We conclude the course by addressing the future of face and racism in the 21st century, such as colorblind racism, and the implications for coalition building across racial/ethnic lines.

Attributes: Africana Studies Course, Diversity Course, GEP Social Science, Undergraduate

SOC 206 Theories of Crime (3 credits)

The goal of this course is to examine the current state of criminological theory. It examines the efforts of criminologists in various academic disciplines to explain the cause of crime. Traditional theories will also be discussed.

Prerequisites: SOC 101 or SOC 102 or SOC 150

Attributes: Criminal Justice Course, Justice Ethics and the Law , Undergraduate

SOC 207 Juvenile Justice (3 credits)

A study of delinquency and its causes, with attention to both social-psychological and structural-theoretical frameworks.

Prerequisites: SOC 101 or SOC 102 or SOC 202 or SOC 150

Attributes: Criminal Justice Course, Justice Ethics and the Law , Undergraduate

SOC 208 Sociology of Gender (3 credits)

The study of the learned patterns of behavior of males and females in the United States and cross-culturally; topics include hormonal and sex differences, gender socialization, the contemporary women's movement; special emphasis is placed upon the connection of sexism, racism, and class inequality.

Attributes: American Studies Course, Diversity Course, Gender Studies Course, GEP Social Science, Undergraduate

SOC 209 Sociology: Intimate Relations (3 credits)

Examines family life in the United States, its cross-cultural and historical antecedents; current changes and family process, including courtship and marriage in contemporary society.

Attributes: Gender Studies Course, GEP Social Science, Undergraduate

SOC 211 Classical Sociological Theory (3 credits)

This course examines the scholars who shaped the field of sociology. The class examines the background of classical sociological thinkers and the social forces that shaped their writing. It looks at how the industrial revolution, the decreasing power of religious organizations, the rise of science, and the growth of capitalism all influenced the founding of sociology. The class also examines the tensions between structures and agency that shape human behavior and will look at how cultural and economic forces increase, perpetuate, and challenge social inequalities.

Prerequisites: SOC 101 or SOC 102 or SOC 202 or SOC 150

Attributes: Undergraduate

SOC 215 Gender, Race, and Justice (3 credits)

Using insights from the disciplines of anthropology, sociology, and history, this course will examine how race, class, and gender shape our lived experiences related to justice. The course will also explore the ways in which theoretical and academic knowledge can be integrated with personal and political action in our communities

SOC 216 Alcohol, Drugs & Society (3 credits)

This course explores a sociological approach to substance use and its impact on contemporary American society. What social factors such as gender, race, and class shape substance use? How do major social institutions such as criminal justice, education, and health care deal with substance use? What public policies and programs exist to regulate substance use, and how well do they work? Examples of topics discussed include women and substance use, college student binge drinking, substance use on the national agenda, and the community impact of crack cocaine.

Attributes: Criminal Justice Course, GEP Social Science, Undergraduate

SOC 217 Mental Health & Society (3 credits)

This course examines the connections between mental health and society. What are the major forms of mental and behavioral health and illness? How widespread are mental disorders and what predicts their occurrence? What impact do they have on society and institutions such as health care and criminal justice? What professions and organizations treat mental disorders?

Attributes: American Studies Course, Criminal Justice Course, GEP Social Science, Undergraduate

SOC 219 Social Deviance (3 credits)

This course examines examples of deviance, e.g., the Holocaust, state terror and torture, and mental illness. It explores how laypersons and experts conceptualize deviance, how definitions of deviance change, who labels behavior deviant, and the consequences for those labeled deviant.

Prerequisites: SOC 101 or SOC 102 or SOC 202 or SOC 150

Attributes: Criminal Justice Course, Undergraduate

SOC 225 Intro to American CJ (3 credits)

This course provides an introduction to the criminal justice system in the U.S. The primary goal of this course is to foster a general understanding of the functions and impact of the 3 components of the criminal justice system: police, courts, and corrections. In addressing these components, we will examine each component from the due process and crime control perspectives of criminal justice. Due process stresses individual rights while crime control stresses the protection of the society at large Some of the topics that we will cover include policing, the courts, incarceration and alternative sanctions, the War on Drugs, and the War on Terrorism. The course will conclude with a discussion of the future of criminal justice.

Attributes: American Studies Course, Criminal Justice Course, GEP Social Science, Justice Ethics and the Law , Undergraduate

SOC 232 Sociology of Human Sexuality (3 credits)

This course examines anthropological and sociological perspectives on human sexuality. Among the topics to be covered: reproductive ritual; deviant patterns of sexual behavior; ideologies of sexuality; legal shaping of sexual behavior; and the methods by which we obtain good information on sexual behavior.

Attributes: Gender Studies Course, Undergraduate

SOC 252 Media & Popular Culture (3 credits)

This course will examine the organization of contemporary media and popular culture from a variety of sociological perspectives. Particular attention will be paid to the production and consumption of popular music, talk shows, and sporting events. There will be discussion on how fads spread through society, how our identities are shaped by and mediated through popular culture, and why the media focuses so much attention on seemingly mundane events. This class will examine how recent technological changes influence how we consume popular culture. We will utilize discussions of Nike, Netflix, Starbucks, videogames, nightlife in Philadelphia, Shakespeare, and digital gambling to understand how popular culture is organized.

Attributes: GEP Social Science, Undergraduate

SOC 253 Race and Social Justice (3 credits)

In this course we will examine the issue of social justice as it pertains to race and ethnicity. The course will address the social and cultural constructions of race and ethnicity and their effects on social institutions, interpersonal relationships, and quality of life primarily in the U.S., but also abroad. Specifically, we will focus on how advantages and disadvantages are distributed among individuals and societies, why this process occurs, and how we can work to achieve balance and equality. As part of our discussions, we will focus on the contributions of racial and ethnic minorities in our changing social, economic, political, and legal institutions by examining controversial topics central to debates on racial justice and policy.

Attributes: Africana Studies Course, Criminal Justice Course, Diversity Course, GEP Social Science, Undergraduate

SOC 254 Violence and Victims (3 credits)

This course is designed to explore the serious problem of violence in our society from a sociological perspective. We will address a variety of types of violence, its causes, consequences, and theories for prevention. Topics which will be discussed include wife abuse, rape, child abuse, gang warfare, and street violence. An emphasis will be placed on understanding the structural causes of violence such as gender, race, and social class inequality as well as the effect of pornography, the media, and drugs/alcohol on violence. Particular attention will be given to the consequences of violence for both individual victims and society as a whole. We will also focus on the practical reality of violence in this society by speaking with several practitioners and touring a local domestic violence shelter.

Attributes: Criminal Justice Course, Gender Studies Course, GEP Social Science, Undergraduate

SOC 260 Language and the Law (3 credits)

This course is an introduction to linguistic issues that influence interaction in a variety of legal contexts. It explores the role of language used in court cases and police investigations while paying special attention to particular discourse contexts such as courtroom talk, interpreter interactions and police interrogations/ interviews. Particular emphasis will be placed on recognizing and understanding ethical issues related to linguistic sources of disadvantage before the law for both educated and uneducated native speakers, minority speakers and non-native speakers of a given language. This course will help prepare students for careers in which a particular sensitivity to, and understanding of, the use of language is vital. By looking closely at areas studied by linguists, we will seek to uncover the role and the ethical nature of oral and written interactions that take place in the legal field. These linguistic issues affect the concept of justice as well as its application in the legal system and also influence how humans are perceived and, in turn, treated by those who apply the law (police officers, lawyers, judges, etc.). This course fulfills a requirement in the Sociology and Criminal Justice majors/minors

Prerequisites: PHL 154

Attributes: Criminal Justice Course, Ethics Intensive, Justice Ethics and the Law , Undergraduate

SOC 262 White Collar Crime (3 credits)

This course is designed to give the student an understanding of the meaning of white collar crime and the types of activities in which white collar criminals engage. Initially, the lectures focus on the development of a comprehensive definition of white collar crime and then, having established this foundation, turn to the variety of white collar crimes in the U.S. today.

Prerequisites: SOC 101 or SOC 102 or SOC 202 or SOC 150

Attributes: Criminal Justice Course, Undergraduate

SOC 264 Criminal Courts & Procedures (3 credits)

An analysis of the legal and practice problems presented in the administration of criminal justice from investigation to post-conviction review. Subjects include right to counsel, law of arrest, search and seizure, police interrogation and confessions, prosecutorial discretion, plea bargaining, bail, and juries. Case method used. Suggested for pre-law students.

Attributes: Criminal Justice Course, GEP Social Science, Justice Ethics and the Law , Undergraduate

SOC 265 Sociology of Education (3 credits)

Schools are the center of major contemporary social questions: Who benefits come from going to college, and is it worth the high cost? Are standardized tests helpful for measuring accomplishment or potential? Are students from particular schools, states, or family backgrounds doing better than others? Sociology of education tackles these kinds of questions by examining the many roles that schools and school actors play, from socializing individuals to reproducing status over generations. This class provides an introduction to American education. Readings focus on primary and secondary education, with a focus on education's role in stratification, namely the way that schools provide advantages or disadvantages to individuals according to particular characteristics, most commonly race/ethnicity, class, and gender.

Attributes: Criminal Justice Course, Undergraduate

SOC 267 Introduction to Corrections (3 credits)

An analysis of the history and development of modern correctional systems. The focus will be on the corrections process as experienced by both offender and official. Special topics will include prisoner rights, litigation, women and corrections, and juveniles and the correctional process. Cross-cultural perspectives and recent correctional innovations will also be examined in order to give the student a comprehensive view.

Prerequisites: SOC 101 or SOC 102

Attributes: Criminal Justice Course, GEP Social Science, Justice Ethics and the Law , Undergraduate

SOC 270 Special Topics (3 credits)

Course content determined by instructor. This course number/title will be given to new courses being offered within the academic year that are not listed in the catalog. The course will explore some topic related to sociology or criminal justice, focusing on the role of institutions in explaining human behavior.

Attributes: American Studies Course, Undergraduate

SOC 285 Sociology of Medicine (3 credits)

This course is designed to give the student a general introduction to the myriad ways culture, society, and organizations impact medicine and health care. This course is designed to give the student a general introduction to the material and there are no prerequisites for the course. Students will cover topics as diverse as the institution and profession of medicine, the practice of medical care, and the social factors that contribute to sickness and well-being. While we will not cover everything, we will attempt to cover as much of the field as possible through four central thematic units: (1) the organization of development of the profession of medicine, (2) the delivery of health-care, (3) social cultural factors in defining health, and (4) the social causes of illness. Throughout the course, our discussions will be designed to understand the social science and policy implications for the field of medicine and encourage the application of such ideas and concepts to a variety of contemporary healthcare issues.

Attributes: Undergraduate

SOC 290 Professional Prep Seminar (1 credit)

What can you do with a degree in sociology or criminal justice? Do you know how to search for an internship or a job? Are you ready to apply for a position should the opportunity arise? This professional development seminar will enhance your knowledge about internships and careers within your major and help you build practical skills through class instruction, assignments, and alumni exposure throughout the semester. This one-credit course meets once a week throughout the semester to provide practical instruction and skills in areas that include internship search and application, resume/cover letter prep, professional communication, and networking/interviewing.

Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Undergraduate Day Division level students.

SOC 300 Community Engaged Scholarship (3 credits)

Engaged scholarship can take several forms. Broadly defined, it "means connecting the rich resources of the university to our most pressing social, civic, and ethical problems" (Boyer, 1996, p. 19). One key way of sharing these resources is through research - not "on" the community, but "with" the community. This type of research model is one in which the research projects are developed with community organization staff, faculty, and students together, building on the unique strengths of those involved. In this course, students will work with a community-based organization to design and conduct research on an issue related to homelessness or affordable housing. Throughout the semester, students will learn about research methods, research ethics, and the particular urban context within which they will be working. More importantly, students will gain experience working alongside staff of a community-based organization to solve problems or assess needs and strengths.

Restrictions: Enrollment limited to students with the Honors Program Student attribute.

Attributes: GEP Social Science, Honors Course, Undergraduate

SOC 301 Community Organizing for Just. (3 credits)

How should one respond in the face of social injustice? What strategies should groups adopt in organizing to make positive social change? What kind of foundation is useful and prophetic for promoting justice? This course will consider the framework, methods, and practices of faith-based community organizing for responding to social injustice. Students will examine theological and sociological roots of faith-based community organizing as a response to injustice. Students will also integrate course learning with a community organizing action project.

Attributes: Faith Justice Course, Undergraduate

SOC 302 Criminal Law (3 credits)

This course addresses substantive criminal law with a focus on the origins and goals of this body of law, the various categories of crimes, including the elements required to prove individuals' culpability, the available defenses to criminal charges, and the applicable punishments for those who commit offenses.

Attributes: Criminal Justice Course, Justice Ethics and the Law , Undergraduate

SOC 305 Social Epidemiology (3 credits)

Social epidemiology examines the social determinants of health at the individual, community, and population levels. In this seminar, we will discuss the theories that explain how society influences individuals and the research studies that show social patterns in health outcomes. We will learn how research on social factors and health is done, primarily through observational data and statistical analyses. We will consider how social epidemiology can influence health services and health policies. Throughout the course, you will apply these tools and perspectives to current issues that are important to you.

Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Undergraduate Day Division level students.

Attributes: GEP Social Science

SOC 306 Medical Anthropology (3 credits)

The course surveys the field of medical anthropology, which is commonly viewed as a branch of socio-cultural anthropology that intersects with the concerns of biological (physical) anthropology, medicine, and public health. The course also explores how medical anthropology addresses social issues such as health disparities and culturally competent healthcare.

Prerequisites: (AN 103 or SO 101 or SO 111 or PS 101 or PS 111 or EC 101) or (SOC 101 and SOC 102)

Attributes: Undergraduate

SOC 307 Death and Dying (3 credits)

The study of the phases of death and dying, and the social reactions and social implications, to examine the dominant approach to death, dying, and loss in the United States today, and in Western cultures in general, in relation to approaches taken by people in other cultures, subcultures, and in other places or times.

Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Undergraduate Day Division level students.

Attributes: GEP Social Science, Undergraduate

SOC 310 Policing in Black and Blue (3 credits)

The killing of Trayvon Martin and the rise of Black Lives Matter has thrust the nation's police departments into a state of crisis. The public's distrust of the police is at a 20 year high, despite the falling rates of crime nationally. In this course, students will look at the role of police in society and consider the social, economic, and cultural factors that have led to the current climate. We will take care to examine this crisis from multiple viewpoints, including: community residents, politicians, activists and the police themselves. In our study of the policing crisis, we will consider the sociological roots of the urban ghetto and how policing strategies were developed to "manage" racially segregated, high crime communities. Specifically we will consider how the police became the first-responders in dealing with a host of social problems (from poverty to addiction and mental illness), paying particular attention to the war on drugs, mass-incarceration, mandatory sentencing and zero tolerance. We will review stop and frisk, community policing, focused deterrence, stop snitching, de-escalation, and the use of force. Criminal Justice course

Attributes: American Studies Course, Justice Ethics and the Law , Undergraduate

SOC 312 Research Methods (3 credits)

Presents the main ways of gathering social scientific information, e.g., questionnaires, interviews, observation, experiments, content analysis, etc.; Specific emphasis placed on the ethical considerations when conducting social science research.

Prerequisites: SOC 101 or SOC 102

Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Undergraduate Day Division level students.

Attributes: Undergraduate

SOC 313 Data Analysis (3 credits)

This course introduces students to the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) for conducting quantitative data analysis. Using the General Social Survey and other publicly available data sets, we will learn about transforming variables, conducting univariate and bivariate analysis, requesting descriptive and inferential statistics, and learning how to interpret these statistics. Emphasis is on doing the analysis and presenting the analysis for research projects. This course is a prerequisite for Seminar, SOC 495.

Prerequisites: SOC 312

Attributes: Undergraduate

SOC 316 Fair Trade Coffee: Study Tour (3 credits)

This course is designed to trace the path of fair trade coffee beans as they are grown in a cooperative in Nicaragua or Costa Rica until they reach a consumers' cup in the United States. In this class, we will examine the labor- intensive activities that go into producing a cup of coffee, the environmental impacts of producing shade grown and organic coffees, and the economic benefits that farmers receive for growing coffee in Central America. We will travel to Central America and live alongside coffee farmers who are growing fair trade coffee. We will learn about the "Coffee Crisis" that greatly affected Central American farmers in the early 2000s, and we will look at the limits and possibilities of producing coffee in a cooperative. Prior to attending the trip, we will read about the political and economic dynamics of Central America, the history of coffee and the fair trade movement, and what fair trade means in the minds of ethical consumers. In thinking about the stories behind their purchases, students will gain broader insight into the limits and possibilities of integrating their values into their everyday shopping patterns.

Attributes: GEP Social Science, Latin American Studies Course, Undergraduate

SOC 317 Sociolinguistics (3 credits)

(Please see LIN 317 for description)

Attributes: Communication Studies ILC Crs, Diversity Course, GEP Social Science, Undergraduate

SOC 322 Sociology of Motherhood (3 credits)

The course considers motherhood as a political and cultural issue in society. Topics will include the social construction of public debates about teenage mothers, single mothers, welfare mothers, and abortion. We will also review the work of scholars who examine how social class and privilege construct our notions of "good" mothers and appropriate childrearing.

Prerequisites: SOC 101 and SOC 102 or SOC 150

Attributes: Gender Studies Course, Undergraduate

SOC 323 Health and Society (3 credits)

An overview of health care in the United States with attention to its historical antecedents; definitions of illnesses; examines the effect of social factors on the occurrence of illness and its treatment; studies the organization of health facilities. Satisfies Gender Studies Minor requirement.

Attributes: Diversity Course, GEP Social Science, Undergraduate

SOC 325 Women and Health (3 credits)

This course will look at the health industry from a feminist perspective. We will examine the role of women in providing health care, gender differences in the care given to patients, and health care issues specific to women. The course will also consider race and class differences among women working in and served by the health care industry.

Prerequisites: SOC 101 or SOC 102 or SOC 202 or SOC 150

Attributes: Undergraduate

SOC 327 Sociology of Religion (3 credits)

Examines major sociological attempts to interpret the role of religious belief systems in modern industrial society and culture with emphasis on: a historical and structural analysis of religious belief systems and polities in the United States; the role of religion in community formation, national, and ethnic identity; and contemporary religious movements as attempts to channel or cope with forces of change.

Prerequisites: SOC 101 or SOC 102

Attributes: Undergraduate

SOC 330 Urban Sociology (3 credits)

What makes some neighborhoods in cities great places to live? Why do other neighborhoods struggle? In this course, we will learn how sociologists study cities, what social policies have affected cities, how inequalities along the lines of race/ethnicity and social class have shaped cities, how cities might fit into a sustainable vision for the future, and what we can learn from cities in other countries. By the end of the course, students will understand what can be done to improve the quality of life for families in urban neighborhoods.

Prerequisites: SOC 101 or SOC 102 or SOC 150

Attributes: Africana Studies Course, Diversity Course, GEP Social Science, Undergraduate

SOC 331 Urban Ethnography (3 credits)

Though it is certainly useful to analyze cities with numbers and statistical analyses, one can perhaps best capture life within cities through ethnography. Ethnography allows the researcher to dig deep and analyze any number of social settings. Ethnography encompasses several different methods, but in this course we will concentrate on observation and writing field notes. Both sociologists and anthropologists use these methods in their research. In this course, you will not only learn to practice ethnography, but you will also read and critique several urban ethnographies.

Attributes: Criminal Justice Course, GEP Social Science, Undergraduate

SOC 334 Miscarriages of Justice (3 credits)

As a social institution created and staffed by humans, the legal system makes mistakes. From eyewitness misidentification to false confessions, prosecutorial misconduct to wrongful convictions, errors both large and small, intentional or not, happen with alarming frequency in the American legal system. This course will examine the breadth of the injustices across the system and what, if anything, can be done about them.

Attributes: Undergraduate

SOC 335 Classes and Power in US (3 credits)

Examines the social, economic, and political inequalities in the United States; analyzes causes of social stratification; studies social mobility and the existence of a power elite.

Attributes: Africana Studies Course, Criminal Justice Course, GEP Social Science, Undergraduate

SOC 338 Police and the Community (3 credits)

This course will examine factors contributing to cooperation or friction between law enforcement personnel and the community. Emphasis will be placed on political, social and economic forces which influence this. Policies addressing this problem will be reviewed.

Prerequisites: SOC 101 or SOC 102 or SOC 202 or SOC 150

Attributes: Criminal Justice Course, Undergraduate

SOC 340 The Ethical Consumer (3 credits)

The recent "ethical turn" in markets has led to a growing number of products that give proceeds to a charitable or altruistic cause. We see Pink Ribbons when we shop for a car, fair trade coffee at Wal-Mart, and product (RED) clothing at the GAP. Many of these products and brands are creating significant social change; others are "greenwashing" or "fairwashing" markets by making false promises. In this course we will read research from sociology, marketing, and psychology to understand the consumer behavior of individuals trying to change the world through shopping; we will examine the strengths and weaknesses of these "consumer-dependent" social movements; and we will examine the social forces that led "shopping for a cause" to become a modern means for creating social change. This course will conclude with an attempt to put our ideas into practice through group-projects designed to raise funds for local mission-driven businesses such as Cal's Cupcakes, Alex's Lemonade, or Fair Trade retailers.

Prerequisites: PHL 154

Attributes: American Studies Course, Ethics Intensive, GEP Social Science, Undergraduate

SOC 345 Law and Social Policy (3 credits)

An exploration of various dimensions of the relationship between law and social policy in contemporary U.S. society. In assessing how judicial opinions and legislative efforts affect social relations and institutional arrangements, inquiry is focused upon: (1) the ways in which social problems become defined as legal issues; (2) the forces which shape the initiation and ultimate formulation of legislative acts designed to affect public policy; (3) the role which cultural values and assumptions play in framing legal arguments and influencing judicial opinions and remedial programs; (4) the issue of compliance and the ways in which it is measured and enforced, and (5) the strengths and limitations of the law as a means of achieving specific social policy objectives.

Attributes: Criminal Justice Course, GEP Social Science, Justice Ethics and the Law , Undergraduate

SOC 349 Poverty Ethics & Social Policy (3 credits)

This course offers an overview of poverty in the United States, explores the ethical principles surrounding poverty and our response to it, and examines social policies that seek to ameliorate poverty. Students will work on a semester-long academic assignment which will engage them in one aspect of poverty and social policy.

Prerequisites: PHL 154 and (SOC 101 or SOC 102)

Attributes: Ethics Intensive, Undergraduate

SOC 353 Restorative Justice Practice (3 credits)

This course places restorative justice theory into practice. Students will learn and become proficient in several restorative practices including peacemaking circles, sentencing circles, restorative conferencing, reparative boards, youth aid panels and victim offender mediation. As an experiential course, students will participate in all of the practices throughout the semester. Some of these practices are hundreds of years old. Many criminal justice agencies see potential widespread application. The skills taught in this course can be used in any situation involving conflict.

Attributes: Criminal Justice Course, Undergraduate

SOC 355 Race, Crime & CJ (3 credits)

This course examines the topic of race and ethnicity in relation to crime and criminal justice processing. More specifically, we focus on several issues: 1) the role of privilege and marginalization in the context of race and ethnicity and the criminal justice system: 2) the impact of these factors on intergroup relationships generally and the responses of the criminal justice system to criminal behavior, victimization, and employment within the criminal justice field; 3) how the responses of the criminal justice system affect the lives of offenders, victims, and agents of the criminal justice system for various racial/ethnic groups; 4) the current patterns of crime and victimization in relation to race/ethnicity? In addressing these questions, it is important to note that this is an upper-level sociology/criminal justice course, so do not expect it to be lecture driven, although some lectures will be presented. Much of the course work will revolve around class discussions and written analysis of the readings.

Attributes: Africana Studies Course, Criminal Justice Course, Diversity Course, GEP Social Science, Undergraduate

SOC 356 Gender, Crime & CJ (3 credits)

An examination of the gendered nature of criminal victimization, offending, and criminal justice processing from a feminist sociological perspective. Students will read and critically evaluate in a seminar format feminist criminologists' analyses of topics such as fear of crime, gangs, prostitution, corporate violence against women, policing, and corrections. Special emphasis will be given to the intersections of gender, racial/ethnic and social class inequalities.

Attributes: Criminal Justice Course, Diversity Course, Gender Studies Course, GEP Social Science, Undergraduate

SOC 360 Sociology of Law (3 credits)

An analysis of contemporary theories of law; examines the statements of the main exponents of the consensus, pluralist, elitist, and dialectical models of law creation; focus also on the tie between the models and the social context in which they emerged and developed.

Attributes: Criminal Justice Course, GEP Social Science, Justice Ethics and the Law , Undergraduate

SOC 363 Race Relations in Philadelphia (3 credits)

The purpose of this course is to explore the topic of race relations with reference to a case study of Philadelphia. It is a unique course insofar as it directly addresses the issue of race in a multidisciplinary way, and it offers a unique opportunity to explore a topic and a city that are only dealt with indirectly in other courses. This course will explore the impact of race on social, economic, and political life in Philadelphia. Utilizing a socio-historical approach, it will focus on the work of W.E.B. DuBois and other social scientists who have documented the effects of race on Philadelphians in such diverse areas as housing, health care, employment, and family life.

Attributes: Africana Studies Course, Criminal Justice Course, Diversity Course, GEP Social Science, Undergraduate

SOC 365 Crime & Urban Communities (3 credits)

From the beginning of the study of sociology in the United States, sociologists have studied life within a community context, documenting how space matters. The physical and social aspects of neighborhoods affect how likely crime is to occur in them and how residents can fight this crime. In addition to learning how space affects crime, we will learn key theories and concepts which sociologists use in studying urban crime, we will discuss current major issues in crime such as re-entry, and we will study crime-fighting strategies.

Attributes: Africana Studies Course, Undergraduate

SOC 368 Cults as Social Movements (3 credits)

This course looks at the social psychology and the social movement aspect of selected cults. Questions that the course examines: What is a cult? Who joins cults? Why do people stay in cults? What is daily life in a cult like? What should we as a society do about cults? How do we study cults?

Attributes: Criminal Justice Course, GEP Social Science, Undergraduate

SOC 370 Special Topics (3 credits)

Topics will vary according to the semester in which the class is offered.

Attributes: Undergraduate

SOC 377 Inside-Out (3 credits)

This class offers a unique opportunity to have meaningful discussions about a range of topics from inside a correctional facility. Inside-Out classes bring together students from Saint Joseph's University and adult students who are incarcerated to learn about and discuss topics such as the causes of crime, racism, literature, philosophy, and restorative justice. Through the readings and dialogue, inside and outside students will be able to integrate their theoretical knowledge with lived experiences. It is through this exchange that we hope to critically analyze and challenge the current system in the U.S. that has resulted in a higher incarceration rate than other similar countries.

Attributes: Faith Justice Course, Justice Ethics and the Law , Service Learning Course, Undergraduate

SOC 378 Urban and Public Policy (3 credits)

This course will offer a foundation in how sociologists study cities and public policy. We will examine assets of cities and key areas of need that cities face (such as education, poverty, housing, and crime), and we will study policy options to improve cities and their larger metropolitan areas. These are broad policy areas of study, so we will hone in on specific policies. For example, we will explore how cities have formulated their initiatives to end homelessness, we will consider juvenile justice alternatives, and we will look at how cities can position themselves to be sustainable in the effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Attributes: Africana Studies Course, Criminal Justice Course, GEP Social Science, Undergraduate

SOC 386 Violence in Intimate Relations (3 credits)

Women and children have a higher probability of being seriously injured or killed by someone with whom they are intimately associated rather than by a stranger. This course will examine questions such as: What factors contribute to the prevalence of intimate violence in the U.S.? How does intimate violence differ across groups (e.g., by race/ethnicity, social class)? How are 456 various forms of intimate violence (i.e., partner abuse, child abuse, elder abuse) interrelated?

Attributes: Undergraduate

SOC 390 Special Topics (3 credits)

Attributes: Undergraduate

SOC 401 Higher Education Policy (3 credits)

What should students gain from college? How should higher education be funded? How is college connected to inequalities along racial, gender, class, and other lines, and what role should individual campuses play in mitigating those inequalities? Policy decisions shape each of these questions and their potential answers. In this course, we will examine contemporary higher education policy and connections to inequality. Topics will include financial aid, diversity, access to college, different types of college settings, and funding.

Attributes: Undergraduate

SOC 470 Special Topics (3 credits)

Course content determined by instructor. Past topics include: Extremist Movements, The Ethical Consumer, Feeding Philadelphia, Family Violence, and Interrogation.

Restrictions: Enrollment limited to students with a class of Senior. Enrollment is limited to students with a major in Criminal Justice or Sociology.

Attributes: Undergraduate

SOC 490 Internship (3 credits)

The student is placed according to his/her interests in a criminal justice, social service, or health care setting for a semester. In this way, he/she may apply classroom-acquired skills and knowledge while gaining practical work experience. Permission of internship director required.

Attributes: Criminal Justice Course, Undergraduate

SOC 491 Internship (1-6 credits)

Attributes: Undergraduate

SOC 494 Independent Research Sociology (3 credits)

SOC 495 Seminar I (3 credits)

This course is where students complete the required senior thesis. An Honors section is available for those students completing College Honors.

Prerequisites: SOC 313 and ENG 101

Attributes: Undergraduate, Writing Intensive Course- GEP

SOC 497 College Hon. Independent Study (3 credits)

College Honors candidates in Sociology will complete a second honors course during the Spring of the senior year (SOC 497) which includes research, extending the senior capstone experience beyond what non-Honor students complete.