Department of Sociology, Social Work and Criminal Justice
Chair and Professor: Hunter
Professors: Aho, Leavitt, Pierson
Associate Professors: Brackenridge, Hooper
Assistant Professors: Crue, Hearn, Jensen-Hart, Williams
Affiliate Faculty: Adamcik, Cellucci
Emeriti: Bryan, Sarraf
The Department of Sociology, Social Work and Criminal Justice
offers courses leading to the Associate of Arts in Criminal Justice, the Bachelor of Arts in Sociology, the Bachelor of Arts in Social Work, and the Master of Arts degrees in Sociology. For a full
description of the M.A. degree, 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 all required and elective 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
TOTAL: 18 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:
- Preparation of students for beginning generalist social work
practice with individuals, families, small groups, organizations and
communities.
- Preparation of students to develop an identity which will
incorporate the values, principles and ethics of the social work
profession.
- Preparation of students as beginning social work generalists
who
link social research and social work practice.
- Preparation of students for lifelong learning and critical
thinking through an educational process combining a liberal arts
foundation and professional foundation.
- 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:
- Completion of a minimum of 61 credit
hours with a minimum GPA of 2.5 for the semester at the time of
application.
- Completion of the following goals
and departmental requirements: Goals 1, 3, 4, 11 and 12, SOC 248,
SOWK 271 and SOWK 272 with a minimum grade of “C” in each course.
- Maintenance of the 2.5 minimum GPA
from the time of application until the semester of admission to the
major.
- Completion of the Application for admission to Social Work Major
along with a $30 application fee, submitted to the Social Work
Admissions Committee with a 3-5 page (typed and double-spaced) statement
explaining why you would like to be a social worker and why you might be
a good fit for the Social work Program at Idaho State University (you
may want to consider your life experiences, educational background,
specific personal skills, commitment to the social work profession, job
history, and any other relevant information), and an unofficial copy of
your transcript.
- Students must have a background
check performed by the Public Safety Office at Idaho State University
(call (208) 282-2515). The cost to the student is approximately
$50. The criminal history check must be "in progress" or completed
before application is submitted. A background check conducted by the
Department of Health & Welfare within six months of application to
the Social work program is acceptable. Senior practicum agencies may
require an additional background check. For further information, please
refer to the Faculty/Staff Handbook at http://www.isu.edu/fs-handbook/part6/6_4/6_4o.html .
- Completion of a Declaration of Major
form.
Application Deadline
The above admission procedures must be completed
and
submitted to the Department of Social Work prior to February
15 for Fall semester admission, and prior to October 1 for Spring semester admission.
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 1-9, Goals 10A and 10B and Goals 11-12. 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
SOC 248 Social Diversity 3 cr
PSYC 301 Abnormal Psychology 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 494 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 g485 Grieving 3 cr
SOWK g486 Family Issues in Social Work 3 cr
SOWK g491 Seminar* 3 cr
*May be repeated; with different content, up to 9 credits may be used toward graduation)
Admission to 400 Level Courses
Admission to the senior field courses (SOWK 476477) is contingent
upon completion of the following:
- Completion of SOWK 308, SOWK 371, SOWK 372, SOWK 373, and SOC 207 with a
minimum GPA of 2.5;
- Maintenance of GPA to senior year at the 2.5 level;
- Submission of form applying for senior field experience;
- 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 Idaho State University and must immediately contact
one of the Criminal Justice Program Advisors to declare a major.
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:
- Students enrolled in Option A who have certificates in law
enforcement from the Idaho State University College of Technology may transfer 12 credits
of general electives into the Associate of Arts Criminal Justice degree.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
The Department offers courses in Sociology and in Social Work.
Sociology Courses (SOC Prefix)
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 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 g467 Community Networking: Cultivating the Sociological Imagination 3 credits. Advanced
study of the sociology of community through readings, class
discussions, lectures, and a community networking internship. S
SOC g482 Sociology Internship 1-3 credits. Apply
sociological principles in such ways as assisting the supervising
professor with a lower-level course, conducting study groups, or small
group instruction. Credits not applicable toward the major. May be
repeated for up to 6 credits. PREREQ: Permission of instructor; junior
status; minimum of 12 hours and 3.0 GPA in Sociology. D
SOC 483 Independent Problems in Sociology 1-4 credits. Readings,
observations, applied work, or data analysis in content area not offered in our
curriculum. May be repeated for up to 6 credits. PREREQ:
Permission of the instructor; junior status; minimum of 12 hours
and 3.0 GPA in sociology. D
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 Prefix)
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: SOWK 372 and 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: Permission of Department. COREQ: SOWK 498. 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: Permission of Department. COREQ: SOWK 498. 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 485 Grieving 3 credits. Preparation for working with grieving clients. Philosophical, cultural, medical, and psychological aspects of grieving. S
SOWK 486 Family Issues in Social Work 3 credits.
Advanced course in understanding of families and family issues.
Techniques for assessment and intervention, drawn from various current
theories. F
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 494 Community Organization and Social Change 3 credits. Practice
skills related to understanding and working in the community. Focus is
on social action and social change. PREREQ: Senior level in social Work
major. F
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. PREREQ OR COREQ: SOWK 476 or SOWK 477. F, S
