Political Science, Sociology, and Criminal Justice - Undergraduate

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Political Science

Bardwell, Gathman, Magalhães

Department Mission Statement

Courses in political science are designed to provide students with critical knowledge of the political institutions and public policies of the United States and other nations, leading to an appreciation for issues of social justice.  The program is designed to help students fully understand and effectively participate in public affairs as engaged citizens.  The perspectives and skills acquired by students in political science classes are particularly helpful for students planning careers in teaching, public service, journalism, politics and the legal profession. 

Students considering graduate work in political science, international relations, law, or public policy are strongly advised to take POSC 285 - Political Research .

Normally, May Term courses do not satisfy departmental requirements.

No more than four credits from an internship (POSC 319 ) may be counted as an elective toward the major or minor.

Sociology and Criminal Justice

Dallinger, Freyberg, Leifker, Madanipour, Peck, Ruelas

Department Mission Statement

The fields of sociology and criminal justice study human social interaction in its many forms.  The Department of Sociology and Criminal Justice at Simpson provides students an opportunity to develop a keen awareness of the intersection of historical, personal, and social dimensions of life.  In addition to studying social processes, social organization, and issues of social justice, most students in the Department engage in at least one internship.  Departmental graduates should recognize the individuals’ responsibility to contribute to the larger community and should understand the role that individual ethics and social values play in that endeavor.  Because knowledge of self and society nourishes both personal freedom and a sense of social responsibility, sociology and criminal justice courses place students at the heart of a liberal arts education. 

In addition to offering majors and minors in sociology and criminal justice, the department also offers a minor in social work.  For purposes of evaluating transcripts, Criminal Justice, Sociology and Social Work are considered separate disciplines. 

Criminal Justice

The criminal justice major focuses on issues related to crime, criminal justice, and society from a broad perspective.  Students explore the nature of criminal behavior and its causes, while critically evaluating system responses to crime.  Courses in the major emphasize criminological theories and research methods while examining a range or topics related to crime and justice; race, class, and gender disparities; structural and institutional racism; criminalization; punishment and reentry; criminal justice ethics; metal illness; substance abuse; immigration; and the reimagination of criminal justice as a response to crime and deviance. 

Sociology

Sociology examines the “interface” between individuals and society.  Each gets much of its character from the other, so solving problems at either level requires an understanding of how the two levels relate.  For instance, the process of socialization literally transforms from individual to social creatures who fill the roles of society demands of us by adopting “appropriate” beliefs and behaviors.  As individuals seeking freedom and acheivement, we must function effectively within institutions that will shape our success (school, work, government) and do so without entirely surrendering our individuality.  As a society seeking to solve social problems like sexism, global warming, or social media bullying, we must understand how social systems affect individual behavior.  Progress on either individual or social problems demands that we address thorny ethical dilemmas.  

No more than 3 courses can overlap between 2 majors or minors when completing the Sociology major. 

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