From the outside, New Orleans looks pretty tough to categorize. Although it’s called the Big Easy, the amount of diversity and character in our culture might seem difficult to place. But that’s exactly what interests you about studying sociology, isn’t it? You want to understand people—their beliefs, their problems, their behavior, their motivations—and the system that’s supposed to support them. This concentration will allow you to make criminological issues an area of expertise. Whether you’re interested in graduate school or going directly to work in social justice, counseling, or conflict management, here at Loyno we can help you build a clear professional identity.
Overview of Courses
In addition to our foundational sociology core, theory, and research methodology, you will complete a sociology research project and internship and choose electives from the crime, law, and social control track for this concentration. Here’s a sample of what you can expect to learn and do:
- Delinquency and Justice
This course examines the nature and extent of juvenile delinquency in American society and the ways in which society and the justice system respond to delinquency and work to prevent it. Topics include theories of causation, research on the causes of delinquency, juvenile justice policy, the components and historical evolution of the juvenile justice system, and the effectiveness of institutional and community-based correction and treatment programs. In addition, the course takes a historical perspective on trends and changes in societal responses to delinquency. - Criminal Behavior
The course is divided into three parts: (1) the definition and measurement of crime; (2) an overview of psychological, biological, but mainly sociological explanations of criminality; and (3) an examination of various forms of crime and the application of criminological theories to them. - Violence in Society
This course addresses the causes, contexts, and potential solutions regarding the onset and prevalence of violence. Interdisciplinary insights and literature will be reviewed and applied to the study of violence and its personal and social consequences. Interpersonal, group, and staged violence are examined.
Sociology Course Information
Find out more about the Sociology major: