Criminology

CRIMINOLOGY MAJOR (.pdf worksheet)

The Sociology Department offers a specialized program in criminology, designed to give students a comprehensive introduction to the field. Courses focus on the characteristics and causes of crime and deviance and on the origins, nature and consequences of societal reactions to crime and deviance, giving particular attention to the criminal justice system. Basic instruction is also given in sociological theory and research methods.

The program is particularly appropriate for students wishing to pursue one of the following career options:

* graduate work in the social sciences with a special emphasis on criminology or criminal justice.

* a career in criminal justice (e.g. law enforcement, corrections, crime prevention), especially in agencies or departments involved in planning and evaluation.

* a career in law, social work or counseling

A cumulative grade point average of 2.25 or higher is required for regular admission to the criminology major. The Department will accept the grade of C- in required and elective courses in the Criminology major but requires that the student maintains a minimum grade point average of 2.00 in courses applied to the Criminology major. Courses taken for CR/NC or Audit cannot be applied to major requirements.

A sociology major may not also major in criminology. Criminology majors may not minor in sociology or social welfare without and approved degree plan constructed in consultation with the sociology undergraduate advisor.

Students must complete 40 hours of coursework in criminology - 34 hours in specific coursework and 6 hours of pertinent electives.

Planning the course of study:

REQUIRED

Sociology 101 Introduction to Sociology
Sociology 205 Crime, Public Policy & the Criminal Justice System
Sociology 211 Social Problems OR Sociology 213 Deviance
Sociology 280 Introduction to Research Methods
Sociology 312 Causes of Crime and Delinquency
Sociology 313 Social Control
Sociology 371 Classical Sociological Theory OR 471 Contemporary Sociological Theory
Sociology 381 Sociological Data Analysis
Two of the following: [Soc 412 Sociology of Police and Social Control, Soc 414 Sociology of Corrections, Soc 416 Sociology of Law, Soc 418 Selected Topics in Criminology, Soc 423 Gender and Crime, Soc 424 Race, Class, and Crime, Soc 425 From Youthful Misbehavior to Adult Crime, Soc 426 Drugs, Crime, and Social Control]
Sociology 481(L) Research Methods in Sociology (4 hours: 3 hour lecture w/ 1 hour lab)

6 hours (2 courses) from the approved list of electives:

Sociology 211 Social Problems
Sociology 213 Deviance
Sociology 216 Dynamics of Prejudice
Sociology 331 Collective Behavior
Sociology 345 Youth & Society (taken Spring 2004 or later)
Sociology 399 Advanced Undergraduate Workshop in Sociology
Sociology 412 Sociology of Police and Social Control

Sociology 414 Sociology of Corrections
Sociology 415 Social Stratification (effective Fall 2004)
Sociology 416 Sociology of Law
Sociology 418 Selected topics in criminology
Sociology 423 Gender and Crime
Sociology 424 Race, Class, and Crime
Sociology 425 From Youthful Misbehavior to Adult Crime
Sociology 426 Drugs, Crime and Social Control
Sociology 441 Complex Organizations
Sociology 445 Occupations and Professions
Sociology 488 Field Observation and Experience
Sociology 491 Directed Study in Criminology
Sociology 499 Senior Honors Thesis - by advance department approval only

Students may not count the same course as both a criminology core and criminology elective.

Anthropology 251 Forensic Anthropology

Philosophy 381 Philosophy of Law & Morals

Political Science 270 Public Policy & Administration
Political Science 301 The Government of New Mexico
Political Science 303 Law in the Political Community
Political Science 315 Constitutional Law: Powers
Political Science 316 Constitutional Law: Liberties
Political Science 317 Constitutional Law: Rights
Political Science 375 Public Management and Administration

Psychology 331 Psychology of Personality
Psychology 332 Abnormal Behavior
Psychology 430 Alcoholism

 

CRIMINOLOGY MINOR (.pdf worksheet)

Sociology majors may not minor in criminology without a special approved degree plan constructed in consultation with the sociology undergraduate advisor. Note that any course applied toward the total hours of one major or minor may not also be applied toward the total credit hours of another major or minor. When a major or minor have courses that overlap with one another or with another major or minor, students are required to take additional course(s), as approved by the sociology undergraduate advisor.

The Department will accept the grade of C- in required and elective courses in the criminology minor but requires that the student achieve a minimum grade point average of 2.00. Courses taken CR/NC or Audit cannot be applied to criminology minor requirements.

Students must complete 21 hours of coursework in criminology - 15 hours in specific coursework and 6 hours of pertinent electives.

Planning the course of study:

REQUIRED

Sociology 101 Introduction to Sociology
One of the following: [Soc 205 Crime, Public Polo cy & the Criminal Justice System, Soc 211 Social Problems, Sociology 213 Deviance]
Sociology 312 Causes of Crime and Delinquency
Sociology 313 Social Control
One of the following: [Soc 412 Sociology of Police and Social Control, Soc 414 Sociology of Corrections, Soc 416 Sociology of Law, Soc 418 Selected Topics in Criminology, Soc 423 Gender and Crime, Soc 424 Race, Class, and Crime, Soc 425 From Youthful Misbehavior to Adult Crime, Soc 426 Drugs, Crime, and Social Control]

6 hours (2 courses) from the approved list of electives:

Sociology 211 Social Problems
Sociology 213 Deviance
Sociology 216 Dynamics of Prejudice
Sociology 331 Collective Behavior
Sociology 345 Youth & Society (taken Spring 2004 or later)
Sociology 399 Advanced Undergraduate Workshop in Sociology
Sociology 412 Sociology of Police and Social Control

Sociology 414 Sociology of Corrections
Sociology 415 Social Stratification (effective Fall 2004)
Sociology 416 Sociology of Law
Sociology 418 Selected topics in criminology
Sociology 423 Gender and Crime
Sociology 424 Race, Class, and Crime
Sociology 425 From Youthful Misbehavior to Adult Crime
Sociology 426 Drugs, Crime and Social Control
Sociology 441 Complex Organizations
Sociology 445 Occupations and Professions
Sociology 488 Field Observation and Experience
Sociology 491 Directed Study in Criminology
Sociology 499 Senior Honors Thesis - by advance department approval only

Students may not count the same course as both a criminology core and criminology elective.

Anthropology 251 Forensic Anthropology

Philosophy 381 Philosophy of Law & Morals

Political Science 270 Public Policy & Administration
Political Science 301 The Government of New Mexico
Political Science 303 Law in the Political Community
Political Science 315 Constitutional Law: Powers
Political Science 316 Constitutional Law: Liberties
Political Science 317 Constitutional Law: Rights
Political Science 375 Public Management and Administration

Psychology 331 Psychology of Personality
Psychology 332 Abnormal Behavior
Psychology 430 Alcoholism