Department of Sociology
Undergraduate
Undergraduate
B.A. in Sociology
B.A. in Criminology and Criminal Justice
Minor in Sociology
Minor in Criminology and Criminal Justice
Study Abroad
Special Program Options
Internships
Special Studies Options
Courses Offering Fieldwork or Research Opportunities
Graduate
Requirements for the M.A. in Applied Sociology
The Sociology Major
The B.A. degree program in sociology provides students with a strong background in human relations that gives them important knowledge and insights to confront a rapidly changing world and to gain skills vital in today's job market. For students interested in a more sharply focused program of studies, we offer concentrations in criminal justice, and social services.
All students will complete one of the following programs:
General Program (No Concentration)
Major Requirements: 36 credits
Required Core Courses: 18 credits
SOC 1010 Principles of Sociology
SOC 2130 Sociological Theories (Pre-req. SOC 1010)
SOC 3010 Research Methods (Pre-req. SOC 2130)
SOC 3020 Data Analysis (Pre-reqs. SOC 2130; SOC 3020)
SOC 3540 Social Stratification
SOC 4850 Senior Seminar in Sociology (Pre-reqs. SOC 3010 and 3020)
SOC 2110 Elementary Social Statistics
SOC 2200 Social Organization of Work
SOC 2310 Sociology of the Family
SOC 2330 Sociology of Religion
SOC 2340 Political Sociology
SOC 2350 Sport in the Modern World
SOC 2360 Sociology of the Arts
SOC 2410 Minority Groups in America
SOC 2420 Muslims and Islamic U.S. Institutions
SOC 2620 Violence in the Community
SOC 2710 Sexuality in Modern Life
SOC 2720 Urban Sociology
SOC 2730 Global City
SOC 3200 Contemporary Issues in the Workplace
SOC 3230 Labor Relations and Law
SOC 3260 Sociology of the Arts
SOC 3310 Evaluation of Social Action
SOC 3350 Sociology of Law
SOC 3370 Sociology of Education
SOC 3400 Animals and Society
SOC 3430 Ethnic and Racial Conflict Resolution
SOC 3440 Sociology of Italian Art
SOC 3510 Sociology of Socialization
SOC 3520 Self and Society
SOC 3530 Sociology of Adulthood
SOC 3550 Sociology of Aging
SOC 3560 Sociology of Mental Illness
SOC 3570 Sociology of Health and Illness
SOC 3580 Sociology of Death and Grief
SOC 3650 Social Deviance
SOC 3690 Sociology of Democracy
SOC 3700 Social Demography
SOC 3720 Sociology of Organizations
SOC 3730 Sociology of Social Movements
SOC 3740 Sociology of War
SOC 3750 Social and Environmental Change
SOC 3760 Global Sociology
SOC 3910 Population & Development in Asia
SOC 4910 Internship in Sociology
Plus related sociology electives (0-3 credits)
Social Services Concentration
Major Requirements: 36 credits
Required Core Courses: 21 credits
SOC 1010 Principles of Sociology
SOC 2130 Sociological Theories (Pre-req. SOC 1010)
SOC 3010 Research Methods (Pre-req. SOC 2130)
SOC 3020 Data Analysis (Pre-reqs. SOC 2130, SOC 3010)
SOC 2230 Introduction to Human Services
SOC 2240 Social Work Practice and Policy
SOC 4850 Senior Seminar in Sociology (Pre-reqs. SOC 3010 and 3020)
SOC 4930 Field Work in Social Services
SOC 2110 Elementary Social Statistics
SOC 2310 Sociology of the Family
SOC 2410 Minority Groups in America
SOC 2620 Violence in the Community
SOC 3510 Sociology of Socialization
SOC 3530 Sociology of Adulthood
SOC 3550 Sociology of Aging
SOC 3560 Sociology of Mental Illness
SOC 3570 Sociology of Health and Illness
SOC 3580 Sociology of Death and Grief
SOC 3650 Social Deviance
SOC 3670 Juvenile Delinquency
Work & Community Engagement Concentration
Major Requirements: 36 credits
Required Core Courses: 21 credits
Plus five of the following courses: 15 credits
The Criminology and Criminal Justice Major
The B.A. degree program in Criminology and Criminal Justice provides students with a strong background in criminological theories, the criminal justice system, and the ever-changing nature of crime.
Major Requirements: 36 credits
Required Core Courses: 18 credits
CCJ 2610 Essentials of Criminal Justice (currently SOC 261)
CCJ 3680 Criminology (currently SOC 368)
CCJ/SOC 3010 Research Methods (Currently SOC 214 and SOC 215)
CCJ/SOC 3020 Data Analysis (Currently SOC 211)
CCJ 4820 Senior Seminar in Criminal Justice (currently SOC 482) WITH
CCJ 4920 Internship in Criminal Justice (currently SOC 492)
Plus major electives below as selected by advisement: 12-18 credits
SOC 2620 Violence in the Community
CCJ/SOC 2630 Forensic Social Psychology (currently SOC 263)
SOC 3560 Sociology of Mental Illness
SOC 3350 Sociology of Law
CCJ 3360 Comparative Criminal Justice Systems (currently SOC 336)
SOC 3430 Ethnic and Racial Conflict Resolution (currently SOC 343)
SOC 3540 Social Stratification
CCJ 3640 Criminal Investigation (currently SOC 364)
SOC 3650 Social Deviance
CCJ 3660 Sociology of Corrections (currently SOC 366)
CCJ 3670 Juvenile Delinquency (currently SOC 367)
CCJ 4030 Community Corrections (currently SOC 403)
SOC 2990 Sociology of Race and Law
CCJ 3620 Policing (currently SOC 3620)
Related Electives (3-6 credits)
AWS 1550 Justice and Racism in the US
AWS 2070 Racism and the Mass Media
ANTH 3410 Law in Society and Culture
ANTH 3540 Forensic Osteology
PHIL 3330 Philosophy of Law
POL 2210 State Government
POL 2230 Suburban and Urban Politics
POL 2720 Politics and Sex
POL 3240 Constitutional Law: Judicial Process
POL 3250 Constitutional Law: Civil Liberties
POL 3730 Politics of Sexual Violence
PSY 2250 Psychology of Social Issues
PSY 2750 Psychology of Law
PSY 2900 Child Abuse and Neglect
PSY 3510 Abnormal Psychology
PSY 3810 Psychology of Aggression
SOC 1020 Social Problems
SOC 2410 Minority Groups in America
SOC 2420 Muslims and Islamic U.S. Institutions
SOC 2720 Urban Sociology
SOC 3430 Ethnic and Racial Conflict Resolution
SOC 3540 Social Stratification
WGS 3990 Women and Crime
Minor in Sociology
SOC 1010 Principles of Sociology 3 credits
plus five other sociology courses chosen with advisement 15 credits
Total credits 18 credits
Minor in Criminology and Criminal Justice
CCJ 2610 Essentials of Criminal Justice 3 credits
CCJ 3680 Criminology 3 credits
plus four other criminal justice courses chosen with advisement 15 credits
Total credits 18 credits
Study Abroad Opportunities
A wide variety of opportunities are available for study at other universities and in special programs -- both in the United States and abroad. These include: 1) the Study Abroad Program, 2) visiting student authorization for any accredited college or university, and 3) the National Student Exchange Program (NSE).
Sociology majors also have the opportunity to participate in a Study Abroad program under the sponsorship of the New Jersey State College Council for International Education. Programs exist at a great number of institutions Europe (Austria, Denmark, France, Great Britain, Hungary, Ireland, Spain among others) and Latin America (Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Mexico), Australia, and select countries in Asia and Africa.
In most cases the language of instruction is English except where the main purpose is to learn a foreign language. Up to 30 credits can be earned toward graduation from William Paterson University. In order to qualify, students must have completed at least one year of college study, have a minimum grade point average of 2.5, and be approved by a college review committee.
The programs vary in price, starting as low as $4,000, inclusive of tuition, fees, room, and board. All financial aid programs may be applied toward study abroad.
The NSE program enables students to attend up to one year of college in another state without having to pay high out-of-state tuition. The program includes over 125 colleges and universities in the United States, Puerto Rico, Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
For further information, contact Cinzia Richardson, Director of the Office of International Students and Scholars by phone (973-720-2976) or e-mail richardsonc@wpunj.edu.
Special Studies Options in Sociology
Independent Study
Students wishing to pursue individualized study in their junior or senior years can undertake an independent study (SOC 499), provided that they meet certain criteria. Students must have shown themselves responsible and capable of self-direction and possess a grade point average of at least 3.0, both overall and in the major. Independent study cannot substitute for an existing course, but may be utilized in lieu of a degree requirement. No more than nine credits of independent study may be credited toward graduation.
Examples of the kinds of independent study possible would be:
- in-depth reading not covered in another class;
- the execution of a research proposal developed in another course (either library research or empirical research);
- other options, to be negotiated between the student and faculty sponsor.
An application form, with a one page prospectus as explained in the application packet, shall be submitted to the sponsoring faculty member. The application form requires the signed approval of the faculty sponsor, department chairperson, and school dean. The completed application shall be submitted by the Dean to the Registrar no later than the late registration period for the semester in which the independent study is to be undertaken .
Internships
Internships give practical work experience in various settings. Students will normally work a minimum of 8 hours a week under the supervision and guidance of an on-site supervisor in community, corporate, and social service work environments in which some aspect of sociology appears relevant and can be applied.
Placements in the following settings can serve as examples with comparable sub-specialty areas in sociology: hospitals (medical sociology); corporate departments of public affairs, consumer relations, market research, etc. (methods, organizations); museums and galleries (arts); senior citizen centers (family, aging); welfare agencies (social work); probation (deviance, criminal justice).
Periodic conferences and a monthly seminar are an integral part of the internship. Students must also keep a weekly journal, write a resume, and comlete a short term paper for grade evaluation.
Interns are selected on the basis of their backgrounds, interests, and ability to meet the needs of the sponsoring organization. The faculty internship coordinator will screen applicants whose academic record reflects junior or senior status, a minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA, and a minimum of nine credits completed in sociology. A personal interview with the coordinator is required in the prior semester prior to registration.
Courses Offering Field Work or Research Opportunities
The following courses require field work or field research:
SOC 2140 Quantitative Methods
SOC 2150 Qualitative Methods
SOC 2240 Social Work Practice
SOC 2360 Sociology of the Arts
SOC 2720 Urban Sociology
SOC 3200 Contemporary Issues in the Workplace
SOC 3580 Sociology of Death and Grief
SOC 3660 Sociology of Corrections
SOC 4820 Senior Seminar in Criminal Justice
SOC 4850 Senior Seminar in Sociology
SOC 4910 Internship in Sociology
SOC 4920 Internship in Criminal Justice
SOC 4930 Field Work in Social Services
William Paterson University
300 Pompton Road
Wayne, New Jersey 07470
973-720-2000
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