Department of Sociology, Social Work and Criminal Justice

Chair and Professor: Pierson

Professor: Aho

Associate Professors: Brackenridge, Hunter, Leavitt

Assistant Professor: Crue

Emeriti:  Bryan, Sarraf

The Department of Sociology, Social Work and Criminal Justice offers courses leading to the Bachelor of Arts degree in sociology or social work and the Master of Arts degrees in sociology. For a full description of the M.A. degrees refer to the Graduate Catalog.

Sociology deals with social institutions, activities, and patterns of behavior of diverse groups. The challenge for sociologists is to sort out trends and to find ways to resolve the conflicts between groups of people. The sociology major provides students with background in the basic theoretical, research, and substantive areas of the discipline. The field of sociology leads to an understanding of the social forces impinging upon one's life and can lead to careers in many diverse settings.

The social work program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education for the preparation of bachelor's-level social work practitioners. This program emphasizes a generic base for beginning professional social work practice. The goals of the program are to prepare the student for competent entry-level social work practice and for graduate education in social work or other helping professions.

Outcome Objectives

Sociology:
1.    To gain a well-rounded knowledge of the fields of the discipline.
2.    To develop an understanding of how sociologists think, gather information, process data and reach tentative conclusions.
3.    To sort out trends in social data.
4.    To assist in conflict resolution between groups of people in society.
5.    To engage in problem solving based on varying patterns of behavior of diverse groups.
6.    To be exposed to a rich variety of perspectives and ideas.
7.    To prepare for a career after graduation that is related to the sociology major.

Bachelor of Arts in Sociology

Required Courses for Graduation

The following courses representing the core of the discipline are required. Sociology majors must attain a grade of "C" or better in the following required courses:

SOC 101         Introduction to Sociology             3 cr
SOC 206         Sociological Methods                  3 cr
SOC 207         Social Statistics                     3 cr
SOC 301         Classical Social Theory               3 cr
SOC g403        Contemporary Sociological Theory      3 cr
SOC g462        Social Stratification                 3 cr
SOC 490         Senior Seminar                        1 cr
                                              TOTAL: 19 cr

Elective Courses

In addition to the required courses, students are expected to complete 18 credit hours from any of the remaining courses in the Sociology curriculum excluding SOC g482. Fifteen of the elective credit hours must be upper division.

Minor in Sociology

Required Courses

SOC 101         Introduction to Sociology             3 cr
SOC 206         Social Research                       3 cr
SOC 301         Classical Social Theory               3 cr
SOC g462        Social Stratification                 3 cr
                                              TOTAL: 12 cr

Elective Courses (9 credits)

With the approval of a Department of Sociology faculty member, the student shall select nine credit hours from any of the electives listed for the sociology major.

Bachelor of Arts in Social Work

The Social Work Program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education at the Baccalaureate level. As such it provides students with a generalist framework for beginning professional social work practice. Social workers help individuals, families, groups, and communities meet basic human needs and enhance the quality of life.

Outcome Objectives
The objectives of the social work program are:

1. Preparation of students for beginning generalist social work practice with individuals, families, small groups, organizations and communities.
2. Preparation of students to develop an identity which will incorporate the values, principles and ethics of the social work profession.
3. Preparation of students as beginning social work generalists who link social research and social work practice.
4. Preparation of students for lifelong learning and critical thinking through an educational process combining a liberal arts foundation and professional foundation.
5. Preparation of students to work with diverse, vulnerable, oppressed and disadvantaged populations.

As a graduate of the program, the student is eligible to apply for licensure as a social worker to the State of Idaho. Many excellent career opportunities for social workers are available in the areas of family and children's services, adult and juvenile corrections, health care, community mental health and services for senior citizens.

Admission to the Social Work Program

Application for admission to the Social Work Program is required of all students desiring to progress toward a social work major. Admission to the Social Work Program is competitive. Students may apply to the major at the completion of the sophomore year and after completing SOWK 271 and SOWK 272.  Students will be evaluated using grades in pre-professional courses and overall grade point average. A minimum grade point average of 2.5 is required

The following criteria must be met for an applicant to be eligible for consideration for admission to the social work major:

1. Completion of a minimum of 61 credit hours with a minimum GPA of 2.5 for the semester at the time of application.
2. Completion of the following goals and departmental requirements: Goals 1, 2, 3, 4, 11 and 12, SOC 248, SOWK 271 and SOWK 272 with a minimum grade of “C” in each course.
3. Maintenance of the 2.5 minimum GPA from the time of application until the semester of admission to the major.
4. Completion of the Application for admission to Social Work Major (submit it to the Social Work Admissions Committee with a 5-7 page type written statement which addresses job history, prior life experiences, your commitment to the social work profession, ethical standards, and factors in your life which have led to your choice of a career, and an unofficial copy of your transcript).
5. Completion of a Declaration of Major form including the name of assigned advisor.

Application Deadline

The above admission procedures must be completed and submitted to the Department of Social Work prior to February 15 of the year the student if seeking admission. The first professional year begins in the fall semester.

The Social Work Program does not grant credit for previous life experience.

All social work majors are required to meet the above standards before they may enroll in upper division social work courses (those numbered 300 and above).  Pre-social work students enrolled in upper division courses without admission to the major will be withdrawn until major admission requirements have been met.

General Education Requirements

Students pursuing the Bachelor of Arts in Social Work must complete Goals 19, Goals 10A and 10B and Goals 1112. Certain goals may be met using Social Work Program requirements; for example:

Goal 3: MATH 108 (Intermediate Algebra) and MATH 253 (Introduction to Statistics);

Goal 4: BIOL 100 (Concepts Biology: Human Concerns);

Goal 11: ECON 100 (Economic Issues);

Goal 12: PSYC 101 (Introduction to Psychology).

Departmental Requirements

SOC 101         Introduction to Sociology             3 cr
SOC 207         Social Statistics                     3 cr
AMST/SOC 248    Social Diversity                      3 cr
SOC 301         Classical Social Theory               3 cr

Social Work Requirements

SOWK 271        Introduction to Social Work           3 cr
SOWK 272        Human Behavior and the
                  Social Environment                  3 cr
SOWK 308        Social Work Research                  3 cr
SOWK 371        Social Welfare Policy                 3 cr
SOWK 372        Practice with Individuals 
                  and Families                        3 cr
SOWK 373        Group Work                            3 cr
SOWK 476        Social Work Field Practicum I         6 cr
SOWK 477        Social Work Field Practicum II        6 cr
SOWK 497        Community Organization 
                  and Social Change                   3 cr
SOWK 498        Integration of Social Work Methods    3 cr

An additional six units of course work from any sociology, anthropology or social work courses are required. Upper division courses are those numbered 300400. Social Work students must attain a C or better grade in departmental and social work requirements.

Social Work Electives Include:

SOWK g482       Independent Problems                  6 cr
SOWK g491       Seminar                               3 cr

Admission to 400 Level Courses

Admission to the senior field courses (SOWK 476477) is contingent upon completion of the following:

1. Completion of SOWK 308, SOWK 371, SOWK 372 and SOC 207 with a minimum GPA of 2.5;
2. Maintenance of GPA to senior year at the 2.5 level;
3. Submission of form applying for senior field experience;
4. Interview by program senior field placement committee prior to notification of field agencies.

Associate of Arts in Criminal Justice

This two-year degree program provides two career goal options. Option A, Law Enforcement, is for those who are, or are seeking to be, law enforcement officers. Option B, Female Corrections, is for those interested in a career working in correctional institutions and agencies which serve female offenders. Graduates from either option of this program will have fulfilled the majority of the General Education Requirements applicable to a four-year degree.

Option A, Law Enforcement, recognizes that many law enforcement agencies encourage or require personnel to obtain a higher education in order to better meet increased demands to perform more effectively in the face of complex legal, social, political and economic situations. For admission into Option A, a person must have been admitted as a student in the College of Arts and Sciences at ISU and must immediately contact one of the Criminal Justice Program Advisors to declare a major. The advisor is Dr. John Leveille, Sociology.

Option B, Female Corrections, provides an academic background specifically directed at issues associated with correctional approaches toward female offenders. This program is based on the premise that correctional workers should truly be able to provide corrective assistance in mathematics, English, and the various sciences in addition to fulfilling the more traditional custodial tasks. Admission into Option B requires three letters of reference, a minimum of 3.0 GPA, and a formal interview with the Criminal Justice Advisors prior to the declaration of a major.

Required Courses

I. General Education Requirements (45 credits minimum), as listed in the catalog excepting as specified for Goals 10A, 10B, 11, and 12 provided below.

Goal 10A

ANTH 238        Peoples and Cultures of the New World 3 cr

Goal 10B

SPAN 101-102    Elementary Spanish                    8 cr
           OR
                Satisfactory completion of a 
                language proficiency examination.

Goal 11

POLS 101        Introduction to American Government   3 cr

Goal 12

SOC 102         Social Problems                       3 cr
* Or approved substitutes

II. Social Science Requirements (24 credits)

Option A — Law Enforcement

POLS 248*       Politics and the 
                  Administration of Justice           3 cr
POLS 249        Introduction to Criminal Law          3 cr
PSYC 200*       Child Abuse                           3 cr
SOC 102         Social Problems                       3 cr
SOC 231         Juvenile Delinquency                  3 cr
SOC 248         Local and National Minorities         3 cr
SOC 295         Criminal Justice Internship         1-4 cr

Option B — Female Corrections

POLS 248*       Politics and the 
                  Administration of Justice           3 cr
PSYC 200*       Child Abuse                           3 cr
SOC 248         Local and National Minorities         3 cr
SOC 250         Women, Crime/Corrections              3 cr
SOC 295**       Criminal Justice Internship         1-4 cr
W S 201         Introduction to Women's Studies       3 cr
* Or approved substitutes

BOTH OPTIONS:
Two additional electives to be taken with consent of advisor.     
**The Criminal Justice Internship provides an option for those who seek 
careers outside of law enforcement or women's correctional facilities. 
Credits for this course can also be obtained as described below.

General Information

Please note the following guidelines:

1. Students enrolled in Option A who have certificates in law enforcement from the ISU College of Technology may transfer 12 credits of general electives into the Associate of Arts Criminal Justice degree.
2. Students enrolled in Option A who have completed the Idaho Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Academy may obtain six credits of general electives which may be applied toward the AA degree.
3. Students Enrolled in Option B who have completed the Correctional Officer Standards and Training (COST) Academy may obtain six credits of general electives which may be applied toward the AA degree.
4. Students who do not meet the criterion for 1, 2, or 3 above, must arrange individual field internships or have other internship experience approved by the Criminal Justice Advisors.

Sociology Courses

SOC 101 Introduction to Sociology 3 credits. Introduction to the scientific point of view in the study of group life, social institutions, and processes. Satisfies Goal 12 of the General Education Requirements. F, S

SOC 102 Social Problems 3 credits. Theoretical analyses and application of research to selected social issues and social institutions such as politics, economics, education, medicine, families, the military, crime and corrections, religion and related major social forces. Satisfies Goal 12 of the General Education Requirements. F, S

SOC 206 Sociological Methods 3 credits. Introduces the principles and procedures of scientific research and includes a variety of strategies and tools for studying social phenomena. F

SOC 207 Social Statistics 3 credits. A survey of statistical techniques focusing on descriptive statistics, hypothesis testing and correlations. Students work in computer labs and use SPSS-PC to produce descriptive and summary statistics for large data sets. PREREQ: MATH 253. S

SOC 231 Juvenile Delinquency 3 credits. Theories of delinquency, criminal behavior, and law enforcement in relation to the modern social institutions in American culture. PREREQ: SOC 101 or SOC 102. F, S

SOC 248 Social Diversity 3 credits. Examines selected theories and research concerning how race, class, gender and ethnicity intersect in and affect the lives and cultures of the peoples in the United States historically and in contemporary society. S

SOC 250 Women, Crime and Corrections 3 credits. Analysis of theories and research applicable to women's involvement in crime, correctional centers and in professional roles in the criminal justice system. PREREQ: SOC 102. S

SOC 295 Criminal Justice Internship 1-4 credits. Required reading assignments and daily journal to be completed. Maximum of four credits per semester. May be repeated for up to 6 credits. PREREQ: Permission of instructor. F, S, Su

SOC 301 Classical Social Theory 3 credits. A survey of the foundation of sociological thought from the Enlightenment to 1945. The focus is on the recurring themes in sociology and the importance of classical theory to understanding contemporary sociological theory and current social issues. PREREQ: SOC 101. F, S

SOC 321 Families in American Society 3 credits. American families in social-historical contexts. Contemporary issues confronting families as social institutions and impact of family interaction dynamics. Crosslisted as CFS 321. PREREQ: SOC 101 or permission of instructor. F

SOC 330 Sociology of Health and Illness 3 credits. Sociological examination of health and illness including historical and cultural variations, health care and physician-patient issues. S

SOC 335 Population and Environment 3 credits. The scientific study of population and its environmental consequences. AF

SOC 366 The Community 3 credits. Examines selected theories of community origins, characteristics, structures, boundaries, and change. Analyze methods of studying various aspects of communities. PREREQ: SOC 101. F

SOC 368 The Sociology of Religion 3 credits. Contemporary issues as they relate to religion. The relationship of religion to other social institutions. Religious experience and mysticism. Prophecy and its routinization. Cults and religious dissent. PREREQ: SOC 101. F

SOC g403 Contemporary Sociological Theory 3 credits. Survey and appraisal of sociological theories since 1945: structural functionalism, rational choice, conflict, symbolic interactionism, and phenomenology. PREREQ: SOC 301. S

SOC g408 Advanced Sociological Methods 3 credits. Emphasizes advanced techniques in research design, data measurement, and multivariate analysis utilizing computer application. PREREQ: SOC 206 and SOC 207. AS

SOC g413 Mind, Body and Society 3 credits. Symbolic interaction and its relation to selfhood, sympathy, illness, sexuality, and addiction; and to groupings like enemies, communities, and associations. PREREQ: SOC 101. F

SOC g431 Criminology 3 credits. Analysis of criminal law, law enforcement, judicial roles and processes, correctional approaches, the criminal offender and societal reactions. Theory and research as applicable to behavior and institutional relations. PREREQ: SOC 101 or SOC 102. S

SOC g450 Developing Societies 3 credits. A survey of the sociological, political and economic aspects of the quest for development world-wide. Theories of development, consequences and obstacles facing less developed countries, and the implications of globalization for the developed and developing world will be emphasized. S

SOC g462 Social Stratification 3 credits. Theories and methodology of status systems; the relation of class to the social structure; analysis of class in different societies, with emphasis upon the class system and power. PREREQ: SOC 101 or permission of instructor. S

SOC g482 Independent Problems 1-4 credits. Consultation course consisting of independent student effort under the guidance of the instructor. May be repeated for up to 6 credits. PREREQ: Permission of instructor. D

SOC 483 Directed Readings 1-4 credits. Consultation, discussion and preparation of selected topics consisting of independent student effort under the guidance of the instructor. May be repeated for up to 6 credits with different content. PREREQ: Permission of instructor. D

SOC 490 Senior Seminar 1 credit. A capstone course for majors emphasizing empirical research that integrates sociological theory with methods and data analysis. PREREQ: 90 credits and SOC 206, SOC 207 and SOC 301. S

SOC g491 Topics in Sociology 3 credits. Readings, discussion, and preparation of reports on selected topics. May be repeated for up to 9 credits with different content. D

Social Work Courses

SOWK 271 Introduction to Social Work 3 credits. Introduction to social welfare institutions, social work profession, practice approaches, occupational contexts, and historical development of social welfare. Designed for students considering a career in social work or related fields. F, S

SOWK 272 Human Behavior and the Social Environment 3 credits. Survey of human development from conception through adulthood. Focus is on the social context within which the bio-psycho-social development occurs using systems theory as a framework. F, S

SOWK 308 Social Work Research 3 credits. Basic elements of the scientific method and research on human behavior. Examination of various research designs and techniques utilized in the field. PREREQ: Admission to Social Work major. F

SOWK 371 Social Welfare Policy 3 credits. Social policies are created as society's strategy for addressing social problems such as unemployment, poverty, mental illness. Programs and policies are re-examined to understand strengths and weaknesses. PREREQ: Admission to Social Work major. S

SOWK 372 Practice with Individuals and Families 3 credits. Presents generic base of skills utilizing systems theory. Interviewing methods, problem identification, assessment, treatment planning, implementation and evaluation are examined in use with families and individuals. PREREQ: Admission to Social Work major. F, S

SOWK 373 Group Work 3 credits. Group theory, process and dynamics and their application to practice. Designing, facilitating and terminating groups using a generic skills base. PREREQ: Admission to Social Work major. F, S

SOWK g417 Interdisciplinary Evaluation Team 1 credit. Introduction to principles, techniques of interdisciplinary evaluation. Disciplines emphasized: Audiology, Nursing, Physical Therapy, Psychology, Social Work, Special Education, Speech-Language Pathology. Cross-listed as NURS g417, PSYC g417, CSED g417. PREREQ: Permission of instructor. S

SOWK 476 Social Work Field Practicum I  6 credits. Field experience in a social service agency under direct supervision of licensed social worker. Minimum of 200 hours of field instruction and weekly seminar. PREREQ: Admission to Senior Practicum. F, S

SOWK 477 Social Work Field Practicum II 6 credits. Field experience in a social service agency under direct supervision of licensed social worker. Minimum of 200 hours of field instruction and weekly seminar. PREREQ: Admission to Senior Practicum. F, S

SOWK g482 Independent Problems 1-6 credits. Consultation course. May be repeated for up to 6 credits. PREREQ: 12 credits in Social Work and permission of instructor. D

SOWK g491 Seminar 3 credits. Reading, discussion, and preparation of reports on selected topics. May be repeated for up to 9 credits with different content. PREREQ: Permission of instructor. D

SOWK 498 Integration of Social Work Methods 3 credits. Integration of advanced skills and theory involved in working with individuals, families, groups, and communities. Focus on work with poor, elderly, minorities, and women. PREREQ: Senior level in Social Work major. F, S

IDAHO STATE UNIVERSITY Academic Information  Contact: webmaster@isu.edu Revised: June 2004