Sociology and Criminal Justice

Sociology and Criminal Justice Department
Lommen Hall 212 (218) 477-2045
Chair: Susan Humphers-Ginther
Faculty: Karen Branden, Geraldine Hendrix-Sloan, Michael Hughey, Joel Powell-Dahlquist, Katie Richardson-Jens, Denis Stead, Lee Vigilant, Deborah White

Criminal Justice
Criminal Justice majors examine the criminal justice system and its components within a multidisciplinary framework. The major provides a broad analysis of the criminal justice system and its historical and contemporary social contexts.

Gerontology
Gerontology is a field of study that integrates several disciplinary perspectives on human aging, including sociology, social work, psychology, and biology. It explores the aging process of individuals and societies, including:

• the study of physical, mental, and social changes;
• the investigation of societal changes resulting from an aging population; and
• the application of this knowledge to policy and program development.

Sociology
The sociology major focuses on the study of society, social inequality, organization, social problems, social institutions, and social interaction. As sociology majors, students investigate a wide range of topics such as minorities, family, crime, class, healthcare and religion. Students are encouraged to develop writing and social research skills, as well as a broad understanding of society and organization.

MSUM and the Department of Sociology and Criminal Justice are proud to introduce the new Juvenile Justice minor. This program serves as one of the only juvenile justice minor programs in the United States. Students interested in working with juveniles through the courts, probation, and correctional facilities will benefit from this minor, as they will explore the juvenile justice system and delinquency through a cross-disciplinary approach. Although the minor is open to all MSUM students, sociology, criminal justice, education and social work majors may find the minor particularly useful in working with adolescents, as they will learn prevention and intervention strategies for dealing with at-risk youth and juvenile delinquents.

Student Learning Outcomes (Criminal Justice, Gerontology, and Sociology)

• Exhibit an understanding of the content of the field, including theory and methods.
• Exhibit an ability to apply the concepts of the field to social issues.
• Exhibit an ability to think critically.
• Exhibit an understanding of social research, including the ability to apply research findings to social issues.
• Exhibit an ability to organize knowledge; ideas, evidence, information, and argument.
• Exhibit an ability to use library, internet, and community resources.
• Exhibit an ability to communicate in writing and orally.