An introduction to the nature of society, social groups, processes of interaction, social change, and the relationship of behavior to culture.

An overview of the criminal justice system and the workings of each component. Topics include the history, structure and functions of law enforcement, judicial and correctional organizations, their interrelationship and effectiveness, and the future trends in each.

An introduction to the nature of society, social groups, social interaction, social change, and the relationship of behavior to culture in the Ozark-Ouachita region. The full range of sociological topics are covered, including crime and delinquency, marriage and family, social class and race, religion, and contemporary social movements.

A sociological analysis of contemporary social problems including inequalities, deviance, population changes, and troubled institutions.

A study of the major areas of crime and delinquency; with emphasis on theories of crime and the nature of criminal behavior.

An introduction to descriptive and inferential statistical methods pertinent to behavioral science research, including correlation, sampling distributions, t-tests, chi square and analysis of variance. Emphasis is upon the logical and applied aspects.

This course is designed to introduce you to the foundations of behavioral science, the logic of research design and the many possible modes of operation. This class focuses on teaching students in the behavioral sciences the basic principles that guide the research process, the elements of research design, how to read and critique research articles, and how to write a literature review for a research project.

A study of the historical development of social thought.

A survey course of sociological theories and theory development from the classical period to post-modernism.

This course studies the psychological and sociological aspects of death. The course will provide a basic insight into the dynamics surrounding death from the individual and societal level, its impact on survivors, and the effect death has on the living.

A study of the American family institution with emphasis upon role relationships, norms, and models. Some attention is given to cross cultural comparisons.

This course focuses on the study of interrelationships between society and the natural environment from traditional to postindustrial forms. Topics in this class will include economic approaches to the natural environment, philosophical/ethical approaches to the natural environment, public opinion on the natural environment, the importance of the environmental movement and policy development on environmental issues.

An exploration and analysis of the sociological concept of community from classical approaches to recent debates.

An introduction to the sociological and criminological study of human deviance. Various theories of deviance will be examined and applied to real life examples.

A study of education as a social system, its organizational characteristics, and it's inter relationships with other social systems such as the family, religion, economics, government, and politics.

An in-depth look at the juvenile justice system including the structure, statuses and roles as well as current issues, problems, and trends.

An examination of past and current social movements and their effects on social policy and social change. Topics will include classical and contemporary theories of social movements and social change.

Sociologists use the word "culture" to mean many things, some cognitive (e.g., ideas or schemata), some behavioral (e.g., rituals, speech), and some material (art works, clothing, buildings). This class will attend to all kinds, as long as they have something to do with meaning attached to social life. This course will expose you to major research traditions, themes, and areas of study in the sociology of culture. In so doing, it provides an overview for the curious and a platform for those who wish to do further work (research, comprehensive exam, teaching) in the sociology of culture.

A sociological survey of the ways in which social structure and personality interact. Topics typically covered are: socialization, attitudes and value formation and change, and group influences upon self-concept and self-esteem.

This course provides students with an overview of the practicality of a degree in sociology and assists students with career preparations.

This course is designed to provide a broad overview of qualitative research methods – “an umbrella term covering an array of interpretive techniques which seek to describe, decode, translate, and otherwise come to terms with the meaning, not the frequency, of certain more or less naturally occurring phenomena in the social world” (Van Maanen, 1983, p. 9) – used in the social sciences. This course will explore the aims, theoretical frameworks, tools, and methods of qualitative research. The course begins with a review of the philosophical assumptions and interpretive frameworks associated with qualitative research and will focus on different data collection methods, including participant observation, interviews, focus groups. Techniques to analyze media texts and other forms of discourse presented.

An introduction to and analysis of contemporary American corrections. Emphasis will be on current and past correctional philosophy, traditional and modern correctional facilities, correctional personnel and offenders, new approaches in corrections, and the relationship of corrections to the criminal justice field.

An introduction to research methodology, with emphasis upon conceptualization, design, and processes.

A study of minority groups with emphasis upon discrimination, socio historical characteristics and processes of change. Minorities considered include racial, ethnic, and gender.

This course presents a comprehensive study of the history and prohibition of drug use in the United States, as well as the effects of drugs on society in the form of crime, prison and treatment. The main focus of this class is on the history of drug use, how certain drugs become illegal, and the intended and unintended consequences of drug prohibition for communities and society.

This course addresses definitions of gender, gendered identities, how gender is created and maintained as a social construct, and the importance of gender in our daily lives. This class mainly focuses on the theoretical and empirical literature that encourages critical thinking about gender and challenges students to move beyond their preconceived notions/assumptions about gender.

A comprehensive study of historical and contemporary issues in American policing. Topics include theories of policing, police training and socialization, police discretion, technological advancements in policing, community policing, interaction with minority communities, and current controversies.

The study of how individuals are influenced by the actual or implied presence of other persons. Emphasis is placed on attitudes, social cognition, social influence, aggression, altruism, self and other perception.

An in-depth look at the sociology of health and illness including an examination of the social structures related to the medical system, the social psychology of health and illness, a comparative analysis of sick role behavior as well as the study of social causes and consequences of health and illness.

A study of social class and consequences for society and individuals.

A study of the various theoretical explanations of religion, including its relationship to the larger society and the world system.

A directed seminar in an area of sociology. The specific focus will depend upon research underway, community or student need, and the unique educational opportunity available.

An introduction to the sociology of aging: content provides general and specific knowledge regarding the aging process. Implications for economic, political, and family institutions are emphasized.

An examination of sociological theories of law and main currents of legal philosophy is followed by participant observation of actual community legal agencies, including police, courts, and others as available.

This course must be completed by all sociology majors prior to graduation. The course content/topic is determined by the professor and current issues in the local community, which may vary semester to semester. Emphasis will be placed on linking theory, research methods, and social action to community defined problems in the form of applied sociology.

Advanced students carry out independent research activity relating to a significant problem in a major field of study. Supervised by faculty member. Formal report and presentation required. One to four credits depending on problem selected and effort made.

Advanced students carry out independent research activity relating to a significant problem in a major field of study. Supervised by faculty member. Formal report and presentation required. One to four credits depending on problem selected and effort made.

Advanced students carry out independent research activity relating to a significant problem in a major field of study. Supervised by faculty member. Formal report and presentation required. One to four credits depending on problem selected and effort made.

Advanced students carry out independent research activity relating to a significant problem in a major field of study. Supervised by faculty member. Formal report and presentation required. One to four credits depending on problem selected and effort made.

Content will be determined by specific curriculum review and student need.

Content will be determined by specific curriculum review and student need.

Content will be determined by specific curriculum review and student need.

Content will be determined by specific curriculum review and student need.

A study of minority groups with emphasis upon discrimination, socio-historical characteristics, and processes of social change. Minorities considered include racial, ethnic, and gender.

This course presents a comprehensive study of the history and prohibition of drugs use in the United States, as well as the effects of drugs on society in the form of crime, prison, and treatment. The main focus of this class is on the history of drug use, how certain drugs become illegal, and the intended and unintended consequences of drug prohibition for communities and society.

A study of the factors that influence the attitudes, behaviors, and cognition of the individual with a special emphasis on interactions among people.

An in-depth look at the sociology of health and illness including an examination of the social structures related to the medical system, the social psychology of health and illness, a comparative analysis of sick role behavior, as well as the study of social causes and consequences of health and illness.

A study of social class and consequences for society and individuals.

An introduction to the sociology of aging: content provides general and specific knowledge regarding the aging process. Implications for economic, political, and family institutions are emphasized.

An advanced study of the concepts and techniques in descriptive and inferential statistics. Emphasis placed on the application of statistics and psychological research.

This course provides an in-depth survey of the classical social theorists and theoretical traditions in the 19th and 20th centuries. Attention will be directed to major thinkers and schools of thought which are responsible for the emergence of social theory (and the field of sociology). Contemporary theorists who have had a major impact on the discipline will also be examined.

An introduction to research methodology, with emphasis upon conceptualization, design, and processes.

An Introduction to the logic and methods of modern social program evaluation and assessment. Emphasizing the benefits of applied sociological methods, the course reviews nonprofit program measurement with a focus on costs and effects.

This course offers specialized instruction in an area of criminal justice not otherwise covered in the curriculum.

This course offers specialized instruction in an area of gerontology no otherwise covered in the curriculum.

Open to graduate students who wish to pursue individual study or investigation of some facet of knowledge which complements the purpose of the University's graduate program. Students will be required to plan their studies and prepare formal written reports of their findings. The selected topic may not constitute any duplication of study leading to the accomplishment of a thesis.

Open to graduate students who wish to pursue individual study or investigation of some facet of knowledge which complements the purpose of the University's graduate program. Students will be required to plan their studies and prepare formal written reports of their findings. The selected topic may not constitute any duplication of study leading to the accomplishment of a thesis.

Open to graduate students who wish to pursue individual study or investigation of some facet of knowledge which complements the purpose of the University's graduate program. Students will be required to plan their studies and prepare formal written reports of their findings. The selected topic may not constitute any duplication of study leading to the accomplishment of a thesis.

Open to graduate students who wish to pursue individual study or investigation of some facet of knowledge which complements the purpose of the University's graduate program. Students will be required to plan their studies and prepare formal written reports of their findings. The selected topic may not constitute any duplication of study leading to the accomplishment of a thesis.

This course is designed to allow the student specific time to research, write, and complete the thesis.

This course is designed to allow the student specific time to research, write, and complete the thesis.

This course is designed to allow the student specific time to research, write, and complete the thesis.