Students in the
sociology concentration complete courses in five areas. First, courses
required in the Sociology-Anthropology (SOAN) Common Core provide
broad-based knowledge of society and culture, as well as an introduction
to statistical techniques used by sociologists to analyze data. Second,
lower-level sociology electives introduce specific examples of the
subject matter of sociology and more closely examine the sociological
perspective on society and the sociological imagination. Third, courses
in sociological theory and research methods give the foundational
understanding of sociology as a discipline and provide the knowledge and
tools for both formulating and answering sociological questions.
Fourth, the combined applications, engagement, and advanced study
requirement involves the in-depth exploration of sociological concepts
to understand and address contemporary issues in the social world. Here
students pursue an additional applied data analysis or theory course, an
external internship, a capstone seminar that culminates in the writing
and presentation of a scholarly paper, independent research under the
tutelage of a specific faculty member, or the first course leading to
the honors thesis. Fifth, upper level sociology electives allow for
closer study of a range of critical substantive areas within the
discipline of sociology. Courses are offered on a variety of subjects
built around the areas of expertise among faculty in the department.
Students interested in pursuing the Ph.D. degree in sociology or
engaging in higher-level research are encouraged to complete the
departmental honors sequence and other recommended
methodologically-based courses beyond the minimum 39 hours. A minor in
sociology is also available in the department.
Sociology Key Learning
Objectives
Upon completion of the
course of study in sociology, students should be able to:
Communicate
effectively in the presentation of sociological material: write
proficiently, read and synthesize sociological literature, speak
confidently on sociological issues.
"Take the role of
other", i.e. understand how people from varied backgrounds are
shaped by and experience a social world that includes diversity,
inequality, social issues, social institutions, social structures
and processes.
Exercise their
sociological imagination and apply multiple theoretical perspectives
to sociological questions and social issues/problems.
Formulate basic
sociological research questions and understand the research process,
including operationalization and measurement of concepts,
quantitative or qualitative data collection and analysis, the use of
SPSS or other research software, and the use of basic statistics.
Critically interpret
and evaluate sociological information, e.g. read tables of
information, correctly interpret basic statistics (e.g. measures of
central tendency), assess whether concepts are adequately grounded
in data, identify good research.
ANTHROPOLOGY CONCENTRATION
(minimum 39 total units)
Course of Study in
Anthropology
Towson University’s
Department of Sociology, Anthropology, and Criminal Justice offers both
a major concentration and a minor in anthropology. Students who pursue
either course of study are expected to successfully complete core
courses in human evolution and prehistory, cultural anthropology,
statistics, anthropological theory, and ethnographic or archaeological
methods. Concentrators also choose among three areas of study that
reflect the program’s greatest strengths: cultural anthropology,
archaeology, or globalization and development. Students select seven
elective courses related to one of these areas to both enrich their
understanding of the field of anthropology as a whole and to delve
deeper into a specific realm of anthropology. In addition to their
regular coursework, anthropology students are encouraged to participate
in the department’s honors program and in a variety of hands-on
research, field study, and internship experiences. There are
opportunities for interested students to participate in archaeological
research at several local excavation sites. We actively encourage our
anthropology students to study abroad, and in recent years our students
have participated in ethnographic and archaeological fieldwork programs
other places in the U.S., Korea, Kenya, and Mexico. Anthropology
concentrators can gain pre-professional experience and earn up to six
units of credit by taking part in internships in businesses, cultural
institutions, and agencies in the community.
Anthropology Key
Learning Objectives
Upon completion of the
course of study in anthropology, students should be able to:
Understand the range
and patterning of human and cultural variation.
Recognize and value
difference and understand the connections between and among
communities.
Understand how local
context and global processes are articulated today and in the past.
Critically examine
the assumptions, evidence, and methods of anthropological research
and related materials.
Effectively
communicate contemporary anthropology through varied modes of
transmission, including written, visual, and oral means.
Use ethnographic or
archaeological methods to address significant anthropological
questions.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE CONCENTRATION
(minimum 42 total units)
Course of Study in
Criminal Justice
All students in the
criminal justice concentration take four required courses that establish
the foundational disciplinary framework for the study of criminology and
criminal justice. Included are basic introductory courses in sociology
and criminal justice, a course on crime theory, and a basic
statistics course. Students must also select one additional upper level
advanced study course in either sociological theory, research methods,
or data analysis, depending on their interest. These courses establish
a deeper understanding of the sociological origins of many crime
theories or provide exposure to the range of research approaches in the
social sciences. Beyond this disciplinary and scientific core, students
then select five content courses that focus on the themes of social
control, criminology, and special issues in the field of criminal
justice. Our social control offerings include courses on institutional
or community corrections, the linkage between law and society, the
organization of policing, or even criminal forensics. Our criminology
offerings include courses that address crime and inequality, other forms
of social deviance such as mental illness or suicide, youth gangs or
youth crime, crime profiling, or lethal or sexual violence. Our special
issue courses focus on ethics, domestic violence, campus violence,
conflict resolution, moral panics and public fear, police work, and
criminal investigation, among other topics. Completion of the
concentration also requires that students select two supporting courses
in sociology or anthropology that underscore the context of crime and
control, including courses on American culture, race and ethnicity, the
family, social class, urban life, or small group interaction. Finally,
students select two additional elective courses from among seven
contributing departments, including psychology, computer science,
geography, political science, health, history, or philosophy. The
concentration provides students with a wide choice of courses and
opportunities for study in many areas of critical concern to criminal
justice professionals today.
Criminal Justice Key
Learning Objectives
Upon completion of the
course of study in criminal justice, students should be able to:
Apply theories and
concepts of criminology, social control and the criminal justice
system to address effectively the issue of crime in society: e.g.,
link criminological theory to criminal justice policy; recognize
implications, impact and consequences of policy decisions.
Understand how an
individual’s experience with crime and social control are shaped by
a social world that includes diversity, inequality, social
structures and processes.
Exercise
sociological understanding of contemporary issues related to
criminology, social control and the criminal justice system.
Communicate
effectively in the presentation of criminology and criminal justice
materials; write proficiently in the substantive field; read and
synthesize related literature.
Formulate and answer
basic research questions related to criminology, social control and
criminal justice; understand the research process, including
quantitative and/or qualitative data collection and the use of basic
statistics; critically interpret data on crime and criminal justice.
All majors in sociology-anthropology are
encouraged to seek advising in the department on a regular basis.
Students should visit the department office to have a major advisor
assigned to them. All full-time faculty in the department participate
in advising students in our concentrations. Beyond receiving important
guidance about course selection in the major, faculty advisors provide
insight about career opportunities and future goals, and can offer
valuable information about the campus culture and upcoming scholarly
events within the college and across the university.
When students visit the department office to
seek advising, an advising file is created to help track the progress of
students. During this initial visit, students are given a concentration
check sheet outlining the curriculum they must complete, and they also
receive a list of some of the basic university requirements the
department has compiled as a general guide that must be met to
graduate. All students are also asked to complete the Declaration of
Major form in the department even if the major has been declared
elsewhere, so that the correct concentration is recorded.
Importantly, while the department routinely
accepts transfer credits in the major (up to six courses or 18 credit
hours), students must see a faculty advisor in the department to
determine whether or not a transfer course will actually count towards
completion of the major. This is a separate process from transferring
courses into Towson University. For USM schools or Maryland community
colleges or universities, the department asks students to supply the
course description for each course they would like considered. For
courses completed outside of Maryland, a syllabus must be submitted to
the department advisor for review and consideration.
Because of the strong demand for many
courses, we ask our students to seek advising from faculty in the major
substantially prior to the beginning of the registration period.
Interested in an internship in Sociology, Anthropology and Criminal Justice? If so, contact internship coordinators Robert Wall for Anthropology, and Stephen Erik Hartmark for Sociology, and Laura Hahn for Criminal Justice.
8000 York Road | Towson, MD 21252 | 410-704-2000
Students in the
sociology concentration complete courses in five areas. First, courses
required in the Sociology-Anthropology (SOAN) Common Core provide
broad-based knowledge of society and culture, as well as an introduction
to statistical techniques used by sociologists to analyze data. Second,
lower-level sociology electives introduce specific examples of the
subject matter of sociology and more closely examine the sociological
perspective on society and the sociological imagination. Third, courses
in sociological theory and research methods give the foundational
understanding of sociology as a discipline and provide the knowledge and
tools for both formulating and answering sociological questions.
Fourth, the combined applications, engagement, and advanced study
requirement involves the in-depth exploration of sociological concepts
to understand and address contemporary issues in the social world. Here
students pursue an additional applied data analysis or theory course, an
external internship, a capstone seminar that culminates in the writing
and presentation of a scholarly paper, independent research under the
tutelage of a specific faculty member, or the first course leading to
the honors thesis. Fifth, upper level sociology electives allow for
closer study of a range of critical substantive areas within the
discipline of sociology. Courses are offered on a variety of subjects
built around the areas of expertise among faculty in the department.
Students interested in pursuing the Ph.D. degree in sociology or
engaging in higher-level research are encouraged to complete the
departmental honors sequence and other recommended
methodologically-based courses beyond the minimum 39 hours. A minor in
sociology is also available in the department.
Towson University’s
Department of Sociology, Anthropology, and Criminal Justice offers both
a major concentration and a minor in anthropology. Students who pursue
either course of study are expected to successfully complete core
courses in human evolution and prehistory, cultural anthropology,
statistics, anthropological theory, and ethnographic or archaeological
methods. Concentrators also choose among three areas of study that
reflect the program’s greatest strengths: cultural anthropology,
archaeology, or globalization and development. Students select seven
elective courses related to one of these areas to both enrich their
understanding of the field of anthropology as a whole and to delve
deeper into a specific realm of anthropology. In addition to their
regular coursework, anthropology students are encouraged to participate
in the department’s honors program and in a variety of hands-on
research, field study, and internship experiences. There are
opportunities for interested students to participate in archaeological
research at several local excavation sites. We actively encourage our
anthropology students to study abroad, and in recent years our students
have participated in ethnographic and archaeological fieldwork programs
other places in the U.S., Korea, Kenya, and Mexico. Anthropology
concentrators can gain pre-professional experience and earn up to six
units of credit by taking part in internships in businesses, cultural
institutions, and agencies in the community. 