Sociology, Social Work and Criminal Justice

Sociology

Program Director: Dr. Chiung-Fang Chang

Location: 53 Maes Building

Phone: (409) 880-7621

The mission of the Sociology program is to provide undergraduates with scientific knowledge of the structures, forms, and dynamics of human interaction within a broadly based liberal arts education. The program emphasizes the research methods used to acquire data, test hypotheses, conduct analyses, and evaluate information. In addition students are prepared to critically consider social problems such as crime, unemployment, violence, urban decay, poverty, discrimination, and social inequality. In our complex, technical and multicultural world, sociology equips students to understand the importance of empirical research from which to evaluate societal needs and inform public policy.

Sociology is the study of social life, social change, and the causes and consequences of human behavior. Sociology’s subject matter ranges from the intimate family to the hostile mob, from crime to religion, from the division of race and social class to the shared beliefs of a common culture, from the sociology of religion to the sociology of education.  Students majoring in sociology have established careers in such areas as law, business administration, health, politics, urban planning, city government, counseling and human resources, advertising and marketing, public relations and the media, criminal justice, education, and the nonprofit sector.  Our program offers majors a solid foundation in sociological theory, research methods, data analysis skills, and sufficient knowledge in the fields of criminology, gender, culture, social movement, social psychology, marriage and family, and education, amongst others, that will provide students with training and skills for the workforce or advanced studies upon graduation. We also offer a minor in Sociology which allow students to take the courses that are most appropriate to coordinate with their major and career aspirations.

The program is committed to baccalaureate study which creates liberating educational experiences for each major. Under the personal and concerned guidance of faculty, students matriculate in one of two baccalaureate programs – the Bachelor of Science (B.S.) or the Bachelor of Arts (B.A.).  The Bachelor of Science degree is designed for students whose interests are more quantitative, while the Bachelor of Arts offers a traditional liberal arts education.

Bachelor of Science – Sociology Major

1. General Requirements:Meet the university’s core curriculum requirements for a bachelor’s degree with Math requirement of MATH 1314 or higher, plus PSYC 2471 or MATH 1342.
2. Major: 37 credit hours to include:
   • SOCI 4380 – Research Methods
   • SOCI 4385 – Social Data Analysis
   • SOCI 4390 – Social Theory
   • SOCI 4110 – Proseminar
     And TWO of the following elective courses:
   • SOCI 3306 – Race and Ethnic Relations
   • SOCI 3310 – Sociology of Gender
   • SOCI 3365 – Social Stratification
   • SOCI 4310 – Population Problems
3. Departmental Requirements: 9 credit hours to include three career development courses (CDCs) with approval by advisor, two of which must be at an advanced level.
4. Minor: An approved minor of 18 credit hours, 12 of which must be at an advanced level. Or, 18 credit hours of electives from other fields combined, 12 of which must be at an advanced level.
5. Electives: Sufficient approved electives of 6 credit hours to satisfy university minimum hour requirements for graduation, 3 of which must be at an advanced level.

Suggested Program of Study – Total Min. Hours: 120

Bachelor of Arts – Sociology Major

The degree of Bachelor of Arts in Sociology will be awarded upon completion of the following requirements:

1. General Requirements: Meet the university’s core curriculum requirements for a bachelor’s degree with:
   • Math requirement: MATH 1314 or higher, plus PSYC 2471 or MATH 1342.
   • Completion of foreign language courses including 2312 course (12 credit hours).
   • Completion of English Literature courses (6 credit hours).
2. Major: 37 credit hours to include:
   • SOCI 4380 – Research Methods
   • SOCI 4385 – Social Data Analysis
   • SOCI 4390 – Social Theory
   • SOCI 4110 – Proseminar
     And TWO of the following elective courses:
   • SOCI 3306 – Race and Ethnic Relations
   • SOCI 3310 – Sociology of Gender
   • SOCI 3365 – Social Stratification
   • SOCI 4310 – Population Problems
3. Minor: An approved minor of 18 credit hours, 12 of which must be at an advanced level.

Suggested Program of Study – Total Min. Hours: 120

Minor in Sociology

Total of 18 hours required for the minor. No grade less than “C”.

Two required courses from lower division: SOCI 1301 Introduction to Sociology, SOCI 1306 Social Problems or SOCI 2301 Marriage and the Family

Four courses from upper division: Two required courses (SOCI 4380 Research Methods and SOCI 4390 Social Theory) and two of the following elective courses: SOCI 3306 Race and Ethnic Relations, SOCI 3310 Sociology of Gender, SOCI 3326 Social Psychology and Human Interaction, SOCI 3330 Urban Sociology, SOCI 3360 Social Stratification, SOCI 3380 Criminology, SOCI 4310 Population Problems, SOCI 4320 Sociology of Education, SOCI 4330 Sociology of Family, SOCI 4340 Social Change and Movement, SOCI 4350 Sociology of Religion, Any other approved, advanced-level sociology courses

Social Work

Program Director: Dr. Michael Sullivan.

Location: 56A Maes Building

Phone: (409) 880-8552

The Lamar University Social Work Program prepares graduates for generalist social work practice. The program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education which entitles the BSW graduate to apply for licensure as a Licensed Baccalaureate Social Worker (LBSW). The primary mission of the social work profession is to enhance well-being and help meet the basic human needs of all people, with particular attention to the needs and empowerment of people who are vulnerable, oppressed, and living in poverty. Social workers promote social justice and social change with, and on behalf of, individuals, families, groups, organizations and communities (National Association of Social Workers Code of Ethics). The research/training interests of Lamar’s social work faculty include family violence, child welfare, multicultural practice, developmental disabilities, adolescent development and program evaluation.

Bachelor of Social Work

The Bachelor of Social Work (BSW), which prepares students for entry-level professional social work practice, will be awarded upon completion of the following requirements:

1. General Core Curriculum: 48-49 credit hours. See Philosophy of Knowledge Core Curriculum, section 6.4.1. The lab science courses must be 4 credits each. Math requirement: MATH 1314 plus a statistics course (MATH 1342 or PSYC 2471).
2. Major: 49 credit hours to include - SOWK 2361, 2371, 3300, 3310, 3320, 3330, 3340, 3350, 3360, 4321, 4324, 4380 plus four seminar selectives (SOWK 4320).
3. Departmental Requirements: 12 credit hours - SOCI 1306 or higher, Criminal Justice, Anthropology, Approved Elective 3000 level or higher
4. Field Practicum Prerequisites: Students must have completed: SOWK 2361, 2371, HBSE l, Practice l, and Special Topics Seminar (SOWK 4100-1 cr/hr) and must have completed or be concurrently enrolled in Social & Economic Justice, Practice ll, HBSE ll, Practice lll. Field students must be a SOWK major in good standing with a GPA > 2.5 in Social Work Courses & overall GPA > 2.25 prior to placement, be interviewed & approved by the Field Director. Any exception must be approved by the student’s academic committee (Program Director and Advisor)

Suggested Program of Study. Total credits 120-121

Minor in Social Work

Total of 18 hours are required for a minor in Social Work. Grade of “C” or above required in Social Work courses.

Required lower division classes - SOWK 2361, SOWK 2371 - plus any additional 12 upper-level hours in Social Work

Criminal Justice

Program Director: Eric Bronson

Location: 58 Maes Building

Phone: (409) 880-8541

The mission of the criminal justice program is to provide excellence in graduate and undergraduate instruction; research and scholarship; professional development; and university and community service. The program seeks to promote professionally and academically relevant curricula and programs and effective cooperative relationships with regional service agencies in order to prepare criminal justice practitioners at the graduate and undergraduate levels.

Bachelor of Science – Criminal Justice Major

The Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice will be awarded upon completion of the following requirements:

A. General Requirements: See Core Curriculum, Section 6.1. Math requirement: Math 1314 plus a statistics course.

B. Criminal Justice Core -36 semester hours including:

1. 18 semester hours required: CRIJ 1301, CRIJ 1306, CRIJ 2313, CRIJ 2328, CRIJ 4321, and CRIJ 4311.
2. Criminal Justice Electives (3 semester hours — any level)
3. Advanced Criminal Justice Electives (12 semester hours)

C. Advanced Social/Behavioral Science Cognate Courses — 6 semester hours selected from ANTH, SOCI or SOWK.

D. Research and Analysis Courses — 9 semester hours.

1. Research Methods: PSYC 3420, SOCI 4380 or SOWK 4380
2. Criminology Elective: SOCI 3380 or CRIJ 3311
3. Computer Science: COSC 1371

E. Criminal Justice Field Experience (3 semester hours): CRIJ 4340. If student has prior criminal justice field experience, the faculty advisor may substitute an additional CRIJ approved elective.

F. Minor or Approved Electives - 18 semester hours, 12 of which must be advanced.

G. Electives - Sufficient electives to complete the 120 hour degree requirement.

H. Completion of 45 semester hours of 3000 and 4000 level courses.

Suggested Program of Study – Total Min. Hours: 120

Bachelor of Arts – Criminal Justice Major

The Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice will be awarded upon the completion of the following requirements:

A. General Requirements: Meet the university’s core curriculum requirements for a Bachelor of Arts degree, which are described earlier in this catalog, and satisfy all departmental requirements

B. Departmental Requirements: Criminal Justice Core, Social Science Cognates and Research/Analysis requirements are the same as those listed for the Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice.

C. Modern language: 12 hours

D. Minor/Advanced - at least 18 hours

E. Completion of 42 upper level semester hours.

Some minors may require more credit hours.

Suggested Program of Study – Total Min. Hours: 121 

Minor in Criminal Justice 

Total of 18 hours required for the minor. No grade less than “C”.

Three lower-division courses: CRIJ 1301 and two of the following courses - CRIJ 1306, CRIJ 1310, CRIJ 2313, CRIJ 2328

Plus any three (3) upper-division CRIJ.

Master of Science in Criminal Justice

The Master of Science degree in Criminal Justice is designed to prepare students for upper-level staff, administrative, management, treatment and planning positions in criminal/juvenile justice agencies. The program has an applied focus, teaching practical skills as well as theoretical knowledge. The program consists of 36 semester hours including the completion of an applied project. Those electing the optional thesis route may complete their degree requirements with 30 hours.

Admission Requirements

1. A bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university in criminal justice, criminology, sociology, or the equivalent. Students with undergraduate degrees in other fields but with substantial work experience in criminal/juvenile justice may be admitted with special approval. Those without substantial work experience and with undergraduate degrees in other fields may be admitted after taking specified undergraduate courses.
2. Undergraduate grade point average (GPA) and Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores according to the formula [GPA X 200] + [GRE V+Q] ≥ 1350.
3. Proficiency in the use of personal computers, including word processing, spreadsheets, databases and Internet search engines.
4. Satisfactory completion of at least one statistics course and one social science research course.

Applicants who do not meet all admission requirements may enter as Pre-Graduate, pending full admission. Under Pre-Graduate status, the student must make up all deficiencies and earn at least a “B” average. No more than six hours of graduate credit may be earned prior to full admission.

Degree Requirements

• Core Courses: 12 hours - CRIJ 5310 Criminal Justice System and Policy, CRIJ 5320 Theoretical Foundations of Crime Control, CRIJ 5330 Planning and Evaluation, CRIJ 5331 Quantitative Methods in Criminology, CRIJ 5340 Special Studies in Applied Criminology (this course may be repeated for credit as an elective when the area of study varies), CRIJ 5345 Criminal Justice Leadership
• Elective Courses: 9-15 hours
• Four courses chosen from different CRIJ 5340 topics and/or approved graduate courses in business, counseling, education, political science, public administration, psychology, or other fields related to the student’s needs and interests
• Professional Projects: 6 hours
• CRIJ 5601 Applied Project in Criminology I (6 hours)
• CRIJ 5390/5391 Thesis (6 hours)

Anthropology

Faculty Advisor: Carolyn S. Clanahan

Location: 54 Maes Building

Phone: (409) 880-8551

The mission of the Anthropology Program at Lamar University is to give the student a clearer understanding of the world in which he or she lives, and his or her place in it, and to advance higher learning through both research and instruction. The Anthropology curriculum offers classes focusing on life in a multicultural, global community. These classes cover the 4-Field approach to Anthropology:  Physical Anthropology, Cultural Anthropology, Archaeology and Linguistic Anthropology.   The minor in Anthropology offered at Lamar adds cultural depth to any major offered here, and prepares our students for graduate studies in Anthropology. Anthropology supports general education through the core curriculum, with ANTH 2346 Introduction to Anthropology and ANTH 2351 The Nature of Culture, and by satisfying social science requirements for the University Core Curriculum.

Interested students are encouraged to call or visit with the faculty advisor for more information.

Minor in Anthropology

Total of 18 hours required for the minor

Required Classes (this sequence recommended):

    ANTH 2346   Introduction to Anthropology

    ANTH 2351   The Nature of Culture

    ANTH 2302    Archaeology   OR  ANTH 2372   Ethnic Heritage

And three upper level courses: ANTH 4340 (varied topics) or others