Sociology

David J. Hartmann, Chair
Susan Caringella-MacDonald
Susan M. Carlson
Susan L. Caulfield
Paul S. Ciccantell
Laura Citrin
Charles E. Crawford II
Douglas V. Davidson
Thomas E. Ford
Barry Goetz
Gregory Howard
Vyacheslav Karpov
Ronald C. Kramer
Richard R. MacDonald
Gerald Markle
Angela Moe
Victoria C. Ross
Zoann K. Snyder
Subhash R. Sonnad
Thomas L. Van Valey
Robert F. Wait
Paul L. Wienir

Courses are designed to give students a better understanding of the significant factors and processes of modern life; to provide study useful for particular applied fields, such as social work, criminal justice, market research, opinion polling, city, state, and federal governmental service, and social research; to meet the needs of students preparing to teach in the social science field; and to prepare students for graduate work in sociology or criminal justice.

The Kercher Center for Social Research, as the research arm of the department, provides facilities and services available to students as well as faculty for instructional and research purposes. The center maintains computer and other research facilities that are used in research course instruction. Research conducted through the center has dealt with subjects such as: criminal justice, marital roles, race relations, voting behavior, alcoholism, mental health, demography, and education.

Department Advisor

2401 Sangren Hall, 387-5286. Students must consult the department advisor for major/minor slips in Sociology, Criminal Justice, the Social Psychology Concentration, and for the evaluation of transfer credits, or for any other questions involving majors or minors.

Undergraduate Assistantships

Students interested in becoming more involved in the department’s activities and projects may wish to apply for undergraduate assistantships which are available fall and spring semesters. Department assistants receive a moderate stipend and are assigned to work for a faculty member or department project. Applicants for these awards are also considered for the Kercher Award. For further information and application forms, see the department advisor.

Further information and application forms may be obtained at the Sociology Office, 2420 Sangren Hall.

American Humanics Certificate Program

Sociology majors and minors may choose to participate in the American Humanics Certificate Program. This program is designed to prepare students for employment, service, and leadership in nonprofit organizations. Students qualify for the certificate by taking courses in their major and minor that meet the American Humanics competency requirements, by taking the required American Humanics courses, and by meeting the American Humanics extra-curricular requirements. For details, please see the American Humanics description in the College of Arts and Sciences Interdisciplinary Program section of this catalog. Details are also available from the Sociology academic advisor and from the American Humanics director.

Honors Program

Students in sociology and criminal justice may participate in the department honors program in three ways:

Membership in Alpha Kappa Delta, the national sociology honor society. AKD is open to all students who have completed at least ten hours in sociology with a grade point average of 3.0 or better, and whose overall average is at least 3.0.
Leonard C. Kercher Fund Awards are made each year for outstanding student achievement. Dr. Kercher was head of the department from 1940 to 1972.
Membership in Alpha Phi Sigma, the national criminal justice honor society. Alpha Phi Sigma is open to all criminal justice students who have completed at least one third of the credit hours required for graduation with an overall grade point average of 3.0 or better, and whose criminal justice average is at least 3.2.