Sociology

Chairperson: Mathew Schneirov Ph.D.

Sociology offers a greater understanding of the social structures and processes that underlie daily lives as well as the possibilities of social-scientific research to increase our ability to comprehend social dynamics and engage with the social world.

Duquesne's curriculum in Sociology provides a strong academic foundation. Our core coursework in Sociology emphasizes the study of social relations, groups, organizations, and societies, and provides solid groundwork in social theory and research methods. The overall curriculum provides the basic knowledge necessary for employment in in many types of social science-related occupations.

In addition to preparing students for employment in private and public social science sectors, these courses provide an excellent basis for further graduate study in sociology or other related academic disciplines. Sociology majors also develop skills for professional work in many fields beyond the social sciences.

These courses provide an excellent basis for further graduate study in sociology or other related academic disciplines. Sociology majors also develop skills for professional work in many fields beyond the social sciences.

Sociology majors learn:
• practical skills for employment within the fields of human services and civic engagement
• analytical tools to understand dynamics (inequality, conflict, value orientations) of social systems
• engagement in work for social justice, human rights, and "active citizenship"

Students who wish to specialize early in their careers may opt to take specific electives in two sociological concentrations: Criminal Justice and Social Justice & Policy. The Criminal Justice concentration provides substantive background for work or further education in the criminal justice field. A concentration in Social Justice and Policy prepares students for graduate programs in social science and for careers in government agencies, private research firms, health and human services, education, the non-profit sector as well as other opportunities in research, advocacy, administration or policy.

Teaching/Learning Goals

Upon completion of the sociology program, a Duquesne Sociology student will have achieved the following goals.

Understand the kinds of questions asked by sociologists and the substantive areas studied.
Achieve familiarity with the theoretical approaches used by sociologists.
Achieve understanding of Sociology’s research methods and quantitative techniques.
Acquire experience in using these methods and techniques in research projects designed by the student.
Understand the ways in which the inequalities and hierarchies of social class, race, gender and sexuality shape modern societies.
Have experiences in applying sociological methods and ideas in the local community.

Requirements for the Major

A minimum of 33 semester hours is required for the major and a minimum of 18 semester hours must be completed in residence at Duquesne University. Credit earned through Advanced Placement (AP) Exams, CLEP, and Credit-by-Exam may count as credits-in-residence. The major must be completed with a minimum grade point average of 2.0.

The following courses are required for all majors
SOCI 101 Survey of Sociology. 3 credits
SOCI 200W Classical Sociological Theory, 3 credits
SOCI 201 Research Methods, 3 credits
SOCI 202 Quantitative Analysis, 3 credits
SOCI 455W OR SOCI 456W Senior Seminar, 3 credits

Courses within the major should be scheduled in consultation with the student's faculty mentor. In addition, the major must complete Math 125 Fundamentals of Statistics, offered by the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science. This course may also satisfy the University Core requirement.

Concentrations in the Major

Majors may choose one of two areas of concentration: Criminal Justice, or Social Justice and Policy. Students may also choose to major in Sociology without a concentration and may choose the remaining 18 credits from any of the Department's course offerings.

Criminal Justice

This program provides the opportunity to develop knowledge and skills in preparation for advanced study or for career pursuits in areas including juvenile or adult probation, parole, law enforcement, investigation, corrections and research.

Required courses (18 credits)
SOCI 101 Survey of Sociology
SOCI 103 Introduction to Criminal Justice
SOCI 200W Classical Sociological Theory
SOCI 201 Sociological Methods I
SOCI 202 Sociological Methods II
SOCI 456W Senior Seminar - Criminal Justice

Nine of the remaining 15 credits may be selected from any of the following
211 Social Deviance
213 Criminology
216 Delinquency and Society
218 Treatment and Community Corrections
264 Police and Society
304 Introduction to Peace and Justice
312 The American Drug Problem
321 White Collar Crime
370 Gender, Crime and Justice
371 Race, Crime and Justice
409 Correctional Policy and Practice
421 Criminal Justice Policy
450 Fieldwork
454 Selected Readings

A minimum of six credits must be selected from other Departmental offerings. At least six credits should be selected from courses at the 300-level or above.

Social Justice and Policy

This concentration is designed for students who are interested in applying sociological theory and research to an understanding of social policy and its applications. It prepares students for advanced study or careers in such areas as urban planning, local government, not for profit organizations, and gerontology.

Required courses (18 credits)
SOCI 101 Survey of Sociology
SOCI 106 Social Problems and Social Policy
SOCI 200W Classical Sociological Theory
SOCI 201 Research Methods
SOCI 202 Quantitative Analysis
SOCI 455W Senior Seminar

Nine credits from the following
SOCI 208 Racial and Ethnic Groups
SOCI 215 Sociology of Media: From Print to Social Media
SOCI 217 Protest and Social Movements
SOCI 220 Environmental Sociology
SOCI 225 Family Systems
SOCI 304 Introduction to Peace and Justice
SOCI 305 Person and Society
SOCI 309 Social Stratification
SOCI 450 Fieldwork

The remaining six credits may be selected from any of the following: *
SOCI 315 Socialization and the Life Course
SOCI 318 Sociology of the City
404 The Social Landscape: Place, Space and Society
408 Population
409 Correctional Policy and Practice
415 Health, Illness, and Social Policy
416 Minorities and Public Policy
441 Healthcare Ethics and Public Policy
450 Fieldwork

Note: The above courses may be taken only during the student's junior or senior year.
*Students may petition the curriculum committee for a substitution if they encounter scheduling difficulties

Minors

For all minors a minimum of 6 semester hours of the minor must be completed in residence at Duquesne University. Credit earned through Advanced Placement (AP) Exams, CLEP, and Credit-by-Exam may count as credits-in-residence. There is no restriction on credit-sharing between majors and minors, the University Core Curriculum, or a School's or the College's Core Curriculum.
At least 3 credits to complete the minor must be taken at the 300 or 400 level at Duquesne.

All minors must be completed with a minimum grade point average of 2.0.

We require that students meet with the Department Chair in order to better plan their course selections. After receiving permission of the Department students must officially register for this Minor following the guidelines for their School. Liberal Arts students must register for the minor in DORI.

The Sociology minor is not available to Sociology Majors.
The Health and Human Services and the Criminal Justice Minors are available to Sociology Majors.

The Sociology Minor

Learning Objectives:
The Minor in Sociology is intended to provide a brief background in the same essential knowledge, substantive application and general perspectives provided in our Sociology major. In addition, the minor will foster critical thinking about society and culture.
To minor in Sociology, students must complete a minimum of 15 credit hours, which must include 101 Survey of Sociology. Students are encouraged to take nine of these credits at the 200 level or above. Students are required to take at least three credits at the 300 or 400 level. Students should design their minor in consultation with a Sociology Mentor.

The Criminal Justice Minor and Certificate

The certificate differs from the minor only in the additional requirement of three credits of fieldwork.

Learning Objectives:
The Criminal Justice Minor and Certificate are intended to provide a baseline in the essential knowledge, substantive application and general perspectives provided in our Major Concentration in Criminal Justice. In addition, the Criminal Justice Minor will take a conceptual approach to the material and will foster critical thinking about crime and the criminal justice system. Essential knowledge about criminal justice includes understanding the relationship between crime and society (covered in Theories of Crime courses). This knowledge is situated in substantive applications to social problems and policy, societal dynamics and institutions, and the operation of the criminal justice system (covered in our electives). Finally, this minor provides students with a sociological perspective in understanding how crime and criminal justice systems are related to social inequality and social justice (covered in most offerings but assured by the two inequality course requirements).

One required course
103 Introduction to Criminal Justice

One of the following Inequality-themed courses
208 Racial and Ethnic Groups
210 Sociology of Sex and Gender
309 Social Stratification
321 White Collar Crime
370 Gender, Crime and Justice
371 Race, Crime and Justice

One of the following Theories of Crime courses
211 Social Deviance
213 Criminology
216 Delinquency and Society

Two of the following Sociology courses
211 Social Deviance
213 Criminology
216 Delinquency and Society
218 Treatment and Community Corrections
264 Police and Society
304 Introduction to Peace and Justice
312 The American Drug Problem
321 White Collar Crime
370 Gender, Crime and Justice
371 Race, Crime and Justice
409 Correctional Policy and Practice
421 Criminal Justice Policy
450 Fieldwork (3 credits in criminal justice related placement)*

Students are required to take six credits at the 200 level or above and are encouraged to take 3 credits at the 300-400 level.

Note that courses from other Departments may be cross-listed as electives, where appropriate

Six credits may double count toward the Sociology Major.

*Fieldwork: Must have completed 12 credits in criminal justice class work. Requires an internship in a community setting directly related to criminology and the criminal justice system. Fieldwork combines independent study under a faculty mentor with an internship placement in a local organization. A minimum of 5 hours in placement per week (or 75 hours per semester) and one hour of meetings with the instructor per week (or 15 hours per semester) is required for 3 credits.

Neither the minor or certificate are available to Sociology Majors with a Criminal Justice Concentration.

Health and Human Services Minor and Certificate

This interdisciplinary program is based in the Departments of Sociology and Psychology. Students will take required courses in Sociology and Psychology, as well as elective courses in Health Sciences, Ethics, Philosophy, or History.

The certificate differs from the minor only in the additional requirement of three credits of fieldwork.

Both allow students to choose from one of three distinct tracks: gerontology, human services or medical health. Each has two required courses plus 9 credits of approved electives, including at least one course from the School of Health Sciences. (Up to 6 credits can be shared with a student's major)

Gerontology:
SOCI 101 Survey of Sociology or PSYC 101 Intro to Psychology
SOCI 203 Sociology of Aging or PSYC 325 Developmental Psych: Adulthood & Aging
9 credits of approved electives

Human Services:
SOCI 101 Survey of Sociology or PSYC 101 Intro to Psychology
SOCI 219 Introduction to Human Services or SOCI 214 Helping Process
Nine credits of approved electives

Medical Health:
SOCI 101 Survey of Sociology or PSYC 101 Intro to Psychology
SOCI 207 Sociology of Health & Illness or PSYC 252 Psychological Disorders
Nine credits of approved electives

Courses

Rangos School of Health Sciences Courses
PBHL 201 Intro to Public Health
PBHL 205 Intro to International Public Health
PBHL 318 Healthcare Delivery & Organization
HADM 101 Intro to Healthcare Administration
HADM 308 Intro to Health Information Management
HADM 311W Healthcare Law and Policy
HADM 402 Quality and Performance Improvement (only for Health Management Systems students)
HLTS 200 Disparities in Health Care (only for Health Sciences students)
OCCT 305 Foundations & Concepts of OT (only for OT students)
OCCT 310 Occupational Performance across the Lifespan (only for OT students)
OCCT 416 Fundamentals of Practice (only for OT students)
SLP 245 Disabilities across the World: Search for Dignity

Sociology
SOCI 101 Survey of Sociology
SOCI 203 Sociology of Aging
SOCI 207 Sociology of Health & Illness
SOCI 214 The Helping Process
SOCI 219 Introduction to Human Services
SOCI 315 Socialization & the Life Course
SOCI 408 Population
SOCI 411 Aging and Mental Health
SOCI 415 Health, Illness & Social Policy
SOCI 441 Healthcare Ethics & Public Policy
SOCI 450 Fieldwork* (3 credits)

Psychology
PSYC 101 Intro to Psychology
PSYC 225W Developmental Psychology: Childhood & Adolescence
(not for Gerontology track)
PSYC 228 Psychology of Personality
PSYC 252 Psychological Disorders
PSYC 324 Perspectives on Disability and Illness
PSYC 354 Psychology of Social/Cultural Diversity
PSYC 325 Developmental Psychology: Adulthood and Aging
PSYC 390 Internship in Psychology (3 credits)

History
HIST 222 Flatlined: History and Politics of U.S. Healthcare

English
ENGL 316W Literature in Medicine

Philosophy
PHIL 314 Philosophy of Aging

Ethics Courses
(only one of the following ethics courses will count for the minor)
HCE 240 Bioethics: African Perspectives
HCE 330 Global Bioethics
HCE 412 Who Decides When I’m Ill?
THEO 253 Health Care Ethics (Theology)
PHIL 254 Health Care Ethics: Philosophy