This course investigates the specific topics of emigration and immigration within the context of the broader sociological study of race and ethnicity. The course prepares students for a January overseas experience in Thailand and Laos with study at Payap University, and spring semester research and reflection. This course centers around reflection and research related to a January study-abroad experience in Thailand and Laos. Students will analyze sociological data collected while abroad, prepare comprehensive research papers, and present these papers in a public forum. This course uses a sociological perspective to analyze the meaning of crime for a society, theories of criminal behavior, and crime prevention.
Emphasis is placed on understanding the law enforcement, judicial and corrections systems.
Current issues such as police discretion, gun control, capital punishment, and corporate crime are examined. This course examines the nature and extent of juvenile crime in American society. It includes an analysis of the historical and intellectual foundations of the juvenile justice system and the interpretation of Constitutional law as applied to children. Emphasis is placed on the role of the family and community in the prevention and treatment of delinquency. This course introduces students to the nature and role of policing in contemporary society.