The minor in Sociology with a concentration in Criminology examines the criminal justice system and social dimensions of crime through required coursework in criminal justice systems, deviance, and criminological theory. Students analyze policing, courts, corrections, and juvenile justice while exploring how society constructs rules, who benefits from those rules, and what happens to those who violate them. Specialized electives include juvenile delinquency, criminal justice issues, and experiential seminars with field visits to justice system facilities. This minor enhances majors in government, psychology, social work, communications, or any area where understanding criminal justice strengthens career potential. Students develop expertise relevant to careers in law enforcement, legal services, corrections, social services, policy analysis, and advocacy work.
Program at a Glance
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On campus
Courses & Requirements
Summary of Requirements
Required courses 9 credits
The course will examine each of the different parts of the American criminal justice system (policing, courts, and corrections), the procedural laws governing the system, and the ways the various parts of the system are interrelated and interdependent. The interaction between the Deaf community and the criminal justice system will be used as a special case, and students will learn about their rights as deaf individuals and how to protect those rights.
GSR 102 or the equivalent
This course examines the social construction of deviance. That is, it examines how society makes rules for behavior, how those rules change over time, and who tends to benefit (and who tends to be limited) because of society's rules. The question of whether deviance is ''good'' or ''bad'' for society will also be examined. Finally, the course will consider what happens to people who break society's rules, both in terms of how society views rule-breakers and how they view themselves.
This course examines how society treats young people who break the law, the social causes of juvenile delinquency, and rates of juvenile delinquency.
Elective course 6 credits
SOC 405: Topic to be specified
Choose two courses:
This course is an experiential seminar. Students learn about the criminal justice system through a combination of weekly field trips, discussions with guest lecturers, and classroom discussions. Highly recommended as a first course in criminology for students who are considering working in the criminal justice system, as well as for students who would just like an insider''s view of police departments, courts, and correctional institutions in the United States.
Permission of the instructor
This course will examine a specific issue that poses current problems in the criminal justice system. Examples include: the exploding prison population, the challenges of policing post-9/11, and deaf people in the criminal justice system. This course may be repeated as topics change.
SOC 101
Job Outlook
Social Worker
The employment for Social Workers is expected to grow 6% from 2024-2034, with an average annual salary of $61,330. Learn more here.
Social and Community Service Manager
The employment of Social and Community Service Managers is expected to grow by a 6% rate from 2024-2034, with an average annual salary of $78,240. Learn more about careers in social and community service management.
Human Resources Manager
The employment of Human Resources Managers is expected to grow by a 5% rate from 2024-2034, with an average annual salary of $140,030. Learn more about a career as a human resources manager.
Training and Development Manager
The employment of Training and Development Managers is expected to grow by a 6% rate from 2024-2034, with an average annual salary of $127,090. Learn more about career opportunities as a training and development manager.
Paralegal
The employment of Paralegals is expected to grow by a 0% rate from 2024-2034, with an average annual salary of $61,010. Learn more about career opportunities as a paralegal.
Probation Officer
The employment of Probation Officers is expected to grow by a 3% rate from 2024-2034, with an average annual salary of $64,520. Learn more about a career as a Probation Officer.
Admissions
Learn about Gallaudet’s admissions requirements, steps to apply, application deadlines and more at our Undergraduate Admissions page.
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Contact
- Minor in Sociology with a concentration in Criminology
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