Criminal Justice Program

Website: https://twu.edu/criminal-justice/

Program Lead: James L. Williams, Professor
Location: CFO 305
Phone: 940-898-2052
E-mail: sociology@twu.edu

Undergraduate courses are regularly taught by Sociology and Political Science faculty.

The Criminal Justice Program offers an undergraduate major leading to the Bachelor of Science degree. A minor in Criminal Justice is also offered. The criminal justice major provides students interested in the various aspects of criminal justice with a broad, general education with an emphasis on the social sciences. Students become acquainted with the legal aspects, agencies, procedures, and operations of the criminal justice system including law enforcement, the judicial system, corrections, and social services. To help prepare for careers in the criminal justice system, students are encouraged to consider a wide range of internship opportunities offered in the program. Students are prepared to work in a variety of careers in the criminal justice system and in related occupations.

Undergraduate Degrees Offered

Transfer Students

Transfer students are welcome to complete their criminal justice major in this program. Special care has been taken to structure the curriculum to facilitate transfer of credit from all community college programs in Texas. All required courses for the major can now be completed online within a two-year period.

Special Requirements

No grade lower than C can be counted as credit toward completion of a major in Criminal Justice. A course can be repeated for credit no more than twice – that is, taken a total of three times.

No more than three semester credit hours of Internship credit can be counted toward a major in Criminal Justice, and none can be counted toward a minor.

Admissions

All applicants must meet the general undergraduate admission requirements.

Courses

POLS 2013. U.S. National Government. (TCCN GOVT 2305) Origin and development of the U.S. Constitution; structure and powers of the national government including the legislative, executive, and judicial branches; federalism; democratic theory, political participation, and the national election process; policy-making and factors influencing national policy decisions; civil liberties and civil rights; American foreign relations; demographics and the politics of race, gender, and class in the American political system. Satisfies three hours Government/Poltical Science Core (70). Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

POLS 2023. Texas Government. (TCCN GOVT 2306) Origin and development of the Texas Constitution; structure and powers of the state government including the legislative, executive, and judicial branches; federal-state relations; political participation and the election process in Texas; local governments; policy-making and factors influencing policy decisions in Texas; demographics and the politics of race, gender, and class in the Texas political system. Satisfies three hours Government/Poltical Science Core (70). Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

POLS 2093. Women As Citizens: Women and Community Activism. Interdisciplinary analysis of women's roles in community building from the colonial period to present and examination of current grassroots activism in the United States worldwide. Emphasis on women leaders, interest groups, and movements impacting the political process. Required community service internship. Prerequisites: ENG 1013, ENG 1023, HIST 1013, HIST 1023, and POLS 2013 or POLS 2023. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

POLS 2223. Criminal Investigation. (TCCN CRIJ 2314) Investigative theory; collection and preservation of evidence; interview and interrogation; uses of forensic sciences; case and trial preparation. Prerequisite: Three hours of political science or permission of instructor. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

POLS 3013. Community Conversation in Sustainability. Sustainability issues from scientific, sociological, and business perspectives. Topics include the impacts of energy production, food production, industry, and our modern lifestyle on our local and global community with an emphasis on systems and possible solutions. Satisfies Global Perspectives graduation requirement. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

POLS 3053. The American Presidency. Recruitment, selection, and authority; interaction of the executive branch with Congress, parties, the courts, and the public; the influence of personality on performance. Prerequisite: Three hours of political science or permission of instructor. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

POLS 3063. Women in Politics. Impact of gender on power and influence in society; political socialization, participation, and leadership of women; women's political issues and movements. Prerequisite: Three hours of political science or permission of instructor. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

POLS 3153. Law, Politics, and Public Policy. Interaction between law, politics, and public policy; the role of the courts in the American political system; the role of the court as policymaker; overview of the American legal system; value conflicts and public policy questions which arise within it. Prerequisite: Three hours of political science or permission of instructor. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

POLS 3163. Media and Politics. Survey of the many roles that mass media play in democratic politics. How the news is created, its potential biases, and its impact on people's political opinions and actions. How journalists, politicians, and the public work to construct meaning about political issues, people, and events. How emerging technologies transform news gathering and consumption. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

POLS 3173. Introduction to Comparative Politics. Introduction to the study of comparative political systems around the world. Comparative analysis of political institutions, political culture, policy-making, and historical development of selected cases (states) within the country categories of Liberal Democracies, Communist and post-Communist states, New Democracies, Developing countries, Marginal states, and the Islamic world. Foundational concepts of comparative political science and basic research skills using inductive and deductive reasoning. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

POLS 3233. Police, Policies, and Practices. The police profession; organization of law enforcement systems; the police role; police discretion; ethics; police-community interaction; current and future issues. Prerequisite: Three hours of political science or permission of the instructor. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

POLS 3243. Criminal Law. A study of the nature of criminal law; philosophical and historical development; major definitions and concepts; classification of crime; elements of crimes and penalties using Texas statutes as illustrations; criminal responsibility. Prerequisite: Three hours of political science or permission of instructor. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

POLS 3253. Criminal Evidence and Procedure. The judiciary in the criminal justice system; structure of American court system; prosecution; right to counsel; pre-trial release; grand juries; adjudication process; types and rules of evidence; sentencing. Prerequisite: Three hours of political science or permission of instructor. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

POLS 3303. The American Legislative Process. The legislative branch of government; including both Congress and state legislative bodies; influences on the legislative process. Course offered in alternate spring semesters coinciding with the biennial sessions of the Texas Legislature and using the current session for special class study. Prerequisite: Three hours of political science or permission of instructor. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

POLS 3393. Gender, Identity, and the Law. Impact of gender, identity, race, and class on legal status; evolution of the current legal environment, with an emphasis on parallels between gender discrimination and discrimination based on racial, ethnic, and sexual identity; substantive law regarding working conditions, compensation, education, the family, reproductive rights, and criminal law; feminist perspectives on legal reforms to improve the professional lives of individuals of all genders. Satisfies three hours Core Component Area Option (90). Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

POLS 3513. Japanese Culture and Politics. An introduction to modern Japan with particular emphasis on Japanese politics. Topics include Japanese language and literature, geography, religion, the arts, social dynamics, education, economics, history, constitutionalism, government institutions, political parties, elections, and foreign policy. The Japanese way of politics is related to larger forces in Japanese culture. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

POLS 3613. The Politics of Food in America. United States food policy in global perspective; political and global nature of food production and consumption; history, institutions, and economy of food in America situated in an international context; ethical problems facing the modern food economy and ways to overcome challenges. Satisfies Global Perspectives graduation requirement. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

POLS 3723. Modern Political Thought. A study of Western political theory from the Renaissance to the present with particular emphasis on the development of contemporary ideologies: liberalism, socialism, nationalism, Marxism, fascism. Prerequisites: Three hours of political science or permission of instructor or head of department. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

POLS 4073. Constitutional Law: Governmental Structure. The development of the American Constitution through judicial interpretation by the Supreme Court, including cases involving commerce, taxation, divisions of powers, and separation of powers. Prerequisite: Three hours of political science. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

POLS 4083. Constitutional Law: Individual Rights. Judicial cases, especially those involving the Bill of Rights, the Fourteenth and Fifteenth Amendments. Prerequisite: Three hours of political science. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

POLS 4093. Constitutional Rights and Criminal Justice. Constitutional rights as interpreted by courts and application by criminal justice system. Analysis of decisions and empirical research assessing the extent to which decisions are consistently applied by the criminal justice personnel. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

POLS 4113. Public Administration. Introduction to the study of bureaucracies. Examines such theoretical, political, and practical issues as decision-making, budgeting, staffing, and organizational structure. Considers the influence of bureaucracy on policy formation and implementation. Prerequisite: Three hours of political science. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

POLS 4133. Women in Leadership. An introduction to the principles and practices of leadership, with emphasis on women in exercising leadership. Stresses political leadership, but includes business and community leadership as well. Prerequisite: Sophomore standing or above. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

POLS 4263. Women, Elections, and Strategy. Advocacy and electoral obstacles associated with a woman's running for office or advocating for change. Emphasis on practical elements including communications, fundraising, and advocacy. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

POLS 4503. Criminal Justice Internship. Integrates practical experience with the student's academic program through supervised work in a related professional environment. Prerequisites: Twelve hours of political science, including six hours advanced, and approval of internship director. May be repeated. Eight practicum hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

POLS 4506. Criminal Justice Internship. Integrates practical experience with the student's academic program through supervised work in a related professional environment. Prerequisites: Twelve hours of political science, including six hours advanced, and approval of internship director. May be repeated. Sixteen practicum hours a week. Credit: Six hours.

POLS 4523. American Foreign Policy. Constitutional framework and actors in foreign policy decision-making; roles of the President and Congress; the art of diplomacy. Prerequisite: Three hours of political science. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

POLS 4533. International Relations. The interaction of countries and nonstate actors in the area of diplomacy, international law, international economics, international organization, and war. A study of the general pattern of political, economic, social, geographical, and technological relationships in world affairs. Satisfies Global Perspectives graduation requirement. Prerequisites: Six hours of political science. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

POLS 4553. Modern Nationalism. Modern nationalism; patriotism and nationality; the impact of nationalism on current world events. How nationalism can lead to terrorism and civil warfare. Prerequisite: Three hours of political science. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

POLS 4563. Global Law and Legal Systems. Introduction to legal systems and traditions from around the world including common law and civil law (the two dominant western legal traditions), and religious and tribal law. Exploration of the historical, institutional, and structural context for ancient Roman and Talmudic law systems as well as laws of Napoleon, the British Empire, and contemporary Western Europe. Consideration of alternative solutions to common legal issues; identification and critical reflection on assumptions of students' legal systems and education. Three seminar hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

POLS 4603. Legal Studies Internship. Integrates practical experience with the student's academic program through supervised work in a related professional environment. Prerequisites: Nine hours of legal studies courses and approval of internship director. Eighteen practicum hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

POLS 4606. Legal Studies Internship. Integrates practical experience with the student's academic program through supervised work in a related professional environment. May be repeated. Prerequisites: Nine hours of legal studies courses and approval of internship director. Sixteen practicum hours a week. Credit: Six hours.

POLS 4613. Comparative Government: Europe. Constitutional structures, methods, philosophies, and policies of selected governments in the Western world. Prerequisite: Three hours of political science. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

POLS 4633. Comparative Government: Africa and Asia. Constitutional structures, methods, philosophies, and policies of selected Asian and African governments. Prerequisite: Three hours of political science. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

POLS 4653. German Politics Since 1945 Through Film. Survey of political and social history of the two German states post-1945, German Democratic Republic and Federal Republic of Germany, and reunified Germany since 1990. Major events of the Cold War era and contemporary political challenges in unified Germany. Analysis of political institutions and social and economic development of the two German states utilizing films that illustrate major periods in modern Germany history. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

POLS 4703. Public Affairs Internship. Integrates practical experience with the student's academic program through supervised work in a related professional environment. Prerequisites: Twelve hours of political science, including six hours advanced, and approval of internship director. Eight practicum hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

POLS 4706. Public Affairs Internship. Integrates practical experience with the student's academic program through supervised work in a related professional environment. Prerequisites: Twelve hours of political science, including six hours advanced, and approval of internship director. Sixteen practicum hours a week. Credit: Six hours.

POLS 4803. Government Internship. Integrates practical experience with the student's academic program through supervised work in a related professional environment. Prerequisites: Twelve hours of political science, including six hours of advanced, and consent of internship coordinator. May be repeated. Eight practicum hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

POLS 4806. Government Internship. Integrates practical experience with the student's academic program through supervised work in a related professional environment. Prerequisites: Twelve hours of political science, including six hours advanced, and approval of internship director. Sisteen practicum hours a week. Credit: Six hours.

POLS 4813. Seminar in Public Policy. Analysis of the formation, implementation, and impact of public policy in selected areas of current interest. May be repeated. Prerequisite: Three hours of political science. Three seminar hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

POLS 4833. Political Science: Scope and Methods. Research in political science; emphasis on the scope of the discipline and methodology used in the field. Includes analyses of sources and documentary study and interpretations of the standard literature of political science. Prerequisite: Three hours of political science. Three seminar hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

POLS 4901. Special Topics. Organized course with each section's title and content varying with specific subject matter and topic offered. Prerequisite: Three hours of political science. One lecture hour a week. Credit: One hour.

POLS 4902. Special Topics. Organized course with each section's title and content varying with specific subject matter and topic offered. Prerequisite: Three hours of political science. Two lecture hours a week. Credit: Two hours.

POLS 4903. Special Topics. Organized course with each section's title and content varying with specific subject matter and topic offered. Prerequisite: Three hours of political science. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

POLS 4911. Independent Study. Individual study of selected topics in political science. Prerequisites: Three hours of political science and consent of instructor. Credit: One hour.

POLS 4913. Independent Study. Individual study of selected topics in political science. Prerequisites: Three hours of political science and consent of instructor. Credit: Three hours.

POLS 4933. Senior Seminar. Capstone course for all political science majors; focus on extensive readings and portfolio development including both verbal and written presentations of research findings. Prerequisite: Fifteen hours of advanced political science or consent of instructor. Three seminar hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

POLS 4953. Internship. Nine practicum hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

POLS 4956. INTERNSHIP. Eighteen practicum hours a week. Credit: Six hours.

SOCI 1013. Introductory Sociology. (TCCN SOCI 1301) Basic concepts, theoretical orientations, research, and applications in sociology. Survey U.S. and global contexts of social organization, culture, socialization, institutions, populations, and society diversity. Examines basic sociological ideas of social interaction, structure, and change in the U.S. and globally. Satisfies Social & Behavioral Sciences Core (80). Satisfies Global Perspectives graduation requirement. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

SOCI 1023. Current Social Problems. (TCCN SOCI 1306) Examines linkages between personal problems, social problems, and social policy. Critical analysis of problems such as inequality, health care, substance abuse, the environment, family violence, etc. as these relate to societal conditions. Satisfies Social & Behavioral Sciences Core (80). Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

SOCI 1413. Culture, Inequality, and Self. Human behavior as affected by culture, social institutions, class, ethnicity, and interpersonal relations. Satisfies three hours Core Component Area Option (90). Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

SOCI 2023. Marriage, Family, and Intimate Relationships. (TCCN SOCI 2301) Overview of the structural, developmental, functional, and institutional aspects of marriage, intimate relationships, and the family. Changes in family patterns and racial, cultural, and ethnic diversity in families. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

SOCI 2133. Crime in America. (TCCN CRIJ 1307) U.S. crime problems in sociological perspective; public policies affecting crime; impact of inequality, race, and gender on crime; crime trends; crime patterns; theories of criminal behavior; prevention of crime. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

SOCI 2213. Introduction to Criminal Justice. (TCCN CRIJ 1301) History and philosophy of criminal justice and ethical considerations; crime defined: its nature and impact; overview of criminal justice system; law enforcement; court system; prosecution and defense; trial process; corrections. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

SOCI 3003. Theories of Crime and Deviance. Examination of leading theories of crime and deviance. Classical and contemporary theories are reviewed, with particular attention to the context within which each developed. Emphasis is on applications to the study of crime and crime control. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

SOCI 3023. Introduction to Sociological Theory. Historical development of sociological theory, structure and role of theory, sociological theoretical perspectives, and major sociological theories from classics to contemporary sociology. Required of sociology majors. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

SOCI 3043. Deviant Behavior and Social Control. Examines social definitions of deviant behavior; the historial development of knowledge concerning deviance; theories of deviance; and the development, organization, and operation of systems of social control including criminal justice, mental health, and welfare. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

SOCI 3053. Social Research. Introduction to research in the social sciences and practice fields. Emphasizes the decision making involved in planning and executing a study. Gives practice in all stages of the research process. Students are expected to plan and carry out a group or individual research project. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

SOCI 3063. Topics in Urban Sociology. Historical and contemporary developments in urban sociology including the local community. Emphasis will vary depending on current issues and research, such as classical and contemporary theory and research, urban political economy, community organization-development, community relations, and the non-profit sector (community assessment, social activism, and volunteerism). May be repeated for credit as topics vary. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

SOCI 3073. Social Inequality. The study of social inequality in human society, with emphasis on the social class structure of society, its origins, development, and consequences for the society and the individual. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

SOCI 3083. Population Dynamics. Population theories, the use and interpretation of demographic data, population change and policy, relationships between population, and socioeconomic factors. Emphasizes demographic processes and compositions in age, sex, residence, race/ethnicity, socioeconomic status of U.S., and world populations. Satisfies Global Perspectives graduation requirement. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

SOCI 3093. Racial and Ethnic Groups in the United States. Sociological perspectives on the dynamics of racial and ethnic relations focusing on social structure, group interaction processes, group inequality, cultural diversity, and gender relations within and between groups. Uses sociological-historical analysis, gendered analysis, social theory/research to study Native Americans, African Americans, Asian Americans, Latinos, and European Americans. Satisfies three hours Core Component Area Option (90). Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

SOCI 3113. Juvenile Delinquency. The adjustment of youths as they take on the roles and statuses culturally defined for their age group; emphasis on causation, treatment, and prevention of juvenile delinquency; sociological principles for working with youth. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

SOCI 3133. Sociology of Religion. Religious behavior in primitive, folk, and modern societies, religious participations, practices, and control in contemporary society; religion as a social institution and its relation to other institutions. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

SOCI 3153. Sociology of Health and Illness. Introduction to the field of medical sociology. Sociology theories and concepts applied to the field of health care: cultural definitions of illness, social roles of health care personnel, emphasis on input of social research in health care. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

SOCI 3163. Social Statistics. Introduction to basic statistical techniques in the social and behavioral sciences and data analysis using computers. Basic descriptive statistics, measures of central tendency and variation, normal curve, hypothesis testing, t tests, ANOVA, chi square test, measures of association, regression and correlation. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

SOCI 3193. The Mexican American in Contemporary Society. A sociological analysis of Mexican American history, heritage, and people, and of their contributions to American life. Focus on the political, social, and cultural forces that affect this group in the United States. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

SOCI 3213. Women's Roles. Women's roles are examined in the context of social institutions such as the family, the economy, and the government. Implications of sexual inequality; changing gender roles; and diversity by race, ethnicity, class, and age. Satisfies three hours Core Component Area Option (90). Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

SOCI 3223. Women, Crime, and Justice. Introduction to gender, crime, and justice. Focus on women as offenders, as crime victims, and as employees in criminal justice. Feminist and critical perspectives on women, girls, and crime. Issues of gender inequality in criminal justice policy and practice. Prerequisite: SOCI 1013, SOCI 3213, WS 3213, WS 2013, or WS 3023. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

SOCI 3233. Sociology of Serial Murder. Introduction to the sociological study of serial murder. History, nature and patterns, theories, and cultural construction of serial murder. Social and criminal justice responses to serial murder. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

SOCI 3273. World Regional Geography. Introduction to major concepts in geography. Criteria for definition of regions. Survey of world cultural regions with emphasis on factors (physical, demographic, economic, political) affecting level of development and patterns of regional interaction. This course will not satisfy sociology requirement for the baccalaureate degree. Satisfies Global Perspectives graduation requirement. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

SOCI 3303. Cultural Anthropology. Description and analysis of human cultures: the socially learned traditions of past and present ages. Global and comparative perspective for understanding the origin and prospects of societies in the modern world. Satisfies Global Perspectives graduation requirement. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

SOCI 3423. Individual and Society. Sociological research on the relationship between individuals and society; current theoretical perspectives including symbolic interactionism, role theory, and dramaturgy; includes personality and social structure, socialization, deviance, and sociological research on the self. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

SOCI 3483. Developing Societies. Survey of global development issues: definitions and theoretical perspectives. Case studies from varied world regions illustrate development strategies and outcomes. Examines role of international organizations and policies. Satisfies Global Perspectives graduation requirement. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

SOCI 3523. Internet and Society. Social, economic, political, and cultural impact of the internet and electronic communication technology. Topics including social networking, cybercapitalism, internet crime, privacy, surveillance, and internet regulation. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

SOCI 3723. Criminal Justice Ethics. Sociological study of criminal justice ethics, including ethical issues in law enforcement, courts, and correctional systems. Emphasis on the institutional, structural, and cultural foundations of ethical dilemmas. Prerequisite: Criminal Justice or Sociology major. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

SOCI 4013. The Family. A sociological and feminist analysis of the family as an institution and dynamics of the interpersonal relations of marriage and family. Examines cultural diversity among families as well as historical changes in the family and the impact of social policy. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

SOCI 4023. Sexualities and Identities: Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Studies. Sexuality as an identity formation, social category, and theoretical construct. Interdisciplinary in focus and foundation. Aesthetic, cultural, historical, and institutional discourses that frame our contemporary understandings of sexuality. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

SOCI 4043. Law and Society. Sociological analysis of the relationship between law and society. Examination of legal institutions, law and social structure, law and social change, and sociological theories and research. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

SOCI 4053. Race, Crime, and Justice. Relationships between crime, criminal justice, and racial/ethnic minorities. Issues of racial and ethnic inequality in criminal justice policy and practice. Examination of current controversies. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

SOCI 4083. Comparative Criminal Justice. Sociological analysis of world legal and criminal justice systems. Examination of systems of law, organization of police, courts, and correctional systems. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

SOCI 4093. Drugs, Crime, and Health. Substance use as criminal behavior and a health-related problem. Criminal-legal, public health, and medical sociology perspectives. Domestic and global policy implications. Substance use and crime adjudication. Substance use and health, prevention, treatment, and harm reduction. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

SOCI 4103. Senior Seminar: Theory and Practice. Selected theories and concepts with emphasis on application in social organizations, occupations, research, and social policy. State of the discipline, professional ethics, preparations for job market and/or graduate school. Prerequisites: SOCI 3023, SOCI 3053, and senior standing. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

SOCI 4203. Family Violence and Sexual Assault. Examines the various forms of family violence and sexual assault with an emphasis on women as victims and as survivors. Theoretical explanations, research literature, treatment, and prevention will be studied in relation to child abuse, battering, incest, and sexual assault. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

SOCI 4303. Correctional Systems and Practices. Corrections in the criminal justice system; organization of correctional systems; role of criminal justice practitioners; institutional operations; alternatives to incarceration; treatment and rehabilitation; current and future issues. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

SOCI 4403. Community Corrections. Sociological study of community corrections including probation, parole, and intermediate sanctions. Examination of contemporary practices and trends in community corrections. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

SOCI 4603. Sociology of Disasters. Sociological study of disaster events. Social factors affecting vulnerability and disaster response. Case studies of major disasters. Relationship of disasters to social change. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

SOCI 4903. Special Topics. Topics of timely interest or importance but not included or adequately covered in the present inventory of courses. May be repeated for credit when topic varies. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

SOCI 4911. Independent Study. A focused, independent study. Credit: One hour.

SOCI 4913. Independent Study. A focused, independent study. A contractual agreement between a student and an instructor who agrees to supervise the work and engage in one-on-one instruction. Research projects or concentrated reading are examples of appropriate independent study. Credit: Three hours.

SOCI 4953. Internship. Practical experience and supervised training in a work environment consistent with student's major and career goals. Pass-Fail grade only. Thirteen practicum hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

SOCI 4956. Internship. Practical experience and supervised training in a work environment consistent with student's major and career goals. Pass-Fail grade only. 26 practicum hours a week. Credit: Six hours.