The Bachelor of Science is advisable for those who wish to signal social science expertise with training in statistics while the Bachelor of Arts designates a blending of the social sciences with courses in the humanities for a more traditional liberal arts education.

Courses

ANTHR 1100 Introduction to Anthropology (4 hours)

An introduction to human biological evolution, prehistoric cultural development and nature, and linguistics.
(Normally offered alternate years)

ANTHR 1150 Cultural Anthropology (4 hours)

This course reviews the origin and development of culture in preliterate human societies. It focuses on the major social institutions of family, economics, political organization, and religion.
(Normally offered each semester.)

ANTHR 2530 Latin American Cultures (4 hours)

This course examines Latin American cultures from an anthropological perspective. It covers stratification and its effects on indigenous populations and contemporary cultures, and the effects of culture change on them.
(Normally offered alternate years.)

ANTHR 2540 Native American Cultures (4 hours)

This course examines a wide range of Native American cultures. It includes an exploration of cultures before contact by European populations and contemporary issues facing both reservation and urban Native American populations.
(Normally offered each spring semester.)

ANTHR 2550 Sub-Sahara African Cultures (4 hours)

This course examines selected cultures from Sub-Sahara Africa with careful attention to culture formation before contact with European culture as well as the effects of colonization and the effects of increases in technology.
(Normally offered alternate years.)

ANTHR 2560 Asian Cultures (4 hours)

This course examines selected Asian cultures from an anthropological perspective, including the effects of stratification and culture change. It provides a general survey of prehistoric cultures as well as some of the issues related to Western expansion in Asia.
(Normally offered alternate years.)

ANTHR 2580 Cultures and Economics of Europe (4 hours)

This course is designed to examine Europe as a culture area. Specific emphasis will be on class systems, peasantry, contemporary life, and tradition and change. Although there are clearly differences among European cultures, they also share common roots in the feudal system. It will also study romance language formation and the drive for the development of the contemporary European economic community.
(Normally offered alternate years.)

ANTHR 2620 Political Anthropology (4 hours)

This course will be an examination of the relationships between population density and the formation of political structures. It will also study contemporary peoples in Africa, India, and the Near East. It will set the stage for a discussion of some of the current political difficulties that traditional peoples face in their interactions with Western cultures from the United States and Europe.
(Normally offered alternate years.)

ANTHR 2630 Anthropology of Religion (4 hours)

This course summarizes anthropological theories on religious systems and ritual systems. It will also examine relationships between religious systems, popuation density, and environment in pre-industrial societies. Ethnographic studies from pre-industrial Europe, the Near East, Polynesia, and Asia will be included.
(Normally offered alternate years.)

ANTHR 2900 Selected Topics (1-5 hours)

A course designed to treat subject matter not covered in other departmental courses or to provide study of subject matter introduced in other courses. The title, content, and credit hours will be determined by current mutual interests of faculty and students.

ANTHR 2960 Special Projects (1-8 hours)

Supervised individual projects for students on topics selected by the student in consultation with the instructor. Special Projects may not duplicate courses described in the catalog.
Prerequisite(s): Permission of the instructor.

ANTHR 3610 Economic Anthropology (4 hours)

This course examines the relationships between economic and environmental forces in pre-industrial societies. Many contemporary pre-industrial societies are still struggling with issues centering around Communism and Capitalism. This course will trace some of those issues to their origin and point out potential scenarios for contemporary non-Western societies. African, Latin American, and Polynesian cultures will be the focus of this course.
Prerequisite(s): ANTHR 1150 Cultural Anthropology or permission of the instructor.

ANTHR 3900 Selected Topics (1-5 hours)

This is a course designed to treat subject matter not covered in other departmental courses or to provide study of subject matter introduced in other courses. The title, content, and credit hours will be determined by current mutual interests of faculty and students.
Prerequisite(s): Permission of the instructor

ANTHR 3910 Independent Advanced Readings (1-6 hours)

This course offers the opportunity of intensive readings in the discipline based on student and instructor topic of interest.
Prerequisite(s): Permission of the instructor.

ANTHR 3920 Field Studies: A Foreign Culture (3 hours)

This course provides an opportunity for students to learn from direct experience and personal interaction guided by lectures in the field and selected readings. Students will be guided to formulate and carry out specific research and/or establish constructive relationships with the subjects.
Prerequisite(s): SOC 1110 Introduction to Sociology and ANTHR 1150 Cultural Anthropology or approval of the instructor.

ANTHR 3930 Field Studies: Native American Life (3 hours)

This course provides an opportunity for students to learn from direct experience and personal interaction guided by lectures in the field and selected readings. Students will be guided to formulate and carry out specific research and/or establish constructive relationships with the subjects.
Prerequisite(s): Permission of the instructor.
Cross-listed with SOCWK 3930 Field Studies: Native American Life

ANTHR 3960 Special Projects (1-15 hours)

ANTHR 4990 Senior Thesis (1-4 hours)

Independent field research required for all majors.
Prerequisite(s): Permission of the instructor.

CRMJS 1010 Introduction to Criminal Justice (4 hours)

A survey course providing an overall view of the criminal justice system, the law, law enforcement, the courts, and corrections.
(Normally offered each fall semester.)

CRMJS 2110 Police and Community (4 hours)

This course provides an analysis of the structure-function of law enforcement and the dilemma confronting the police in relation with the community.
Prerequisite(s): CRMJS 1010 Introduction to Criminal Justice.
(Normally offered alternate years.)

CRMJS 2120 Criminal Law (4 hours)

Survey of criminal law with emphasis on basic legal procedure developed by the courts and legal problems of law enforcement.
Prerequisite(s): CRMJS 1010 Introduction to Criminal Justice.
(Normally offered alternate years.)

CRMJS 2130 Correction and Penology (4 hours)

Analysis of the history, theory, structure, and function of contemporary penal institutions.
Prerequisite(s): CRMJS 1010 Introduction to Criminal Justice.
(Normally offered alternate years.)

CRMJS 2140 Juvenile Justice (4 hours)

This course examines the unique framework and workings of the juvenile justice system. This system is in the process of on-going profound changes in both legal rights and corrections. We will examine the reasons why juveniles commit crimes and status offenses. The current issues in juvenile justice such as: gangs, growth in "female" criminal involvement, and the hardening of juvenile offenders are also considered.
Prerequisite(s): CRMJS 1010 Introduction to Criminal Justice.
(Normally offered alternate years.)

CRMJS 2380 Women and Crime (4 hours)

This course uses a sociological perspective to explore gendered issues that women face as perpetrators, victims, and workers in the criminal justice system. As such, students will explore theories and empirical studies related to offending, victimization, and employment. The requirements of the 3380 course will be the same as the 2380 course EXCEPT that students in the higher course number will write a comprehensive literature review as training for future social science research projects or conduct an additional major project as determined by the instructor.

CRMJS 2900 Selected Topics (1-5 hours)

A topical course designed to investigate any relevant subject matter not included in any of the standard courses. The title and content will be determined by current mutual interests of students and faculty. This course may be offered to meet a requirement for a major only by approval of the department chair.

CRMJS 2960 Special Projects (1-15 hours)

CRMJS 2970 Internship (1-8 hours)

An on-the-job experience oriented toward the student’s major interest. The student is to secure a position in an organization that satisfies the mutual interests of the instructor, the sponsor, and the student.
Prerequisite(s): Permission of the department chair.

CRMJS 3150 Crime and Delinquency (4 hours)

This course offers an examination of contemporary problems in crime and delinquency with emphasis upon the theories of deviant behavior and correction.
Prerequisite(s): CRMJS 1010 Introduction to Criminal Justice and SOC 1110 Introduction to Sociology.
(Normally offered each spring semester.)

CRMJS 3160 Research Methods (3 hours)

See department for course description.

CRMJS 3380 Women and Crime (4 hours)

CRMJS 3900 Selected Topics (1-4 hours)

A course designed to treat subject matter not covered in other departmental courses to provide study of subject matter introduced in other courses. The title, content, and credit hours will be determined by current mutual interests of faculty and students.

CRMJS 3910 Independent Advanced Readings (1-6 hours)

This course offers the opportunity of intensive readings in the discipline based on student and instructor topic of interest.
Prerequisite(s): Permission of the instructor.

CRMJS 3950 Independent Study (1-4 hours)

This is a research course. The student initially meets with the department chair to select a study topic and review research methods. At this time the student will be assigned a faculty resource person to guide his or her work and assist in an advisory capacity. A copy of the student's work is filed in the archives for the department. Independent study may not duplicate courses described in the catalog.
Prerequisite(s): Senior standing or permission of the department chair.

CRMJS 3960 Special Projects (1-15 hours)

CRMJS 4970 Capstone 1: Internship (1-8 hours)

This course is a field placement at an agency/organization that is related to the student's area of career interest. A minimum of 140 on-site contact hours are required. In addition, there is a one-hour weekly seminar for all registered students. The seminar focuses on processing the field experience, self-assessment, and professionalization. The course may be repeated for a maximum of 8 credit hours.
Prerequisite(s): Approval of instructor.
(Normally offered each fall semester.)

CRMJS 4990 Capstone 2: Thesis (4 hours)

This course requires the completion of an independent sociological research project in a topic area of interest to the student. The completed project should be conference quality scientific article that is then presented to the academic community in such formats as the NWU Student Symposium or the Nebraska Undergraduate Sociological Symposium. Students are responsible for all phases of the research process, including topic selection, academic literature review, definition of the population; sample selection; methodology, data collection and analysis and preparation of the final report (thesis). The paper and the presentation should give evidence that the student is capable of critical integration, synthesis, and analysis of ideas as well as having gained written and oral communication skills, thereby showing some mastery of the departmental goals and objective and the discipline.
Prerequisite(s): Approval of the instructor.
(Normally offered each spring semester.)
Cross-listed with SOC 4990 Capstone 2 - Thesis

SOC 1110 Introduction to Sociology (4 hours)

This course is an introduction to using the sociological perspective as a method of social inquiry. Students explore such basic concepts as culture, socialization, social structure, social interaction, and social change. They study and apply the theories and research methodologies used to investigate human social interaction. These concepts are applied to social topics such as race, class, gender, family, crime, population, environment, and others.
(Normally offered each semester.)

SOC 1120 Responding to Social Problems (4 hours)

This course uses sociological perspectives to emphasize the interconnection between individuals, social structure, social forces, and social problems. Students will enlist a sociological focus to study and assess what constitutes a "social problem," what causes a social problem, and how selected social problems are addressed. The requirements of the 2120 course will be the same as the 1120 course EXCEPT that students in the higher course number will complete a 20 hour service-learning component.
(Normally offered each semester.)

SOC 1330 Race Relations and Minority Groups (4 hours)

This course uses sociological perspectives to examine the causes and consequences of a society stratisfied by racial-ethinic diversity. It looks at the way historical decisions made by the dominant group have impacted the current situation for majority-minority relations in the U.S. A structural assessment of current social relations is emphasized although individual prejudice and discrimination is examined. Concepts such as white-privilege, immigration, and institutional discrimination are investigated. The requirements of the 2330 course will be the same as the 1330 course EXCEPT that students in the higher course number will complete a 20 hour service-learning component.
(Normally offered each semester.)

SOC 1350 Sociology of the Family (4 hours)

This course offers an analysis of various interrelationships of men and women with emphasis in love, courtship, marriage, and family. Institutional, social, and legal perspectives are presented in a cross-cultural and historical frame of reference to elucidate the dynamic relationship between the family, its members. and broader U.S. society. The requirements of the 2350 course will be the same as the 1350 course EXCEPT that students in the higher course number will write a comprehensive literature review as training for future social science research projects.
(Normally offered each semester.)

SOC 2120 Responding to Social Problems (4 hours)

This course uses sociological perspectives to emphasize the interconnection between individuals, social structure, social forces, and social problems. Students will enlist a sociological focus to study and assess what constitutes a "social problem," what causes a social problem, and how selected social problems are addressed. Course requires strong student involvment and experiential learning. The requirements of the 2120 course will be the same as the 1120 course EXCEPT that students in the higher course number will complete a 20 hour service-learning component.
(Normally offered each semester.)

SOC 2330 Race Relations and Minority Groups (4 hours)

This course uses sociological perspectives to examine the causes and consequences of a society stratisfied by racial-ethinic diversity. It looks at the way historical decisions made by the dominant group have impacted the current situation for majority-minority relations in the U.S.A structural assessment of current social relations is emphasized although individual prejudice and discrimination is examined. Concepts such as white-privilege, immigration, and institutional discrimination are investigated. The requirements of the 2330 course will be the same as the 1330 course EXCEPT that students in the higher course number will complete a 20 hour service-learning component.
(Normally offered each semester.)

SOC 2340 Latino Experiences in U.S. Society (3 hours)

This course explores the history and contemporary issues of Latinos in U.S. society. It covers the contribuations and experiences of the diverse racial/ethnic/cultural groups from Central and South America, Mexico, and the Caribbean who have become part of the society both as immigrants and as conquered peoples. Topics related to Latino experiences in the U.S. include: identity, language, immigration, population growth, political involvement, education, health, integration, and economics.
(Normally offered each fall semester.)

SOC 2350 Sociology of the Family (4 hours)

SOC 2360 Gender and Society (4 hours)

This course uses the sociological perspective to explore sex and gender relations as major features of social life. It considers the social construction of gender (including the creation of masculinities and femininities) and examines the impact of gender ideologies on the social positions of women and men. In particular, it emphasizes the way these social positions (such as gender, race, social class, sexualities, etc.) create and perpetuate the inequalities embedded in its social institutions (like the family, economy/work, religion, media, etc.). The requirements of the 3360 course will be the same as the 2360 course EXCEPT that students in the higher course number will write a comprehensive literature review as training for future social science research projects.
(Normally offered alternate years.)
Cross-listed with GEND 2360 Sociology of Gender

SOC 2380 Women and Crime (4 hours)

SOC 2530 Population and Environment (4 hours)

This course examines the demographic and social dynamics of population size, composition, and distribution. It addresses the relationships between population, human health, development and the environment. Strong cross-cultural emphasis. A major focus is the development of a semester research paper contrasting the status of the Millennium Development Goals, Environmental status and Health in an MDC and an LDC.

SOC 2900 Selected Topics (1-5 hours)

SOC 2910 Social Statistics (4 hours)

In this course students are introduced to descriptive and inferential statistics and their applications to sociological research. Statistical procedures include central tendency measures, variability, t-test, one-way ANOVA, correlation, univariate regression, and chi square. The course also includes specific emphasis on packages such as SPSS and MicroCase.
Prerequisite(s): SOC 1110 Introduction to Sociology
(Normally offered each spring semester.)

SOC 2960 Special Projects (1-8 hours)

SOC 3150 Crime and Delinquency (4 hours)

This course offers an examination of contemporary problems in crime and deliquency with emphasis upon the theories of deviant behavior and correction.
Prerequisite(s): CRMJS 1010 Introduction to Criminal Justice, and SOC 1110 Introduction to Sociology
Cross-listed with CRMJS 3150 Crime and Delinquency
(Normally offered each spring semester)

SOC 3330 Seminar on Race-Ethnicity (4 hours)

This course focuses on social privilege and its impact on the meaning and significance of race and ethnicity. It features experiential learning and strong student involvement as such esponsibility for classroom activity will be shared by students and instructor. The course also requires field experience in the community. Potential topics covered include white privilege, color-blind racism, and intersectional analysis of social identities. Particular attention may be given to specific racial-ethnic minority groups. Used as a capstone course for students minoring in American Minority Studies, this seminar assumes significant prior knowledge and interest on the part of the student.
Prerequisite(s): SOC 1110 Introduction to Sociology and SOC 1330 Race Relations and Minority Groups or approval of the instructor.
(Normally offered alternate years.)

SOC 3360 Gender and Society (4 hours)

This course uses the sociological perspective to explore sex and gender relations as major features of social life. It considers the social construction of gender (including the creation of masculinities and femininities) and examines the impact of gender ideologies on the social positions of women and men. In particular, it emphasizes the way these social positions (such as gender, race, social class, sexualities, etc.) create and perpetuate the inequalities embedded in its social institutions (like the family, economy/work, religion, media, etc.) The requirements of the 3360 course will be the same as the 2360 course EXCEPT that students in the higher course number will write a comprehensive literature review as training for future social science research projects.
(Normally offered alternate years.)
Cross-listed with GEND 3360 Gender and Society

SOC 3370 Social Inequality (4 hours)

This course explores social stratisfication, the socially created pattern of unequal distribution of social resources. It gives particular attention to social class, but also considers how class intersects with other social categories (such as race/ethnicity and gender) to create even further inequality. It also examines the interconnectedness of social inequality and the primary social institutions of U.S. society. It also explores global social inequality. The requirements of the 4370 course will be the same as the 3370 course EXCEPT that students in the higher course number will select additional in-depth readings, writings, and activities that expand on the course materials.
Prerequisite(s): SOC 1110 Introduction to Sociology
(Normally offered alternate years.)

SOC 3380 Women and Crime (4 hours)

SOC 3520 Group Dynamics (4 hours)

Since all social interation takes place in groups, this course introduces students to the basic principles of small group structure and interation. Students participate in group activities throughout the semester in order to study and reflect on the way groups function and influence individual behavior. Topics such as goals, cohesiveness, communication, conflict, and leadership are investigated.
Prerequisite(s): SOC 1110 Introduction to Sociology.
(Normally offered every other year.)

Archway Curriculum: Essential Connections: Discourse Instructive

Archway Curriculum: Integrative Core: Identity Thread

SOC 3530 Environment, Food, and You (4 hours)

This course identifies and explores issues that arise because of the impacts of human beings on the environment, and impacts of the environment on human activity. Students will be introduced to social impact assessment as a means for identifying the ways resources exploitation leads to both the development and decline of communities. Food production is used to illustrate these impacts because it plays a significant role in community organization, human survival, and environmental resilience. The requirements of the 4530 course will be the same as the 3530 course EXCEPT that students in the higher course number will complete a semester length field project relevant to the course material.
Prerequisite(s): SOC 1110 Introduction to Sociology or SOC 2530 Population and Environment.
(Normally offered alternate years.)

SOC 3540 Urban Communities (4 hours)

This course examines urban communities and their historical roots. Topics covered include demographic and ecological trends, cross-cultural varientions, and current theories about urban processes and community in order to foster an understanding of this dominant form of human social organization. Students engage in field study in areas such as community development, urban administration, spatial organization, and contemporary social problems. The requirements of the 4540 course will be the same as the 3540 course EXCEPT that students in the higher course number will complete a semester length field project relevant to the course material.
Prerequisite(s): SOC 1110 Introduction to Sociology
(Normally offered alternate years.)

SOC 3900 Selected Topics (1-5 hours)

An upper-level course designed to treat subject matter not covered in other departmental courses or to provide study of subject matter introduced in other courses. The title, content, and credit hours will be determined by current mutual interest of faculty and students.

SOC 3910 Independent Advanced Readings (1-6 hours)

This course offers the opportunity of intensive readings in the discipline based on student and instructor topic of interest.
Prerequisite(s): Permission of the instructor.

SOC 3920 Social Theory (4 hours)

In this course, students will explore selected major theoretical perspectives of European and American social theories of the late 19th and 20th centuries which influence contemporary sociological thought. Students will develop essential skills in thinking theoretically including the ability to understand, discuss, and apply theoretical perspectives.
Prerequisite(s): SOC 1110 Introduction to Sociology.
(Normally offered each fall semester.)

SOC 3960 Quantitative Research Methods (4 hours)

In this course, students are introduced to quantitative research methods commonly used in social science research: survey research, experimental design, secondary analysis, and evaluation research. Emphasis is on survey research, including project design, questionnaire construction, sampling, data collection, statistical analysis, and formal presentation of results. Key elements of the course are learning to ask researchable questions and formulate testable hypotheses.
Prerequisite(s): SOC 1110 Introduction to Sociology and any Statistics course (SOC 2910 Social Statistics is preferred.)
(Normally offered each fall semester.)

SOC 3970 Qualitative Research Methods (4 hours)

In this course, students are introduced to qualitative research methods commonly used in social science research. Emphasis is on individualized project design, project construction, data analysis, and formal presentation of results. Course content includes exploration of observation, participant observation, ethnography, in-depth interviewing, focus groups, content analysis, case study, and online qualitative innovations in research.
Prerequisite(s): SOC 1110 Introduction to Sociology and SOC 3920 Social Theory.
(Normally offered each spring semester.)

SOC 4330 Seminar: Racial-Ethnic Experiences (4 hours)

Intended as a capstone course for students minoring in American Minority Studies, this seminar assumes significant prior knowledge and interest on the part of the student. It features experiential learning and strong student involvement focused on the meaning and significance of race and ethnicity. Responsibility for classroom activity will be shared by students and instructor. The course also requires field experience in the community. Topics covered include stratification, family structure, subcultural variation, religion, heritage, social psychology, interpersonal communication, and conflict resolution.
Prerequisite(s): SOC 1110 Introduction to Sociology and SOC 1330 Race Relations and Minority Groups or approval of the instructor.
(Normally offered alternate years.)

SOC 4370 Social Inequality (4 hours)

SOC 4530 Environment, Food, and You (4 hours)

SOC 4540 Urban Communities (4 hours)

SOC 4960 Special Projects (1-15 hours)

Supervised individual projects in conjunction with departmental research and student interest. Special Projects may not duplicate courses described in the catalog.
Prerequisite(s): Approval of the instructor.

SOC 4970 Capstone 1: Internship (1-8 hours)

SOC 4990 Capstone 2 - Thesis (4 hours)

This course requires the completion of an independent sociological research project in a topic area of interest to the student. The completed project should be conference quality scientific article that is then presented to the academic community in such format as the NWU Student Symposium or the Nebraska Undergraduate Sociological Symposium. Students are responsible for all phases of the research process, including topic selection, academic literature review, definition of the population; sample selection; methodology, data collection and analysis and preparation of the final report (thesis). The paper and the presentation should give evidence that the student is capable of critical integration, synthesis, and analysis of ideas as well as having gained written and oral communication skills, thereby showing some mastery of the departmental goals and objective and the discipline.
Prerequisite(s): Approval of the instructor.
(Normally offered each spring semester.)
Cross-listed with CRMJS 4990 Capstone 2: Thesis

Course Catalogs

Department/Program:

Sociology and Anthropology

Majors, Minors & Degrees:

Majors

Minors

Courses