SOCIOLOGY AT WILLIAM PATERSON UNIVERSITY

The Sociology Department at William Paterson University provides a rigorous program of study that integrates the unique perspectives and tools of sociology in all its courses. Our mission is to enable our undergraduates to become effective citizens, with the ability to recognize and grapple with such issues as multiculturalism, inequality, and globalization. By integrating these key concepts with the unique perspectives (theory) and tools (methodology) of the discipline in our courses, students become capable of fulfilling the two core commitments of sociology: critical inquiry and civic engagement.

Our Department is proud to be selected as the host site for the Eastern Sociological Society—the largest and most prestigious regional association for sociologists. In addition to the faculty active participation in the Society’s activities, our students have increasingly participated in and given presentations of their research at the annual meetings of the Society.

Course Offerings

The numbers assigned to sociology courses carry the following meanings and denotations:

100-199 Introductory courses

200-299 Substantive foundation courses that provide students with breadth of knowledge without assuming their prior exposure to research training or sociological theory.

300-399 Advanced substantive courses that continue to develop breadth and depth and assume students have a background in methods and theory. Students will apply and develop the sociological skills they have acquired at the 200 level.

400-499 Capstone courses where students integrate their coursework into a coherent and mature conception of sociology as an approach to inquiry and to life.

Important note: Students must realize that the sociology major is minimally a five-semester degree program, requiring a sequential taking of SOC 101 (1 st semester), MATH 130 or SOC 211* and SOC 213** (2 nd semester), SOC 214 (3 rd semester), SOC 215 (4 th semester), and SOC 482 or 485 (5 th semester). Except for senior seminar, all core courses are offered every semester and in summer sessions as well. Students should work closely with their faculty advisors to plan taking this sequence of courses and to confirm the summer course offerings, which may vary.

* Students may take either MATH 130 or Soc 211 to meet the prerequisite of SOC 214. MATH 130 satisfy GE math requirement and SOC 211 will count as a sociology elective course. SOC 211 does not satisfy GE math requirement.

** Beginning in Spring 2008, Soc 213, Sociological Theory will replace Soc 218, History of Social Theory or SOC 219, Modern Sociological Theory.

Core Course Sequencing

 Each course in the core curriculum is a pre-requisite to the next one. Therefore, you must exercise great care in planning to ensure a timely degree completion. You should work with your academic advisor to set up this five-semester sequence.

Freshman Year

SOC 101 Principles of Sociology
MATH 130 Elementary Statistics (GE math course) or
SOC 211 Elementary Sociological Statistics*

 Sophomore Year

SOC 213** Sociological Theory (Prerequisite: SOC 101)

 Junior Year

SOC 214 Quantitative Methods (Prerequisites: SOC 213 and MATH 130 or SOC 211*)

SOC 215 Qualitative Methods (Prerequisites: SOC 213**)

 Senior Year

SOC 482 Senior Seminar in Criminal Justice (For those in CJ concentration only)

SOC 485 Senior Seminar in Sociology

(Prerequisites for both SOC 482 and 485 are SOC 214 and 215)

Important Notes:

SOC 214 and SOC 215 may be taken in either sequence, as long as you have met the course prerequisites.

You may only take Senior Seminar after completing both SOC 214 and SOC 215 as well as at least four sociology content courses. There are no exceptions.

All core courses, except Senior Seminar, may be offered in either Summer I or Summer II. However, such course offerings are dependent on staff availability and we cannot guarantee that they will run in any particular summer. Since we know about summer course offerings in the preceding December, you should consult your academic advisor at that time to learn if such summer courses are planned.

Senior Seminar will not be offered in summer sessions. You need to plan your course sequencing carefully to ensure your timely degree completion. Please be sure to hold on to your Alternate Pin number, in case you need to add/drop classes. Advisors are not regularly available over the summer.

* Students may take either MATH 130 or Soc 211 to meet the prerequisite of SOC 214. MATH 130 satisfy GE math requirement and SOC 211 will count as a sociology elective course. SOC 211 does not satisfy the Math GE requirement

** Beginning in Spring 2008, Soc 213, Sociological Theory will replace Soc 218, History of Social Theory or SOC 219, Modern Sociological Theory.

Requirements for the Major in Sociology

The Department of Sociology requires that its majors successfully complete twelve courses within the Department (a total of 36 credits). In addition to the regular undergraduate major, we offer concentrations in criminal justice, social services, and sociological practice for students interested in a more sharply focused program of studies.

SUGGESTED CURRICULUM CHART

BACHELOR OF ARTS: SOCIOLOGY

ALL CONCENTRATIONS

[COURSES ARE THREE CREDIT HOURS UNLESS NOTED OTHERWISE]

SEMESTER 1	SEMESTER 2
Art, Music, or Communication 1 ENG 110 Writing Effective Prose HIST 101 Foundations of Western Civilization MATH 130 Elementary Statistics Science 1 ( 4 credits ) WPU 101 Freshman Seminar ( 1.5 credits)	Art, Music, or Communication 2 ENG 150 Introduction to Literature HIST 102 The West and the Modern World GE Social Science 1 Science 2 ( 4 credits )
SEMESTER 3	SEMESTER 4
Foreign Language 1 Health/Movement Science PHIL 110 Introduction to Philosophy SOC 101 Principles of Sociology GE Social Science 2	Foreign Language 2 Racism and Sexism GE Social Science 3 GE Elective 1 Intro Concentration Course [SOC 354, 261, 223, or 220]
SEMESTER 5	SEMESTER 6
SOC 213 [or 218 or 219] Theory Concentration Requirement 1 Concentration Requirement 2 GE Elective 2 Upper Level Elective 1 Free Elective 1	SOC 214 Quantitative Methods Concentration Requirement 3 Concentration Requirement 4 Upper Level Elective 2 Free Elective 2 Free Elective 3
SEMESTER 7	SEMESTER 8
SOC 215 Qualitative Methods Concentration Requirement 5 Upper Level Elective 3 Free Elective 4 Free Elective 5	SOC 482 OR 485 Senior Seminar Sociology Elective Free Elective 6 Free Elective 7 Free Elective 8

                                Program Overview

                Minimum Total Credits     128 credits

        (Nonwestern requirement in one of above areas 3 cr.)

B. A. IN SOCIOLOGY (general)

Required Core Courses: 18 credits

SOC 101     Principles of Sociology
SOC 213** Sociological Theory
SOC 214     Quantitative Methods (prerequisite SOC 213, MATH 130 or SOC 211
SOC 215     Qualitative Methods (prerequisite SOC 213)
SOC 354     Social Stratification
SOC 485     Senior Seminar in Sociology

Plus major electives from below selected by advisement 15-18 credits

Plus related sociology elective 0-3 credits

Total: 36 credits

* Students may take either MATH 130 or Soc 211 to meet the prerequisite of SOC 214. MATH 130 satisfy GE math requirement and SOC 211 will count as a sociology elective course. SOC 211 does not fulfill the requirements of a Math GE requirement.

** Beginning in Spring 2008, Soc 213, Sociological Theory will replace Soc 218, History of Social Theory or SOC 219, Modern Sociological Theory.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE CONCENTRATION

 Required Core Courses: 21 credits

SOC 101     Principles of Sociology
SOC 213** Sociological Theory
SOC 214     Quantitative Methods (prerequisite SOC 213, MATH 130 or SOC 211*)
SOC 215     Qualitative Methods (prerequisite SOC 213)
SOC 261     Essentials of Criminal Justice
SOC 365     Social Deviance
SOC 482     Senior Seminar in Criminal Justice

Plus CJ electives chosen with advisement: 12-15 credits

SOC 211* Elementary Sociological Statistics
SOC 262   Violence in the Community
SOC 335   Sociology of Law
SOC 336   Comparative Criminal Justice Systems
SOC 364   Criminal Investigation
SOC 366   Sociology of Corrections
SOC 367   Juvenile Delinquency
SOC 368   Criminology
SOC 403   Community Corrections
SOC 492   Internship in Criminal Justice

Plus related sociology course chosen with advisement 0-3 credits

Total: 36 credits

* Students may take either MATH 130 or Soc 211 to meet the prerequisite of SOC 214. MATH 130 satisfy GE math requirement and SOC 211 will count as a sociology elective course. SOC 211 does not fulfill the requirements of a Math GE requirement.

** Beginning in Spring 2008, Soc 213, Sociological Theory will replace Soc 218, History of Social Theory or SOC 219, Modern Sociological Theory.

SOCIAL SERVICES CONCENTRATION

Required SS core courses 21 credits

SOC 101     Principles of Sociology
SOC 213** Sociological Theory
SOC 214     Quantitative Methods (prerequisite SOC 213, MATH 130 or SOC 211*)
SOC 215     Qualitative Methods (prerequisite SOC 213*)
SOC 223     Introduction to Human Services
SOC 485     Senior Seminar in Sociology
SOC 493     Field Work in Social Services

Plus SS electives from below chosen with advisement 12-15 credits

SOC 211*  Elementary Sociological Statistics
SOC 224    Social Work Practice and Policy
SOC 231    Sociology of the Family
SOC 241    Minority Groups in America
SOC 262    Violence in the Community
SOC 318    Race, Ethnicity and Health in the U. S.
SOC 351    Sociology of Socialization
SOC 349    Sociology of Adulthood
SOC 354    Social Stratification
SOC 355    Sociology of Aging
SOC 357    Sociology of Health and Illness
SOC 358    Sociology of Death and Grief
SOC 365    Social Deviance
SOC 367    Juvenile Delinquency

Plus related sociology course chosen with advisement 0-3 credits

Total: 36 credits

* Students may take either MATH 130 or Soc 211 to meet the prerequisite of SOC 214. MATH 130 satisfy GE math requirement and SOC 211 will count as a sociology elective course. Soc 211 does not fulfill the requirements of a Math GE requirement

** Beginning in Spring 2008, Soc 213, Sociological Theory will replace Soc 218, History of Social Theory or SOC 219, Modern Sociological Theory.

SOCIOLOGICAL PRACTICE CONCENTRATION

Required SP core courses 21 credits

Plus SP electives chosen with advisement 12-15 credits

Plus related sociology course chosen with advisement 0-3 credits

Total Credits 36 credits

 REQUIREMENTS FOR THE MINOR IN SOCIOLOGY

To complete a minor in sociology, students must complete a total of 18 sociology credits that include the following:

Required courses: 9 credits

Put three other sociology courses chosen with advisement 9 credits

Total credits 18 credits

* Students may take either MATH 130 or Soc 211 to meet the prerequisite of SOC 214. MATH 130 satisfy GE math requirement and SOC 211 will count as a sociology elective course. Soc 211 does not satisfy Math GE requirement

** Beginning in Spring 2008, Soc 213, Sociological Theory will replace Soc 218, History of Social Theory or SOC 219, Modern Sociological Theory.

Study Abroad

Sociology majors 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 in Africa, Asia, Europe and Latin America.

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.

Programs vary in price and typically include tuition, fees, room, and board. All financial aid programs may be applied toward study abroad. Application deadlines are March 1 and October 15. For further information, contact the Center for International Education (973-720-2976).

 Special Program Options in Sociology

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)).

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, Office of International Students and Scholars, Raubinger Hall lower level (973-720-2976).

 Special Studies Options in Sociology

Independent Study

Students in their junior or senior years can undertake an independent study (SOC 499), provided that they meet certain criteria. Students must demonstrate responsibility, 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 possibilities 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);

An application form, with a one-page prospectus as explained in the application packet, requires the signed approval of the faculty sponsor, department chairperson, and college dean. The Dean then submits the completed application to the Registrar for the student to gain authorization to register within the allotted registration period for that semester.

Internships

Internships give practical work experience in various settings. In a three-credit internship, students normally work a minimum of 8 hours a week under the supervision and guidance of an on-site supervisor in the community, corporate, criminal justice, or 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 sociology areas: hospitals (medical sociology); consumer relations, market research, personnel, public affairs (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 complete a 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 GPA, and a minimum of fifteen credits completed in sociology. A personal interview with the coordinator is required in the semester prior to registration. Contact Charley Flint for criminal justice (973-720-2368) or Keumjae Park (973-720-3562) for all other placements. Students with a concentration in Social Services or Sociological Practice must complete an internship.

Department Policy on Cheating and Plagiarism

 1. With documented evidence, a student who cheats on an exam or plagiarizes a paper for the first time will fail the course, and the record of the student's cheating or plagiarism will be sent to the Department Chair of the student’s major and the relevant Dean.

2. For a second offense in another course, the student will fail the course and be expelled from the sociology major. For those non-sociology major students who are guilty of a second offense, they will be banned from future consideration as a sociology major and their cheating/plagiarism will be reported to the relevant Dean for other disciplinary action.

Plagiarism is trying to pass off someone else's work as your own without proper citation. In short, it is theft of intellectual property. This includes not only paraphrasing material from outside sources without citation but also includes using programs and work from your sources without citations. It includes taking ideas from sources without attribution (including a classmate's work). It also includes copying from your source by changing a few items here and there. In all respects, your work should be your own voice except where you have indicated that you have incorporated ideas from others. Remember, it is not improper to use outside sources—in fact, it is frequently a good idea to do so—as long as you clearly indicate what are your ideas and what are the ideas of others.

If you are unsure about what constitutes plagiarism or what you need to do to avoid it, make sure you ask or put a note on your work.

Why is plagiarism frowned upon? The reason is that you are submitting work that was done by others and handing it in to be graded as your own work. In addition, it is not fair to the people who do their own work.